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Pursue a Career as a Business Psychologist

Knowledge in organisational and industrial psychology is vital whether you work in human resources, own a business or desire to pursue a career as a business psychologist.

The Certificate of Industrial and Organisational Psychology will teach you how to apply psychological principles in the workplace to improve organisational effectiveness and the quality of work-life in organisations.

Throughout this course, you will explore theories of psychology and behaviour, discover how employees think, how to improve the performance of teams and individuals and how to increase effectiveness and productivity in the workplace.

If you’re considering studying to become a business psychologist, read on to discover the definition and history of this exciting profession, roles and responsibilities, where you can expect to work, other career opportunities and remuneration.

Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes and knowledge in industrial and organisational psychology will be achieved on completion of this course.

Free will versus determinism
Developmental and interactive expressions of behaviour
Nature versus nurture
Influence of environment on learning behaviour
Modelling and conformity
Conditioning, environmental factors and learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Reinforcement and punishment
Sensation and perception
Thinking and daydreaming
The gestalt approach
Unconscious and conscious psychic elements
Explaining behaviour
Knowledge of brain processes
Personal interpretation of a given situation
Terminology
The application form
Psychological tests
Interviews
Intelligence tests
Laws of learning
Devising tests
Selecting appropriate tests
Ways of seeking applicants
Types of interviews
Maslow’s model of self-actualisation
Security
Money
Ambition
Companionship
Social reinforcement
Labour wastage
Qualities of managers
Understanding morale
Discipline and training

And more …

What is a Business Psychologist?

A business psychologist is not unlike a coach, but with the advantage of understanding the science of human behaviour in workplaces and organisations.

Business psychologists help individuals, teams and workplaces operate at a peak level to enhance the performance of an entire organisation. They are crucial in assisting leaders in managing and performing with clarity to achieve organisational goals.

Organisational and industrial psychology is a rapidly growing area in psychology and one that helps businesses increase their efficiency and improve the quality of work-life for employees.

Organisational and industrial psychology involves understanding the individual and the intersecting work environment and culture to promote success and harmony within a workplace. It is the role of the business psychologist to identify how internal factors pose obstacles to business success and to overcome them.

History of Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Hugo Munsterberg, a German who headed the Harvard psychology laboratory in 1892, was likely the first industrial-organisational (I-O) psychologists.

Munsterberg researched and developed the idea that it was possible to select the best worker for a job and to design jobs to best suit workers. He applied experimental approaches to practical business issues in his comprehensive text, Psychology and Industrial Efficiency (1913).

Walter Dill Scott is also regularly credited as the founder of I-O psychology due to his early texts on advertising and founding the first personnel consulting firm.

Another leading character that had an indirect impact on I-O psychology was an industrial engineer, Frederick W. Taylor. While Munsterberg and Scott focussed on individuals, Taylor brought the organisation into the spotlight with his text Principles of Scientific Management (New York. 1911).

What do Business Psychologists Do?

Business psychologists perform many tasks within an organisation, including:

Assisting with recruitment
Designing harmonious, productive work environments
Facilitating employee training and motivation
Performing employee assessments and evaluations
Increasing employee morale
Providing counselling
Establishing employee health and well-being initiatives
Providing leadership training and development
Improving organisational structure
Enhancing business efficiency
Studying the workplace environment
Implementing workplace health and safety guidelines
Maintaining employee records

Where Do Business Psychologists Work?

Business psychologists work in private and public establishments, from small companies in the private sector to large government organisations. I-O psychologists are often in leadership roles working in human resources, management, counselling or training and development.

What Other Careers Can I-O’s Pursue?

As a business psychologist with training in I-O psychology, you can expect to work across several industries, such as government departments; marketing, advertising and sales; human resources; and as academics at universities.

Government Departments

Business psychologists can play an essential role in developing policies and human resource services for government departments. Their knowledge is valuable in that these departments rely heavily on strong policies and guidance to work with the public.

Marketing, Advertising & Sales

Understanding what motivates people to purchase products and services is the foundation of successful marketing, advertising and sales efforts. So, whether it’s analysing buyer behaviour or anticipating consumer thought processes, business psychologists are a valuable member of a marketing or sales team to achieve sales targets and business goals.

Human Resources

As a human resource professional, business psychologists develop policies and procedures that drive recruitment and retention efforts within a business or organisation. Their highly-skilled understanding of what motivates people helps O-I psychologist to mobilise an organisation’s most valuable asset – their employees!

Universities

Business psychologists with master’s level qualifications can work as academics at universities in a research capacity or teaching role (or both).

Organisational & Industrial Psychologist Salary

The average salary for an organisational psychologist in Australia is $84,739. However, earnings can vary with experience and location from $61k to $158k per year.

Total average compensation by experience:

Early career (1 – 4 years) $77,994

Mid-career (5 – 9 years) $96,448

Experienced (10-19 years) $121, 428

Are you interested in becoming a business psychologist? Study our Certificate of Industrial & Organisational Psychology and gain foundation knowledge about this fascinating and rapidly growing area of psychology.

Leadership Programs Help You Smash the Glass Ceiling

Leadership programs are vital to ensuring that the existing gender gap that currently exists in Australia is significantly decreased in the future. This is evident in the fact that although there are more women in leadership positions than ever, only 26 per cent of women are Company Directors and only 17 per cent CEOs. More importantly, research also shows that more women in key decision-making positions deliver better company performance and greater profitability and productivity.

If you’re a female manager or have plans to move into a leadership role, discover our our range of leadership courses.

The 10 Most Powerful Women In The World

Women around the world continue to claim leadership positions and inspire leadership programs in business, media, government and philanthropy. Here are the top 10 female leaders of 2019 according to Forbes business magazine.

#1 – Angela Merkel

Merkel is now serving her fourth term as Chancellor of Germany after becoming the first female to do so in 2005. She has steered the country through financial crisis and back to growth, and her strong leadership has been on public display — from challenging President Trump to allowing more than a million Syrian refugees access into Germany.

#2 – Christine Lagarde

For over eight years, Lagarde ran the International Monetary Fund, and in 2019, she became the first woman to head up the European Central Bank. This position means she is in charge of European monetary policy during a slowing economic growth in the region and in a time of geopolitical uncertainty. In 2018, she highlighted the need for gender reform in the male-dominated banking industry.

#3 – Nancy Pelosi

As the 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pelosi is second-in-line for the presidency and the highest-ranking elected woman in the country. She started her third term as Speaker in 2019 and initiated the fourth-ever impeachment proceedings in U.S. history against President Donald Trump.

#4 – Ursula von der Leyen

In 2019, von der Leyen was appointed president of the European Commission and is the first woman to serve in the role. For 14 years, she served the longest tenure in Angela Merkel’s cabinet, and for the last six years of her time there was Germany’s Defence Minister.

#5 – Mary Barra

The CEO of General Motors since 2014, Barra has invested billions in self-driving cars, electric vehicles and a ride-share service called Maven. The company ranked number one on the 2018 Gender Equality Global Report, and the company is one of only two global businesses that have no gender pay gap.

#6 – Melinda Gates

As co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates is a powerful woman in the area of philanthropy. She has helped solve tough global challenges from poverty and education to sanitation and contraception. The Foundation’s mission is to assist all people to led productive, healthy lives and she devotes much of her time to women’s rights.

#7 – Abigail Johnson

Johnson’s grandfather Edward Johnson II founded mutual fund giant, Fidelity Investments, in 1946 and Abigail has served as CEO since 2014. She holds an MBA from Harvard, and in 2018, launched a platform that allows institutional investors to trade ether and bitcoin.

#8 – Ana Patricia Botín

Botín succeeded her late father as chair of multinational bank and financial services company the Santander Group in 2014. In the face of political unrest, she has championed financial technology and focused on entrepreneurs — in particular, small enterprise and female-owned businesses.

#9 – Ginni Rometty

Rometty is a 36-year veteran of iconic tech company IBM, and has put cognitive computing at the centre of the organisation’s future strategies. Her ongoing efforts to keep women in the workforce include supporting returnships, extended parental leave and a breastmilk delivery program.

#10 – Marillyn Hewson

As CEO of Lockheed Martin since 2013, Hewson has steered the defence company’s position to be at the forefront of aerospace, security and technology. The organisation’s innovation team is now developing a supersonic aircraft that breaks the sound barrier without a sonic boom.

The Future Of Women in Leadership

While there has been progress with many aspects of gender equality, it hasn’t been in the area of female representation in leadership. In fact, according to 2018-19 data from the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, while women make up half of the private sector workforce:

Only 31.5 per cent are in key management positions
Only 26.8 per cent are Directors
Only 17.1 per cent are CEOs
Only 14.1 per cent are Board Chairs.

The Gender Equity Insights series has also uncovered critical evidence of the importance of female representation in senior leadership roles. In 2016 and 2017, the research showed that increasing representation of women in leadership roles is associated with declining organisational gender pay gaps, and that:

having an equal representation of women on governing boards leads to a 6.3 per cent point reduction in the gender pay gap for full-time managers, and
organisations with a balanced representation of women in executive leadership roles have pay gaps half the size of those with the least representation of women in leadership.

Reports in 2018 and 2019 also build on these findings. This research highlighted the critical role of leadership in driving organisational change towards gender equity and decision-making. A 2019 report shows that:

women are now progressing into management roles at a faster rate than men. If it continues, it will take 20 years for women to have equal representation in full-time management positions, however,
in terms of CEO roles, there will not be an equal share of women until the turn of the next century — that’s 80 years away!

And critically, in 2020, the series uncovered a clear message — that more women in key decision-making positions will deliver greater productivity, greater profitability and better company performance! It’s time to embrace leadership programs ladies!

Experiencing a few ‘glass ceiling’ challenges at work? Learn valuable networking and communication techniques, and lead with competence and confidence with a leadership program.

Improve Your EQ with Our Emotional Intelligence Course

In the mid-nineties, psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman wrote a book on emotional intelligence that put the spotlight on the importance of emotions, specifically, how you can make them work for rather than against you.

The book was a bestseller as people were fascinated to learn how to understand better and manage their emotions to increase success in life.

Today emotional intelligence is widely accepted as an essential indicator of career success. And an emotional intelligence course can be a platform to a promotion, not only because it improves relationships, but employers also value this intelligence highly.

