City Business Library offers a range of 'free' courses, and training sessions for businesses and entrepreneurs. Book Early!

Emotional intelligence – an introduction  

Wednesday 24 August, 10am – 12noon 
This seminar/workshop is aimed at professionals and entrepreneurs who seek a competitive edge. You will learn what Emotional Intelligence is and how it could be used to enable change and accelerate performance. The seminar is lead by Reza from Perspect who is a qualified Performance Coach with many years of experience in education and commerce.

Given that emotional intelligence is so central in our personal and professional interactions, it is important for us to understand what it really means and be aware of the research and theory on which it is based.  The seminar will also briefly explore its work-related outcomes, such as its effect on individual performance and organisational productivity 
  
Develop the need - achieve the sale!  

Thursday 1 September, 2- 4pm 
If you are feeling that you are missing out on sales opportunities, running into unforeseen objections or finding that clients are not really convinced to buy your product or service, it is likely that your sales approach is missing a vital component. Bill Osmond’s seminar will help you reorganise your sales approach to increase perception of needs, develop higher levels of urgency and gain greater depth of commitment.  By using live examples you will learn how the practical techniques discussed, can be used back in the workplace.  The focus will be on consultative sales skills and the need to work with your clients and not to sell at them.  The seminar will help you develop a new more competitive edge to your sales approach, essential in the modern environment.
  
From social return on investment (SROI) to the triple bottom line & beyond in business: making it work for you  

Thursday 1 September, 2.30 – 4pm

This session will be led by Justine Cawley of Justine Cawley Associates and Hament Patel, with additional input from others working with both speakers.

The seminar session introduces and gets participants to think about what approaches like SROI are trying to do and its practical benefits over more traditional approaches to Rate of Return (ROR) on Investment.

Related concepts that also transcend the bottom line are considered, by looking at how ideas like the triple bottom line can help enterprise and improve entrepreneurship through values that will drive your business.
  
Branding for hospitality and retail – a case study  

Friday 2 September, 2 - 3.30pm 

During a recession, everyone suffers.  You'd never think that even the venerable Starbucks has joined the 'misery loves company' bandwagon.  In light of the company’s recent downturn, (shares have fallen by 42% in the last year, and the company has announced its plan to shut 600 stores) Joseph Sung takes a look at how branding and design can propose an environment that caters to a range of experiences—from fast to slow, from social to private—within a setting redesigned to be simple, efficient and universal. The approach even includes a new name for the chain. This autumn, facing a challenging and somewhat uncertain economic climate, retailers and business owners must look for novel ways to encourage shoppers to visit their shops/restaurants.
  
Learn to confidently influence others with your ideas and plans 

Monday 5 September, 10am – 12noon 

What would the ability to confidently influence others with your ideas and plans give you? More clients? A more productive team? Less stress before difficult conversations?  Cathy Miles from ChangePoint, will share a powerful and ethical “6 step Influencing strategy” that will transform your influencing skills and give you the insight and technique to confidently go into influencing conversations.   Bring along your specific influence issue to develop your strategy and practice the techniques.
  
Get that job!  
Monday 5 September, 2.30 - 4pm
 
Whether it’s a new appointment you seek or promotion with your existing employer, Liza Jones of Abucon will show you how to get the role you want.
  
Does adopting an Environmental Management System make sense for companies working with metals? 

Tuesday 6 September, 10am - 1pm  
Why do you need one? How to get one? Which one to get? A look at ISO14001, EMAS, BS8555 and how can you develop your own.

This workshop aims at helping companies get through the maze of how to put in place an Environmental Management System. Toni Saraiva of Enterprise Europe Network is targeting companies working with metals (any company that uses some metals in their activities and produce waste metal). This workshop is applicable to any business and the focus of some of the presentation will be on the metal industry.

Weight loss without dieting   
Tuesday 6 September, 2.30 - 4.30pm
 
Is it possible to eat out, travel, enjoy life and still lose weight? Yes, but you won't get there on a diet. Diets don't work, but most people have no idea what the alternative is, or how to go about doing it.

In this engaging session, Harley Street doctor and weight loss expert, Dr. Khandee Ahnaimugan explains the key to long term weight loss how you can develop the confident, healthy lifestyle that you desire. You'll learn:


    • How do some people seem to eat what they want and not gain weight? And how can you do the same
    • How you can manage your weight without dieting
    • A blueprint for losing weight and keeping it off!
  • NLP and social media 
     
    Wednesday 7 September, 10am - 12noon 
    The explosion of Social Media has transformed the terms of customer engagement. The question many businesses are now asking themselves is whether this revolutionary platform can drive everything from customer relationships to product development — or whether it’s just another form of marketing and how can we best embrace it?

    Join NLP Master Practitioners Gill Davis and Gill Sabatti on this engaging and interactive workshop to discover the latest trends in Social Media, the best Social Media sites and how language can be used to powerful effect to engage emotionally with your customers.
How VAT works  
Thursday 8 September, 9.45 - 11.45am 

In partnership with City Business Library, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs staff will help those not already registered for VAT understand when to register and how to account for and monitor their VAT turnover.
  
Essential employment law for business start-ups and SMEs 
Thursday 8 September, 2 – 4pm 
Whilst start-up and the early years are a crucial time for most businesses, the fundamentals of employment law can often be overlooked during this period. In this seminar, Michael Sissons will be sharing his tips and tricks as he looks at:

    • The importance of the contract of employment and the employee documentation you REALLY need (not what they tell you you’ll need)
    • The pros and cons of employees versus freelancers
    • Key steps you can take to protect your business its intellectual property, client base and confidential information
    • Essential checklists for when you’re hiring and firing.

