Performance Enhancement Workshop For Secretaries And Personal Assistants

PREMISE
Secretaries and personal assistants occupy a niche position in the smooth and efficient running of organisations. Globalisation, competition and revolutions in information and communications technology have led to increased automation, demanding new knowledge, attitude and skills in the work environment. Secretarial and personal assistance functions cannot therefore be regarded as mere routines, but require positive attitudes, functional soft skills and a variety of technical competencies to synergise appropriately within broad governance objectives.

This programme is designed to enhance personal effectiveness of secretaries and PA's in their daily operational roles; to facilitate informed commitment and optimum contribution to the achievement of departmental goals, policy implementation and delivery.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify and discharge their functions and responsibilities in differing service contexts;
• develop and adapt new competencies through the career and personal development pathways available within their organisations;
• expand their knowledge bandwidth in office administration & people management;
• employ creative thinking tools to resolve challenges and demonstrate problem solving skills;
• discover and apply modern communication processes, styles and structures;
• enhance own personal capital, and professional image as well as that of their immediate superiors and organisation as a whole; and
• anticipate and recognise ethical issues at work, in order to formulate and apply innovative solutions.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Supervisory Skills And People Management Workshop

PREMISE
Managers and supervisors require cutting edge skills to facilitate creative and constructive application of talent of their reportees. This has to be done with minimum conflict driving consensus to achieve productivity and achievement of corporate objectives. The challenge therefore is to create functional work relationships to continuously identify and narrow the gap between performance expectations and outcomes.

The programme is designed as a skills development workshop for supervisors and managers to equip them with adaptive interpersonal and relational skills relevant to their management and leadership roles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify different staff behavioral styles and ways of adapting them to transformation in the work place;
• relate effectively with, and influence positively the performance of employees that appear demanding and or different;
• create an atmosphere of trust through better communication and create friendly work environments for effective application of productivity improvement techniques;
• recognise challenges and specific needs of staff members and drive motivation by proffering appropriate solutions;
• apply leadership and supervisory skills in effective delegation of projects;
• develop exceptional and effective work teams;
• set goals, assist staff members to plan for performance and use conflict management techniques to build consensus and create understanding; and
• assess employee performance, give constructive feedback and document performance challenges.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Budgeting And Budgetary Control Workshop

PREMISE
As globalisation yields increasing competition, organisations have developed an awareness of the use of budgets as a strategic planning tool. Managers must cultivate and update understanding of this central tool of co-ordination, planning and control.

The programme will equip and refresh participants with deeper understanding of the budget process, implications for corporate strategy and application for the attainment of objectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• prepare standardised budgets;
• discuss approaches and techniques for effective implementation of budget proposals;
• evaluate results against the budget;
• use budgets as a tool for planning, coordination and control; and
• apply different budgeting techniques in real life work situations.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Finance For Non-Finance Managers Workshop

PREMISE
Every business decision has a financial implication for the performance of the firm. Managers are expected to create and maximise shareholder value which often require an awareness and use of appropriate financial information. Non-finance managers therefore require appropriate skills and financial literacy to understand the implications of their decisions on the performance of the firm and other stakeholder interests.

This programme will enhance the adaptive financial skills and knowledge of non-finance managers; facilitate effective communication with the finance function, and utilisation of financials for improved decision making.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• apply basic financial knowledge, skills and procedures in day to day work situations and strategic business plans;
• interpret basic financial policies and statements and their implications on the liquidity and profitability of the firm;
• acquire adequate financial literacy to communicate effectively with their counterparts in the finance function;
• outline steps in the preparation, implementation and control of budgets;
• relate costs and contributions to corporate overheads and profits;
• develop deeper appreciation of working capital management and optimal allocation of funds; and
• demonstrate awareness of the capital and money markets and implications for the capital structure and investment decision making in the firm.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Financial Modelling With Ms Excel

PREMISE
Organisations now operate in a globalised information super highway where accountants and finance managers are constantly challenged to provide timely, accurate and concise financial information for efficient and effective management decision making. Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool in data management and analysis, complex calculations, processing, storage and reporting of accounting and business information.