Our Emotional Intelligence online course that will teach you how to develop and apply EQ for personal and career success. You will explore the skills required to understand and use EQ to improve your self-awareness, empathy, and ability to deal sensitively with the feelings of others.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking our emotional intelligence course include:

Manage relationships positively
Deal sensitively with the feelings
Improving self-awareness, empathy and ability
Improving your emotional intelligence
Navigating emotions and relationships
Emotional intelligence domains
EQ competencies – self-perception and social perception
Controlling your emotions
Emotional intelligence and facilitating
Using emotional intelligence effectively
The relational side of EI
Building acknowledging other people’s emotions
Organisational awareness
Skills of acknowledging and affirming
Enhance workplace relationships
Emotionally intelligent strategies
Developing relationships through empathy
Being aware of the emotions of others
Owning your emotions
Managing your emotional IQ or EQ
Handling difficult situations effectively
Managing conflict
Responsibility of emotional ownership
How to be emotionally self-aware
Know the emotions you’re managing
Types of self-management
Identifying personal recovery techniques
Emotional awareness and management
Lead emotionally intelligent teams
Managing your own anger
Owning and expressing your anger
Emotions, feelings and moods
Emotional and intellectual responses
Dealing with anger from others
The roots of anger in the workplace
Putting anger to good use
Using your anger positively
Develop empathy for colleagues
Self-management techniques

9 Signs of High Emotional Intelligence

Have you ever met someone who seems to “get” you? If so, they’re probably high on the emotional intelligence (EQ) scale. You see, people with high emotional intelligence can tune into the feelings of others and are also self-aware enough to understand and manage their own. So, what are the signs of an emotionally intelligent person? The following nine are good indicators that someone has above average EQ!

#1 – Recognises and Understands Feelings

Emotionally intelligent people are fascinated by what makes people tick. They’re the people who check in on how their friends and family are doing. They ask questions about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. As a result, they are highly tuned to people’s emotions, noticing things like body language, tone of voice and personal tics or nervous habits. This makes them self-aware and socially-aware – they recognise emotions and their impact on thoughts and actions – both in themselves and others.

#2 – Accepts Criticism with Grace

Those with EQ know that constructive criticism is an opportunity to learn more about themselves and to evolve as a person. They take negative feedback well and don’t feel threatened by it. On the contrary, they ask questions on how they can improve – whether in their work or personal life.

#3 – Forgives, And Forgets

Holding on to resentment is not something people with high emotional intelligence have time for. They readily forgive and forget the transgressions of others. It’s how they release themselves from painful emotions and move forward with their lives. They do this because they understand that people make mistakes, but mistakes do not make the person – we’re all more than our behaviour.

#4 – Demonstrates Empathy

High EQ gives people the ability to ‘step into someone else’s shoes.’ They can readily see things from another’s perspective because they understand their thoughts and feelings. Demonstrating empathy doesn’t mean they will always agree with your point-of-view, but they know where you’re coming from.

#5 – Is Genuine

Authenticity is evident when you meet an emotionally intelligent person. They know who they are and are steadfast in sticking to their values and principles. They are genuine in their communication with others – saying what they mean and meaning what they say.

#6 – Apologises Easily

It’s not easy to say sorry. It takes courage, strength and humility – three traits that come more easily to those of us who are emotionally intelligent. Those with high EQ realise that apologising doesn’t necessarily mean they’re wrong – instead, they value their relationships more than being ‘right.’

#7 – Gives Compliments

Giving genuine compliments is a sure sign of someone with high EQ! People demonstrating emotional intelligence show appreciation and acknowledgement of others because they understand it builds trust and inspires.

#8– Keeps Commitments

In the fast-paced, time-strapped existence we live, it can be easy to renege on a commitment you’ve made if you’re feeling overwhelmed. However, those with high EQ will rarely break commitments because they know that keeping their word protects the feelings of others and builds trust.

#9 – Charitable

The emotionally intelligent are helpful. They’re the ones volunteering their time to help others in small or big ways. They understand that one of the best ways to influence others positively is to help them.

Emotional Intelligence Course Helpful at Work

Having a high EQ isn’t just important in your personal relationships and social life, it’s also crucial to your career development. Why? Because you need to be able to develop healthy working relationships with customers, clients and colleagues, too!

It could mean the difference between getting that promotion or staying stuck in a career rut.

So, develop your emotional intelligence and success in life and at work with our Emotional Intelligence course!

Fine-tune Your Medical Knowledge For A Career in Healthcare

A medical terminology course will equip you with valuable skills that will enable you to interpret and apply the ‘language’ of patients’ medical symptoms and procedures — verbally and in writing — in a range of healthcare settings.

Studying the ‘language’ of healthcare will help you gain a competitive career advantage or help you enter the medical sector as a health administrator, medical receptionist, healthcare worker or ward clerk.

Our Certificate of Medical Terminology will help you learn the ‘ABCs’ of the medical world! This includes studying anatomical and pharmacological terminology and terminology relating to medical equipment. You will also learn about the terms used to describe the various elements of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune, lymphatic, reproductive, respiratory, excretory, digestive and integumentary systems.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a medical terminology course include:

Learning about the scope and nature of medical terminology
Exploring the origins of words
Studying the structure of words
Understanding prefixes and suffixes
Examining anatomical terms and structure
Learning about the location of organs
Exploring brain structure
Studying word forms, abbreviations and symbols
Understanding medical equipment and procedures
Learning about diagnostic and surgical procedures and equipment
Exploring the storage and handling of medicines
Studying the sterilising of equipment
Gaining an understanding of bacteria
Learning how to observe through a microscope (microscopy)
Exploring diagnostic microbiology
Studying research microbiology
Examining common bacteria you may encounter in a medical setting
Understanding the types of wounds
Examining problems resulting from wounds
Gaining insights into treating wounds
Learning about electrolytes
Exploring pharmacological terminology
Studying medicinal terminology including alternative and herbal
Examining over the counter and prescription drugs
Learning about the musculoskeletal system
Exploring musculature and the major muscles
Studying the relationship between the muscles and the skeleton
Understanding bone and joint problems
And much more!

The History of Medical Terminology

Medical terminology has evolved primarily from the Greek and Latin languages. The science of anatomy began during the Renaissance, and many early anatomists attended Italian schools of medicine. They assigned Latin names to structures they discovered, which is why Latin accounts for many of the root words in the English language.

Names for others conditions were retained from the teachings of Greek physician, Galen, who wrote texts on medicine in the latter part of his life. These remained influential for almost 1500 years and many of the condition and disease names he first used have been retained. Which explains why the second most common source of medical root words is the Greek language!

Older roots also have their origins in Arabic, due to the scholars that were important teachers of medicine throughout the middle ages. Some modern roots are also taken from the English language, which reflects its pre-eminence in the medical and biomedical sciences for the past half-century.

The addition of suffixes to nouns to denote different syntax constructions comes from the Latin language. This is because suffices were commonly used by Italian scientists.

Some prefixes are also adaptions of Latin words, and in medical terminology, they were attached to root words and often used to indicate locations on the body or directions relative to structures in the body.

Some words in modern medical terminology have also been borrowed from biology, and many of these are species of pathogens and names of the genus. Using Latin for these names dates back to the founder of the modern system of taxonomy, Carl Linnaeus.

And finally, from 1650 through to 1850 and because Latin was the language of educated people, many linguistic elements from the Latin language (like prefixes, roots, and suffixes) were included.

An example of medical terminology being used to describe diseases or procedures is the case of acute pancreatitis. The root (pancrea-) indicates the organ involved, the pancreas. The suffix (-itis) indicates inflammation, and the word ‘acute’ describes a rapid onset of the condition.

An example of a surgical procedure is a choledocholithotomy. This is an operation to remove (-otomy) a stone (-litho-) that originated in the gall bladder (chole-) but is currently in the common bile duct (-docho-)!

30 Complex Medical Terms For Common Things

Obdormition – When your limbs ‘fall asleep’. Derived from the Latin word ‘obdormire’ meaning to fall asleep.
Borborygmus – The noise your stomach makes when you’re hungry. Derived from the Greek word for ‘to rumble’.
Vasovagal Syncope – Also known as fainting. Derived from Latin and the Greek word for ‘sudden loss of strength’.
Lachrymation – When you’re vision is blurred by a few loose tears rather than actually crying. Derived from the Latin word for ‘a tear’.
Horripilation – Also known as goosebumps. Derived from the Latin word ‘horripilar’ meaning to ‘bristle with hairs or be shaggy’.
Fasciculation – When the muscle fibres contract under your skin and you feel muscles twitching. Derived from the word ‘fasciculus’ or ‘little bundle’.
Bulla – Also known as blisters. Derived from the Latin word ‘bulla’ meaning ‘a bubble, stud or knob’.
Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter – Also known as hiccups. Derived from the Latin word ‘singultus’ meaning ‘the act of one’s breath while sobbing’.
Formication – That creepy-crawly feeling when your skin feels likes it’s teeming with tiny insects. Derived from the Latin word ‘formica’ which means ant.
Veisalgia – When you have an uneasy stomach and a sensitivity to light and noise, ie. a hangover! Derived from the Greek word ‘algos’ for pain.
Gustatory Rhinitis – When your nose runs when you eat hot or spicy foods. Derived from the Latin word for ‘tasting’ and the Greek word for ‘nose inflammation’.
Muscae Volitantes – When you see small transparent threads floating across your line of sight. Derived from the Latin words for ‘flying flies’.
Odontalgia – Also known as a toothache. Derived from the Latin word ‘odontalgia’ meaning ‘toothache’.
Otalgia – When the cabin pressure changes on an airplane and your ears hurt. Derived from the Greek word ‘otalgia’ meaning ‘earache’.
Pyrexia – Also known as a fever. Derived from the Greek word ‘puretos’ for fever.
Morsicatio Buccarum – A condition where people repeatedly chew or bite down on the inside of their mouth. Derived from the Latin words ‘morusus’ meaning ‘bite’ and ‘bucca’ meaning ‘cheek’.
Epistaxis – Also known as a nosebleed. Derived from the Greek words ‘epistag’ meaning ‘to bleed from the nose’.
Xerostomia – When you have a dry mouth as a result of taking medications. Derived from the Greek words for ‘xeros’ meaning ‘dry’ and ‘stoma’ meaning ‘mouth’.
Bruxism – Also known as teeth grinding. Derived from the Greek word ‘brukein’ meaning ‘to gnash’.
Rhinorrhea – Also known as having a runny nose. Derived from the Greek word ‘rhis’ meaning ‘nose’ and ‘rhoia’ meaning ‘flow’.
Aphthous Stomatitis – Also known as mouth ulcers. Derived from the Greek word ‘aphthi’ which means to ‘set on fire or inflame’.
Cardialgia – Also known as heartburn. Derived from the Greek word ‘kardia’ for heart.
Emesis – Also known as nausea, particularly after a stomach bug or food poisoning. Derived from the Greek word ‘emein’ meaning ‘to vomit’.
Sternutate – Also known as sneezing. Derived from the Latin word ‘sternuere’ meaning ‘to sneeze’.
Varicella – Also known as chickenpox. Derived from the Latin word ‘varius’ meaning ‘speckled or spotted’.
Hyperhidrosis – A condition where people sweat a lot. Derived from the Greek word ‘hidrosis’ meaning ‘sweat’.
Heloma Molle – Also known as foot corns. Derived from the Latin word ‘duro’ for ‘hard or tough’ and the Greek word ‘heloma’ for nail.
Crepitus – When your joints pop and crack due to air in the subcutaneous tissue. Derived from the Latin word ‘crepitus’ meaning ‘a crackling sound or ‘a rattle’.
Diplopia – Also known as double vision. Derived from Latin ‘dipl-‘ meaning ‘double’ and ‘-opia’ meaning ‘vision’.
Sphenopalatine Ganglioneuralgia – The ‘brain freeze’ you feel when you eat an ice cream. From ‘sphen’ meaning wedge, palatine meaning ‘pertaining to the palate’, ‘gangli’ referring to the main cells of the nervous system, ‘neur’ meaning nerve and ‘algia’ meaning pain!

