special topics

Proficiency level: Intermediate to Advanced. We offer 40 additional special interest topics through the English language - You can select and learn about whichever area of business management that interests you.

Topics: People Development, Change & Growth, Corporate Social Responsibility and Citizenship in cooperation with talktotheworld.com Corporate University Network.

  • collecting information

    collecting information
    Valid Information: Introduction; Data and information; The need for information; Good information; Information sources; Checking validity; Summary; Collecting and recording information: Introduction; Information relevant to your job; Means of collecting information; Storing information; Questioning techniques; Questionnaires, surveys and observation; Summary; The Internet: Introduction; Internet basics; Searching the internet; Refining a search; Evaluating internet information; Intranets; Internet abuse; Summary; Performance checks;

  • storing and retrieving information

    storing and retrieving information
    Record keeping and storage media: Introduction; Why we keep records; Paper-based storage media; Electronic storage media; Summary; Systems for storing and retrieving information: Introduction; Organizing information; Cross-referencing and indexing; Computer systems; Summary; Databases: Introduction; Records and databases; Using a database; Summary; Performance checks; Access control, security and data protection: Introduction; Managing risks; Data security; The law and data storage; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • information in management

    information in management
    Using information for decisions: Introduction; Adequate and relevant information; Decision-making models; Summary; Analyzing information: Introduction; Analyzing numerical data; Excel and data analysis; Non-numerical information; Summary; Presenting Information: Introduction; Tables; Line graphs; Charts; How to create charts in Excel; Other types of visual presentation; Gantt charts and managing projects; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • solving problems

    solving problems

    • Session A: Problems large and small- Introduction; What do you mean by 'a problem' ?; Problems foreseen and unforeseen; The six stages of problem-solving; Stage 1: recognizing the problem; Stage 2: accept ownership of the problem; Summary;
    • Session B: Defining problems and causes- Introduction; Stage 3: understand the problem; Define the problem; Analyze the problem; Other aids to understanding a problem; Summary;
    • Session C: Finding a solution- Introduction; Stage 4: choose a solution; What is a solution ?; Identify possible solutions; Some solutions are better than others; Summary;
    • Session D: Implementing and evaluating a solution- Introduction; Stage 5: implementing a solution; Stage 6: monitoring and evaluation; Looking back; Summary; Performance checks; Review and reflect;
  • becoming more effective

    becoming more effective
    Assessing your current situation: Introduction; Analyzing the requirements of your job; Assessing your current effectiveness; Confirming your findings; Summary; Choosing development activities that suit your needs: Introduction; What is development?; Your development needs; Specifying your objectives; Forms of development activity; Ways of learning; Summary; Making it Happen: Introduction; The personal development plan; From planning to action; Selecting the right form of development; Reviewing and evaluating development; Keeping track; Revising your personal development plan; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • making a financial case

    becoming more effective
    Assessing your current situation: Introduction; Analyzing the requirements of your job; Assessing your current effectiveness; Confirming your findings; Summary; Choosing development activities that suit your needs: Introduction; What is development?; Your development needs; Specifying your objectives; Forms of development activity; Ways of learning; Summary; Making it Happen: Introduction; The personal development plan; From planning to action; Selecting the right form of development; Reviewing and evaluating development; Keeping track; Revising your personal development plan; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • organizational culture and context

    organizational culture and context
    Why organizations need to exist: Introduction; What organizations are for; Is there 'an organization for all purposes'?; Types of organization; Organizational structures; Organizational functions; Summary; Ethics in business: Introduction; Stakeholders in the organization; Ethics in practice; Mission statements; Is good ethics good business; Communications; Political, investment and trading practices; The public interest disclosure act (PIDA) 1999; Conflicts and ethical dilemmas; Summary; Organizational culture and its effect on performance: Introduction; Contrasting organizational cultures; Culture and management style; Sub-cultures; Internal politics; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • controlling physical resources