The workshop is designed to equip participants with further training in data management and financial modelling for efficient delivery of corporate productivity.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• summarise data with pivot tables/charts and validate data to eliminate accounting entry errors;
• select, sort and filter data to model, analyse and prepare reports, standardise and protect workbooks;
• identify and apply relevant excel functions for performing complex calculations whilst using and organising data to create coherent business charts;
• employ excel for statistical analysis, project and investment appraisal, and business forecasts;
• prepare and present timely, accurate and concise financial information for efficient and effective management decision making; and
• develop excel templates for the preparation of detailed IFRS compliant financial statements from trial balances.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme

PREMISE
Entrepreneurs are the engine of growth and development, creating jobs and influencing policy direction in the economy of nation states. The increasing incidence of joblessness in our nation arising from local economic decline, global recession and dysfunctional education which makes graduates of our institutions unemployable requires that entrepreneurship training be stepped up in Nigeria.

This programme aims to equip budding and potential business owners cum managers with practical management and financial knowledge; and enhance their skills set in overcoming peculiar challenges of start-ups in Nigeria.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify practical needs and generate innovative ideas to provide solutions;
• prepare and execute business plans;
• write and or interpret the financial statements of their enterprise and, source and manage its finances;
• assess their personal skills set to determine gaps, and develop new and requisite competencies in supervisory, administrative, people and office management functions;
• develop awareness of available institutional structures and legal framework of their chosen enterprise for appropriate business alignment, support and guidance;
• conduct basic market studies, develop target segments and customer care essentials for their products and service offerings, and
• appreciate the role of insurance and apply basic risk management and leadership principles in their enterprise.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Client Relationship Management Workshop

PREMISE
In competitive markets where products and services are similar, putting the customer first is a sensible strategy for building and sustaining an enterprise. Satisfied customers provide repeat business and tell others.

The programme is designed to equip participants with the skills required to build productive client relationships for the achievement of a structured marketing and sales strategy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• discover new ways to strengthen client relationships in their organisation;
• determine feedback variants to generate and expect from their customers;
• deduce the impact of strengthened client relationships on new business referrals, bottom line growth, and brand loyalty;
• identify differing customer wants and desires, and value perceptions of their client-firm relationship;
• acquire the techniques for handling demanding customers to achieve mutually agreed best solutions; and
• design effective customer retention and networking strategies for their organisation.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Facilities Management Workshop

PREMISE
The real estate business in Nigeria had expanded in all ramifications over the past decade; in marketing, development themes, property and collateral management, securitisation, agency e.t.c. Whilst the industry had racked up multibillion naira investments, closing pre-existing gaps in property and facilities maintenance, tenancy services and relations, health and environmental safety awareness, eliminating quackery and touting had been a tremendous challenge for the industry.

This programme aims to provide participants with requisite exposure to the institutional, legal and operational challenges of the facilities and property management business, innovative strategies for resolution and best practices for value addition.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• influence positive perceptions and expectations of their roles within organisational and client-firm contexts;
• demonstrate awareness and promote the legal and regulatory requirements as well as ethical conduct of their profession;
• analyse project economics and marketing for the preparation and implementation of an innovative facilities management plan;
• develop models to sort and identify key issues and challenges in thematic client relations and customise innovative solutions to match owner-tenant expectations in service delivery;
• determine the maintenance, repair and HSE requirements of different schemes and deliver customised solutions with appropriate scheduling and implementation;
• design and embed appropriate quality and risk management procedures in the implementation of their work plans; and  
• formulate and implement a holistic project evaluation and performance management system.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Advanced Human Capital Management Workshop

PREMISE
The human capital function is the soul of every organisation, public or private, as it influences the quality of its people. The effectiveness and success of corporate strategy, administration of performance metrics, reward systems and cultural values are all dependent on the quality of human capital. Officers and managers in the human capital function therefore require regular and periodic training in manpower selection, planning, assessment and management to assemble winning teams needed for the achievement of goals.

The programme is designed to expose senior managers and officers involved in human capital management to current best practices for their job functions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• develop appropriate templates for manpower planning, career development and integration with the business strategies and goals of the organisation;
• use key performance indicators to evaluate the recruitment & selection function;
• design appropriate programs to enhance competency development and productivity improvement for the organisation;
• identify critical issues for the management and retention of key employees,
• formulate and implement employee policy guidelines that creates effective synergies for corporate culture, training and indoctrination;
• create enabling atmosphere for productive employee relations, motivation and welfare;
• apply best practices in performance, talent and reward management; and
• demonstrate awareness of extant legal framework for labour and industrial relations.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Basic Human Capital Management Workshop

PREMISE
The culture of an organisation is built by people working together in the pursuit of commonly agreed objectives. Therefore, the quality of its people determines the ability to build effective teams, set targets and work together to formulate strategy for the attainment of corporate objectives.