Gaining a valuable career edge or up-skilling to enter the exciting and ever-changing world of healthcare is as simple as learning your (medical) ABCs with our Certificate of Medical Terminology!

Study Marine Life With Our Marine Biology Course Online

Boost your career prospects in the marine life industry with a marine biology course online that’s ideal professional development for marine professionals including biologists, scuba divers and environmentalists.

Our Certificate of Marine Biology and Certificate of Marine Biology – Advanced will develop your understanding of a wide range of issues relating to marine studies, including marine ecology systems, reef formation and function, marine organisms such as fish, cephalopods and marine mammals, marine ecosystems and the impact of human activity.

The study of marine biology helps us better understand our oceans and the complex issues they face. This course is ideal professional development of anyone currently working in the industry, or for students interested in a marine studies career.

Learning Outcomes

Some of the outcomes achieved by undertaking a marine biology course online include:

Identify characteristics of various marine environments
Discuss the first primary groups of marine animal life
Identify the characteristics of different marine environments
Describe the range of molluscs and crustaceans in the marine environment and their lifecycles.
Describe the biology and ecological significance of Cephalopods and Clupeoids in the marine environment.
Describe a range of cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays) and selected bony fish (eels) that inhabit the ocean
Describe chosen species and the diversity of marine fish that exists in the world’s oceans.
Describe a range of marine mammals
Discuss the presence of marine mammals in the seas and oceans of the world
Describe a variety of reptiles and birds that co-habitat with fish in the marine environment
Explain the impact of humans on marine environments and of selected aspects of commercial fishing
Describe the variety and nature of microscopic animals, marine plants, cnidarians, marine worms, arthropods and molluscs in marine environments
Differentiate between different classes of Echinoderms and selected families within those classes
Describe the shared characteristics and distinguishing features of a selection of different species of non-bony fish
Describe characteristics of bony fish, including anatomy, physiology and behaviour.
Differentiate between different families of bony fish
Describe the taxonomic characteristics of groups of marine animals including reptiles, birds and mammals
Draw a table to compare three different species of marine protists
Explain the differences between sponges, krill and plankton
Produce a table that compares the characteristics of the three different types of algae
Explain the difference between seaweed and seagrass
Explain features that distinguish different types of worms apart
Present a report on research on the Cnidarians
Explain the formation of coral reefs
Research the living environments of one local arthropod and consider how its body structure and feeding mechanism is adapted to its environment
Differentiate between cephalopods, gastropods and bivalves
Describe the feeding and defence mechanisms of two different molluscs
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the echinoderm’s radially symmetrical body.
Describe the relationship between a particular kind of lamprey (ideally, one found locally) and its host, considering who benefits and/or who does not, and why
List three families of local bony fish
Describe the biological characteristics of three fish families
Discuss the behavioural characteristics of the three families you researched

10 Fascinating Facts About Australia’s Marine Life

The underwater kingdom that makes up Australia’s oceans is home to thousands of marine plant and animal species not found anywhere else in the world!

Did you know?

The world’s oceans cover over 70 per cent of the earth’s surface and are vital to the survival of our planet

Australia’s oceans support 4000 different types of fish

There are 1,700 different types of coral in Australia’s oceans

The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2000 kilometres off the coast of Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands!

There are 17 different species of sea snake in the Great Barrier Reef

6 different species of turtle call the Great Barrier Reef home

30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been discovered in the Great Barrier Reef

The coral reef is a critical natural habitat for thousands of marine creatures, but it also protects coastlines from waves and tropical storms

The Great Barrier Reef was founded in 1975 – and remains one of the richest, most diverse ecosystems in the world

9 Divine Marine Creatures in Australia’s Oceans

Bottlenose Dolphin

The Bottlenose Dolphin is a marine mammal that can swim up to 260 metres below the ocean’s surface. These beautiful creatures have unique dorsal fins and can also be identified by their signature whistle. They are found around the coastline of Australia in temperate and tropical waters – occupying open coastlines, sheltered bays, waterways, lagoons, estuaries and even the lower reaches of some rivers.

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whales are the superstars of the sea, putting on a spectacular show with their dives, rolls and amazing breaches out of the water for sightseers in Australian waters! They’re also the gentle giants of the ocean, weighing in at up to 50 tonnes and measuring between 14 and 18 metres in length!

Manta Ray

Highly intelligent and owning the title as the biggest ray in the sea, this majestic marine creature has a wingspan of up to 7 metres. Manta Rays can be found cruising the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and are particularly prolific in the winter months off Lady Elliot Island.

Loggerhead Turtle

The Loggerhead Turtle is found worldwide. In Australia, they inhabit coral reefs, bays and estuaries in tropical and warm temperate waters off the coast of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales. These amazing creates are the largest of the soft-shelled sea turtles with a shell about 92 centimetres long and weighing 113 kilos!

Parrotfish

Coral-crunching sand-makes, these brilliantly-coloured fish grind down coral reef into sand to make islands rise! A bump head parrotfish can excrete 90 kilograms of sand in a year. Much of the coral they consume is dead and includes old debris, so they’re not as destructive as they sound.

Clownfish

Made famous by the Pixar film Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, the Clownfish is one of the Great Barrier Reef’s Great Eight! These striking orange and white fish are protandrous hermaphrodites, which means when a female clownfish dies, the male will change its sex to female and stay female for the rest of its life!

Blacktip Reef Shark

Easily identifiable by the prominent black tip on their fins, these sharks are among the most abundant sharks found in the shallow waters of tropical coral reefs. This timid, skittish shark is relatively small, reaching between 1.5 and 1.8 metres long and seldom poses a danger to humans. Its diet is primarily fish, crab, lobster, octopus and other molluscs.

Coral Reef Snake

There are about 15 different species of sea snakes found on the Great Barrier Reef, and while all produce lethal venom, it’s rare for them to use it on humans unless they feel threatened. The main differences between land and sea snakes are that sea snakes have a paddle-shaped tail and they give birth to live young!

Maori Wrasse

This brightly coloured giant fish reaches up to six feet long and comes in hues ranging from electric blue to green purplish-blue and red-orange! The Maori Wrasse has a vital job in protecting the environment as it eats the creatures that attack the reef, including the sea hare, boxfish and crown of thorns starfish.

So, You Want to be a Marine Biologist?

If this marine biology course online inspires you to become a marine biologist, you’ll need to pursue a degree in marine biological science at the university level. Many institutions offer this type of program. If you’re not sure it’s the right career for you – complete both of these professional development courses and try to gain relevant work experience in the industry before committing to a university-level qualification.

With a marine biology course online like our Certificate of Marine Biology, you’ll gain a sound knowledge of marine organisms, which can enhance your current qualifications or prepare you for a fascinating career in marine biology.

Help Create A New Generation Of Leaders

Business coaches and those who have undertaken a leadership coaching course are valuable assets to any organisation because in today’s business environment it can be challenging for leaders to move forward with confidence. They can assist businesses with organisational change and when specific problems like dysfunctional behaviours need to be resolved. They can also help employees develop specific skills for specific purposes like being prepared for a role change or promotion.

Our Leader as Coach professional development course is ideal for those currently in a leadership role or wanting to transition from a leadership role to a coaching role.

Learning Outcomes

Some outcomes achieved by undertaking a leadership coaching course include:

Learning how to develop successful coaching relationships
Exploring successful coaching in the workplace
Studying how to initiate and develop a productive relationship with a coach
Gaining insights into facilitating the coaching process
Learning how to handle coaching challenges
Exploring the MIT Sloan management review process
Studying how to manage for performance development
Understanding the dominant leadership types
Examining how to identify leadership potential
Gaining insights into using data-driven assessments
Learning about finding hidden gems
Exploring how to adopt data-driven methods
Studying the six types of supporters
Understanding how to validate the six categories
Discovering the importance of fit
Examining the impact of organisational context
Gaining insights into the implications for organisations and individuals
Discovering how to align leadership at multiple levels
Examining the focus on the human dimension
Gaining insights into working within a broader ecosystem
Learning how to support ‘analytical amateurs’
Exploring neuroscience for coaches
Studying the brain areas
Gaining an understanding of the prefrontal cortex
Examining the basal ganglia
Learning about striatum and nucleus accumbens
Exploring the insular cortex
Studying the amygdala
Understanding the anterior cingulate cortex
Examining the hypothalamus and hippocampus
Gaining insights into brain chemicals
Discovering the communication molecules of your mind
Learning about GABA and glutamate
Exploring neurons and synapses
Studying neuroplasticity and neuroimaging
Gaining an understanding of brain networks
Examining the quantum brain
Gaining insights into self-control and willpower
Learning about mindfulness and motivation
Exploring decision making
How to leverage individual performance for company success
And more…

Top 8 Characteristics of Great Leaders

Managers who show great leadership can inspire their teams to accomplish amazing things. And coaches can play a big part in developing positive leadership using what they’ve learned in our leadership coaching course. But what characteristics make for a great leader?

