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Innovation and Creativity for Commercial Success

This series includes three interactive online sessions.  Sign up for the whole set, or simply the sessions that you will find most valuable.

Price: €135 or €45 per session

Time and Date:

  • Session 1: Weds 7th June 12:00 – 13:30
  • Session 2: Weds 21st June 12:00 – 13:30
  • Session 3: Fri 7th July 12:00 – 13:30

About Russell Beck:

Russell’s drive is inspired by the belief that people are the only USP of any organisation. Widely acknowledged as a thought leader in people and leadership, Russell blends an engineer’s desire for knowledge, an inquisitive need for evidence and a belief that things can be better with an inspirational, charismatic and thought-provoking style. He connects dots in an informative way to help organisations take tangible actions to unlock the potential and productivity of their most expensive asset, their people. Often acting as a catalyst, he captivates people, motivating them to think differently, providing the impetus to change and transform, enabling them to move quicker and further than they previously thought possible.

Russell draws on a diverse background having worked as an engineering project leader with client projects in 26 countries and as a leader in the recruitment industry for the past 2 decades. Here his experience includes being the Global Head of Consulting for a people and talent strategy organisation; Managing Director for a £120m t/o recruitment outsourcing business; European Head of Talent for Yahoo!; and managing delivery teams that (for example) delivered over 1% of all UK recruitment in 2009. During this work he has consulted with and supported leadership teams of companies of all sizes from SME to FTSE100 to Fortune500.

Session 1:

What is innovation? What is happening in the external environment and how do you shape up?

Weds 7th June 12:00 – 13:30

In this session we will cover:

  • What is innovation?  From creating ideas through to realising value from them.
  • Why bother: What is happening externally – where is the opportunity versus the hype/myths?
  • What are you currently doing well (including recognising and savouring successes) and where do you need help?

Session 2:

How to identify innovation potential and choose creativity techniques to suit every member of your team. 

Weds 21st June 12:00 – 13:30

  • Innovation potential: self-awareness on what it takes to be innovative
  • Identifying innovation strengths in our people.
  • How to have a good idea: exploring different creativity techniques that you can try out
  • Practical application using topical issues as subject matter.

Session 3:

How to establish an environment for creating value from innovation and embed it into your organisation / culture. 

Fri 7th July 12:00 – 13:30

  • How to convert ideas into tangible value.
  • How to filter and nurture ideas
  • How to handle failures.
  • How to notice, savour and recognise success.

Ireland’s EU Year of Skills 2023

Design Print and Packaging Skillnet  is proud to support Ireland’s Launch of the #EUYearOfSkills. Through the Skillnet Ireland ecosystem, we are #SpearheadingTalent development initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of Ireland’s businesses and workforce.

skillnet

Masters 2023/24 Schedule


The Masters in Professional Practice is our Flagship programme and is a general business Masters open to people with five years or more experience in the workplace.

Why Consider A Masters?

A master’s programme is an advanced degree that provides students with the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and expertise in a particular field of study. The importance of pursuing a master’s programme for one’s career cannot be overstated, as it can have a significant impact on career prospects and earnings potential.

Firstly, a master’s programme can provide students with a deeper understanding of their chosen field of study, which can help them become experts in their area of interest. This specialized knowledge can be invaluable in many professions, as it allows individuals to offer unique insights and solutions to complex problems. In addition, this expertise can make individuals more marketable to employers, as they will have a rare skill set that can be difficult to find in other candidates.

Secondly, a master’s degree can open up a range of career opportunities that may not be available to those with only a bachelor’s degree. For example, many high-level positions in business, healthcare, education, and technology require a master’s degree as a minimum qualification. Additionally, some career paths, such as research or academia, require a master’s degree as a prerequisite for entry.