    controlling physical resources
    Dealing with Resources: Introduction; The organization's resources; Managing resources; People as a resource; Equipment as a resource; Land and Buildings as a Resource; Materials as a Resource; Summary; Storing and Allocating Materials: Introduction; The basic principles of stock control; Rotating stock; Managing stock; Receiving goods; Issuing goods; Stock levels; Computerized systems; Summary; Purchasing, resource planning and security: Introduction; The purchasing function; Materials planning; Resource planning and management; Security; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • organizational environment

    organizational environment
    The economic environment: Introduction; How economics affects everyone; Factors of production; Raw Materials; The price mechanism; The economic levers which governments use; Key economic issues effecting all organizations; Summary; The Global Village: Introduction; The UK's International Trade; The UK's trading partners; The European Union (EU); International organizations which influence the UK; The trade cycle, unemployment and economic growth; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • achieving quality

    achieving quality
    Quality in Context: Introduction; The meaning of quality; Ensuring quality; Total quality management; Achieving quality at team level; Summary; Standards: Introduction; Types of standards; BE EN ISO 9000:2000; Quality management system; Management responsibility; Resource management; Product realization; Measurement analysis and improvement; Summary; Quality Control and Statistics: Introduction; The mean, the range and the standard deviation; The distribution of data; Summary; Statistical Process Control: Introduction; Sampling; Acceptable quality level (AQL); Control limits; Applying the techniques; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • budgeting for better performance

    budgeting for better performance

    • Session A: What is a budget - Introduction; The purpose of budgets; Beginning a budget; Why do we need budgets?; The advantages of budgets; Using budgetary control; Summary;
    • Session B: Monitor performance against budget - Introduction; Budgetary control; Flexible budgets and budgetary control; Non-financial budgets; Standard costing and budgetary control; Summary;
    • Session C: Measuring Performance - Introduction; What is performance measurement ?; Performance measurement principles; A range of performance measures; Financial performance measures; Non-financial performance measures; External comparisons; Stakeholders & their objectives; Summary;
    • Session D: Monitoring and improving performance - Introduction; Developing performance standards; Monitoring performance; Improving performance; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • commitment to equality

    commitment to equality
    Managing Diversity: Introduction; Diversity and equality; The importance of equality at work; Inequality and unfairness at work; Has inequality occurred ?- a checklist; Summary; The law relating to equality at work Introduction; Scope of anti-discrimination laws; United Kingdom statute law; Other legislation affecting unfair discrimination; A detailed look at the main UK legislation; Illegal discrimination in detail; Summary; Pursuing real equality in the workplace: Introduction; Who is liable ?; Procedures for ensuring equality; Commitment to equality; Pursuing real equality; Summary; The consequences of illegal discrimination: Introduction; Types of liability for illegal discrimination; The financial consequences; The legal process- Employment Tribunals; Employment practices and procedures; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • delivering training

    delivering training
    How People Learn: Introduction; What is 'learning'?; The process of learning; Learning styles; Barriers to successful learning; Methods of learning; Training: Introduction; Training- a definition; Your role in the training process; Structure of a training session; Training methods; Dealing with problems; Assessment; Methods of assessment; Giving feedback; Evaluation techniques; Keeping records; Summary; Coaching: Introduction; What is coaching?; Why coach?; Three golden rules; The process; Keeping records; Summary; Counseling and mentoring: Introduction; Five ways to support your team members; Counseling; Professional help; Mentoring; Confidentiality; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • making communication work

    making communication work

    • Session A: The communication process -Introduction; The importance of communicating effectively at work; The communication cycle; Recognizing and overcoming barriers to communication; Ensuring effective communication in the workplace; Summary;
    • Session B: Communication media-Introduction; Choosing the right method of communication; Face-to-face communication; Gathering and using feedback; Non-verbal communication; Summary;
    • Session C: Non-verbal communication-Introduction; Understanding different types of body language; Sending, receiving and interpreting unspoken messages; Attitude, perceptions and cultures; Summary; Performance Checks; Reflect and review;
  • managing change

    managing change
    Change through continuous improvement: Introduction; What does continuous improvement involve ?; Tools for aiding continuous improvement; The 5S Programme; Standards and continuous improvement; Summary; Planning change: Introduction; Reasons for major change; Change and the team leader; Preparing for change; Planning the project activities; Establishing responsibilities and methods of communication; Summary; Implementing change and managing its consequences: Introduction; Monitoring the project plan; Completing a change project; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review

