Wokingham

Following on from the success of last year’s series of leadership and management workshops, Wokingham District Council is joining forces with local education and business partners to offer a series of further workshops for small businesses.

Working in partnership with Bracknell and Wokingham College, Business Link and the Oracle Corporation, the district council is offering local businesses the chance to join a series of management development courses on a range of topics from team building to business development.

Designed for small and medium sized businesses in the Wokingham district, each half day workshop covers an essential management topic and provides an opportunity for existing, new and aspiring managers from local organisations to develop key skills within small groups of up to 16 attendees. Each course costs £45 plus VAT per delegate, and takes place between 9am and 1pm at the Oracle Corporation’s Headquarters at Thames Valley Business Park.

Selling skills (April 21) shows delegates how to grow their business by increasing sales. Wokingham Delegates will learn how to attract new customers, how to approach them with confidence and how to get an appointment with prospects. Top tips will also be given on the difference between how customers and salespeople think. Course tutor Bob Hazell is a successful salesperson and trains others to emulate his success.

Performance Management (May 16) covers key skills and techniques for performance management and how that fits in with the overall management process. Delegates will also learn how to identify the benefits of effective reviews, the dos and don’ts, and how to analyse personal strengths and areas for improvement.

Business development (June 15) covers generating business development ideas, the process of business development and why all staff have to be involved in this. Delegates will also be asked to plan and prepare their own business development strategy as well as considering the overall impact this change will have on their Wokingham business.

Team building (July 14) looks at how employees can work together towards achieving a common goal. However, pulling people together with a common goal will not automatically turn them into a team and this workshop provides useful tips on leadership skills, identifying roles of team members and explaining more about what team working is.

Chris Hamilton, corporate head of Wokingham cultural services and development, said: “Wokingham District Council is very pleased to be able to assist local small businesses with this programme, tailored to the needs of both employers and employers. I hope that local businesses will encourage their employees to join one of the workshops. Each one provides an opportunity to learn from working with peers, and information that delegates can use on a daily basis in their work environment - they learn new skills in the morning and put them into practice in the afternoon!”

If any local businesses would like to reserve a place, please contact Geraldine Grayson on (0118) 974 3709 or geraldine.grayson@wokingham.gov.uk for a booking form. Once completed booking forms should be posted to Geraldine Grayson, workforce development officer, cultural services and development, Wokingham District Council, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN or faxed to (0118) 974 6259. Alternatively, more information on the workshops is available from Geraldine Grayson on (0118) 974 3709 or geraldine.grayson@wokingham.gov.uk.

Wokingham District Council