Tailored in-house training

Behavioural and business skills

Develop the behavioural skills that strengthen leadership, communication, influencing, and decision-making. Our programmes help professionals build confidence, credibility, and impact in demanding workplace environments.

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Available courses

Kaplan’s behavioural and business skills courses are designed to strengthen the capabilities that enable professionals to perform at their best. Covering areas such as leadership, communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and commercial effectiveness, each course focuses on practical application in real workplace contexts.

Commercial Awareness

This course is designed to build a comprehensive foundation in commercial acumen, equipping participants with the skills to make informed, value-driven business decisions. The course explores the essential intersection of organisational strategy, customer centricity, and financial literacy to help professionals understand how their everyday choices impact overall business success.

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Understand commercial acumen: Develop a clear understanding of what commercial acumen means and why it matters in making sound business decisions
Explore business strategy: Compare common strategic approaches, such as cost leadership and product differentiation, and apply SMART thinking to objectives
Examine customer focus: Consider how customer-centric strategies influence performance and what defines a genuinely customer-focused culture
Build financial awareness: Strengthen understanding of key financial terms, including revenue, cost of goods sold, overheads, and net profit
Apply practical financial tools: Work through basic techniques, such as break-even analysis, and interpret balance sheets and income statements
Use KPIs effectively: Identify and monitor performance indicators relevant to role and organisational goals

Finance for Non-financial Managers

Finance can often feel complex and full of jargon. This course provides a clear, accessible introduction, equipping participants with practical tools, core knowledge, and greater confidence. The course demystifies key financial concepts and explains how financial information supports better decision-making. Designed as a broad overview, it can be tailored to suit the audience — from public sector budgeting to private sector commercial awareness.

Content is contextualised to reflect participants’ roles and responsibilities, whether aimed at new joiners or senior managers without formal financial training.

Show course objectives

Identify the key components of financial statements
Evaluate relevant financial information and interpret commonly used reports
Explain how companies are required to account for their activities and key responsibilities for financial reporting
Explain commonly used financial jargon and terminology
Understand key features of the fiscal framework
Make better financial decisions using budgetary control techniques
Communicate better with the members of the finance team

Kaplan Business Challenge Simulation

The Kaplan Business Challenge is an immersive business simulation where participants step into the role of a senior management team. Working in competition, they make strategic and financial decisions to stabilise and grow a struggling business, experiencing first-hand how choices affect performance, cash, and shareholder value.

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Interpret financial statements and key performance indicators
Understand the commercial impact of business decisions
Apply core concepts such as costing, margins, budgeting, and cash management
Think strategically in a competitive, fast-moving environment
Respond effectively to risk, change, and uncertainty
Strengthen teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure
Present financial and commercial information with greater clarity and impact

Impact and Influence

Whether navigating complex stakeholder landscapes or managing competing priorities, effective stakeholder management demands both strategic insight and persuasive communication. This course offers a practical, hands-on learning experience built around the Kaplan PIVOT model and the foundational Rule of Five.

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Assess personal strengths and development areas in communication and influencing style
Apply core interpersonal skills, including active listening, presence, and self-assurance
Communicate ideas with greater clarity, conviction, and confidence
Translate complex or technical information into clear, engaging narratives
Use the Kaplan PIVOT model to analyse stakeholder dynamics and priorities
Apply the Rule of Five to strengthen leadership communication and impact
Anticipate and respond effectively to objections or resistance
Navigate tension, ambiguity, and conflict with greater confidence
Develop a structured, time-bound stakeholder influence plan

Business Partnering

Move beyond the role of “scorekeeper” to become a strategic partner. In today’s environment, technical expertise is expected — real impact comes from the ability to influence decisions, challenge constructively, and build trusted relationships.