  • managing time

    managing time
    Where does all the time go? Introduction; What is time management?; Activity trap 1: crisis management; Activity trap 2: responding to demands; Activity trap 3: the treadmill; Getting out of the trap; Summary; Deciding how to use time: Introduction; Making decisions; Identifying demands; Habits; Priorities; The time management grid; The quadrants; Summary; Making time work: Introduction; Time logs; Planning time for you and your team; The list system; Gantt charts; Summary; The limits of time management: Introduction; Scheduling your own tasks; Scheduling team time; The best laid plans; Coping with the unexpected; Reviewing the use of time; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • project and report writing

    project and report writing
    Reports-what and why? Introduction; What is a report?; Objectives of reports; The users of reports; The structure of a report; Types of reports; Summary; The report writing process: Introduction; What's special about presenting reports; The report writer's toolkit; Get the task into focus; Plan your work; Research and analyze the facts; Select the appropriate structure; Manage the content; Write your report; Summary; Gathering and presenting information: Introduction; Obtaining facts; Conducting your own investigations; Analyzing numbers; Drawing conclusions and making recommendations; Presenting information; Using appendices; Summary; Writing an ILM Certificate project report; Performance checks; Reflect and review. 

  • understanding quality

    understanding quality
    Quality and customers: Introduction; Defining quality; Design quality and process quality; Quality systems; Why is quality important?; The cost of quality; Dependability; Certification and accreditation schemes; Summary; Towards total quality: Introduction; The traditional approach to quality management; What is total quality management?; Continuous improvement; Focus on the customer; A commitment to quality; Teamwork and trust; Summary; Practical steps to quality: Introduction; Finding ways to improve quality; Working as a team; Getting your team to work for quality; Zero defects programmes; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • writing effectively

    writing effectively
    Why and when to write: Introduction; Writing versus speech; The advantages of writing; Summary; Writing for Results: Introduction; Reaching the destination; Getting the reader's attention; Plain words; Making the right impression; The Human Touch; Summary; Planning and laying out writing: Introduction; Planning your writing; Laying out written documents; Including visual materials; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • networking and sharing information

    networking and sharing information
    Successful briefings and presentations: Introduction; The purpose of briefings and presentations; Which medium?; Selecting information; Planning and preparation; Conducting the briefing or presentation; When it's all over; Changing sides - being a contributor; Summary; Active listening: Introduction; The five senses; The communication process; Learning to listen actively; Whole body listening; Hidden messages; Non-verbal communication; Summary; Building a network: Introduction; What is networking; What is good about networking; Types of network; Creating a network; Building a rapport; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • effective meetings at work

    effective meetings at work
    One-to-one meetings: Introduction; Types of one-to-one meetings; Setting up meetings; Communicating in one-to-one meetings; Formal meetings with staff; Taking notes; Counseling interviews; Disciplinary interviews; Grievance interviews; Other methods of one-to-one communication; Summary; Giving and receiving feedback: Introduction; The role of feedback in communication; Giving feedback to improve performance; Feedback in less formal situations; Appraisal meetings; Receiving feedback; Summary; Group Meetings: Introduction; Different types of meetings; Preparing for meetings; Taking part in a meeting; Following up on meetings; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • managing relationships at work

    managing relationships at work
    The importance of good relationships: Introduction; A definition of relationship; Formal and informal relationships within organizations; External relationships; Differences between people; Relationships and organizational culture; Summary; Building a positive environment: Introduction; Groups and teams; Behavior breeds behavior; Personal qualities; Interpersonal skills; Emotional intelligence; Developing a culture of trust; Confidentiality; Choosing your leadership style; Summary; How to get the result you want: Introduction; Instructing; Influencing; Persuading; Negotiating; Summary; Managing Conflict: Introduction; The value of personal power; Causes of conflict; Resolving conflict situations; The 4-step model for resolving conflict; Achieving a win-win situation; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • improving efficiency

