Project Management – Leading & Influencing – Communication & Collaboration – Personal Effectiveness
are the cornerstones of Fistral’s Product Suite.
Fistral Approach to Training
We believe in teaching practical, learnable techniques that can be applied to each individual’s context and used immediately regardless of scale, sector or discipline. Whether online or onsite, Fistral courses and workshops focus on hands-on individual and group-based activities, as well as theory, to enable participants to get the most out of the sessions.
Face-to-face onsite sessions are at the heart of what we do, and these are complemented by online learning in the form of the: ‘Fistral Espresso‘ online learning’ range – bite-sized ‘shots’ of learning; and the longer, more traditional online training webinars in our ‘Fistral Americano‘ range.
Hands-on, Practical, Applicable
We believe in teaching practical, learnable techniques that can be applied to each individual’s context and used immediately regardless of scale, sector or discipline. Fistral courses and workshops focus on hands-on individual and group-based activities, as well as theory, to enable participants to get the most out of the sessions.
By focusing on a number of tried and trusted techniques, we strip away a lot of the ‘white noise’ which surrounds projects, communication and leadership, to get to the heart of the make or break issues. And, most importantly, we don’t just talk about these – we are implementing them in every project we’re involved with so we know they work. This is what we bring to our training: tried, tested and trusted real life.
Participants and employers appreciate the level of relevance and contextualisation that Fistral brings to all-staff and researcher training. Often this is achieved with minimal re-development as trainers use their extensive expertise and experiences to contextualise to the needs of the group on the day.
Course delegates testify increased effectiveness and efficiency immediately in their current role. In addition to the improved morale and self-confidence gained from professional training, they comment on the value of the trainers’ real-life expertise and experiences, as well as the sharing of best practice, tools, tips and techniques that we know make a difference in industry and academia.
Employers appreciate the added-value that external practitioners bring when demonstrating applicability within, as well as across, sectors, and recognise that our work-based, relevant and interprofessional approach delivers tangible improvements in the workplace.
Relevant, Best Practice
Using their expertise as practitioners, trainers share professional insights and good practice tools and techniques of what ‘works’ in real life. Their experience in industry, HEIs and working with
Fistral is unique in that most of our trainers hold doctorates. All of our trainers are active practitioners, and have have worked in education/HEI settings as well as with third sector and industry organisations.
This means that they have the credibility and confidence that the training and learning practices are tied-to industry needs and professional best practice, as well as an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a researcher working within a knowledge-intensive environment.
As active practitioners in their field, trainers are professionally certified which ensures that the tools and learning are pertinent, current, applicable, practical and focused on techniques and skills that are used in real life by experienced practitioners: they genuinely “practise what they preach”.
The Fistral team use this experience to provide professional insights, recommendations, guidance, practical tips and real-life scenarios. This is one key reason why our courses consistently receive ratings of ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’.
High Quality & Customer Service
We are committed to strong Quality Assurance (QA) and ongoing monitoring of our services and training provision to ensure that it continues to meet the high standards that Fistral and our customers expect.
Anything less than Very Good (4 out of 5) is discussed with partners and in-house to ensure quality training and positive ongoing participant experiences.
We make this commitment because we want to provide the best service we can to our customers and because we place high value on the feedback provided by customers and course participants as this helps us continually improve our services and the personal and professional development of our employees and the company as a whole.
In addition, the following Fistral statements and Policies are available on request:
- Maintaining Quality & Monitoring Courses & Services
- GDPR & Data Handling
- Equality & Diversity
- Sustainability
- Health & Safety
Product Suite
The Fistral Product Suite is separated into four areas: Project Management; Leading & Influencing; Communication & Collaboration; and Personal Effectiveness.
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Project Management, Leading & Influencing, Communication & Collaboration, and Personal Effectiveness courses are successfully delivered off-the-shelf, but can be easily customised, combined or tailored to match organisational and participant needs with minimal development input.