The programme will equip participants with current best practices in human capital recruitment and selection, management and welfare goals.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify the main steps and best practices for recruitment, interview and selection;
• determine sources and techniques for attracting and employing appropriately qualified candidates for specific assignments and for the organisation as a whole;
• discover best practices in staff appraisal, grievance procedures, welfare, career management and planning;
• acquire basic understanding of the employee relations and legal framework in Nigeria; and
• outline basic requirements of staff handbooks and human capital management policies.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Health, Safety & Environmental Awareness Workshop

PREMISE
The exercise of health, safety and environmental [HSE] standards is a significant factor for the achievement of total quality in corporate management practices. Subtle though it seems, it impacts on the emotional and physical well being of employees and by extension productivity, stability, loss prevention and perceptions of quality, culture, values and corporate social responsibility.

The workshop will refresh and equip participants with requisite knowledge and skills to improve the level of health, safety and environmental awareness and standards of practice in their organisations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify legal, statutory provisions and best practices for HSE to ascertain their corporate responsibility and shortcomings for corrective action;
• adapt and develop a health, safety and environment management system for their organisation;
• appreciate the need for recording, reporting and proper investigation of accidents and injuries for corporate process improvements;
• conduct standardised hazard identification and risk assessment procedures in their organisation;
• establish and practice corporate hazard/accident prevention, safety monitoring and control strategies; and
• standardise first aid, employment medical services and occupational health schemes in their organisations.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Retirement Planning Programme

PREMISE
Retirement planning has become a human capital development project for discerning organisations and employees. The consequences of unplanned retirements
and life after active work is evident in the poor living standards of the vast majority of retired employees generally, with the private sector fairing only a little better.

Yet, cultural safety nets hitherto guaranteed by legendary communal hospitalities has been eroded by unprecedented levels of youth unemployment, declining disposable income and jobless GDP growth.

This programme aims to provide relevant exposure for participants to the realities and challenges of retirement life as well as the knowledge and skills meet for their post active-service engagements.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• set timely, appropriate and feasible retirement goals and targets;
• assess their personality types, experience, knowledge, skills and networth, to determine with high objectivity post retirement engagements or vocations best suited to them;
• demonstrate understanding of the requirements for successful planning, set up and management of a pre and or post retirement business, or vocation; and
• appraise options and adopt suitable engagements for the additional time at their disposal.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Team Building & Organisational Effectiveness Workshop

PREMISE
Teams are the operating units of organisations. As globalisation engenders higher competition, the effectiveness of work teams, and teamwork, has become an
ultimate competitive advantage. Managers are increasingly challenged to deliver and surpass steep targets and must therefore build effective teams, by influencing reportees positively to facilitate required commitment, cooperation, capacity and focus to formulate strategy and achieve corporate objectives.

The programme is therefore designed to assist participants go through the steps needed to build functional and effective teams and overcome dysfunctional threats and weaknesses that beset typical management teams in real life work situations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• use team building techniques to improve productivity, quality service delivery and customer satisfaction in their organisation;
• demonstrate awareness and understanding of styles and tendencies of other team members;
• acquire techniques for communicating effectively and managing conflict among the team;
• identify the key requirements of successful teams and the major derailers of team work, & design practical solutions to team derailing challenges and situations;
• create a culture of accountability and responsibility within the organisation; and
• relate team performance to, and demonstrate commitment to thematic goals and stated objectives.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Insurance Basics Workshop

PREMISE
Insurance as a business of risk assessment, management and pricing is a specialised field of finance. It requires specialised and often times technical skills, knowledge and niche marketing adaptability which distinguishes the professional from the all comers. This interactive programme provides an excellent introduction to the principles and practices involved in general insurance.