    improving efficiency

    • Session A: Background to efficiency - Introduction; Work organizations; Efficiency; Quality; People as a resource; Materials as a resource; Information as a resource; Time as a resource; Summary;
    • Session B: Productivity & work study - Introduction; Productivity; Cost benefit analysis; Work study; Method study; Work measurement; Calculating staffing requirements; Summary;
    • Session C: Efficiency in your workplace -Introduction; What are the real costs of using resources; Planning for improved efficiency & effectiveness; Summary;
    • Session D: Managing Waste - Introduction; Waste control legislation; The costs of waste; A staged approach to managing waste; Awareness raising; Process analysis; Clarifying costs; Future planning; Defining the problem and identifying solutions; Taking action; Summary: Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • appraising performance

    appraising performance

    • Session A: the aims and objectives of appraisal- Introduction; Defining performance appraisal; The benefits of performance appraisal; Resistance to performance appraisal; The purpose of performance appraisal; Aims and objectives of performance appraisal; Summary;
    • Session B: the appraisal process- Introduction; Planning and preparation; Assessing performance; Choosing the appraiser; Summary;
    • Session C: the appraisal interview- Introduction; Before the interview; At the start of the interview; During the interview; Agreeing future performance; After the interview; Summary;
    • Session D: assessment reports and records- Introduction; Recording systems; Who should have access to appraisal records?; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • leading your team

    leading your team

    • Session A: are you a leader? - Introduction; What is a leader?; What else does a leader need?; So how do you become an effective leader?; Summary;
    • Session B: the team leader, responsibilities and roles- Introduction; Responsibility 1: the task; Responsibility 2: the individual; Responsibility 3: the team; Coping with the role of team leader; Summary;
    • Session C: Leadership styles- Introduction; The leader; The task; The team; The operational environment; Personal leadership style; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • managing lawfully - health, safety and environment

    managing lawfully - health, safety and environment

    • Session A: Background to health and safety legislation- Introduction; Introduction to health and safety legislation; Health and Safety at Work; Levels of statutory duty; Fire precautions act 1971; Enforcing the law; Safety representatives and committees; Summary;
    • Session B: Some important health and safety laws- Introduction; Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1992; Workplace (health, safety, and welfare) regulations 1992; Manual handling operations regulations 1992; Health and safety (display screen equipment) regulations 1992; Personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992; Provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998; Control of substances hazardous to health regulations 1994; Other laws; Summary;
    • Session C: the law on the environment- Introduction; Background to environmental law; Principal environmental legislation; Integrated pollution control; How the law is enforced; The law on waste management; The law on water pollution; The law on atmospheric pollution; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • managing lawfully - people and employment

    managing lawfully - people and employment

    • Session A: employment policies- Introduction; Communicating employment policies; The contract of employment; Employment tribunals; Grievance and disciplinary procedures; Dealings with recognized trade unions; Employment records; Summary;
    • Session B: managing positively- Introduction; Achieving harmony at work; Selection and training; Appraising performance; Communicating with the team; Earning respect from the team; Motivating and monitoring; Recognizing and resolving conflict situations; Resolving conflict; Grievance procedures; Summary;
    • Session C: Discipline- Introduction; The purpose of discipline; Rules; Dealing with offences; Following the procedures; Finding out the facts; The counseling session; Taking action; Summary; Performance checks; Review and reflect;
  • managing tough times

    managing tough times

    • Session A: what makes your job tough?- Introduction; Types of working demand; Work-related demands; People demands; Demands from the changing world; Multiple demands; Summary;
    • Session B: how do you cope with tough times?- Introduction; What to look for; We are all different; The three stages of stress; How stress can affect your organization; Summary;
    • Session C: helping yourself in tough times- Introduction; First aid; Preparing for tough times; Summary;
    • Session D: helping others in tough times- Introduction; Promoting team work; Supporting and advising, counseling and mentoring; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • marketing and selling

