Open training courses
Each courses follows a tried-and-tested agenda that will empower you to become a better political influencer. Each course runs online and there are six places available.
Bespoke training
Bespoke training sessions are closely tailored to meet your organisation's particular challenges and objectives. They're for up to 12 people and can run online or in person.
Public Affairs - Introductory
An introductory public affairs course for those with up to two years' experience
We'll look at everyday parliamentary procedure but - importantly - the focus will be on how you can influence it.
You'll learn:
- What public affairs is and what public affairs professionals actually do
- How to improve your political radar/build an information gathering routine
- How to monitor Government and Parliament
- About the policy making process and influencing it
- What happens in Parliament, and quick and easy ways you can influence it, including Parliamentary Questions, All Party Parliamentary Groups, Debates and Early Day Motions.
It's suitable for:
- Public affairs professionals with up to two years' experience
- Those working in junior-level political roles, for example Parliamentary Researchers
- PR professionals hoping to offer clients that extra bit of value
- Communications, press or policy professionals looking to broaden their knowledge and skills
- Anyone interested in the UK political landscape and democratic process
- Students of Public Affairs, Politics or Political Communication.
Training methods used:
- Presentation, including audio/video
- Group discussion
- Individual exercises
- Small group exercises using breakout rooms.
Freebies!
After attending the training, you'll receive these free handouts via email:
- A public affairs strategy template you can use for future plans and campaigns (PPT)
- Stakeholder contact programme template (Excel)
- Public affairs case studies (PDF)
- 10% off your next public affairs course with me - Intermediate Public Affairs, Planning a Public Affairs Campaign, Communicating with Influence or Preparing a Witness for Select Committee.
Please note
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- All courses are currently running on Zoom. Details will be provided following booking
- Course runs 9.30am - 5pm with two refreshment breaks and a lunch break
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be six participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
£350 per person+VAT (20% discount for registered charities)
Contact us for more info or to book.
Public Affairs - Intermediate
An intermediate public affairs course for those with several years' experience
We'll delve into the more intense and long-term techniques used to influence.
You'll learn:
- What happens in Parliament and how to influence it - legislation and Select Committees
- Public affairs strategy basics
This course is suitable for:
- ·Public affairs professionals with 1 year+ experience
- Anyone who has taken the Introductory Public Affairs course
- Students of MA Public Affairs or Political Communication
Training methods used:
- Presentation, including audio/video
- Group discussion
- Individual, pairs and small group exercises using breakout rooms.
Freebies!
After attending the training, you'll receive these free handouts via email:
- A public affairs strategy template you can use for future plans and campaigns (PPT)
- Stakeholder contact programme template (Excel)
- Public affairs case studies (PDF)
- 10% off your next public affairs course with me - Planning a Public Affairs Campaign, Communicating with Influence or Preparing a Witness for Select Committee.
Please note:
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- All courses are currently running on Zoom. Details will be provided following booking
- Course runs 9.30am - 4.30pm with two refreshment breaks and a lunch break
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be six participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course.
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
£350 per person+VAT (20% discount for registered charities)
Contact us for more info or to book.
Public Affairs – Strategy and campaigns
A strategy-building workshop for more proactive public affairs
A comprehensive introduction to public affairs strategy and the elements that comprise a successful long-term strategy or short-medium term campaign. This course is suitable for anyone who wants to be more proactive, organised and reflective when it comes to doing public affairs.
The workshop approach means you'll finish the day with a strong start to a public affairs plan which can be further developed in your own time.
You'll learn
- What makes good public affairs objectives and how to develop your own
- How to identify your audience and map stakeholders
- How to shape your arguments
- How to craft and hone key messages
- How to choose the most effective tools, tactics and channels
- How to monitor and evaluate public affairs campaigns.
Training methods used:
- Presentation, including audio/video
- Group discussion
- Individual, pairs and small group exercises using breakout rooms.
Freebies!