#1 – Enthusiasm

Authentic enthusiasm can’t be faked. And when leaders are sincerely passionate about their work it can be contagious. Being enthusiastic can also help leaders identify existing problems in an organisation, which can lead to innovation and real change.

#2 – Integrity

Whether it’s acknowledging their mistakes, putting safety and quality first, or giving proper credit for accomplishments, great leaders exhibit integrity at all times. Basically, they do what’s right, even if it’s not the best thing for the project or the company’s bottom line at the time.

#3 – Communication Skills

Leaders instruct, discipline and motivate their employees — none of which can be accomplished with poor communication. Poor communication can also lead to poor outcomes, and leaders who fail to develop these skills, including listening skills, are often perceived as being weak.

#4 – Loyalty

Great leaders understand that true loyalty should be reciprocated, so they express loyalty in tangible ways that benefit their employees. It is also about ensuring all team members have the support, training and resources to do their jobs well, and supporting them in times of conflict or crisis.

#5 – Decisiveness

Leaders aren’t empowered to make decisions simply due to their position. They are willing to make decisions and take risks knowing that if things don’t work out, they need to be personally accountable. Leaders who aren’t decisive are often ineffective, and too much consensus-building can often have a negative impact.

#6 – Competence

Simply being good at your job doesn’t prove that you’ll make a great leader. Employees who are great workers understand their organisation’s products, services, goals and processes. But are they also competent in inspiring, motivating, directing and mentoring as all great leaders are?

#7 – Empowerment

Great leaders have faith in their ability to develop their employees. They also have a willingness to empower those they lead to act autonomously, which is about trusting that their team can successfully negotiate any challenges they might face. Empowered employees are more likely to make decisions that benefit their organisation.

#8 – Charisma

Great leaders are friendly, approachable, well-spoken and show sincere care for others. Employees are more likely to follow leaders they like, find it easier to relate to them, and therefore more likely to make a positive contribution to the organisation.

The Importance Of Emotional Intelligence

A lack of Emotional Intelligence (EI) can make or break even the best leaders. A leadership coaching course can help coaches assist clients with motivating themselves, managing their emotions, and recognising their own feelings and those of others. The basic components of EI are:

#1 – Self-awareness

Self-awareness refers to someone’s capacity to recognise and understand emotions, and have a sense of how their moods and actions and the emotions of others take effect. It also involves being able to identify one’s emotions correctly, being aware of personal strengths and limitations, and being open to different experiences and ideas.

#2 – Self-regulation

This refers to someone’s ability to express emotion appropriately. It includes being able to cope with change, managing conflict and being flexible. It also refers to being aware of how one’s actions affect others and taking ownership of those actions.

#3 – Social Skills

Having social skills refers to being able to interact well with other people. Different social skills include leadership, developing rapport, active listening, and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

#4 – Empathy

This component refers to being able to understand how others are feeling. It enables individuals to respond appropriately to others based on recognising their own emotions, and play a part in social relationships including in the workplace.

#5 – Motivation

In the context of EI, motivation refers to intrinsic motivation. This means an individual is driven to meet personal goals and needs rather than being motivated by external rewards like fame, money or recognition. People with motivation set goals are action-oriented, take initiative and typically search for ways to improve themselves.

There is also a range of theories that explore these concepts more deeply. These include:

Mayer, Salovey and Caruso’s EI Ability Model

This four-branch model suggests information from the perceived understanding and managing of emotions can be used to facilitate thinking and guide our decision-making. They include the ability to:

Perceive emotion — this involves being able to identify emotions in the postural and facial expressions of others.
Use emotion to facilitate thought — this involves the ability to use emotions in order to aid thinking.
Understand emotions — this involves the capacity to understand emotions, appreciate the outcomes of emotions, and discriminate and label between feelings.
Self-manage emotion — this involves an individual’s goals and self-awareness shaping the way their emotions are managed.

Goleman’s EI Performance Model

This theory is built on four capabilities – the first two are about ‘self’, the second two about others. They include having:

Self-awareness — this relates to perception and accurate understanding.
Self-management — this relates to emotional self-control.
Social awareness — this relates to empathy and an understanding of the emotions of others.
Relationship management — this relates to collaborating, accomplishing goals with others and working effectively in the social space.

These four capabilities form the basis of twelve ‘subscales’:

emotional self-awareness
emotional self-control
adaptability
achievement orientation
a positive outlook
influence
coaching and mentoring
empathy
conflict management
teamwork
organisational awareness
inspirational leadership

Bar-On’s EI Competencies Model

This theory revolves around EI being a system of interconnected behaviour that arises from social and emotional competencies. Bar-On argues that these have an influence on performance, behaviour and relationships. The five ‘meta-factors’ are the ability to:

Be aware of emotions and understand and express feelings.
Understand how others feel and interact with them.
Manage and control emotions.
Adapt, manage change and solve problems of a personal and interpersonal nature.
Generate a positive effect to enhance self-motivation and facilitate emotionally and socially intelligent behaviour.

This theory also has 15 subscales:

self-regard
self-actualization
emotional self-awareness
emotional expression
assertiveness
independence
interpersonal relationships
empathy
social responsibility
problem-solving
reality testing
impulse control
flexibility
stress tolerance
optimism

Help businesses transform and employees thrive in today’s challenging and ever-changing business world with our Leader as Coach professional development course!

Create Winning Attitudes With Our Sport Psychology Course!

If you work with individuals in the sporting sector, then a sport psychology course will give you valuable insights into how people’s psychological state can impact their sporting performance – which is obviously key to their success.

Our Certificate of Sport Psychology will teach you how to identify the psychological traits found in successful athletes, how the mind affects athletic performance, and how to maintain and increase motivation. Athletes, coaches, fitness instructors and physical education teachers … get ready to help others activate their minds and their bodies!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a sport psychology course include:

Understanding performance psychology
Learning about exercise psychology
Exploring environmental influences
Studying the aspects of sports psychology
Discovering how to apply sports psychology
Examining the psychological traits of successful athletes
Gaining insights into personality inventory determining a personality type
Learning about cognitive techniques
Exploring anxiety and arousal
Understanding and dealing with anxiety
Studying the physiology of anxiety
Understanding how to maximise the psychological state
Examining focusing and centring
Learning about motivation as an internal impulse
Exploring the basic principles of motivation
Studying intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Understanding the factors that affect motivation
Examining motivation for fun
Gaining insights into aggression
Learning about mental rehearsal
Exploring error parking
Studying how to use self-consciousness
Understanding how to use word association
Examining anger and conflict
Gaining insights into measuring aggression
Learning about the simulated practice and e-event procedures
Exploring reliving success
Studying conflict handling techniques
Understanding leadership and coaching
Examining the role of a coach
Learning how to get attention
Exploring questioning and punishment
Studying team dynamics
And more!

What It’s Like To Work With Olympians

Georgia Ridler is a sports psychologist with more than 15 years’ experience supporting professional athletes across a range of sporting codes. She builds team dynamics, offers support and encouragement, and helps athletes develop mental strength and resilience. This is what her job entailed during the 2016 Rio Olympics swimming events, which will give you plenty of inspiration to undertake a sport psychology course!

Keeping Unusual Competition Hours

At the Rio Olympics, broadcasting giant NBC held the swimming events much later on in the day to cater to American audiences. This meant heats were from 1 pm to 3 pm and finals from 10 pm until 1.15 am! Given the team typically wake very early for training, Georgia worked to transition them to a later schedule which involved shifting their mindsets, and ensuring they ate meals later than normal to maximise their energy levels.

Promoting Positive Team Dynamics

Swimming is predominantly an individual sport, and a large part of Georgia’s role was to make sure the team of 40 athletes and 20 support staff could work together harmoniously in what she calls an ‘Olympic pressure-cooker environment’.

As she explains, “Relationships are the most difficult thing for any human being to manage, especially when you bring together a group of 60 people who don’t typically sleep, eat, wash, exercise and catch transport together. The better people can get on and the less issues people have with each other, the less distractions we’re creating internally, which is very important because there are enough external distractions. A lot of my work in terms of team dynamics was to help everyone focus on similarities and respect differences.”

Managing Anxiety and Distractions

Georgia also spent a lot of time helping the team remain focused, as distractions — from the increased media attention to sharing an Olympic village with over 10,000 athletes — could have lead to anxiety. This included working with the management team to ensure the right messages were communicated in the lead-up to the event. This involved coaching the athletes to work on ‘focusing on the process’ and ‘expecting the unexpected’ to ensure they didn’t get too emotionally caught up in the distractions and challenges of Olympic village life.

“When swimmers experience anxiety, a lot of the support I provided was around reassurance and reinforcing peak performance routines”, she says. “We also talked with the athletes about focusing in a noisy environment. Some swimmers liked to embrace the noise but others preferred to protect themselves from the noise so they created an imaginary bubble over the pool area which allowed them to stay focused.”

Supervising Warm-ups

Before the competition began each day, Georgia spent time with the athletes during their warm-up and stretching routines assisting with anxiety levels and reminding them of the benefits of an adrenaline surge. When anyone is under stress, our ability to think clearly can be impacted. And while adrenaline is a benefit in elite sport, it can also affect decision-making and information processing. One of her key tools was using cue words.

“Cue words were the keywords that were a very quick reminder of how they wanted to swim and were related to focus, technique, power and confidence”, she says. “For example, ‘me, length, build, go’. This athlete was reminding themselves to focus on self, ensure length in their technique, build power in the water and to go for it.”

Counselling Winners and Losers

Olympic competition is extremely tough and unfortunately, many athletes don’t progress beyond the heats. Part of Georgia’s role was to help unsuccessful athletes cope with and learn from having been unsuccessful.