    marketing and selling
    Understanding the market: Introduction; The market and competition; Product life-cycles; The marketing approach; Summary; The marketing mix: Introduction; The elements of the marketing mix; Product quality; Maintaining customer satisfaction; The people factor in the marketing mix; Summary; Analyzing the market: Introduction; Recognizing the need for change; PESTLE analysis; Market segmentation; SWOT analysis; The marketing plan; Summary; Getting the price, place and promotion right: Introduction; The right price; The right place; The right time; The right promotion; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review.

  • motivating people

    motivating people

    • Session A: what is motivation- Introduction; Definitions; Values and attitudes; The right atmosphere; Clear objectives; Summary;
    • Session B: understanding behavior at work- Introduction; Maslow: needs theory; McGregor- theory x and theory y; Hertzberg: the two-factor team; Expectancy; Hackmand and Oldham: internal motivation; Summary;
    • Session C: Making work more rewarding- Introduction; Taking the skill out of work; Reviewing the theory; Job enrichment; Job rotation and job enlargement; Job enrichment in practice; Summary;
    • Session D: the team leader's role- Introduction; Needs and your team; Motivation and the team; Managing performance to meet objectives; Job enrichment; Job enrichment and the team; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • planning and controlling

    planning and controlling

    • Session A: Planning and controlling work processes- Introduction; Control systems; Stages in control; Summary;
    • Session B: Planning and controlling the use of resources- Introduction; Controlling materials; Controlling quality; Controlling plant and equipment; Controlling work methods; Scheduling work flow; Control and people; Making your contribution; Summary;
    • Session C: Planning and controlling projects; Introduction; Project management; The germ of a project; Knowing what you want to achieve; Project planning; Project costs; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • planning training and development

    planning training and development

    • Session A: The importance of training. Introduction; What do we mean by training ?; Effective training; The benefits of training; Alternatives to training; The training cycle; Summary.
    • Session B: Identifying Training Needs. Introduction; Types of training need; Assessing training needs by analyzing jobs; Training needs analysis by task; Other training needs identification techniques; Agreeing and recording identified training needs; Summary.
    • Session C: Planning Successful Training. Introduction; What are we trying to achieve ?; The way people learn; Training on or off the job?; Choosing the best method; Designing and using visual aids; Planning the training; Conforming to legislative requirements; Deciding on review and evaluation process; Drawing up the training plan; Summary. Performance Checks; Reflect and Review.
  • preventing accidents

    preventing accidents

    • Session A: accidents and their causes- Introduction; Definition of an accident; What kind of accidents?; What causes accidents?; Policies for safety; The team leader's role; Summary;
    • Session B: the management of safety- Introduction; The cost of accidents; Management strategies for safety; Accident prevention and the law; Risk assessment; People with a special role to play; Summary;
    • Session C: practical accident prevention- Introduction; Equipment safety; Preventing falls; Electrical hazards; Maintenance work; Manual handling; Fire hazards; Protective equipment; Day-to-day tasks; Summary;
    • Session D: coping with accidents- Introduction; Dealing with accidents and abnormal occurrences; Reporting accidents; Investigating an accident; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • securing the right people

    securing the right people

    • Session A: Filling a vacancy- Introduction; recruitment policies; The recruitment process; A vacancy exists; Starting the recruitment and selection process; Analyzing the job; Job descriptions; Person specifications; Job specification; Getting approval; Attracting the applicants; Employment law; Summary;
    • Session B: Making the right choice- Introduction; Why do we interview?; Preparing for the interview; The functions of the interviewer; Interview format; Welcoming the interviewees; Asking questions; Keeping to a natural sequence; Taking notes; Rounding off the interview; Assessing the candidates; Following up the interview; Summary;
    • Session C: Helping the new employee- Introduction; Preparing for the new employee; Before the employee arrives; On the day the employee arrives; Individual needs; Retaining your staff; Developing staff; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • understanding finance

