Difficult Conversations, often referred to as Courageous Conversations to emphasise the positive aspect, is one of our best-selling programmes and a crucial skill for anyone in leadership. It’s often said that people join companies but leave managers, making this skill all the more essential.

Typically delivered as a one-day face-to-face session or across three online modules, this programme offers practical tools, tips, and techniques alongside open discussions, breakout groups, and extensive use of actor facilitators. By bringing live, realistic case studies into the session, we create a supportive and safe environment where delegates can practice resolving challenging situations.

For those looking to fully immerse themselves, we offer one-to-one role-play sessions where delegates can apply and refine the techniques they’ve learned. Always respectful and always practical, this approach has, over nearly three decades, become one of our top-rated techniques for helping participants put their learning into action.

Book a Tier Two Inspiring Leaders session, ideal for senior leadership teams looking to enhance collaboration and drive business strategy.

This programme typically includes the use of a psychometric tool, such as Insights, though other assessments are available to suit your needs.

Each delegate completes an initial questionnaire, followed by a one-to-one debrief conducted over Zoom. The second part of the session is an away day where the group shares their results, works together to improve collaboration, and sets strategic and operational direction for the business.

If Tier One has taken place, key outputs will inform this session, and outputs from Tier Two can be used to shape Tier Three, ensuring alignment across all leadership levels.

Organizational conferences, whether for sales kick-offs, year-end summaries, big announcements, or team get-togethers, are powerful tools to engage, reconnect, and inspire colleagues. However, they are also hugely expensive when you factor in all the elements required for success, including venue costs, A/V support, catering, keynote speakers, and, of course, the lost productivity of your team members attending the event.

And for anyone who has ever been to a conference that overran, dragged on, or failed to deliver, it’s clear that plenty can go wrong.

That’s why it’s wise to consider partnering with a team that has over three decades of experience in this space. Blue Beetle People Solutions has supported hundreds of conferences across various industries. Whether you need help with a single element or full-scale support, we can help you deliver a successful, impactful event.

We help maximize your investment while minimizing risks. Here are the most common ways we support our clients:

• 1. Overall Conference Planning

We specialize in creating effective running orders for conferences. If you plan conferences once or twice a year, it’s easy to make decisions that seem logical but may not yield the best results.

Our extensive experience allows us to help you avoid common pitfalls and put together a smooth-running, engaging event.

• 2. Individual Sessions

We offer a range of speakers and expertise to enhance your event. Whether you need help with specific sessions or would like guidance on overall content, we can help you tailor the best approach.

(Note: While celebrity speakers are popular, we believe you can achieve more for less by choosing speakers who truly align with your event goals.)

• 3. MC or Event Facilitator

Having a professional MC or facilitator ensures that your event runs smoothly. They’ll keep sessions on time, manage unexpected moments, and maintain the flow. A skilled facilitator can keep your audience engaged and your conference on track.

• 4. Carousel Activities

Instead of having everyone sit for the duration of the event, why not incorporate interactive carousel activities? This is one of our most popular services, as it keeps delegates engaged, moving, and actively participating in the conference. It’s perfect for launching new ideas, gathering feedback, or simply breaking up the “talking heads.”

• 5. “Steve and Bob Do Conference”

This unique option adds a fun and engaging element to your event. Imagine starting the day with two delegates on stage, chatting comedically about the conference. This is a bespoke entertainment piece designed to energize your audience and set the tone for an interactive day. It’s custom-written to be funny, engaging, and relevant to your event.

These are the most common ways we support conferences, but we’re happy to customize our approach based on your specific needs. Let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll work with you to create a conference that leaves a lasting impact!

Our Build Your Own programme allows you to customise training sessions based on your organisation’s specific needs. By selecting from our most requested topics, you can create a tailored development path that aligns perfectly with your team's objectives. Whether it's leadership, performance management, or communication, the flexibility of our programme ensures you get the most value and relevance from each session.

Here’s a list of the most requested elements you can choose from:

Leader/Manager

Coaching

Managing Performance

Executive Communications

Difficult Conversations

Leading Transition

HR for Managers

Commerciality/Dragons' Den

Resilience and Wellbeing

Decision Making

Emotional Intelligence

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Interview Skills

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

About Blue Beetle People Solutions

Blue Beetle began in 1996 with a unique request: could we help West Midlands Police improve their assertiveness by having actors play rude members of the public? From this unconventional start, we evolved into a full-service learning, development, and conference support partner.

Our Approach

At our core, Blue Beetle harnesses the power of drama and theatre to bring learning to life. What began as actor-facilitated role-playing has grown into a wide range of practical, engaging training solutions. We don’t rely on high-minded theories or complicated models—instead, we focus on tools, tips, and techniques that people can immediately put into action.

What We Do

• Leadership Development: We help leaders work more effectively and respectfully with their teams, driving better performance.

• Conference Support: We bring your conferences to life by making them practical, engaging, and impactful with interactive and dramatic elements.

• Training Solutions: From launching new initiatives to gaining buy-in for new ways of working, we specialise in creating memorable experiences that stick.

Award-Winning Actor Facilitators

One of our most unique offerings is our use of Actor Facilitators. In safe and supported settings, your colleagues have the chance to practice real-life challenges with professional actors playing out scenarios. It’s worlds apart from traditional role-play—our approach allows your people to test new approaches and gain confidence in a meaningful way.