After attending the training, you'll receive these free handouts via email:
- A public affairs strategy template you can use for future plans and campaigns (PPT)
- Stakeholder contact programme template (Excel)
- Key messaging grid templates (Word)
- Public affairs case studies (PDF)
- 10% off your next public affairs course with me - Beginners Public Affairs, Intermediate Public Affairs, Communicating with Influence or Preparing a Witness for Select Committee.
Please note:
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- All courses are currently running on Zoom. Details will be provided following booking
- Course runs 9.30am - 5pm with two refreshment breaks and a lunch break
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be six participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course.
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
£350 per person+VAT (20% discount for registered charities)
Contact us for more info or to book.
Public Affairs - Preparing a witness for Select Committee
A unique day to guide you through Select Committee preparation
This course is not designed for the Select Committee witness, it's designed for the public affairs/communications professional whose job it is to guide them. For this reason, it's the only open training course of its kind in the UK.
Don't wait for your witness to be called before you begin to prepare; there's never enough time. Take this course to empower you now, so you can hit the ground running as soon as the phone rings!
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
You'll learn:
- How to plan for a hearing
- What your briefing timetable should look like
- Building your witness' understanding and confidence
- Working with witnesses of all kinds - ensuring their engagement, communicating risks, building confidence, responding to complacency and over-ambition
- Preparing useful briefings, including key messages and Q&A documents
- Liaising with the Committee clerks
- Coaching body language and demeanour
- Conducting effective rehearsals, including replicating the Committee atmosphere, asking tough questions, dealing with sensitivities, pauses, curveballs and distractions
- Preparing for media-intense appearances
- What happens on the day
- Checklist.
Training methods used:
- Presentation, including audio/video
- Group discussion
- Individual, pairs and small group exercises using breakout rooms
Please note:
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- There is no VAT charged
- All courses are currently running on Zoom. Details will be provided following booking
- Course runs 9.30am - 5pm with two refreshment breaks and a lunch break
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be six participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course.
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
£350 per person+VAT (20% discount for registered charities)
Contact us for more info or to book.
Public Affairs - Bespoke training
A day (or more) that's about you, for you and with you
A bespoke course with agenda and exercises tailored according to your organisation's needs. Suitable for your staff from public affairs, press, policy and communications teams and all levels of seniority. Online or in-person.
Includes:
- Pre-meeting
- Training needs analysis, if necessary
- Design of a tailored programme to meet your needs
- Course handbook
- Delivery
- All the below freebies!
Training methods used:
- Presentation, including audio/video
- Group discussion
- Individual exercises, pairs and small group exercises using breakout rooms.
Freebies!
After attending the training, you'll receive these free handouts via email:
- A public affairs strategy template you can use for future plans and campaigns (PPT)
- Stakeholder contact programme template (Excel)
- Key messaging grid templates (Word)
- Public affairs case studies (PDF)
- 10% off your next public affairs course with me.
Please note:
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- Bespoke courses can run via Zoom or in-person (travel expenses will be charged)
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be 12 participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course.
Contact us for more info or to book. 20% discount for registered charities.
Communicating with influence
A life-changing day learning and using techniques of persuasion
On this course we will workshop communicating persuasively, whether verbally or using written material. The basis for the learning will be Robert Cialdini's seven 'Principles of Persuasion'. We'll be assessing how and why these principles work, and testing them out on each other.
This course is suitable for anyone who needs to speak or write in a way that persuades, whether to one person or a crowd.
This is a informative course that will really change the way you communicate, and it's also a lot of fun!
Training methods used:
- Presentation
- Group discussion
- Individual, pairs and small groups exercises using breakout rooms
- There will also be the opportunity to book free, one-to-one 15-minute advice slots with the trainer.
Please note:
- All training is developed and delivered by Carys Davis, owner and director of The Other Place
- There is no VAT charged
- All courses are currently running on Zoom. Details will be provided following booking
- Course runs 10am - 4.30pm with two refreshment breaks and a lunch break
- Course requires a minimum of two participants. Maximum will be six participants
- Course Handbook will be provided by email prior to the start of the course.
Small group - maximum six participants for an effective learning experience.
£350 per person+VAT (20% discount for registered charities)
Contact us for more info or to book.