The Fistral team have extensive experience designing and developing staff and researcher programmes with customers to provide Project, Portfolio, Leadership and Management pathways for specific groups and all-staff. Pathways can easily be aligned to ILM, CMI, PMI levels as well as other professional bodies.
Project Management sessions are aligned to the Project Management Institute (PMI), and some of our softer-skills courses are underpinned by Everything DiSC®, A Wiley Brand.
Professional Certification
All of our Project Management training is aligned to the Project Management Institute and can lead to a globally recognised professional Certification in Project Management – Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® or Project Management Professional (PMP)®. Read about Fistral’s CAPM/PMP Training Programme here.
In addition to developing PMI and CMI pathways, Fistral training is often used by organisations as part of their internal or external accreditation pathways and programmes. Fistral courses can be tailored bespoke for the organisation or used off-the-shelf.
Fistral courses have been used in: accredited University-awarded Certificates for staff or researchers, Institute of Leadership and Managment (ILM) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI) programmes, as part of European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS), or linked to University-recognised credit-bearing pathways. Informally, training courses have also been used by many individuals when evidencing professional portfolios, for example towards CMI, ILM, PDP and Chartered status.
Researcher Focused
Fistral courses provide transferable skills that are directly applicable for researchers at any level. Tools and techniques can be applied to work immediately on return to desk or lab. The usefulness and relevance of the training is evidenced in the excellent feedback we receive from HEIs, Doctoral Colleges, ETNs, DTCs, ITNs, CDTs and staff working in international research organisations.
Our CAPM and PMP Project Management certification pathways are particularly popular with PhDs and all researchers as they provide a route to globally recognised, industry-aligned, professional certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In addition, other courses particularly popular with CDTs, Doctoral Colleges, ETNs, ITNs, ECRs and MCAs that are specifically contextualised for research include:
- Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques;
- Advanced Research Team Leadership;
- Keeping on Top of Your Research or PhD: Time Management Strategies;
- Professional Communication Skills;
- Releasing Your Research Leadership Potential;
- Practical Leadership: Getting the Best out of Your Team;
- Influencing without Authority: Using Personal Power to Persuade & Convince Others;
- Research Project Management & Planning for Uncertainty; and
- Managing Complex Research Projects
We also provide some courses aimed solely at PhD students. For example for first-years – Kick-start Your PhD, Control Your PhD and Keeping on Top of Your PhD – and for final year PhDs – Finishing your PhD on Time. Contact Us for more information.
Space Focused
Our practical transferable skills courses for the Space Sector focus on best practice as well as the tools and techniques that we know work in this environment. Using over 10 years of experience with a wide range staff at all levels across a range of organisations at sites all over Europe, and supporting a variety of missions, the applicability and relevance of our consultancy and training can be seen in ongoing excellent feedback.
Our PMI-aligned Project Management courses are particularly popular in this sector, as is Agile PM, Leadership, Teamworking and Professional Communication. Fistral courses are contextualised for space, aerospace, energy and engineering, as well as delivered bespoke and tailored to the ESA environment.
Courses currently chosen by Space Sector and contextualised for partners cover topics such as:
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Agile Project Management
- Leadership – for New Team Leaders and also more Advanced Leadership techniques
- Professional Communication
- Managing Difficult Behaviour and Challenging Situations
- Time Management
- Decision Making
- Assertiveness
Courses can also be tailored to directly align and reference an organisation’s methodology or approach. Linked to the relevance and usefulness of the training we are often asked to deliver bespoke workshops for staff involved in projects and missions. Contact Us for more information.
“Glad to have taken the course for my PhD” – University of Strathclyde Time Management Course feedback
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde logged on to Fistral's Keeping on Top of Your PhD: Personal Time Management...
“Do it early in your project, helpful tools to get started” – University of Strathclyde feedback
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde logged on to Fistral’s Introduction to Project Management training course. The group gave...
