In this post our trainer Shaun guides you through how to forge strong relationships with the different people you meet each day including, if you're a trainer, your delegates.

True communication requires a connection between people. When you want to build rapport with someone at work, at home, on a course, in a relationship, when trying to sell something or when trying to buy something, you should consider the following tips:

Learn all the skills you need to build rapport with your delegates on our Train the Trainer Course.

First Impressions

It may seem unfair that we are judged on our appearance but research indicates that people form a lasting impression of us within the first five minutes of meeting. Make sure you make a great first impression by dressing to impress, smiling and being assertive (which also leads to greater self-confidence!) and giving a firm handshake.

Finding Common Ground

Finding common ground or common interests is a good way to start a conversation. For example talk about work, sport or children and remember this common ground for future conversations. People will be much more open and trusting if they recognise a bond between you.

In this post our trainer Shaun guides you through how to forge strong relationships with the different people you meet each day including, if you're a trainer, your delegates.

True communication requires a connection between people. When you want to build rapport with someone at work, at home, on a course, in a relationship, when trying to sell something or when trying to buy something, you should consider the following tips:

Learn all the skills you need to build rapport with your delegates on our Train the Trainer Course.

First Impressions

It may seem unfair that we are judged on our appearance but research indicates that people form a lasting impression of us within the first five minutes of meeting. Make sure you make a great first impression by dressing to impress, smiling and being assertive (which also leads to greater self-confidence!) and giving a firm handshake.

Finding Common Ground

Finding common ground or common interests is a good way to start a conversation. For example talk about work, sport or children and remember this common ground for future conversations. People will be much more open and trusting if they recognise a bond between you.

'He was a wise man who invented (management)'!

It might not seem apparent at first, butManagementandPhilosophygo together likeKant and the Categorical Imperative.

Management, among other things, seeks to provide a structure to get the best from people, to understand business and make people (customers, staff, bosses) happy.

Philosophy, among other things, seeks to provide a structure to get the best from life, to understand the world and make people (society, individuals) happy.

So can managers learn anything from the great philosophers? Certainly.

If you'd like to learn how to be a great manager, why not try ourManagement Skills Courses?

This post will be part of a series called'Management Lessons From Philosophy'we'll start with the ideas of the ancient philosophers from Greece and work our way up to the modern thinkers, exploring everything that can be applied to management along the way.

This week we begin with the man who started it all:Plato.

"The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living"

The Godfather of everything philosophical, Plato isthe manwhen it comes to wise one-liners that make you re-evaluate, well, everything!

With this quote he is arguing that to make the most of life, one really needs to inquire and seek knowledge, both about the world and oneself.

'He was a wise man who invented (management)'!

It might not seem apparent at first, butManagementandPhilosophygo together likeKant and the Categorical Imperative.

Management, among other things, seeks to provide a structure to get the best from people, to understand business and make people (customers, staff, bosses) happy.

Philosophy, among other things, seeks to provide a structure to get the best from life, to understand the world and make people (society, individuals) happy.

So can managers learn anything from the great philosophers? Certainly.

If you'd like to learn how to be a great manager, why not try ourManagement Skills Courses?

This post will be part of a series called'Management Lessons From Philosophy'we'll start with the ideas of the ancient philosophers from Greece and work our way up to the modern thinkers, exploring everything that can be applied to management along the way.

This week we begin with the man who started it all:Plato.

"The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living"

The Godfather of everything philosophical, Plato isthe manwhen it comes to wise one-liners that make you re-evaluate, well, everything!

With this quote he is arguing that to make the most of life, one really needs to inquire and seek knowledge, both about the world and oneself.

Within the Managing Product Delivery phase of the PRINCE2® framework, there are three distinct stages regarding the Work Package that must be completed and documented.

In our post 'Getting Work Done with PRINCE2' our trainer Claudine explains Work Packages in relation to the Controlling a Stage process. In this post we will outline the Managing Product Delivery aspects of Work Packages and the actions necessary for successful completion.

You can learn more about work packages in PRINCE2 on our PRINCE2 Training.

Purpose of Process

It is important to understand what the intended results of the Managing Product Delivery process are:

• To set out and decide upon the requirements with the Project Manager
• To do the work
• To keep the Project Manager updated on progress
• To sanction the completion of the work
• Make the Project Manager aware of the completion of the work

The reason it is important to know the purpose of this process is because if at any point there is contention or an issue that must be addressed, everything has been documented and carried out according to a set structure and so can be easily accessed and acknowledged.

So, you have had your plan approved and now the work needs to begin.

But have you have ever foundyou'vehanded work over only to have it run late, or receive something back that is not at all what was asked for?

How do we avoid this and ensure that work is carried out as planned?

PRINCE2® Processes

ThePRINCE2approach is to use two processes, the Project Manager uses'Controlling a Stage'to hand over the work and the Team Manager will use'Managing Product Delivery'for the development of the product. These are two separate processes because the Project Manager is responsible for managing the work of the project, not doing it! So having a separate process acts as a “firebreak” between the project manager and team manager or team.

The process starts when the Project Manager discusses the work to be done with a Team Manager or team to authorise the work package.

During this discussion, some aspects of the work need to be agreed:

In this post our business writing trainer Jakki will be discussing five particularly useful resources for business report writing. Jakki also runs ourContent Marketing Courses.

Most of us don’t learn report writing skills at school or university.

Yes, they teach you to write, but you soon realise that your brilliant essay-writing skills simply don’t cut it in the workplace. And unless you’re lucky enough to go on aReport Writing Training Course, you’re on your own.

There are many books out there on business writing, but which ones are a good investment? After all, it’s not as if you have much time to read.

Here, to save you time, are my top five resources on how to write reports that have a positive impact on both your organisation and your career.

1/ Word Tools

Not many people know it, but Microsoft Word comes bundled with customisable proofing tools that help make your writing more readable, as well as more accurate.

In this post our business writing trainer Jakki will be discussing five particularly useful resources for business report writing. Jakki also runs ourContent Marketing Courses.

Most of us don’t learn report writing skills at school or university.

Yes, they teach you to write, but you soon realise that your brilliant essay-writing skills simply don’t cut it in the workplace. And unless you’re lucky enough to go on aReport Writing Training Course, you’re on your own.

There are many books out there on business writing, but which ones are a good investment? After all, it’s not as if you have much time to read.

Here, to save you time, are my top five resources on how to write reports that have a positive impact on both your organisation and your career.

1/ Word Tools

Not many people know it, but Microsoft Word comes bundled with customisable proofing tools that help make your writing more readable, as well as more accurate.