Video and Media Support

We also offer full filming and media production services to enhance your training and conferences. Whether you need standalone videos or on-site filming, we provide creative, professional video support to maximise your impact.

Of all the fears people have—whether it’s snakes, spiders, or flying—public speaking consistently ranks at the top. Whether it’s a simple speech, a regular team meeting, or a major presentation to a packed conference room, many of us experience the same symptoms: a racing mind, dry mouth, sweaty palms, and blank thoughts. And that’s just the

start!

The good news? Most of what we believe about public speaking is based on misconceptions and outdated ideas. With the right guidance, you can replace these old fears with powerful new skills.

Whether you find public speaking a breeze or a challenge, effective training can transform your ability to present with confidence.

Imagine being able to deliver a presentation that captivates, whether you’re pitching a product, leading a team meeting, or presenting at a major event. Blue Beetle Solutions

offers an Executive Communications programme designed to dramatically improve your public speaking, no matter your experience level.

• Introductory Module: Perfect for those new to presenting or who want to sharpen their

skills. Available as a one-day, face-to-face workshop or three online sessions, this module is

designed for those who don’t present often but want to feel more confident when they do.

• Advanced Module: A more in-depth two-day course (or five online sessions) for those

who present regularly and want to take their skills to the next level.

• Masterclass: Tailored for senior professionals, this flexible, high-level course is oftendelivered one-to-one, providing focused, face-to-face coaching (or online if preferred).

No matter where you are on your public speaking journey, our programmes can help you see fast, noticeable improvements. Don’t just settle for being a decent presenter—transform into a compelling communicator.

Coaching is one of the most powerful and well-established development tools in the corporate world, helping organisations nurture high-potential individuals and address challenging situations effectively.

Our coaching offering is flexible, ranging from a single-module introductory programme that provides the basics of coaching, to a fully accredited six-module course recognised by the Institute of Leadership.

This advanced programme is designed to equip your organisation with the skills needed to create and launch its own coaching academy, empowering you to develop a network of in-house coaches to support long-term growth and development.

Book a Tier Three Inspiring Leaders programme, perfect for first-line managers, supervisors, and those responsible for the operational running of the organisation.

This series of sessions typically follows a hybrid format, starting and concluding with face-to-face meetings, while the core sessions are delivered online over several months. A typical programme consists of seven sessions covering key topics such as leadership introduction, coaching, managing performance, executive communication, difficult conversations, handling change, and commerciality. The programme is flexible, with topics expanded or adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Tier Three can also be delivered as an accredited programme, providing delegates with a greater sense of achievement. Additionally, many organisations pair this with a return on investment (ROI) project to measure impact throughout the programme’s duration.

The Essentials Programme offers a flexible and accessible learning solution, designed to provide high-impact content to larger audiences across an organisation.

Delivered as a series of 10 one-hour online sessions over several weeks, each module consists of 45 minutes of focused content on key topics such as leadership, managing performance, difficult conversations, and emotional intelligence, followed by 10-15 minutes of live Q&A. Ideal for teams or entire organisations, this light-touch programme accommodates larger groups—typically 50-100 attendees, but scalable for even larger numbers.

The sessions are recorded and can be added to your learning management system, serving as a valuable resource to supplement your existing development content. It’s a cost-effective way to offer learning across broad audiences, complementing more targeted Tier One, Two, and Three leadership programmes.

Fully customisable, the standard programme includes 10 modules, but we can adapt it to your specific needs.

What is the Institute of Leadership?

The Institute of Leadership is a global professional body dedicated to inspiring and supporting leaders at every stage of their careers. With over 75 years of experience, the Institute provides research-based insights, leadership development resources, and professional recognition for individuals and organisations. Their mission is to drive excellence in leadership, fostering the values of authenticity, collaboration, and achievement across industries.

The Value of Institute-Recognised Training

Having our training courses recognised by the Institute of Leadership signifies the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. Being affiliated with such a reputable body ensures that our programs meet rigorous criteria, offering participants the assurance that they are receiving industry-leading development. This recognition not only validates the content and delivery of our training but also enhances the credibility of those who complete our courses, providing a mark of excellence that is respected globally.

Accredited Work at Associate, Member, and Fellowship Levels

We are proud to offer accredited pathways aligned with the Institute of Leadership’s professional membership levels, including Associate (AIoL), Member (MIoL), and Fellow (FIoL). These accreditations reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, recognising leadership abilities at every stage. By completing our accredited work, participants can enhance their leadership credentials and join a global community of respected professionals, advancing their careers with the backing of a prestigious institution.

Ready to Lead is the perfect programme for colleagues looking to take their first steps into management, whether as a supervisor or first-line manager. It’s designed for individuals showing potential and interest in leadership but who may still be new to the business or lack the confidence to fully commit to a management role just yet.

This two-module online course acts as a stepping stone, introducing key management concepts while allowing participants to explore the differences between their current role and the responsibilities that come with leading others.

Through practical discussions, exercises, and tasks, as well as useful tools and tips, delegates will gain valuable insights. Whether they choose to pursue management immediately, further down the line, or even decide it’s not the right path for them, they will still walk away with essential skills to enhance their current role in the workplace.