The workshop is designed to provide good grounding for trainees and other personnel with potential to develop in their careers into more technically demanding work in the future.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• appreciate the basis and origin of insurance, and influence client motivation for purchase;
• assess current risk trends and challenges in the economy and innovate insurance solutions with flexibility in product design features to deliver value to customers;
• determine relevant factors to apply in the assessment and pricing of different types of risks;
• apply the cardinal principles of insurance in their every day roles;
• demonstrate understanding of and use appropriate insurance terminologies in their functional routines; and
• prepare policies that reflect best practices in content design and construction.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Marketing Of Insurance Products

PREMISE
Marketing can be seen as an approach to the exchange of relationships for added value which drives and informs the strategies of organisations. The marketing of insurance products and services presents peculiar challenges not unconnected with the specialised and often technical nature of the business.

This programme is designed to equip participants with appropriate skills set and knowledge to develop value-added niche marketing strategies for their firms.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• prepare an insurance marketing plan;
• demonstrate selling skills for specific products;
• identify challenges in selling insurance products and formulate solutions;
• analyse the regulatory and legal framework with a view to achieving compliance in the design and development of insurance products; and
• align marketing strategy and plans to customer needs.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Branch Management And Development Programme

PREMISE
Branch Managers are entrusted with the responsibility of propagating corporate business interests beyond a firms' head office for profitable development and growth. In doing so, they are expected to nurture corporate culture, develop and build brand image, and manage positive reputation with customers.

This programme aims to capture the essence of the branch management function with a view to delivering to participants key improvements in skills set, management attitudes and expectations for success.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• outline the performance expectations of their roles and formulate strategies for continuous improvement;
• determine what, when and how to delegate effectively;
• synergise organisational and communal culture and values to fulfill customer and host CSR expectations;
• plan, adopt and execute cost cutting strategies for profitable and value added operations;
• set clear performance benchmarks to properly align output with global corporate objectives; and
• adopt situational leadership and effective communication styles to manage colleagues more professionally.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Management Development Programme

PREMISE
From business start-ups to small and medium scale enterprises, large global corporations and governments, management leads vision and provides direction. Businesses must not only be well managed but stay ahead of the competition and build niche market adaptations.

This programme provides excellent networking and learning opportunities for management trainees to enhance the skills needed for cutting edge performance in their roles. It is also an essential training for owner-managers for the development of innovative skills required to successfully run a business.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• develop, innovate, and streamline ideas into concrete and practical business plans;
• demonstrate understanding and align performance with corporate vision, mission, goals and objectives,
• prepare and implement strategies for implementation of business plans;
• recognise leadership challenges of their businesses, adopt resolution strategies and best corporate governance practices in management development;
• acquire basic understanding of business finance, system set–up and controls and apply same in their management roles;
• outline key issues for their business in human capital management, succession planning and continuity; and
• discuss the roles of effective communications and client relationship management in day to day running of their organisation.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Strategic Leadership Programme

PREMISE
In the complex and dynamic world of today, organisations and governments are yearning for purposeful and effective leadership to align strategy and objectives within rapid transformational situations. Leaders must inspire organisational renewal and mould positive expectations in increasingly negative environments. Therefore, we need to cascade leadership training into the deep ramifications of governance and society.

This programme aims to assist participants in building on current abilities, preparing self and others for the challenge of succession, and leveraging the talent of co-workers to achieve and surpass organisational objectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• outline current leadership and corporate challenges within their organisations and build creative synergies to align strategies for resolution with defined objectives;
• harmonise leadership imperatives and best practices with value creation and wider stakeholder interests;
• identify and diagnose challenging situations amongst team members, build confidence and motivate commitment;
• determine what, when and how to delegate effectively and use communication skills to lead successfully;
• synergise personal and organisational vision and apply corporate governance ethics to manage conflicts; and
• recognise and anticipate change and employ situational leadership skills to lead transformational environments.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Effective Selling Skills Workshop

PREMISE
Proactive organisations have realised the place of marketing and selling in achieving the competitive edge. Sales executives must understand the basics of face-to-face selling and build productive customer relationships.

This programme is designed to assist sales staff in becoming more successful and result-driven in the selling function, and for experienced officers to refresh their basic skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• construct questions in a sales context and listen effectively to customer responses;
• outline the role of effective communication in conducting sales interviews and building long term relationships with customers;
• match product solutions to customers' needs;
• identify different buyer types;
• plan and prepare for sales meetings; and
• illustrate how to close the sale and gain customer commitment to action.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Strategies For Winning New Businesses

PREMISE
Cutting edge business development skills are among the winning tools for successful executives and entrepreneurs. Without the ability to develop new and repeat business, sales will stagnate and profits will drop.