“Swimmers who don’t achieve their goals will have a natural emotional response. However, once an athlete has come to terms with the outcome, it is very valuable to reflect on the learnings in order to grow and improve”, she says.

Georgia was also on hand to help swimmers who qualified for semis and finals with less-than-optimal performances.

“Sometimes swimmers would get through to semi-finals or finals but it may not have been a good time and they perceived that they wouldn’t get a good lane,” she says. “In these cases, we assisted swimmers to reframe their thinking and focus on the opportunities.”

Sport Psychology Theories

When studying a sport psychology course, you will come across a range of topics and research methodologies. One common area is the theory of the relationship between personality and performance. There are a number of personality characteristics that have been found to be consistent among elite athletes. These include:

Mental toughness – a psychological edge that helps athletes perform consistently at a high level.
Self-efficacy – a belief that they can successfully perform a specific task and in sport, it has been conceptualised as ‘sport-confidence’.
Arousal – refers to an athlete’s physiological and cognitive activation.
Motivation – defined broadly as the will to perform a given task.
Commitment – a dedication to continuing a sport from early development into a high level of expertise.
Competitiveness – the ability to challenge opponents with an aim of success.
Control – the ability to focus and separate on different events occurring in one’s life, both within and outside of their chosen sport.

There are also multiple approaches to this personality/performance theory, including:

Psychodynamic Approach

This theory explores how an individual’s subconscious interacts with the conscience. It proposes that our underlying feelings, thoughts and emotions influence how we act and think. It also emphasizes the understanding of an individual as a whole, rather than by each trait. However, it doesn’t consider environmental factors that can influence behaviour.

Trait Approach

This theory focuses on the traits that are commonly attributed to an individual and how they influence the way they will act on a ‘normal’ basis. However, although traits are helpful in predicting ‘usual’ behaviour, they can’t always predispose ‘situational behaviour’.

Situational Approach

This theory suggests that how an individual will act depends entirely on the environment. For example, if a player acts aggressively during a competition, they might not act the same way removed from that situation. However, this theory neglects individual traits and doesn’t consider differences among people.

Interactional Approach

This theory is a combination of a trait and a situational approach. It suggests that the traits commonly attributed to an individual do predispose behaviour, however, they won’t influence behaviour unless the situation calls for it. This theory is most commonly used by sports psychologists because it takes into consideration the situation at hand and the components of each person. This method of measuring personality involves assessing a person’s traits and typical style of behaviour versus the immediate emotion or behaviour ‘in the moment’.

With our Certificate of Sport Psychology course you’ll be empowered to support people in both club sports and individual sporting careers get the most out of their performance. It’s a win-win!

Make Working With Words Your New Career!

The publishing world is highly dynamic and competitive, which is why an online publishing course can be so valuable. Our Certificate of Publishing is ideal for those keen to work as a publishing, marketing or production manager or even writers who wish to get their own work out into the market. It will give you insights into page layouts, desktop publishing, illustrations and research, and how to market publications in accordance with ethics and the law. All of this can prepare you for an exciting and ever-changing career!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an online publishing course include:

Exploring the world of publishing
Understanding what publishing is
Learning about the role of a publisher
Studying the role of a production manager
Understanding the world of an editor
Examining the role of a designer
Learning about the role of marketing staff
Exploring how to set tasks
Studying publishing procedures and techniques
Undertaking an overview of the publishing process
Understanding the production schedule
Examining page design
Studying page layout in terms of consistency, direction, headings, graphics etc.
Learning how to establish the skeleton of a document
Exploring pull quotes and sidebars
Studying typography in terms of fonts and other settings
Understanding Public Lending Rights
Gaining insights into desktop publishing
Learning about word processing
Exploring alternative publishing methods
Studying how to print on a computer printer
Understanding how to supply a ‘master’ to a commercial printer
Examining how to publish electronically including on CD and the internet
Gaining insights into software options
Learning about the use of colour and black and white
Exploring the use of graphics
Studying illustrations and graphics including line illustrations, cartoons and photos
Examining graphics like freehand work and computer graphics
Gaining insights into photography
And much more!

Your Best Publishing Options

Both technology and time have changed the world of publishing. Most people now have a computer and lots of those people have stories to share. With the onset of digital printing, printing a book has also become even cheaper (our online publishing course will give you some great insights). But what’s the best way to go about it? Here are some of the Australian Writers’ Centre’s top tips.

Commercial Publishing

With most commercial publishers, you submit your work via their submission guidelines and then you wait (usually around three months). However, ultimately you are either accepted or rejected. If you are accepted, you will be given a contract. Depending on the size of the publisher, you may get an advance, an advance against the royalties (so the royalties pay off the advance), or just royalties alone. Standard royalties from commercial publishers are around five to ten per cent of a book’s recommended retail price.

You’ll then be assigned an editor to fine-tune your book, and it will be laid out, issued a cover design and then offered to bookstores. In terms of financial outlay, you pay nothing as commercial publishers take on all the financial risk themselves.

Partnership Publishing

With partnership publishing, you will have to pay a sizeable amount (usually over $5000) for the services involved with having your book published. These include basic copyediting, the layout of your book and the cover design. Print runs will involve an additional fee, however, they the publisher will organise the distribution of your book, including into bookstores, and they’ll advertise it on their website.

Partnership publishers take on none of the financial risks — it all falls on you. Additionally, they will demand around 50 per cent of your royalties!

Self-Publishing

As the name implies, self-publishing is all about doing it all yourself. You’ll need to organise editing, layout and design, then find a printer suitable for your project and decide on the size of the print run. However, probably the most difficult thing with self-publishing is getting your book into bookstores. However, there are distributors you can approach to help with this task.

Top 5 Publishers To Send Your Work To

In the highly competitive world of publishing, finding a publisher that will accept your work can be extremely difficult – particularly if you don’t have an agent. Our online publishing course will help you negotiate this process, however, it’s also worth approaching a few of the bigger Australian publishers that accept un-agented manuscripts.

#1 – Allen & Unwin is an independent Australian publishing company established in 1976 and one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century. They currently publish up to 250 new titles a year, including commercial and literary fiction, academic and professional titles, a broad range of general non-fiction, and books for children and young adults. But the best bit? They accept submissions every day of the week!

#2 – Pan Macmillan Australia is a major Australian publisher with a wide range of titles under several sub-brands. They publish literary and commercial fiction, children and young adult fiction, and history, picture, Australiana, cooking, biographical, health and self-help, travel and sportsbooks. They currently accept submissions directly from writers between 10 am and 4 pm on the first Monday of every month as part of their manuscript submission process.

#3 – Penguin Australia was formed in 2013 and is the world’s largest trade book publisher. They publish non-fiction and adult and children’s fiction and are currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts of children’s literature in the first week of every month.

#4 – Text Publishing Australia is an independent, Melbourne-based publisher of literary and commercial fiction and non-fiction. They are currently accepting fiction and non-fiction manuscripts including those for middle-grade children and young adults.

#5 –Hachette Australia is a team of passionate readers and expert publishers dedicated to discovering and supporting talented writers. They accept fiction and non-fiction manuscripts excluding illustrated children’s books, cookbooks, poetry, science fiction/fantasy, self-help books, screenplays and academic submissions.

A Day In The Life Of A Publishing Director

You’ve completed an online publishing course and decided your future career aspiration is to work in the publishing sector. But what does it involve? Jane Willson is the former editor of Epicure and the food section of The Age. She is now a Publishing Director at Hardie Grant Books and here is a snapshot of her typical day.

9 am: Her production manager delivers the first copies of two of their big monthly titles that have arrived from the printer. There is a unique combination of fear and excitement in the air that always accompanies receiving a title in the flesh for the very first time!

9.30 am: Jane attends a covers meeting with her design manager, project editor and the sales and management team. They talk through cover concepts for a future title including direction, colour schemes and its general appropriateness for the market. Depending on the author’s openness to the design, this could be a multiple-meeting scenario!

10 am: She attends an acquisitions meeting with fellow publishers and imports, sales and managing directors. Each publisher presents their potential new titles and they explore detail around the audience, structure and the author profile. Each pitch is assessed on topicality, commerciality, relevance, likely expense and achievability, and the ‘X factor’. Updates on other contracts underway are also discussed, as well as the viability of an ongoing series and the launch of a potential project for new authors.

1 pm: Jane catches up on emails and reads a variety of manuscripts, proposals and proofs.

2 pm: She attends an author meeting which she believes is one of the best parts of her job. Today they have the go-ahead on a project that has returned to acquisitions three times over four years – which is unusual but extremely satisfying. The author is hardworking, enthusiastic and has a unique selling point. The team talk through the process, the creative team, the timeline, potential sales partners and the overseas market. She leaves the meeting keen to leap into the next stage!

3 pm: Jane meets with her publicity manager and publicist to workshop the vision and expectations around some of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival events that will involve one of their key overseas authors.

4 pm: She meets with her design manager to discuss the final touches on a book that is due to pre-press in a few days. The author has requested a ‘natural’, wood-free ﬁnish that has undeniable appeal, but there are questions as to its useability and wear and tear. They also discuss the cover colour of another title. The designer wants a rich ‘punchy’ red but it’s a nervous decision as the ‘wrong red’ would be a disaster once 10,000 copies are printed!

4.30 pm: Jane responds to more emails, advises her creative team on an upcoming photoshoot in Tasmania for a book cover, and liaises with her contracts director on the details of the deal. Then it’s home for family time and the chance to snuggle up with a new book (obviously)!

Keen to gain insights into editorial principles that can be used across a range of media and genres? Harness your creativity and your business skills with our Certificate of Publishing!

Study Farm Management and Watch Your Career Flourish

Farm management today is more complex than ever because the ability to produce a viable crop or animal production is no guarantee for success. This course is ideal for farm owners or managers, retail agricultural suppliers or anyone interested in an agricultural career.

