Independent Projects Trust - Conflict resolution specialists.

Basic Conflict Management Skills.
A one day workshop which allows participants to develop the core skills of conflict management - communicating effectively, assertiveness and co operative behaviour - as well as providing an opportunity to practice group problem solving techniques. Time is also spent identifying participants individual conflict handling styles and allowing them to discuss the consequences of the styles most commonly used.

Conflict Management Skills.
A two day workshop introducing the basic skills of conflict management as well as techniques of group problem solving and consensus building. The workshop covers five modules - what is conflict?; effective communication skills; appropriate assertiveness; group problem solving processes and co operative power. In the course of these two days participants are given the opportunity to identify their own conflict handling styles and to examine the consequences of the behaviour they choose to display. Participants are able to develop both their interpretive and behavioural skills within a conflict situation. By the end of the workshop participants will have gained interpersonal skills as well as some proficiency in facilitating a process which contributes to the successful long term solution of conflicts.

Facilitation Skills.
This is a two day programme which provides participants with a thorough understanding of the facilitation process and the role of the facilitator within that process. During this time participants are able to develop the interpersonal skills necessary for effective facilitation, such as handling group conflicts, managing communication including restating and reframing techniques, active listening and utilising questions effectively. Time is also spent developing an understanding of group dynamics, utilising group problem solving processes, time management, motivation techniques and creating a democratic environment.

Basic Mediation Skills.
A two day workshop which enables participants to develop the skills of third party intervention. The learning is based on the assumption that the intervention will be informal and the mediator will be known to the disputants. As well as learning basic mediation skills and processes (restating and paraphrasing, asking open questions, handling anger etc) the participants are also given time to discuss and prepare for the potential resistance to the process as well as how to ensure impartiality.

Negotiation Skills .
A one day workshop designed to facilitate the acquisition of skills in interest based negotiation. The workshop process facilitates both the development of personal skills i.e. assertiveness, asking open questions, reframing and restating, as well as developing the participants understanding of procedural matters. Participants are given scenarios relevant to their particular environment through which to practice the various techniques for dealing with difficult opposing negotiators. This workshop is open only to individuals who have some prior basic conflict management skills training.

Effective Communication Skills.
This is an essential course for anyone for whom customer satisfaction is an issue. This one day workshop is designed for individuals who are required, in the course of their jobs, to deal with customers, both within the organisation and outside of the organisation. The programme is designed to impart the tools and techniques of effective communication as the key to better service. Participants examine issues around building rapport, asking questions and dealing with objections as well as building effective listening skills.

Trust Building for Teams.
This two day workshop is based on the premise that organisations and institutions can only ensure an inclusive and sustainable future when team members trust and respect each other. The objective of the workshop is to facilitate dialogue and co operation amongst team members in order to develop a common vision and a shared mode of interaction. Time is also spend examining techniques which ease the consultative process and ensure collaborative decision making.

Making Participative Management Work.
A practical one day workshop which provides managers with the opportunity to examine how participative management can become reality without sacrificing performance. Participants identify the core behaviours and skills of participative management through the course which covers both the underlying theories as well as the interpersonal skills necessary to engage staff in a consultative process. At completion of this workshop, participants will have a clear understanding of both what it means to manage participatively and of some strategies to ensure the success of such an endeavour.