The programme aims to furnish participants with the tools and techniques required to develop new business, exploit opportunities and actualise potential for niche market development.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify potential markets and prospects;
• plan and make adequate pre-call preparations to overcome fears of rejection and hesitation;
• outline key steps for pre-call preparation and access to decision makers;
• discuss the key performance standards of top prospectors;
• generate opening lines to gain prospect's attention early; and
• acquire penetration and access skills to breakdown resistance and build positive expectancy.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Advanced Presentation And Communication Skills For Senior Executives

PREMISE
Effective communication is a key attribute of successful executives. Managers build the culture of organizations through their interactions and accompanying vertical and horizontal work relationships. Business communications and presentations need therefore to be orderly, reasonably predictable, civilised and acceptable to enhance understanding and commitment of colleagues.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify the role and varied styles of communication in corporate and social fora;
• demonstrate assertiveness and appropriate use of body language in diverse and relevant work scenarios;
• relate creativity, appearance and persuasiveness to effective communication and leadership credibility;
• demonstrate basic etiquettes, active listening and questioning skills in the work place and cross-cultural environments;
• develop proficiency in preparation, delivery, and the use of audio visual aids for presentations ; and
• apply emotional intelligence in official communication, negotiations and effective lobbying.

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Business Etiquette Workshop

PREMISE
Etiquette refers to rules of civility and good manners. It encapsulates the behavioural codes of everyday work or social activity which facilitates orderliness in human relationships. Managers build the culture of organizations through their interactions and work relationships whilst employees respond to, and are influenced more readily by behavioural tendencies in the work environment, than formal instructions. It is essential that engagement at work be simplified, smooth, orderly, civilised and acceptable to enhance communication, understanding, and commitment towards the achievement of goals and objectives.

This course is designed to equip participants with the rules and skills of social and business etiquette in cross-cultural environments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• apply acceptable ethics of social interaction in their everyday engagements;
• identify rules of politeness that are universally accepted as sensible, and necessary for the
  promotion and seamless exchange of goodwill among people;
• demonstrate appealing social traditions derived from attributes of kindness, simplicity, courtesy, graciousness and good manners; and
• acquire skills that makes human engagements inoffensive, but elegant, comfortable and smooth.

DURATION: Two [2] consecutive days.

Enterprise Risk Management Workshop

PREMISE
Organisations and Governments now face increased complexity and uncertainty, making it difficult to manage unforeseen or ill-assessed business, socio-political, economic and operational risks. The enterprise risk management [ERM] framework encompasses methods and processes by which firms identify, analyse and quantify, control, monitor and exploit risks and opportunities for the maximisation of stakeholder satisfaction.

This programme offers understanding of the framework, it presents relevant techniques to address responsibilities and respond to associated risks thereon.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• develop an attitude of risk management awareness in their daily operations, tasks and functions;
• recognise the social and economic benefits of risk management to the firm/organisation and its people;
• formulate strategic objectives that offers best fit for corporate risk tolerance and appetites;
• identify and analyse risk factors to determine appropriate corporate risk response decisions, seize opportunities and improve deployment of capital;
• design and apply risk weights in the measurement and reporting of identified risk factors; and
• apply risk management principles and processes in the planning, monitoring and execution of corporate budgets and projects with a view to prioritising tasks and functions.
  

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.

Productivity And Efficiency Tools For Senior Public Officers

PREMISE
Productivity and efficiency at all levels of governance is driven largely by the quality of people and facilities available to them. Senior public officers exert considerable influence on formulation and implementation of policy which impacts on the quality and delivery of service. Globalisation and revolutions in information and communications technology have led to increased automation, demanding new knowledge, attitude and skills in work environments.

The programme is designed to enhance personal effectiveness of participants in their daily operational roles to facilitate optimum performance in policy formulation, implementation, presentation and delivery.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This learning programme will enable participants to:

• identify relevant information and communications technology [ICT] resources to research, sort and process data for policy analysis and preparation of reports;
• use and organise data to create coherent charts and scenarios;
• demonstrate relevant skills for statistical analysis, forecasts and interpretation;
• acquire effective presentation skills for preparation and delivery of timely, accurate and concise reports for efficient and effective management decision making; and
• develop proficiency in the preparation and use of audio visual aids for presentations.
  

DURATION: Three [3] consecutive days.