Getting yourself organised - introducing mind mapping  
Thursday 8 September, 2.30 - 4.30pm 
Getting organised is painless!  Susie Kay of The Professionalism Group will help you to use this incredibly fast, effective way of thinking & planning which will offer you new ways to think about any problem, at work or at home.
  
Killer Networking Skills 

Friday 9th September, 10.00-12.00. With Diana Lowe

The art of quality management  
Friday 9 September, 10.30am - 12noon 
Do you want to make improvements to the service your business provides and attract more clients? Whether you are employed or self-employed, this event will help you make positive changes to your business. David Finney former Quality Director in a market research company talks about the art of Quality Management. Come along and receive a free score card to help you assess quality levels in your company. 
  
Cold calling  

Monday 12 September, 10am - 12noon 

Results oriented sales coach, Buki Mosaku of Results Orientated Sales Solutions reveals insider secrets to securing appointments with target prospects at every level.

How to become a tycoon woman  
Monday 12 September, 2.30 - 4.30pm 
Olamide Agbaimoni’s workshop for women will look at the opportunities presented by:

    • The new industrial age of information
    • The Internet:
    • The new rules for marketing
It is easier than ever to become an entrepreneur, i.e. to work for yourself and generate multiple sources of income - opening new doors for women to become financially independent.

The seminar will address the following:

    • Developing the mindset of an entrepreneur
    • The 4 business models that work
    • The skill set required to be a successful Tycoon Woman/entrepreneur
    • A strategy to move forward
You will discover the power to choose, know how to succeed and the freedom to act.
  
Impact of Domestic Violence on Your Business Profits
 
Tuesday 13 September, 2 - 4.30pm 

In this empowering & energising interactive session, Felicity Okolo will explore with you where you are in your business or relationship and where you want to be.
  
Social Networking - what’s all the fuss about...?  

Wednesday 14 September, 10am - 12noon 

Is Twitter just for twits and is Facebook just a fad? The simple answer is absolutely not. Social networking has already fundamentally changed the way we communicate. Business to business and business to consumer it’s imperative that business owners embrace this exciting technology.

Here’s one of the most important things you need to know - this workshop will be conducted in plain English, not techie babble complicated computer speak. This is your chance to hit the ground running and to discover the secrets to boosting your business through highly effective and targeted Social Media Marketing. Come and learn from Steve Clarke - he will explain how he went from cynic to convert and all it took was a bikini, a fur hat and a transit van... all will be explained!
  
Turning words into actions  
Wednesday 14 September, 10am - 12noon
 
Judi Samuels runs her own marketing and communications business in North-East London. Her clients include new start-up businesses and third sector organisations. She will look at combining strategic thinking with a host of creative skills to engage and motivate you when developing your marketing strategy and communication action plan. Together you will put ideas into actions that will announce and promote your business.
  
Presentation skills - talk your way to success  
Wednesday 14 September, 1 – 2pm 
Verbal communication skills are a professional necessity, yet it is all too easy to reach a plateau of competence and forget about the further development of our strongest communication asset - our voice. This seminar will be about the fear people have of public speaking. This will include how to improve your confidence and powers of persuasion at job and promotion interviews and presentations.

You have a unique speech pattern which starts when you are born. Then you learn a language, an accent and a unique way of communicating. However, none of us were taught a specific technique for verbal communication at school - even stage school.

Steve Hudson will explain why we get so nervous at job- and promotion interviews and public speaking. Words are the most powerful tool we possess. 
  
The Retail Inspector introduces the 5 retail principles  
Wednesday 14 September, 2.30 - 4.30pm 
Antony Welfare’s seminar is designed for independent retailers who are trading or are starting to trade. It will cover our “5 Retail Principles”, these are the main principles we use in our Retail business to ensure success:

    • Principle 1 – The customer is king
    • Principle 2 – Retail is detail
    • Principle 3 – Understand the “marketing mix” - The 4 P’s (Product, Price, Place, Promotion)
    • Principle 4 – Go the extra mile for your customer
    • Principle 5 – Location, Location, Location
There are many retail principles that have been adopted and developed over time. The purpose of this seminar is merely to highlight a few of the important principles at the start of your journey to achieving your Retail Potential.
  
Fed up at work - it's time to change  
Thursday 15 September, 12noon - 1.30pm 

    • Learn how to identify and conquer personal barriers to work fulfilment
    • Learn powerful strategies to align purpose and passions with your job 
    • Boost your confidence to go for what you really want 
    • Massively improve your earning power
Dion Johnson of Unlocking Potentials will show you how.
  
Newly self employed 
Thursday 15 September, 2.15 - 4.15pm 


Becoming self-employed? In partnership with City Business Library, staff from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs will talk about the tax and National Insurance implications of becoming self-employed.
  
Balancing the see-saw - stress management how it effects an individual and an organisation 
 
Thursday 15 September, 2.30 - 4.30pm


Stress seems to be in the air at the moment. You can almost physically feel it as you walk down the street and see people rushing around trying to rush the kids to school, get themselves to work on time, change gear after the summer holidays and deal with the temperamental British weather.... Even if you are self-employed or representing a big company, you face everyday stresses – Tekla Khosa will look at how stress affects an individual as well as an organisation and will arm you with tools you can use to reduce the level of it and increase productivity.