Client Case Study

Stratus has been delighted to be associated with the University of Central Lancashire since 2003. This longevity and continuity has allowed us to really feel part of the team and immersed in the culture of university life - and to build an honest, positive and warm relationship with UCLAN’S HR Team.

Our trainers have worked with Manchester Metropolitan University, Bolton University, Riverside College, York St John University, The Royal Northern College of Music, St Martin’s College and Calderdale College.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE, PRESTON

Stratus was recruited to work with UCLAN for the academic year beginning September 2003. The University was keen to demonstrate their forward planning and development commitment towards their own staff by helping them improve their business communication skills in certain key areas.

WHAT WERE THE KEY DRIVERS FOR THIS INITIATIVE?

Meetings could be a little chaotic and lacking obvious purpose with no proper agendas, minutes or definitive calls to action. Staff contribution to meetings was often spoiled by lack of confidence and assertiveness in presenting and poor planning and logical flow around both individual content and the meeting structure itself. People were unclear and therefore concerned about the constraints around Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

As the university grew rapidly, constant change inevitably created extra workloads. Both support and academic staff were finding it more difficult to manage to fit everything into the working day, leading them to request some tools to help them manage priorities, time and relationships with colleagues more proficiently.

So Stratus designed a rolling programme of workshops including:

• Presentation Skills
• Time Management
• Assertiveness
• Minutes, Meetings and Agendas
• Supervisory Skills
  

WHAT WAS THE RESULT?

Academics have found ways to transfer their subject expertise in a format that can excite and engage their students. Support and Administration staff have increased confidence and assurance through using simple tools and techniques to manage students, parents, colleagues and the wider community, especially those who need to encourage new business. This workshop series proved so successful we repeated it for four years running.

New for 2010 is our ‘Business Writing’ workshop which looks at enabling more clarity of communication, achieving specific standards of formality with the written word and more uniformity of ‘house-style’ for UCLAN

Over the years we have built up a superb relationship with UCLAN’s HR and Training team, who trust us year after year with their most precious resource – their staff! We work closely with them all the way from conception and design to descriptive copy for their Intranet, delivery, workshop materials and careful trainer placement.

UCLAN’s delegates can have post-event support from us as we offer them the free use of our on-line support system, which allows them to email us if they have any questions, concerns or challenges on returning to the workplace - they are not left to simply ‘sink or swim’!

We have been awarded a tender for more business skills training for UCLAN, taking us to 2011. Thank you UCLAN, we look forward to continuing our relationship with you and building on previous success.


PROOF OF THE PUDDING!

WHAT DO UCLAN’S DELEGATES SAY ABOUT OUR TRAINING?

Chairing Meetings Effectively - This course was run by an engaging, knowledgeable and competent trainer, offered practical exercises and had good content. The atmosphere was friendly and interactive within small groups. Delegates felt they were given the opportunity to improve the efficiency of meetings and received good tips on organising pre-event, post-event and follow up.

Minutes Meetings and Agendas - Delegates commented that they liked everything about this course as it held their attention. The content made sense, it was delivered in a way which was easy to understand and the course handouts were very useful. It was a great opportunity to share experiences with other staff. They learned how to avoid making common mistakes during meetings and how preparing a good agenda, in advance, can help.
“In terms of skill development, I have put into practice one or two of the major aids to my own time management issues and will develop upon this as these skills become second nature”

“.. the TM grid was fantastic in making me realise how I was de-prioritising the most important tasks!”

“I found the trainer to be informative, friendly and he inspired me to be a better, more effective minute taker”

“The course delivery was fantastic! I would highly recommend this to any clerical support staff”

“This has to be one of the best courses I have attended. Very thorough and Colin is an excellent tutor”

“An excellent course. It really made me think and consider my management style”

“Good framework structure. It met my needs in dealing with conflict”

“Sonya is an excellent trainer who inspires confidence and achieves results – even in such a short space of time”

“I really enjoyed the course and I’m actually looking forward to my next presentation”

“Great – the trainer made herself available to the attendees for future advice or guidance”

“It was … very relaxed and informal and the presenter made it very easy for people to speak out without feeling shy or silly”

WHAT DO UCLAN’S TRAINING ORGANISERS SAY ABOUT STRATUS?

“Stratus Associates have supported the training and development team at UCLan for several years now. The consultants offer a wide range of bespoke training which is readily adapted to fit the needs of the organisation.

Their professionalism has been commended across all programmes and their dedication towards providing an excellent experience for all delegates has been paramount.

Stratus is never fazed when challenged with difficult situations and have a way of winning over the most reticent of delegates. The consultants at Stratus are constantly developing their materials and sharing these with the learners at workshops and follow up by offering post workshop support.”
2006

“Stratus Associates offer a very professional consultancy service in respect of the training and development work provided. When engaging with new projects, they thoroughly scope the needs of the employer and provide creative options to address development needs. Stratus is also very keen on evaluation to make sure the full service, from scope and delivery to closing delivery, to ensure excellent customer service.”
2008