University of Strathclyde PhD Students rate CAPM Preparation course 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde logged on Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training course. This course prepares attendees to sit...
“Skills I will apply to PhD” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning Part 4
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to the fourth and final part of our Introduction to Project Planning training...
“Wish I had known this before” – Bristol staff on Project Management Techniques for Planning Your Research
Staff at Bristol University logged on to parts 1&2 of Fistral’s Project Management Techniques for Planning Your Research training course....
5 out of 5 score – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning Part 3
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 3 of our Introduction to Project Planning training course. The attendees...
“The reality check I needed” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning webinar
Joining us online, a group of PhD students at Ulster University undertook part 2 of our Introduction to Project Planning...
“Very practical and can tailor to your needs.” – Ulster University feedback for Introduction to Project Planning webinar
PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 1 of our Introduction to Project Planning training course. The attendees...
University of Strathclyde group score supervisory relationship webinar 5 out of 5
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde logged on to our training course entitled Creating a Good Supervisory Relationship. The...
“Great practical tips” – University of Bristol CDT, Time Management webinar
We were joined online by PhDs from two University of Bristol CDTs; CoSEM and Digital Health. The training session we...
“Excellent practical training” – University of Strathclyde PhD
At the University of Strathclyde in our home town of Glasgow, we ran our course entitled Project Management in the...
“Very useful on theoretical and practical grounds.” – University of Strathclyde Researcher
Researchers from the Advanced Forming Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde joined Fistral for our onsite course entitled Project...
“Motivating with actionable changes in behaviour” – University of Bristol CDT webinar feedback
We were joined online by PhD students from three University of Bristol CDTs; ACCIS, CoSEM and Digital Health. The training...
“Already suggested it to colleagues” – University of Strathclyde PhD
We joined University of Strathclyde PhD students onsite for our Advanced Project Management training session. The group gave it an...
“Another great Fistral Session” – University of Strathclyde PhD, Professional Communication session
University of Strathclyde PhD students logged on to join Fistral’s Techniques for Confident Professional Communication webinar training session. The group...
“Useful and helpful” – University of Bath, Introduction to Project Mgt session
A mix of research staff and PhDs at the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s Introduction to Project Management...
“Great for PhD planning” – University of Strathclyde feedback
A group from the University of Strathclyde joined us remotely for Fistral’s Risk Management in the Real World training. The...
“Practical, easy to apply tips” – King’s College London PhD student
PhD students from King's College London joined us remotely for our training session entitled Get Unstuck: Procrastination Busting. The group...
“Useful, relevant and easy to understand” – Loughborough University feedback
Staff at Loughborough University joined us onsite for our training session entitled Project Management in the Real World. The group...
“Effective and practical” – University of Leeds staff, influencing without authority session
Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Leeds logged on to Fistral’s training session entitled Influencing Without Authority. The group gave...
“Very valuable in our work” – University of Winchester staff
Research staff from the University of Winchester joined us online for our training session entitled Managing Conflict in Research Teams....
“Will improve quality of my work” – University of Strathclyde
PhD students at the University of Strathclyde joined us remotely for Fistral’s Taking Charge of Your Time: Avoid Drifting training....
“Already applying the tools” – Heriot-Watt feedback
PhD students at Heriot-Watt University joined us onsite for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World course. The group gave...
“Very useful and applicable” – King’s College London feedback
PhD students at King's College London logged on to Fistral’s Take Charge of Your Time and Your Research: Time Management...
“Learned how to better manage my time during PhD” – University of Strathclyde feedback
We welcomed PhD sudents at the University of Strathclyde onsite for our training course Keeping on Top of Your PhD:...
“Widely applicable” – University of Winchester feedback
A cohort of PhD students at the University of Winchester joined us online for our training course Making Your Case:...
“Something for everyone” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University joined us online the fourth and final part of Fistral’s Introduction to...
