Chat Support Software

For management training, sales training and customer care training 01509889632 or request call back

My basket (0) | login
PTP, management, sales and customer care training

Filter Courses

Archive: Dec 2020

  1. You have to behave differently to how you feel

    Change is a process that many of us struggle with but it’s an essential component in personal development. Creating growth and lasting change often means shifting what we believe (sometimes even about ourselves) as well as how we think, then integrating those changes into behaviour, skills or competence. This two stage approach to change – starting with thinking and beliefs and then integrating this into behaviour – doesn’t always go in the same order. In fact, sometimes behavioural change needs to come first or at the same time – that’s the idea of “fake it until you make it.” However, we approach change it’s never easy but it is doable, especially with the right perspective in place.

    Focusing on habits

    A large amount of what we do every day is habitual. We may consciously learn something, such as how to drive a car, and then practice that skill so that it feels automatic. We tend to surround ourselves with habits that we have perfected over time so that the daily routine can feel comfortable and easy. Change tends to disrupt this and that’s why it feels so unnerving. At that point we might be at the edge of our comfort zone and it’s here that emotions can often kick in to try and persuade us to take a step back inside. Comfort zones often feel safe and unchallenging but they are not where growth and development take place, which is why getting outside of them is essential. The emotions that try to keep us there can be powerful which is why there is an argument for taking steps to behave differently to how those emotions are making you feel when you’re teetering on the edge of your comfort zone.

    Finding the momentum for change

    Tackling the emotions that can try to keep us stuck requires an energy for change. This often comes from being clear about your ‘why’ i.e. why you’re looking to change and what the benefits of that are going to be. It’s essential that this is focused on the individual, not on what the business or the senior management may see as a good reason to grow. Once we have a clear idea of the reasons why we’re going into a situation the goals can become clear and that’s when the momentum for change really starts to grow. When you have this positive, powerful energy it can be a key tool in processing the emotions that might be trying to stop you from emerging from your comfort zone.

    While emotions are powerful they are always temporary. The idea that ignoring or suppressing your emotions can ever be successful has now been thoroughly debunked but there are plenty of tools you can use to feel and process emotions so that they don’t have the hold over you that they might if you were trying to resist them. Combine this with that positive energy for change and implementing new thinking and habits and the results could be outstanding.

    As Aristotle said, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit.”

    Find out more by booking onto our Managing Change training course…

  2. Working at home 2

    With a second lockdown now under way, working at home has once again become a reality for many people.  As mentioned in the first of these blogs, the foundation for any working lifestyle is the routines and habits that you create and do on a daily basis. If you’ve been pushed back into working from home mode then these may have been tipped off balance once again. So, how can you establish a working from home approach that works for you?

    How do you like to work?

    There are two ways to approach any working day: one is with plenty of structure and routines that are predefined and the other is with spontaneity. Very few of us are either one or the other of these and most will incorporate elements of the two. This can throw up a number of factors that you might want to consider when it comes to shaping a new working from home approach:

    • Wear what you feel comfortable in. For some people this will be exactly what they’d wear to the office and for others it will be yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Don’t feel guilty about your choice as, for most of us, it’s not going to affect the quality of your work. The only exception is a video meeting which might require a certain standard of dress.
    • Create a routine – or don’t. If you want to keep the same structured day that you’d have in the office then get up and shower, have breakfast and dress then start work at 9am. Take your coffee break at 10.30, lunch at 12.30 and give yourself time to stop for tea in the afternoon. If you prefer something more fluid then the great news is that you can create this for yourself in these conditions. Although you might need to bear in mind any contractual requirements on you to be available at certain hours, outside of this you can work at the times that suit you the best.
    • Where do you usually get your energy? This may come from the outside world, from other people, situations or things – or it could be that your energy comes from your own inside world, recharging on your own and spending time in your own company. It could also be a combination of the two. It’s essential that you keep feeding whichever energy source works the best for you. For external stimulation get involved on social media, go outside for regular breaks, set up a Whatsapp group discussion or have the TV on when you feel like you need some company. Go easy on yourself if you don’t get as much done as you normally would because the usual sources of stimulation aren’t there. If you get your energy from internal sources you may already be feeling quite good – use the time to decide how, and when, you want to connect with other people in a way that feels comfortable to you.
    • Do you miss your commute? Believe it or not, you might. If moving around to different locations is something you miss then try integrating a short drive into your day, a jog or walk or sit outside in the garden, weather permitting.

    In addition to the above, working from home in a situation you’re not used to can require some extra self-awareness. Make sure you monitor your feelings and see how lockdown is affecting your mood. Journaling is a great way to just write down how you’re feeling or you can look at the way you’re responding to other people – are you calm and accommodating or short tempered and impatient? Working from home can be a great opportunity to find new ways to work and enjoy a different experience – for many of us it will be temporary but that doesn’t mean we can’t get the most from it while it lasts.

    Find out more by booking onto our by booking onto our Well-Being While Working Full or Partly from Home training course.

In-House Training with PTP

PTP stands for Practical Training for Professionals and our aim is to make our training as practical as possible so delegates can return to the workplace with skills they can implement immediately. PTP now delivers training to over 40% of the FTSE 100.

What you get for your money

What is 1-to-1 training?

1-to-1 training can be based on any of the 100 plus courses that PTP provides, it includes an initial telephone conference of up to 1 hour, a 1/2 day (3.5 hours) on-site one to one training session at your premises with one of PTP's expert trainers and then a further telephone conference call of up to an hour within 2 weeks of the on-site visit.

You have the option of a line manager being involved in both telephone conferences, the second telephone conference which can be for feedback and action planning is generally scheduled during the on-site visit.

Who does 1-to-1 training suit?

Individuals taking on a new challenge or responsibilities. Professionals who want a trusted "sounding board" and thinking partner. Executives or managers who want to enhance their leadership effectiveness to achieve organizational and career success. Executives and professionals wanting to compete successfully but still retain balance in their life. Individuals who want to understand their blind spots so that they don't stand in their own way on their path to success. Executives and Professionals who want to improve their interpersonal skills so as to be more effective with bosses, peers, subordinates, or people in general. How much does 1-to-1 training cost?

A 1-to-1 training session costs from as little as £400 + VAT and will include an initial telephone conference of up to 1 hour, a 1/2 day (3.5 hours) on-site training at your premises and then a further telephone conference call of up to an hour within 2 weeks of the on-site visit.

What is U-Choose?

Choose from any of the 150 plus courses that PTP provides, and choose from 1 of our 50 plus UK wide training venues. You must book for 2 or more delegates and at least 4 weeks in advance, but that’s it, the course you want where you want it. The reason we ask for a minimum of 4 weeks notice is to enable us to market the course you have scheduled to other companies and organisations. However, if we fail to sell any additional places we guarantee to run the course just for you.

How much does U-Choose Training cost?

U-choose costs the same as our normal open courses i.e. the normal delegate rate. This includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day, framed certification and comprehensive training notes. A U-Choose booking can only be confirmed once we receive payment which can be made via credit/debit card, BACS or cheque. Payment is due at least 4 weeks before the date you request. Please note to be eligible for U-Choose you must book a minimum of 2 delegates on the same course & date.