When writing this article, we wondered if the title should be “How to Keep Sane from Monday to Friday”. We are living in genuinely unprecedented times and we are all coping with daily struggles and challenges.
Whether this article finds you pacing the kitchen, wondering how to fill your day, or up to your eyes in unanswered emails and Zoom meeting requests, we are facing daily uncertainties and pressures that were unimaginable just a few months ago.
So, how do we keep ourselves focused and productive? What can we do to maintain our motivation and incorporate some positivity into our working lives on a regular basis?
We asked the team at Bramwith to offer some suggestions for great online courses that can help procurement and supply chain professionals upskill during this time and beyond. From learning a new language to improving negotiation skills, we’ve got it covered. Read on to find the perfect course for you – and don’t forget to share your favourites on our social media pages.
Negotiation Skills Training
Negotiation skills are hugely valuable in the procurement and supply chain sector. From buyers to procurement directors, having the ability to persuade others without resorting to manipulation, keep a cool head in high-pressure situations and be able to stick to your negotiation strategy is gold dust to your current or future employers.
There are a number of good negotiation skills courses out there. We really like the program on offer from High Speed Training. The course content is well-curated and covers many fundamental negotiation skills including projecting the right body language and using your listening skills to achieve the desired outcome.
The course is accredited by the CPD, is developed by industry professionals, and there are no time limits. What’s more, the entire program only takes 2-3 hours so you can easily fit it into your schedule.
Find out more about the High Speed Training Negotiation Course.
Language Courses
Aside from opening doors in your professional and personal life, learning a new language is – quite simply – great for your brain. It improves memory and enhances the ability to multi-task and concentrate – and it can give you greater confidence. Not a bad return on investment!
The procurement and supply chain community is a highly globalised one. Adding a language to your professional skill base should improve your career prospects and bring an interesting new facet to networking and relationship management.
There’s a wide range of language courses out there. Many of which are free or very low cost. We really like the offering from the Open University. The courses start whenever you’re ready and there are over 1000 free programs to choose from in eight subject matters. These include specific courses for learning general business language as well as industry-specific programs. All levels are covered and there’s even a useful course on understanding the concepts of learning a language to get you started.
Over 170,000 students are studying with Open University right now, which is testament to the high standards on offer. Alongside the language program, there’s a wealth of other subjects to choose from, many of which help students work towards globally recognised qualifications.
Find out more about the Open University language courses.
Presentation Skills
Whether you’re new to presentations or a seasoned pro, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your skills. And what better time to practice than in the privacy of your own home? You could even consider a Zoom training collaboration with a friend or colleague to make things really interesting!
Coursera, a highly reputable name in e-learning, have produced a number of excellent presentation skills programs, covering a variety of topics and skillsets. In 2019 over 43m students were enrolled in learning programs from Coursera. The programs are curated by respected business professionals and academics – plus a lot of the content is free.
If you’ve felt your talks have lacked engagement with your visual content in the past, take a look at the course on Designing Presentation Slides. If you need guidance on Dynamic Public Speaking, that’s covered too.
Find out more about Coursera’s Presentation Skills Courses.
Mindfulness
No doubt you will already be aware of mindfulness, a therapeutic technique for reducing stress and anxiety and improving wellbeing. Perhaps this isn’t something you’ve considered in the past but if you are feeling the pressures of working and living alone, or you’ve noticed yourself worrying more than usual, mindfulness could be really beneficial. There’s nothing wrong with slowing down once in a while and focusing on our own wellbeing, after all.
Naturally, there’s a bewildering variety of courses out there. We like Be Mindful, a low-cost online course approved by the NHS. It’s used by well-known organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support and the University of Oxford. Plus, a number of accredited studies have shown impressive results, including 63% of students reporting a reduction in depression and 40% feeling less stressed than usual.
The course is easy to access and you complete it in your own time. Useful self-assessment tools help you track progress and chart reductions in anxiety and stress.
Find out more about the NHS approved Be Mindful course.
We hope these tips for top online courses for procurement and supply chain professionals have helped you on your journey to finding the perfect training program for you. It’s not an easy time for any of us. Thankfully, there are plenty of tools and platforms to help us through it.
Let us know how you get on in your search and please share those recommendations on our social media channels. Take good care, keep motivated and most importantly, stay safe.