Thirdly, pursuing a master’s programme can increase one’s earning potential. On average, individuals with a master’s degree earn more than those with only a bachelor’s degree. This is especially true in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and business, where the average salaries for those with a master’s degree can be significantly higher than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

Finally, a master’s degree can help individuals develop important skills that are highly valued by employers, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are essential in many professional settings and can help individuals advance in their careers and take on more challenging roles.

In conclusion, a master’s programme can be a valuable investment in one’s career. It can provide individuals with specialized knowledge, open up new career opportunities, increase earning potential, and help develop important skills that are highly valued by employers. For those looking to take their career to the next level, pursuing a master’s programme may be the ideal next step.

DPP Skillnet offer a Masters in Professional Practice – to find out more email Brian at brain@dppskillnet.ie

The Importance of Training Managers

Training managers is critical for the success of any organization. The role of a manager is vital, as they are responsible for overseeing the work of employees and ensuring that organizational goals are achieved. By providing training for managers, organizations can ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage their teams and contribute to the overall success of the company. In this essay, we will explore the importance of training managers.

Firstly, training managers can improve their leadership skills. Managers who are trained in leadership skills can motivate their employees, build trust, and communicate more effectively. This can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and a more positive work environment. Effective leadership can also improve the retention of employees, reducing turnover and saving organizations the time and cost of hiring and training new staff.

Secondly, training managers can help to ensure that organizational policies and procedures are followed. Managers who are knowledgeable about the policies and procedures of the organization can ensure that employees are following them, reducing the risk of legal liability and improving compliance. This can help to avoid costly legal issues, improve the organization’s reputation, and create a more professional and ethical work environment.

Thirdly, training managers can improve their decision-making abilities. Managers who are trained in decision-making can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of making poor choices that could negatively impact the organization. This can lead to improved problem-solving abilities, more effective resource allocation, and better overall organizational performance.

Fourthly, training managers can improve their communication skills. Effective communication is critical to the success of any organization, and managers who are trained in communication can ensure that their teams are informed, engaged, and motivated. This can lead to improved employee morale, increased productivity, and a more positive work environment.

Finally, training managers can help to keep the organization competitive. In a rapidly changing business environment, it is critical for organizations to stay competitive to survive. Managers who are trained in emerging technologies, new business practices, and industry trends can help to keep their organizations ahead of the curve. This can lead to improved innovation, increased market share, and long-term success.

In conclusion, training managers is critical for the success of any organization. By improving their leadership skills, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, improving decision-making abilities, improving communication skills, and keeping the organization competitive, managers can make significant contributions to the overall success of the company. Organizations that invest in training their managers can benefit from improved employee morale, increased productivity, and a more positive work environment, ultimately leading to long-term success.

Upcoming Management Training

Why use Instagram for business

Instagram is a popular social media platform that is widely used by businesses to connect with their audience and promote their products or services. Here are some reasons why you might consider using Instagram for your business:

  1. Large audience: With over one billion active users, Instagram provides businesses with a large and diverse audience to connect with. This can help you reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.
  2. Visual platform: Instagram is a visual platform, which makes it an ideal platform for businesses that want to showcase their products or services through photos and videos. You can use Instagram to showcase your brand’s personality and create visually appealing content that engages your audience.
  3. Opportunity for creativity: Instagram’s features like Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV provide businesses with a lot of creative freedom to create engaging and entertaining content that highlights their brand in a unique way.
  4. Influencer marketing: Instagram has a large community of influencers who can help you promote your brand and reach a wider audience. By partnering with influencers, you can tap into their audience and promote your products or services to their followers.
  5. Analytics: Instagram provides businesses with detailed analytics that can help you track the performance of your content and measure the success of your marketing campaigns. This can help you optimize your content and strategy to better reach your audience and achieve your business goals.

Overall, Instagram can be a valuable tool for businesses to reach a large and diverse audience, showcase their products or services through visually appealing content, and connect with influencers to promote their brand.

Upcoming training for Instagram.

