Business Acumen

The costliest policy mistakes usually happen early. Teams over-analyze low-risk issues or rush early analysis that misses the real decision point, leading to stalled files, rework, and frustration for decision-makers who need clarity early, not volume later. Calibrating Policy Analysis focuses on these critical initial stages, before options harden and momentum is lost. Participants leave able to frame a decision-relevant policy question, make key assumptions explicit, and justify how much evidence is “enough” for the decision at hand when discussing their work with colleagues or supervisors. The emphasis is on proportionate, decision-support analysis so work moves forward with less rework and clearer direction. The workshop is anchored in PMC’s Q-CASE Decision Support Lens (Question, Context, Assumptions, Sufficiency, and Early Options). It is used throughout the day to help participants calibrate scope, analytical depth, and the role of provisional options in a defensible and consistent way. This one-day workshop is designed for policy and policy-adjacent professionals who contribute to early analysis and influence direction without owning the final decision.

Are you a member of the Public Service who will be reaching retirement age over the next five to ten years? This comprehensive course features an expert in pension and financial issues who will provide you with the necessary knowledge and tools to help you develop an individual retirement plan to meet your goals.

Understanding how Ottawa really works is essential for anyone new to the federal public service or looking to better navigate Canada’s decision-making system. This workshop demystifies the roles of Cabinet, central agencies, and Parliament, while clarifying how policy and legislation are developed and influenced. Participants will leave with a clear, approachable map of government processes so they can engage with confidence and see how their work connects to the bigger picture.

Risk is something we face every day. We deal with most day-to-day risk at a subconscious level; however, many risks require a little more consideration. Some risk takes us well out of our comfort zone and so we avoid it – sometimes at all costs. But risk is something that can and should be embraced; risk management is actually a very useful toolset for thought in everyday decision making and often the risk of not doing something can be greater than the risk of doing something. IRM is a systematic and holistic approach to understand, communicate and manage risk across the organization allowing more timely, appropriate and effective responses. It is about the right people having the right information to guide strategic and tactical decisions that contribute to the achievement of an organization’s overall objectives. This course is intended to provide an initial overview of integrated risk management – sometimes known as ‘joined-up thinking’ about risk. The story builds by firstly developing an understanding of risk itself and our attitudes to it, next we look at how we bring risk under our control by means of risk management, and finally we look at how we can take a more strategic view of risk and develop a consistent pan-organizational approach. All the way through, we will build the concepts into practical examples so that attendees can take away real experience of having ‘managed’ risk. While not specifically a course on the Government of Canada’s Framework for the Management of Risk, this workshop will cover many of the same principles using the same terminology. And so, this course will be eminently suitable for anyone wishing to understand and apply the Framework.

This two-day workshop will provide you with an overview of how to understand financial information without requiring an in-depth knowledge of math, bookkeeping, or accounting practices. In addition to providing the basics of financial statements, you will also learn how financial information can support financial management objectives and decision-making. You will receive practical tips on how to analyze reports and data to identify key elements to provide a clearer picture of your business to highlight your financial position and identify financial areas requiring your attention. You will gain insight to better evaluate the information you are receiving from your financial data.

This 3-day program equips sales managers with the tools and strategies to navigate the unique challenges of sales leadership in Canadian organizations. Participants will develop expertise in leadership, business management, and talent management—ensuring they can translate organizational vision into a meaningful direction for their sales teams. The course provides actionable frameworks for coaching, performance tracking, sales forecasting, and talent development, enabling managers to drive sustained sales success.

Thinking strategically can be described as the way people in an organization think about, view, assess and create the future for themselves, their team, and the organization. More than simply reacting to day-to-day or long-term problems and opportunities, it is concerned with creating opportunities and choosing options in order to be able to realize the best possible future. It is an ongoing process that becomes part of the organizational culture and part of the local vocabulary; it also ensures that strategic planning activity is more meaningful. Strategic thinking is a foundational skill and the same principles can be equally applied to people’s personal lives and their work responsibilities. The same thinking approach is relevant to all levels of responsibility throughout the organization. However, thinking strategically is only half of the workplace challenge; the ideal outcome for any organization is for its people to be able to both think strategically while acting tactically. Striking the proper balance is critical to the smooth operation of the organization and the full involvement of all its people. Achieving the balance helps team members collaborate and better align their day-to-day activities with the higher goals and vision of the project, department, or organization as a whole. This workshop will explore both what it means to think strategically, and how day-to-day operational action can be aligned to the grander strategy at both the individual and team level.

Busy decision-makers do not have time to search through dense background, unclear issues, or options that are not fully explained. This advanced course helps participants write briefing notes that turn complex, messy, or sensitive information into clear decision support. Using the 4 D’s Briefing Note Framework, participants will practise defining the issue, distilling relevant context, developing balanced options and implications, and delivering a clear recommendation or next step. The course also explores how approved AI tools can help structure non-sensitive source material while keeping human judgment, accuracy, and confidentiality at the centre of the work. Participants will leave with a practical approach for writing briefing notes that help senior readers understand what matters, weigh risks, and move forward with confidence.

Many organizations host or participate in a variety of meetings and events, large and small, throughout the year. When properly executed, these meetings and events can deliver a tremendous return on investment in terms of exposure, education, marketing, sales or other objectives. Conversely, the impact of a poorly executed meeting or event can be substantial. All too often the very critical role of organizing meetings and events falls to someone who has had no formal training in this field. Facilitated by a Certified Meeting Planner, this two day workshop will provide you with a sound foundation for successfully planning and executing a wide variety of meetings and events.

The Fundamentals of Selling course is designed to equip sales professionals with the core skills necessary to excel in today’s competitive business environment. This three-day program provides a structured, consultative approach to selling, enabling participants to gather meaningful market intelligence, build strong client relationships, and propose tailored solutions that address customer challenges. Attendees will develop competencies in sales strategy, technology, prospecting tactics, consultative sales calls, negotiation, and self-management.

This advanced 2-day sales program equips sales professionals with the skills to take a strategic approach to account management, reduce competitive threats, and strengthen client retention. Participants will develop strategic planning frameworks to maximize the return on time invested and create long-term, high-value client partnerships.

If you and the people who work with you don’t understand where the company is going, they may all develop their own priorities and actually prevent you from getting where you need to be. Part of getting everyone on board is creating a strategic plan complete with the organization’s values, vision, and mission. Then, there’s the challenge of bringing these principles to life in a meaningful way that people can relate to. This two-day course will help you describe what you want to do and get people where you want to go.