Handbooks, Guides and Whitepapers

Ready to develop or master some more skills? These handbooks cover a range of topics including written and verbal communication, leadership skills and more. Each handbook provides practical tips, techniques, and exercises to help you improve your skills and achieve your personal and professional goals.

Learning and Development in Central Government
2023 Trends and Future Challenges | White Paper

In the ever-changing landscape of central government, the importance of adapting and honing the skills of those powering crucial functions cannot be overstated.

For this white paper, we surveyed L&D professionals from 93% of all ministerial and non-ministerial government departments to uncover:

  • What training is working?

  • The driving forces behind training initiatives

  • Top L&D challenges and hurdles

  • Emerging trends set to reshape roles in the future
    And more!

We hope this white paper creates conversations and helps departments focus on how they run and measure training in the future

Handling Complaints Effectively in the Public Sector
From Frustration to Resolution | Handbook

Handling any type of complaint is never a walk in the park. But, they are a golden opportunity to build stronger relationships with users and gain insights into which services need improving.

To help you handle different types of complaints and respond effectively, our guide is full of tips, strategies and insights.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Spot and categorise different types of complaints

  • Effectively acknowledge and respond to written and verbal complaints

  • De-escalate aggressive verbal complaints with best practices

  • Respond to complaints from vulnerable service users

Crafting Winning Bids
A Step-by-Step Guide for Public Sector Professionals | Handbook

Writing winning bids is no easy feat. In a competitive environment, your bid must stand out and use the right language to prove you know how to fulfil the tender request.

Not sure where to start? Our handbook is jam-packed with tips and techniques that will help you craft winning bids.

You’ll also learn how to:

  • Identify the right bid for your organisation

  • Analyse your competitors and plan your bid

  • Write winning bids using the right language

  • Improve your bid management skills

From Strategic Thinking to Planning and Implementation
From Action to Insight | Handbook

As a public sector professional, you’re entrusted with the responsibility of driving positive change, improving services for communities and ensuring the efficient use of resources.

To fulfil these goals and navigate challenges, adopting a strategic mindset is crucial.

That’s why we’ve created this handbook to help you learn:

  • The skills you need to think strategically in a public sector environment

  • Actionable tips on how to use strategic planning and build an effective strategic plan

  • How to implement a strategic plan successfully, avoid common pitfalls and overcome challenges

Successful Contract Management in the Public Sector
A Practical Guide | Handbook

The government spends thousands per year on contracts that supply vital resources and goods for the UK. It’s paramount that these contracts are managed effectively.

To help you navigate the complexities of contract management, this guide provides practical insights, tips and actionable guidance.

In this guide you can learn:

  • The key objectives of contract management in the public sector

  • Why contract management is hard to get right and how to ensure yours is successful

  • How to manage risks and relationships in contract management

Effective Writing Skills for the Public Sector
Reports, Briefings, Minute Taking and More | Handbook

Having the ability to write effective copy is an important skill that any public sector professional must possess. However, we can appreciate it can be a pretty difficult skill to master.

This is where our must-have Writing Skills Guide comes in.

This free guide includes:

  • Quick tips for powerful writing

  • How to confidently respond to complaints

  • Effective minute-taking best practices

  • How to successfully write briefings and submissions

  • Expert report writing tips and tricks

Leadership Skills for the Public Sector
Lead Your Team to Success | Handbook

Whether you are new to a leadership position or you are already a manager but need fresh ideas, this Leadership Handbook for the Public Sector full of strategies and research is for you.

It covers a range of leadership topics that you need to:

  • Better understand the skills you need to improve to become a better leader

  • Develop your interpersonal skills to lead with confidence

  • Create a coaching & mentoring programme to support your team

  • Successfully move into a leadership position with ease

  • Monitor staff performance to ensure productivity level remains high

The Communication Skills Handbook for the Public Sector
Speaking and Presenting Skills | Guide

To help you master verbal communication in the workplace, this handbook is jam-packed with valuable resources and handy tips.

By downloading this free handbook, you’ll be able to…

  1. Begin communicating with your team more confidently and effectively

  2. Learn how to become a strong public speaker – internally and externally

  3. Understand methods or real-life examples of how you can begin to improve the way you and your team communicate

The Learning and Development Handbook
L&D in the Public Sector | Handbook

Calling all L&D or HR Managers in the Public Sector! We know the learning and development (L&D) landscape can be difficult to master, so we created a must-have handbook that will help you navigate new and old development needs.

This handbook includes topics like:

  • How to make employees feel invested in and valued

  • Ways to protect staff turnover and encourage effective feedback

  • How to upskill new and existing employees to improve performance and satisfaction

  • How to develop a positive working culture

  • Ways to continuously build your L&D knowledge

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