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Build credibility and trust with key stakeholders
Shift conversations from reporting to insight and action
Lead strategic meetings with greater confidence and control
Navigate challenging discussions and manage pushback constructively
Apply strategic thinking to identify risks and opportunities
Communicate financial insights with clarity and influence
Challenge stakeholders while maintaining strong partnerships
Encourage shared ownership of financial and commercial outcomes

Financial Storytelling

In a fast-moving and uncertain business environment, the ability to communicate financial information clearly and persuasively is a critical leadership skill. This highly interactive workshop helps finance professionals transform complex data into compelling narratives that engage stakeholders, influence decisions, and drive action.

“Storytelling is the essential human activity. The harder the situation, the more essential it is.” — Tim O’Brien

Show course objectives

Translate complex financial data into clear, persuasive narratives
Communicate financial performance and risk with greater impact
Capture and sustain audience attention
Present insights in a way that supports decision-making
Bridge technical expertise with influencing skills
Tailor messages for different stakeholder groups
Build credibility and trust through effective communication
Move beyond reporting to insight-led storytelling

Negotiating Skills

Move beyond compromise and develop the confidence to achieve genuine win-win outcomes. Grounded in the widely respected Getting to Yes approach, this intensive course reshapes how participants handle negotiation, conflict, and challenging conversations.

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Analyse negotiation situations and identify underlying interests
Separate people dynamics from problem-solving discussions
Apply the principles of the Getting to Yes framework
Define and use a clear BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)
Generate options that create mutual value
Manage conflict and resistance constructively
Adapt influencing and communication style to different stakeholders
Negotiate with greater confidence and control

Presenting and Effective Communication

This intensive course develops practical techniques that help participants structure messages, capture attention, and deliver presentations with greater authority. Through guided practice and focused coaching, participants build confidence, strengthen delivery, and learn how to handle questions and objections with composure.

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Analyse audience needs and tailor messages accordingly
Structure presentations clearly, from opening to close
Deliver messages with greater confidence and presence
Capture and maintain audience attention
Respond effectively to questions and objections
Communicate ideas with clarity and persuasion
Apply feedback to improve delivery and impact

Leadership Development

Move beyond day-to-day management and develop the skills to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. This immersive course turns leadership theory into practical action through hands-on activities, reflection, and personalised feedback.

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Communicate vision and direction with greater impact
Influence and engage others more effectively
Make decisions with increased confidence and urgency
Build accountability and ownership within teams
Lead people through change and uncertainty
Apply feedback to strengthen leadership effectiveness
Develop a practical action plan for the workplace

Managing Change

Change is a constant in modern organisations, yet it often triggers uncertainty and resistance. This intensive course explores why people respond to change the way they do, providing practical tools to help managers and change agents lead transitions more effectively.

Show course objectives

Explain the psychological and behavioural responses to change
Recognise and manage common forms of resistance
Apply the Kübler-Ross change curve to understand team reactions
Use Lewin’s models to analyse and plan change initiatives
Apply Kotter’s Eight-Step framework to structure change efforts
Communicate change with greater clarity and impact
Demonstrate effective change leadership behaviours
Support teams in building resilience and adaptability

Economic Updates

This course provides a clear and practical overview of the UK and global economic environment in a period of heightened uncertainty. Participants explore the performance of major markets, the outlook for growth, and the forces shaping business and investment decisions.

Show course objectives

Describe current trends in the UK economy, including growth and employment
Explain key factors affecting productivity and investment
Assess the economic implications of Brexit
Compare economic performance across major global markets
Identify significant global economic risks
Recognise regional economic disparities within the UK
Understand how technology is reshaping the retail landscape

Tailored in-house training

Cost

Competitive pricing

Format

Online / in person

Get in touch to learn more about in-house training solutions tailored for your organisation.

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Why choose Kaplan?

Choosing Kaplan means partnering with an industry leader dedicated to your team's growth. This is why some of the most globally recognised banks and investment companies trust us for their training and development needs.

Future facing

Our courses and support tools are developed with market leading employers. We understand the current and future needs of the industry and how to equip individuals to be ready for change.

Real-world impact

Our courses help develop essential knowledge and technical skills that can be applied in the real world, and cover a range of vital and emerging topics.