- How to create value in the eyes of your client
- Being recognised as a ‘trusted advisor’
- Managing stakeholders’ expectations
Overview
This fast paced, remote training programme, is designed to give HR, Finance, IT, PR and Legal Business Partners, the skills needed to deliver an outstanding service to their client groups – in a virtual setting.
It covers the three key aspects of the Business Partner role and how they need to be deployed in order to deliver outstanding performance, plus key planning skills and insights into how to influence strategically across the organisation.
The training consists of eight modules, comprising:
- Eight, E-learning Modules that people do as pre-work. (This is in the form of a PDF file and each module takes around 20-30 minutes to complete.)
- Eight, two-hour long, live Zoom Workshops, consisting of Seven Content Sessions, where we briefly review the theory covered in the pre-work and then carry out a series of role plays and case studies. Plus One Closure Session during which the overall impact of the programme is assessed and additional coaching is provided.
Learning objectives
By attending this highly interactive remote course you will:
- Understand the Business Partner’s role
- Acquire methods for influencing strategically across the organisation
- Understand the importance of a win/win approach to contracting
- Learn how to facilitate high impact remote meetings
- Master key communication skills
Who should attend?
All new and existing Business Partners be they in HR, IT, Finance, PR, Legal, (or any other function) who want to acquire a methodical and professional approach to delivering a value-added service to their client group.
Module 1
Core elements of the Business Partner Role
To understand what’s involved in being a top performing Business Partner.
- Defining the Business Partner Role
- Three Key Services
- Building Trust
- The nature of ‘contracting’
- Core Services & SLA’s
- Trouble Shooting Process (the 7 C’s)
- Giving Strategic Advice (identifying Key Success Factors & Business Trends, using the Pestle model)
Pairs exercise: developing an appreciation of the core principles
Pairs exercise: developing Core Service Standards
Pairs exercise: how to give Strategic Advice
Module 2
9 key influencing concepts
How to make an impact on key stakeholders by applying fundamental influencing concepts.
- Build Political Capital
- The Map is not the Territory
- Develop Rapport
- Think Win/Win
- Strategic Avoidance
- Be Flexible and Patient
- Tit for Tat
- Keep Your Promises
- Tactical Escalation & Retreat
Pairs exercise: building Political Capital
Group exercise: the power of The Map is not the Territory
Pairs exercise: Thinking Win/Win
Module 3
Strategic Influencing Process (part 1)
Mastering the first 3 steps in the six-step Strategic Influencing Process.
- Surf the ‘Zeitgeist’: If possible dovetail what you want with current ‘hot topics’
- Set Goals: Have a clear, concise proposal
- Stakeholder Analysis: Identify the key players
Pairs exercise: understanding the Zeitgeist
Pairs exercise: Stakeholder Analysis
Module 4
Strategic Influencing Process (part 2)
Mastering the final 3 steps in the six-step strategic influencing process.
- Build a Coalition
- Present a Formal Proposal
- Publicise Successes: Implement the proposal and advertise your success.
Small group exercises: building Coalitions and the art of lobbying
Pairs exercise: developing proposals
Small group exercises: methods for publicising success
Module 5
Seven communication skills
Learning the key tools for effective communication.
Tools for engaging and involving people:
- Behaviour Labelling
- Matching & Leading Values
- Summarising
Tools for exploring and challenging what people are saying:
- Logical Levels Questions
- Calling Out
Tools for persuading people to your point of view:
- Stories, Metaphor and Analogy
- Three-Step Assertive Technique
Pairs exercise: Matching & Leading Values
Group exercise: using Logical Levels Questioning
Pairs exercise: the Three-Step Assertive Technique
Module 6
Planning and prioritisation
Learning techniques for efficient working practices and avoiding ‘overload’.
- Saying no
- Whole life planning
- Setting priorities
- The Batching Concept, ‘Deep Work’ and Primetime
- Using your calendar
- Using lists
- Transition Rituals
Pairs exercise: saying ‘no’ to excessive work load
Group exercise: practising finding time for Deep Work
Pairs exercise: action planning for using Transition Rituals
Module 7
Running efficient and effective remote client meetings
Learning the key elements involved in (i) preparing and (ii) running a high impact remote meeting.
- Eight-Stage Meeting Planning Process
- Eight stages of Facilitating the Client Meeting
- Four meeting control techniques
Pairs exercise: making an impact remotely
Group exercise: developing support materials
Pairs exercise: The Standard Introduction Process
Group exercise: controlling a meeting
Module 8
Closure Session
This session is about assessing the overall impact of the training.
Each person writes a 3-minute-long speech that covers their experiences of trying out the tools of Business Partnering in real life scenarios.
On the Zoom Workshop one person gives their prepared 3-minute speech (3MT). The group discusses the speech and makes comments and asks questions of the presenter. The presenter may ask for help or guidance from the group and can also (if they wish) ask questions about the tools and techniques.
We continue with this process (Speech + Discussion) until everyone has had a turn to present and has been given feedback.
Customisation
This programme is delivered in a remote format.
Where appropriate, we conduct interviews and facilitate focus groups to gather information with which to write bespoke case studies that precisely reflect the culture and work environment of the participants.
Feedback
Feedback is based upon peer reviews using Boulden Assessment Checklists. Completing the Boulden Assessment Checklists is not only valuable to the people involved in a given case study,it also helps those completing them to gain an in-depth understanding of skills used by outstanding Business Partners.
Follow up Coaching Support (Practise makes perfect)
The workshop can be followed by a 3/4-month-long group coaching activity (using the Action Learning Philosophy). This involves delegates trying out the skills from the workshop in real life situations and getting support and guidance from their peers and the consultant as they do so. If this option is selected there is a Closure Workshop at the end of the coaching phase where delegates present how they have applied the techniques learned on the course into their daily work routine (using the Most Significant Change methodology).
Remote Training
All of our workshops can be delivered as Remote Training via e-learning modules plus Zoom based virtual workshops. Please see our Virtual Training page for more information.