The Benefits of Using Microsoft Powerpoint

PowerPoint is a popular software tool used for creating visual aids that complement a speaker’s presentation. It has become ubiquitous in academic, professional, and personal settings due to its versatility and user-friendly nature.

First and foremost, PowerPoint is an excellent tool for communication. Presenters can use a combination of text, images, charts, and graphs to convey complex information effectively. The software provides a structure that ensures that the presentation is well-organized, engaging, and easy to follow. A well-designed PowerPoint presentation can help to hold the audience’s attention and ensure that the message is clearly understood.

Secondly, PowerPoint presentations are highly customizable. Users can choose from a wide variety of pre-made templates or create their own designs to fit their individual needs. This flexibility allows users to tailor their presentations to the specific audience they are addressing, making it easier to connect with them and convey the desired message.

Thirdly, PowerPoint presentations are easy to create and edit. The software provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily create or modify slides, add or remove content, and change the design of the presentation. This makes it an ideal tool for professionals who need to create and update presentations on a regular basis.

Fourthly, PowerPoint presentations can be used to enhance collaboration. The software allows multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously, making it easier to create and modify content collaboratively. This feature is particularly useful for remote teams, who may need to work on a presentation together despite being in different locations.

Finally, PowerPoint presentations can be easily shared with others. The software allows users to save their presentations in a variety of formats, including PDF, HTML, and video. This makes it easy to share presentations with colleagues, clients, or students, regardless of their location or the device they are using.

In conclusion, PowerPoint is a powerful tool that offers many benefits to users. From effective communication to collaboration and ease of use, PowerPoint presentations are a valuable addition to any professional or academic setting. With its versatility, customization options, and ease of sharing, PowerPoint has become an indispensable tool for anyone who needs to create and deliver engaging and informative presentations.

Upcoming Zero to Hero Powerpoint Training

Why Study Sketchup?

Sketchup is a powerful 3D design software that has become increasingly popular in the design world. Its intuitive interface, flexibility, and ease of use have made it a go-to tool for architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and other design professionals. In this essay, we will explore the benefits of using Sketchup in design.

First and foremost, Sketchup is an excellent tool for creating accurate and detailed 3D models. This is especially useful in architecture and interior design, where precision and attention to detail are critical. With Sketchup, designers can create 3D models of buildings, rooms, furniture, and other objects, and easily manipulate them to achieve the desired result. This level of accuracy and detail can help designers to visualize and communicate their ideas effectively.

Another significant benefit of Sketchup is its flexibility. It can be used for a wide range of design projects, from simple room layouts to complex building designs. The software offers a vast library of pre-made objects and materials, making it easy to add elements like doors, windows, and furniture to your designs. Additionally, Sketchup supports plugins that can be used to extend its functionality, allowing designers to create custom tools and workflows to suit their specific needs.

Sketchup is also a collaborative tool, allowing multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously. This is particularly useful in large-scale projects, where teams of designers need to coordinate their efforts to achieve the desired result. The software’s cloud-based capabilities allow designers to access and work on their projects from anywhere, making it easy to share files and collaborate with team members across different locations.

One of the most significant advantages of using Sketchup is its ability to create realistic 3D renderings. This allows designers to create visualizations of their designs that are incredibly lifelike, helping clients to understand and appreciate the final result before construction begins. This can be especially valuable in interior design, where clients may have difficulty visualizing how a space will look when it is completed. With Sketchup, designers can create detailed, photorealistic renderings that accurately depict the finished product.

In conclusion, Sketchup is an incredibly versatile and powerful tool that offers numerous benefits to designers across a range of industries. Its accuracy, flexibility, collaboration capabilities, and ability to create realistic 3D renderings make it an invaluable resource for architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and other design professionals. If you’re looking to streamline your design workflow and create more accurate, detailed, and realistic designs, Sketchup is definitely worth considering.

Upcoming Sketchup Level 1 and Sketchup Level 2 Courses are currently being run by DPP Skillnet.