    understanding finance

    • Session A: the need for accounts- Introduction; How money is used; The use of accounting records; Accounting records and accounts; Summary;
    • Session B: finance in business- Introduction; How a business works; Cash flow; Summary;
    • Session C: financial information- Introduction; Cash accounting versus profit accounting; The profit and loss account; The balance sheet; Summary;
    • Session D: financial indicators- Introduction; Using ratio analysis; Summary;
    • Session E: sources of finance- Introduction; Funds available; Short-term finance; Medium-term and long-term finance; Flexible financing; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • working in teams

    working in teams

    • Session A: What teams are- Introduction; What is a team ?; Many kinds of work team; Comparing work teams; The needs of people in teams; The responsibilities of people in teams; Summary;
    • Session B: How teams behave- Introduction; The stages of team development; The roles people play; Group norms; Why do teams sometimes fail ?; Summary;
    • Session C: Leading and developing a team; Introduction; Your role as team leader; Building your team; Cohesiveness; Developing your team; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review;
  • caring for the customer

    caring for the customer

    • Session A: ABOUT CUSTOMERS; Introduction; What is a customer?; Non-commercial organizations and their customers; External customers; Internal customers; Summary;
    • Session B: WHAT IS CUSTOMER CARE?; Introduction; Customers old and new; The three pillars of customer satisfaction; Meeting the needs of external customers; Summary;
    • Session C: DIRECT CUSTOMER CONTACT; Introduction; Whose customers are they?; A quality personal service; Telephone contacts; Customer complaints; Summary;
    • Session D: DELIVERING CUSTOMER CARE; Introduction; Identifying your customer care problems; Managing for customer satisfaction; Setting and monitoring standards; A customer care culture?; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and Review;
  • controlling costs

    controlling costs

    • Session A: classifying costs- Introduction; Organizational costs; Labor costs; Materials costs; Overheads; Fixed and variable costs; Break-even analysis; The need to control costs; Summary;
    • Session B: standard costing- Introduction; Setting standards; Standard costing in practice; Variances from the standard; The value of standard costing; Summary;
    • Session C: controlling and reducing costs- Introduction; Cost information and decisions; Cost centers; Control through cost centers; Cost consciousness; Checklists for controlling costs; Cost reduction; Summary; Performance checks; Review and reflect;
  • delegating effectively

    delegating effectively

    • Session A: Delegation, a vital skill; Introduction; What does delegation mean?; Why is important to delegate?; Objections to delegating; Authority and responsibility; The process of delegation; How effective delegation will help you; Summary;
    • Session B: Achieving balance in delegation; Introduction; Under-delegation; Over-delegation; Identifying under-delegation and over-delegation; Levels of control in delegation; Summary;
    • Session C: Preparing to delegate- Introduction; What should not be delegated?; What should be delegated?; Delegating to volunteers; Which of your tasks can you delegate?; Selecting a team member for delegation; Summary;
    • Session D: Carrying out delegation- Introduction; Setting objectives; Planning; Monitoring the delegated task; Reviewing the delegation; Summary; Performance checks; Review and reflect
  • understanding change

    understanding change

    • Session A: External forces for change- Introduction; Categorizing forces for change; Political, economic and social factors; Technological factors; Legal factors; Environmental factors; Recognizing opportunities and threats; Strengths and weaknesses; Putting it all together: SWOT analysis; Summary;
    • Session B: continuous improvement and change- Introduction; Quality and continuous improvement; The positive aspects of change; Establishing a culture receptive to change; Promoting continuous improvement; Summary;
    • Session C: Identifying and overcoming barriers to change- Introduction; Resistance to change in yourself; Acknowledging resistance to change in others; Managing resistance to change; Summary; Performance checks; Reflect and review
copyright 3tw.org talktotheworld.com 2025 | imprint | freelance contributions | terms & conditions | agb