Welcome to the winter edition of Abbeydale News. In this issue we are looking at skills that are vital in improving an individual’s performance as a manager and leader. Skills that, in turn, will benefit the organisation.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Employing managers that have the ability to solve problems and make the right decisions has to be the aim of every organisation. Staff who see their boss as someone who is indecisive and someone who sits on the fence will lack confidence in coming to them with fresh ideas. This not only results in staff becoming de-motivated but an eventual deterioration in quality and output.

It is hard to split the skills and techniques of problem solving from those of decision making. We provide short workshops designed and delivered by people who have been successful in industry, commerce and the public service. They will take delegates through the theory and practice of the processes involved in analysing problems and making decisions. How to weigh up options, arrange review programmes and ensure meaningful evaluation. This will include Brainstorming, SWOT and PEST analysis, Pareto Principle and the use of straightforward decision-making models.

A one-day programme will be designed to fit the activities and needs of your organisation using case studies that are agreed with you. Not only will your managers build their own self-confidence and reinforce their assertiveness but your organisation will get a fast return from a moderate investment.

Presentational Skills

It has been said that people have two main fears in life. Dying is one and having to make a presentation is the other. We offer two short programmes that aim to get rid of the myths and strains of public speaking. Our one-day course covers the planning, preparation and delivery of the presentation while our two-day course allows delegates to practice their chosen presentation in a controlled environment resulting in them receiving a full evaluation of their efforts and a personal end of programme critique.

Each course includes essential techniques for controlling nerves, building rapport, dealing with difficult situations, winning over the audience and being confident at taking questions.

Anyone involved in having to deliver team briefings, make a business case, make a sales pitch, provide training sessions or outline changes in an organisation will benefit from the tried and tested methods our trainers introduce and demonstrate. The techniques involved apply if presenting to large or small groups both in house or externally.

Managing Absenteeism

Effective monitoring and management of absence is an area often neglected by organisations. Excessive absence and indiscipline can be a major problem in the modern workplace. Not just through lost time but also by the negative impact on morale and team spirit. Yet many managers are unsure how to actually tackle this with individual staff. We offer a one-day course that is designed to address these issues and equip front line supervisors and managers with the skills needed to plan and conduct effective interviews.

It starts by looking at the causes of absenteeism in the workplace and how the cycle can be broken. It fully covers the planning, preparation and delivery of the absenteeism interview including questioning and listening skills that will enable the interviewer to gain evidence and information from the interviewee. At all stages our trainers will use your organisation’s policies and discipline procedures to underwrite the programme. By managing absenteeism effectively you improve staff morale, save on overtime, save on costs and reduce customer complaints.

Our one-day course will be designed after discussions with you and your approval of the content and objectives.

Please ask us for sample course outlines and details of costs for any of these programmes.