Our Certificate of Farm Management will give you insights into strategic planning, how to undertake a viability analysis and craft a viable agricultural business plan. You will also study a range of production, financial, technology and HR strategies, including managing staff, water, soil and machinery, and learn about the relevant legislation and regulations involved.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a farm management course include:

Learning about strategic planning
Exploring planning procedures
Studying policy formulation approach
Understanding a strategic management approach
Examining an initial strategy approach
Gaining insights into farm business structures
Learning about farm management plans
Exploring financial terminology and the money market
Studying rural finance sources and how to find finance
Understanding financial terminology and record-keeping
Gaining an understanding of contract law
Examining the elements of a simple contract
Gaining insights into offers, acceptance and consideration
Learning about strategic plans
Exploring trusts
Gaining insights into farm planning
Learning about quality management systems
Exploring whole farm planning
Studying how to prepare a business plan
Understanding integrated production plans
Examining business assessment
Gaining insights into business goals
Learning factors involved in business assessment
Exploring the factors that affect your business
Examining how to draw conclusions
Gaining insights into viability analysis
Learning about viability analysis
Studying how to assess profit
Understanding risk analysis and managing risk
Examining standards and cost-efficiency
Exploring the cost of production
Learning about quality and quantity standards
Studying how to keep financial records
Understanding the bookkeeping process
Examining the end of period accounting
Gaining insights into cash flow
Studying an example of a budget
Learning about sensitivity analysis
Exploring management strategies
Understanding how to organise the workplace
Examining scheduling and production systems
Gaining insights into system variables
And much more!

The 10 Biggest ‘Farms’ In Australia

As the sixth-largest country in the world, Australia spans a staggering 770 million hectares. And according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 62 per cent of that is privately owned. Here are the country’s Top 10 biggest agricultural portfolios as of 2019, which include families that have farmed their land for generations to multinational companies after a bit of Australia’s farm management action!

#10 – Brook family

Organic food enthusiast David Brooke and his family owns and operates several farms in South Australia and Queensland with a combined area of over 3 million hectares. All of their farms and the products produced – including their beef – are certified organic and free of pollutants, chemicals and additional hormones.

#9 – McDonald family

One of Australia’s largest beef cattle operations, the McDonalds run over 175,000 head of cattle over 3.36 million hectares in the heart of Queensland. Family owned and operated, they represent six generations of beef producers and have over 190 years of experience in Australian agriculture.

#8 – Terra Firma Capital Partners

Australia’s largest privately-owned beef producer, the Consolidated Pastoral Company, is majority-owned by Terra Firma Capital Partners a business run by UK investor Guy Hands. It owns and operates nine cattle stations with a carrying capacity of over 300,000 head of cattle over 3.6 million hectares.

#7 – Macquarie Group

The Paraway Pastoral Company is a privately owned operating entity of the Macquarie Group and runs 27 stations across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The company has the capacity to run over 250,000 sheep and 220,000 cattle as well as a mixture of dryland and irrigated cropping across 4.48 million hectares.

#6 – Williams family

In 2019, the Williams family’s cattle company acquired Anna Creek Station in South Australia to add to the six stations already owned. At 2.36 million hectares, it is the world’s largest working cattle station. The maximum carrying capacity of the seven stations across 4.5 million hectares totals over 36,500 head of cattle, with five of the stations organically credited.

#5 – Crown Point Pastoral Company

The company acquired Clifton Hills last year — one of the world’s biggest stations at 1.65 million hectares in size. Their portfolio covers four stations of around 30,000 cattle near the South Australian border. The stations — New Crown, Andado, Horseshoe Bend and Lilla Creek — comprise a total of 4.6 million hectares and are managed by members of the Costello family.

#4 – MacLachlan family

Established by patriarch H. P. MacLachlan in Adelaide in 1888, Jumbuck controls 11 properties across 5.7 million hectares in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australian and the Northern Territory. It runs cattle in WA and the NT, and sheep on stations across three of those states, and the company is Australia’s chief wool supplier.

#3 – The North Australian Pastoral Company

From humble beginnings in 1877, The North Australian Pastoral company has expanded into over 6 million hectares’ worth of farmland and is one of the country’s largest beef producers. It manages over 200,000 cattle across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

#2 – Australian Agricultural Company

Dating back to 1824, the Australian Agricultural Company is the oldest continuously operating company in Australia and the country’s largest integrated cattle and beef producer. British tycoon Joe Lewis is the major shareholder, and the company owns and operates properties in Queensland and the Northern Territory covering over 6.4 million hectares.

#1 – S. Kidman & Co Pty Ltd

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart teamed up with China’s Shanghai CRED in 2016 to buy the lion’s share of S. Kidman & Co. —the largest individual private landholding on the planet at over 8 million hectares. With a herd of over 171,000 cattle, the company is one of Australia’s largest beef producers and exports to the USA, Japan and South-East Asia.

Emerging Technologies In Agriculture

For Australian farmers, time is precious, and there is increasing pressure in farm management to maximise productivity and produce more with less. However, farmers are also dealing with increasing overheads and natural disasters like bushfires and floods, all the while trying to minimise the impact on the environment. And that’s where technology comes into play! Here are some of the emerging agricultural technologies according to a report issued by rural industry research group AgriFutures Australia in 2018.

Internet of Things/Sensors

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of entities that are connected wirelessly using sensors. These include humans, plants, animals and infrastructure like buildings and equipment. Although not new to the sector, technology advancements in quality, cost and the robustness of sensors, data analysis and the connectivity of technologies have accelerated the potential of IoT device installations. In fact, it is predicted that their usage by the sector will have increased by over 20% annually by 2022.

Blockchain

Blockchain is essentially a database invented by the creators of cryptocurrency Bitcoin, and it focuses on a shift away from inefficient, costly and centralised record keeping. In the agriculture sector, it is used in conjunction with IoT devices, such as scanners and sensors. This removes the human error component of ledger data entry, and it can help reduce costs, improve food safety control, and create incentives for economically and ecologically beneficial production practices.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Big Data

Big Data refers to data sets that are so complex and large that traditional data-processing applications are inadequate. AI refers to intelligence machines that ‘learn’ from experience by accomplishing specific tasks that require the processing of large amounts of data.

Big Data and AI technologies are playing an increasingly essential role in the sector due to the amount of data being collected on farms via the use of more complex machine sensors. Applications range from thermostats regulating greenhouse air temperatures to complex algorithms that provide growers with recommendations on automated management interventions. With a multitude of sources, AI increases the value of data being collected, analysed and converted, which can help support farm management decision-making.

Nano Materials Data

Nanomaterials are about one billionth of a metre in size and most recently have been used in the environmental science, medical and food processing sectors. Their potential for agriculture lies in detecting pathogens and pesticide/herbicide residue and in improving seed germinations and growth. The ultimate result is increasing crop yields while providing environmental benefits and minimising input costs.

Automation/Robotics

Robotics is the science and technology of movable, mechanical structures that function under some form of autonomous control. Robotic technology can substitute human functioning in order to complete tasks that are deemed too dangerous, repetitive or impossible for humans.

In agriculture, it can be used to complete tasks like harvesting, spraying, surveying and dairy milking, and can help growers increase reliability, efficiency and productivity while minimising environmental impacts.

Satellites

Satellite technology assists farmers by observing, measuring and responding to intra and inter-field variability. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology has provided huge benefits to the agricultural industry in terms of practices like soil data analytics and yield and topographical mapping.

This allows farmers to access real-time data about their farm operations and make more precise and informed decisions. There is also the potential for satellite technology to measure vegetation health and growth at different stages of a crop’s life. This may increase the lead-time of a crop’s yield which could positively impact supply and price trends.

Keen to analyse, diagnose and make viable management decisions to optimise the success of a farm or agricultural enterprise? Nurture your skills and grow your career with our Certificate of Farm Management!

Life Coaching Courses Help People Live Better

Life coaching provides people with resources and self-confidence to live life better. If that sounds like an appealing job to you, then life coaching might be your calling.

The Certificate of Life Coaching is an online professional development course that will give you the essential knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a life coach. You will learn about different types of coaching methodologies, how to build a life coaching business from the ground up, and how to market yourself to potential clients.

In this course, you will better understand the role of a life coach, including how to support mental and physical health. Importantly, you will also learn how to confront difficult situations and help people achieve personal and professional success.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a life coaching course include:

Learning about the nature of life coaching
Cognitive behaviour therapy
Different approaches to counselling
The scope of life coaching
Psychology of self-perception
Perceptual barriers
Motivating clients to challenge their perceptions
The inter-relationship between psychology and physiology
Stress management
The psychology of balance
Key coaching processes
Assessment of the client’s situation
Dealing with emotions
Setting goals
Replacing negative habits with positive ones
Leadership qualities in a life coach
Imagination and enthusiasm
Clarifying goals
Recognition of limitations
Understanding the communication process
Body language
Communication barriers
Listening skills
Assessing learning styles
Human nutrition
Important factors in nutrition
Physical wellbeing
The psychology of self-esteem
Stress management program
Identifying stressors
Career guidance
Managing your money
Beginning a business
Types of goals
Goal planning
Steps for successful goal achievement
Indications that a program needs to be reassessed
Client’s lack of confidence
Dealing with a personality clash
Over-achievers
Health and safety issues

6 Popular Reasons People Have Life Coaches

Life coaching courses can help you to help others set goals, boost confidence, improve relationships, change careers and help with making healthy lifestyle choices.

#1 Goal Setting

Goals setting is a huge task, but it’s a significant problem for many people, and it’s often the number one reason people seek a life coach. Life coaches are great at helping people who feel lost to find themselves and to shape their lives so that they’re more in line with their dreams.

#2 Confidence Boosting

Life coaches develop their client’s self-confidence so that they are better able to achieve goals. They also help clients with assertiveness training and help them take risks that improve their lives. It’s part of the process to instil in clients the desire to succeed and the confidence to make it happen.

#3 Looking for Direction

It can be challenging to know what direction to take in life – there are so many choices. Whether clients are just starting out in life or are past midlife – they still need guidance. Life coaches are fantastic at helping people to find a new path – whether that’s in their career or personal life.

#4 Help with Relationships

If people need help in their relationships, a life coach can mentor them to improve their communication skills with loved ones and friends. They can help them connect with positive people and also help them lose those negative influences that don’t serve them.

#5 Career Change

A career coach also helps people to realise their passion for a profession. They assist people with moving into a different career or can help with a promotion. In defining clear ambitions, people can begin to live to work – instead of working to live.

#6 Help with Healthy Lifestyle

Clients may consult with a life coach to help them to improve their diet, increase physical activity and overall wellbeing. Life coaches can assist with meal planning, exercise routines and finding time to pursue healthy habits.

