Small businesses in the Inverness, East Highland and Moray areas can take advantage of one-day workshops aimed at developing management and leadership skills within their business.

Places are still available and a wide range of one-day courses is on offer to help staff from small businesses to develop their skills - from Interviewing Skills, Assertive Communication and Target Setting, through to Managing Stress and Improving Customer Service.

Beginning next week, the workshops will get underway in Dingwall, Inverness, Aviemore and Elgin, and will be available until June 2007.  

Meanwhile, an Effective Leadership Programme commences on 8th November in the Mansefield Hotel, Elgin running to May 2007.  It has been awarded national recognition by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).  Delegates who successfully complete this particular programme and two assignments receive the ILM Leadership programme award and are also eligible for Affiliate membership of ILM. 

Lesley Jones said:  "We are stunned by the growth in confidence and ability of participants.  The changes that they make in their own organisations and in the way they contribute are well considered, effective and successful.  We encourage networking - many past participants are still in contact with, and gaining a lot from each other."

Alan MacDonald, development manager at HIE Moray said: "We ran these courses
last year for businesses in Moray and they were very well received.  These courses fill an identified gap in training provision for small businesses, as well as supporting our aim to increase skills and develop community strengths, leadership and confidence." 

The initiative has received support from HIE Moray and HIE Inverness and East Highland. 

Expressions of interest should be made to Jenny Devlin on 0800 389 0888 or jdtrainingpool@aol.com.