“Provides skills to thrive in team projects” – Space Sector Staff on teamworking training
Staff at LSE Space GmbH, joined Fistral onsite for our training course entitled The Effective Teamworker. Those attending the session...
“Provided tools I can implement now” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University joined us online for the third part of Fistral’s Introduction to Project...
“Practical insights and real-world examples” – Space Sector Staff feedback
Onsite at LSE Space GmbH, Fistral delivered our Leadership Skills and Techniques for New Leaders training. The staff undertaking the...
“Important in Project Planning” – Ulster University feedback
A cohort of PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 2 of Fistral’s Introduction to Project Planning training...
“Very useful and reassuring for first year PhD student” – Ulster University feedback
A group of PhD students at Ulster University logged on to part 1 of our Introduction to Project Planning training...
“Relevant to my current role and career aspirations” – Dundee University staff feedback for Introduction to Project Planning
Staff at the University of Dundee logged on to our Introduction to Project Planning webinar session. Feedback comments included: “[The...
“A very useful way to start my PhD” – University of Strathclyde PGR feedback
We welcomed PGR’s at the University of Strathclyde online to our Introduction to Project Management webinar training course and they...
“A useful reminder of good habits” – University of Winchester PGR
A group of PGRs at the University of Winchester logged on to our Take Charge of Your Time and Prioritise...
“Super helpful for research life” – Technische Universität Berlin feedback
We welcomed a group of PGR's onsite at the Technische Universität Berlin to Fistral's Build Your Resilience & Take your...
“Crucial perspective for managing relationships in academia” – Politecnico di Milano feedback
PhD students at Politecnico di Milano logged on to our training course entitled Being Assertive In An Academic Environment. The...
“Practical tools to better manage PhD” – University of Strathclyde feedback
We joined PhD students in Glasgow at the University of Strathclyde for Fistral’s Project Management in the Real World training...
“Evidence-based and practical examples” – University of South Australia score PM Essentials for Researchers webinar 5 out of 5
Researchers at University of South Australia logged on to parts 1 to 4 of our Project Management Essentials for Researchers...
“Engaging and practical” – 4.93 from Loughborough University Staff
Staff from Loughborough University welcomed us onsite for our Project Management in the Real World training session. The group gave...
“Useful to learn how to organise a project to completion” – CAPM programme rates 4.86 at University of Bath
A mix of research staff and PhDs from the University of Bath logged on to Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session....
“Giving and receiving difficult feedback” training – rated Very Good by LSE Space Staff
LSE Space staff joined Fistral onsite for our training, Giving and Receiving Difficult Feedback: A Practice-Based Workshop. LSE is an...
“Very engaging & interactive“ – stress management at University of Warwick
The second of two groups of researchers from Warwick Medical School joined us onsite at the University of Warwick for...
“Another great course!” – University of Warwick staff feedback
The first of two groups of research staff joined us onsite at The University of Warwick for Fistral’s Handling Academic...
“It will absolutely help me in my work going forward” – University College Cork staff rate PM 4.82
The first of two groups of staff at University College Cork joined us onsite recently for Fistral’s Successfully Planning &...
“Engaging, useful, and practical” – University College Cork staff
The second of two groups of staff at University College Cork joined us onsite for Fistral’s Successfully Planning & Managing...
“Useful and transferable skills” – University of Strathclyde feedback
PhD students University of Strathclyde joined us onsite in Glasgow for Fistral’s CAPM Preparation training session. The group gave it...
“Good mix of theory and application” – Leadership for University of Strathclyde PhDs
PhD students University of Strathclyde logged on to Fistral’s Leadership and Teambuilding Techniques webinar training session. The group gave it...
“Recommended for all new Managers” – PM Principles for the Space sector
Space staff welcomed Fistral onsite at ESTEC for our training course, Project Management Principles – Level 1. The group gave...
5 out of 5 score for PM training – University of Strathclyde
Fistral welcomed PhD students at the University of Strathclyde onsite in Glasgow for our Advanced Project Management course. The group...