6 Signs You’re Made for Life Coaching

If you’re considering a life coaching course, before you enrol, think about whether you have (or can develop) the following qualities that make a life coach great!

You Love Helping People

Are you a people-person? If you aspire to inspire others, or simply enjoy helping people, then life coaching could be a great career choice for you.

Passion for Professional Development

The most successful life coaches have a passion for their self-development. They are inspiring and have seen the result of investing in their own personal and professional development and want to share that with others.

You Are Empathic

Life coaches need to be able to relate to the feelings, struggles and hopes of their clients. If you are naturally able to show understanding and share in the feelings of others, life coaching may be your calling.

You’ve Good People Skills

Excellent people skills are a must for life coaches because they have in-depth conversations with their clients. Life coaches need to be able to speak confidently and listen attentively.

You Have Patience

Life coaches have the patience for their clients – it’s a necessity as they must continuously listen to the problems of others. Unsurprisingly, many clients are not happy on arrival and sought out a life coach for precisely that reason.

Self-Employment Appeals

Most life coaches will work for themselves. Self-employment provides a great deal of flexibility in work hours and how much they can earn. But it also means income can be sporadic and unreliable. It also takes time and money to set up a business professionally.

Help people set goals, enhance relationships and achieve optimal health and wellbeing with a life coaching course like the Certificate of Life Coaching today.

Develop Your Mentoring Skills With Our Business Coaching Course!

A business coaching course can teach you how to help clients achieve goals and develop their full business potential through results-focused strategies. This can be achieved through time management, leadership development, growing revenue and identifying new opportunities. Business coaches also provide mentorship to provide managers and business owners with the skills to improve their work/life balance and realise their business and personal goals for both short and long-term success.

Our Certificate of Business Coaching is ideal for anyone working in the financial planning, life coaching or business consulting sector or those keen to establish their own practice as a business coach.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a business coaching course include:

Learning about the nature and scope of business coaching
Exploring business, life and sports coaching
Studying business coaching terminology
Understanding why people use business coaches
Examining business coaching case studies
Gaining insights into business failure or success
Learning about the initial consultation
Exploring cognitive behaviour therapy
Studying goal-centred, reality-based and motivational approaches
Understanding the first contact
Examining SWOT analysis
Gaining insights into replacing negative habits with positive ones
Learning how to monitor and evaluate progress
Exploring business coaching case studies
Studying how to consider alternative actions
Understanding how to develop a business plan
Discovering feasibility studies
Examining formal documentation
Gaining insights into operational management
Learning about strategic and operational planning
Exploring the components of a business plan
Studying how to implement ideas
Understanding how to change behaviour
Learning how to look after long term viability
Exploring partial sell-offs
Studying restructuring
Examining research and development
Understanding how to change products and services
Learning how to buy a new business and employ staff
Exploring selling and winding down
Studying how to improve productivity
Understanding quality circles
Discovering cause and effect diagrams
Examining the Pareto Analysis
Gaining insights into brainstorming
Learning about motivation
Exploring internal and intrinsic incentives
Studying the incentives external to the working environment
Understanding social reinforcers as incentives
Discovering tangible rewards
Examining marketing and marketing strategies
Gaining insights into starting out in business
Learning how to make contact
Exploring how to control growth and improve results
Studying how to build better staff
Understanding staff recruitment and development and training
Examining team building and team management
Gaining insights into improving resource management
Learning about Business Resource Management (BRM)
Exploring stress management
Understanding the significance of the knowledge of interviewing and assessment
Discovering incentives and motivational strategies
Examining productivity and marketing strategies
Learning theoretical information to derive sensible solutions
Exploring initial business coaching assessments for a specified business
Studying actions for improving and sustaining the level of performance
Learning how to put it all into practice via Project-Based Learning

Why Do People Have Business Coaches?

Business coaching is considered a great method of intervention to improve businesses because it can be effective, efficient, outcome-focused and individually tailored to a client’s requirements. People who have undertaken a business coaching course can offer clients expert insights, relevant advice and a good dose of morale-boosting! But what are their areas of expertise and why should people engage with a business coach?

Establishing a Vision Identifying what your business stands for and the goals you want to achieve gives direction and credibility and helps customers understand your product or service offering.

Setting Goals Good business is built on creating and also achieving goals. A business coach can help you establish your priorities and give you the strategies to meet your goals.

Writing a Business Plan Every business needs a plan, which should be updated regularly. Business plans should be current and comprehensive and a business coach can help you formulate and fast-track one.

Growing Revenue There is a myriad of reasons why even the best businesses might be underperforming. A business coach can offer a trained set of eyes to help identify why in order to enhance profits and business growth.

Managing Time Time is money, so implementing strategies to use it well can increase productivity and free business owners up for a better work/life balance.

Identifying Customers Business coaches can help owners and managers know more about their customers, and target potential new customers to increase profit.

Training Leaders Training helps employees hone their skills and knowledge and enhance their career opportunities. Fostering a culture of leadership also allows them to feel valued so their talents can shine.

Meeting Targets Like goals, business is all about targets whether it be growth, safety or sales targets. A business coach can help organisations identify them and provide strategies to meet them.

Planning for Succession Whether owners are looking to spend less time in their business or pass it on to someone else, a solid succession plan is crucial – and way before retirement age!

Selling a Business Selling a business can be complicated, particularly in terms of its monetary worth. A business coach can help highlight its future potential, and offer insights into how to maximise its appeal.

Six Traits Of A Great Business Coach

For great business coaches to be effective, they must establish an environment of trust, respect, challenge and accountability to motivate their clients to take action. (And of course, our business coaching course can help with this). But what traits set business coaches apart from the rest?

#1 – They Have Had Business Success

Great business coaches know how to grow and sustain a business and have had proven coaching success. Ideally, they have real-life experience and have both failed and succeeded, allowing their clients to benefit from their wisdom.

They also have testimonials from former mentees readily available that are positive, personal and detailed. These people have been through the process and their success is a good indicator of the quality of a coach.

Being active in the business community is also a good sign, particularly if they have written books, are interviewed by the media and/or regularly give lectures. It also means they will have longstanding relationships with people who can benefit their clients. Sometimes it is about who you know!

#2 – They Are A Good Listener

Being a good listener is important for success in both your personal and professional life, but what does it actually mean? Firstly, it takes other-orientation. Great business coaches will focus their attention on their clients and their communication — both verbal and non-verbal.

During sessions, they will also treat their clients as if they are the most important thing at that time, and be confident and engaging with their feedback. Good listeners also backtrack by repeating what their clients have said in order to ensure they’ve understood their comments clearly.

#3 – They Love To Teach

Teaching is a skill that people improve at over time. Great coaches love helping clients and actually enjoy the act of teaching. The initial consultation meeting is where clients can start to ‘feel’ a coach out. If the interactions are positive and passionate, it is a good indicator of how the relationship will progress.

Experienced coaches also understand that people learn in different ways, and they will tailor their sessions towards their client’s preference. For example, visual learners prefer diagrams, images and videos or demonstrations. Auditory learners learn best through the process of talking and listening. And kinaesthetic learners learn primarily by doing.

#4 – They Have A Positive Mindset

So much of what we call success these days comes down to mindset, and a great attitude comes with experience and time. A great coach will have been through challenging times, but have a relentlessly positive outlook on life anyway! They don’t see failure as a negative but as a learning experience, and this mindset helps their clients develop the resilience to thrive when they themselves are challenged.

They are also able to see the big picture, are patient, persistent and determined, and are capable of envisaging great things for their clients. Business coaches are their clients’ biggest fan!

#5 – They Are Accessible

Expert business coaches make sure they are as accessible as possible to their clients. They go beyond just scheduled sessions by answering phone calls, text messages and answering emails whenever possible.

Those in business coaching are also willing to customise a program for you because they know that one size certainly doesn’t fit all. They care about your individual concerns and challenges. They are also willing to share all of their experiences with their clients — both good and bad — and are often radically transparent!

#6 – They Practice Accountability

Great coaches actually care about whether or not their clients succeed. They are accountable for their own actions but practice ‘tough love’ by holding clients accountable for their own personal growth and results.

Clients don’t simply disappear after their sessions are done. Interestingly, they care about how clients progress, enjoy sharing successes and often turn out to be friends for life!

Help business owners establish a vision, set goals, enhance productivity and achieve a healthy work/life balance with a business coaching course like the Certificate of Business Coaching!

Be Accountable For Your Finances With Our Bookkeeping Course!

Bookkeeping short courses are ideal for those wanting to enhance their CV, update their skills, work in an admin or accounts team, or even manage their own business.

Our Certificate of Bookkeeping is a comprehensive foundation course that focuses on the needs of smaller businesses, allowing you to prepare budgets and set future financial goals. You will learn how to proactively manage ledgers, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and the purchases, cash payments and general journals.

It will also give you insights into accounting laws, standards and principles that are based on current international standards, ensuring your studies maintain global relevance. Let the world be your accounting oyster!

Learning Outcomes

This bookkeeping short course is extensive, but some of the outcomes achieved include:

Learning about the nature, scope, function and history of bookkeeping
Exploring the difference between accountants and bookkeepers
Studying bookkeeping terminology
Understanding bookkeeping language
Examining why we need bookkeeping
Learning about bookkeeping as a management tool
Gaining insights into bookkeeping business structures
Exploring financial information
Studying accounting conventions and doctrines
Understanding accounting standards including those from Australia and the UK
Discovering the international cooperation on standards
Examining the balance sheet
Gaining insights into assets and liabilities
Learning the components of a balance sheet
Exploring what items don’t appear on the balance sheet
Studying the details of balance sheets
Examining how to track business performance
Learning how to format a balance sheet
Exploring balance sheet allocations
Understanding working capital
Studying what comprises an accounting system
Understanding the flow of information in bookkeeping
Examining other business documents like statements, order forms and quotations
Gaining insights into the steps in the bookkeeping process
Exploring how to design a bookkeeping system
Learning how to analyse business needs
Studying how to design an accounting system
Understanding how to design the chart of accounts
Examining how to write a chart of accounts
Gaining insights into designing the type of journals needed
Learning about the double-entry recording process
Exploring ledgers
Studying how to open up the general ledger
Understanding ledger accounts, the general ledger and the sub-ledger
Examining entries resulting from transactions
Gaining insights into recording transactions
Learning about the different types of accounts
Exploring a trial balance
Studying ledger accounts and double-entry bookkeeping
Understanding how to record entries
Discovering analysis charts
Examining footing ledger accounts
Gaining insights into balancing ledger accounts
Learning about the trial balance
Exploring accounting for drawings
Studying the revision of definitions and processes
Gaining an understanding of the cash receipts and cash payments journal
Discovering how to record cash transactions in journals
Examining multi-column receipts and cash payment journals
Gaining insights into what discounts are allowed
Learning about accounting discounts allowed and received
Exploring the credit fees and purchases journal
Studying credit sales and credit purchases
Understanding the credit sales journal
Examining the debtors subsidiary journal and control account
Gaining insights into using a debtors schedule
Exploring the credit purchases journal
Learning how to create a creditors subsidiary ledger and schedule
Studying the cash payments journal and creditors control account
Understanding the general journal
Examining how to record non-standard transactions
Gaining insights into designing the general journal
Learning how to post to a general journal
Exploring general journal entries and ledgers
Studying how to record credit purchases of non-current assets
Understanding how to record owners’ contributions or withdrawals
Discovering how to record debts that are written off
Examining recording contra entries
Gaining insights into recording purchase returns
Learning about the other uses for a journal
Exploring how to close the ledger
Studying how to close at the end of the accounting period
Understanding how to prepare for the new accounting period
Examining how to transfer balance day closing entries
Gaining insights into profit and loss accounts
Learning how to determine gross profit
Exploring simple profit and loss accounts
Studying balance sheets
Uncovering how businesses make a loss rather than a profit
Gaining an understanding of owner withdrawing revenue
Examining the profit and loss statement (P&L)
Learning about the balance sheet and how it relates to a P&L statement
Exploring how to use net profit figures to evaluate business performance
Studying profitability
Understanding gross and net profit
Examining cash flow margins
And more ….

Important Bookkeeping Conventions

There are many rules that cover a range of situations that use accounting conventions, and they have a great deal of influence on bookkeeping practices. You will cover these in detail when you undertake bookkeeping short courses, and a few of the most important you will come across are:

Historical Cost Convention

This is the most commonly used accounting convention. It deals with what has happened in the past, specifically, that transactions for assets must be recorded at the amount paid at the time of purchase less depreciation (if applicable). For example, a business owner may buy a warehouse for $150,000. Ten years later they may have an offer from a buyer of $300,000, however, it still has to appear on the balance sheet at its original cost. This is because values are unpredictable and it is seen as a better approach to record historical value rather than market value.

Business Entity Convention

This convention separates the business owner from the business in accounting terms so that their personal and business dealings remain separate. In other words, transactions within the business related to the business, not the owner. So for example, when a business owner invests money into the business, it is recorded as a liability that the business actually has to the owner.

Going Concern Convention

This convention assumes the business will continue its activities indefinitely and is, therefore, able to meet its current and future commitments. Because of this assumption, a business can classify both liabilities and assets as short, medium or long term and report them as such on the balance sheet. This prevents the write-off as the costs of the organisation’s long-term assets within one accounting period instead of over many years. It also allows assets to appear at the purchase value rather than at market value.

Accounting Period Convention

In order to compare past to present business performance, a bookkeeper needs to produce accounting reports at meaningful intervals. These can be weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually, however, they must not be any longer due to taxation requirements. In most cases, these are produced according to the financial year, which starts on the 1^st July and ends on the 30^th June each year. An organisation’s profit and loss account should show the income and expenses relating to the period they were incurred rather than when income was received or an account was paid.

Verifiability Convention

Bookkeepers should always be able to confirm their organisation’s figures, and all stakeholders should be able to look at the figures and use the data to come to the same conclusions. In order to do this, a business needs to produce evidence of its business transactions. These can take the form of invoices, bank statements and receipts etc. — basically any document that was used to record transactions in the books.

Monetary Entity Convention

Finally, a simple one for you! This convention states that the monetary unit that is used is relevant to the country the business is operating in. So in Australia, it is the Australian dollar, in America, it’s the US dollar and in the UK, the British Pound and so on. How many of the currencies of each country can you name?

Top 10 Celebrity ‘Bean Counters’

If you’re thinking of doing some bookkeeping short courses, you’re actually in good company. Many of the worlds rich and famous actually began their career as number crunchers. And they are the perfect examples of how logic and creativity can masterfully combine.

#1 – J.D. Rockefeller

An American entrepreneur and business magnate, Rockefeller started his career as an assistant bookkeeper for a shipping company. And his experience certainly paid off, with him widely considered the wealthiest American of all time, and one the richest people in modern history.

#2 – Mick Jagger

The legendary frontman of the Rolling Stones actually studied Finance and Accounting on a scholarship at the London School of Economics. Unfortunately, number-crunching gave Jagger no satisfaction (pun intended) and he only lasted a year. We would imagine 1960’s rock would have sounded entirely different had he graduated.

#3 – Eddie Izzard

Successful British comedian Izzard followed in his father’s footsteps studying Accounting and Financial Management at the University of Sheffield. Unfortunately, he failed most of his exams and moved into the world of stand-up comedy instead. All we can say is … who’s laughing now?

#4 – Janet Jackson

The tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family, Janet gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s as an actress, singer, songwriter and dancer. Before that, she studied accounting, and five Grammy awards later still often comments, “If I wasn’t singing, I’d probably be an accountant”.

#5 – John Grisham

The best-selling author of legal thrillers earned a degree in Accounting at Mississippi State University graduating in 1977. Intending to become a tax lawyer, Grisham first bestseller, The Firm, sold seven million copies and in 2019 he published his 40^th novel.

#6 – Venus Williams

This tennis pro and former world number one pursued a degree in Business Administration at Indiana University and once commented, “I have to say the accounting part almost killed me.” Venus, along with her sister Serena, are credited with ushering in a new era of athleticism in women’s professional tennis.

#7 – Robert Plant

Had Plant’s Dad had his way, Robert would have ended up as a Chartered Accountant with the rock legend working with a private accountancy tutor when he was just 16. However, this headstrong teen decided he would rather crunch music riffs than numbers, and went on to front iconic English band, Led Zeppelin.

#8 – Chuck Liddell

Karate, kickboxing and martial arts expert, Liddell holds an amateur kickboxing record of 20 wins and two losses with 16 of his wins coming from a knockout. However, he also knocked out a BA in Business and Accounting in 1995 at the California Polytechnic University.

#9 – Kenny G

One of the best selling artists of all times, jazz saxophonist Kenneth Gorelick has had global sales totalling more than 75 million records. Winner of a 1994 American Music Award for his album Breathless, KG also holds a degree in Accounting from Washington University.

#10 – Gibby Haynes

Achieving music notoriety for being the frontman of (many would say the inappropriately named band) Butthole Surfers, rockstar Haynes studied Accounting at Trinity University in Texas. He was also once named ‘Accounting Student of the Year’. Inspiration for undertaking some bookkeeping short courses indeed!

Learn the foundations of accounting and number crunch your way to a successful finance career our bookkeeping short courses, such as the Certificate of Bookkeeping!

Learn Infection Control for the Post COVID-19 Workplace

COVID-19 has devastated livelihoods and has negatively impacted many businesses throughout the world. If the economy is to come through the crisis and recover, it needs businesses to do the same. As restrictions lift and more businesses start to re-open, infection control must be a priority to protect the health of employees and the public.

Infection Control for the Post COVID-19 Workplace is an online infection control training course that will explore the impact of COVID -19 on infection prevention and control standards across all industries.

In this short infection control course, you will develop the skills that are critical in decreasing the risk and transmission of infection in the workplace

You will learn how to respond to infection risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and implement strategies and procedures that will minimise the spread of this infectious disease in the workplace.

On completion of this course, you will have developed your understanding of COVID-19 as it impacts a workplace and will be able to establish and maintain stringent infection control standards.

Learning Outcomes

In this short online infection control course, you will learn:

Hygiene practices and hand washing techniques
Personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations
Respiratory hygiene
Importance of masks and respirators
Cleaning and waste management
Prevention of transmission of infections
Decontamination processes
Identify infection hazards
Worker health and safety
Maintenance of clean and contaminated zones
Confine records, materials and medicaments
Confine contaminated instruments and equipment

What is a Pandemic?

A pandemic is the global spread of a new disease. Viral respiratory diseases, such as those caused by a new influenza virus or the coronavirus (COVID-19), are the ones that can most easily turn into a pandemic.

A pandemic is different from an epidemic. In an epidemic, many more cases of a health condition occur than would typically develop in a community or area, but the disease does not spread widely.

COVID-19: Know the Facts

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Coronaviruses form a large group of viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses, from the common cold to more severe diseases like SARS, MERS and COVID-19.

For the majority of people, COVID-19 will be experienced as a mild to moderate respiratory illness and will not require special treatment. However, vulnerable people – those over 60 or with underlying medical problems – are more likely to develop a serious illness.

The symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing, a sore throat and shortness breath. Other symptoms that may present include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell and taste, loss of appetite and fatigue. If you or any employees have any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to stay away from the workplace.

The best way to protect your workplace is to be informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes, how it spreads and how to implement and enforce stringent infection control procedures.

How Does the Virus Spread?

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As such, workplaces must promote proper respiratory etiquette.

Prevention and Treatment

Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines or treatments for the COVID-19 virus. But ongoing clinical trials are underway to evaluate potential treatments for future use. In the meantime, the only protection against the disease is avoidance.

If you are concerned that you may have contracted the COVID-19 virus, the Department of Health recommends:

COVID-19 & the Workplace

As restrictions ease and people return to a new normal, workplaces and businesses must ensure they are compliant with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

If your business or workplace is unable to isolate, such as enforcing a work from home policy, the best form of defence is education on how to minimise the spread. Those employees who are sick must stay at home, employees in the workplace should adhere to social distancing, hand-sanitiser should be readily available for use, and stringent cleaning and disinfecting procedures must be in place.

If you are responsible for infection prevention and control in your business or workplace, then Infection Control for the Post-COVID-19 Workplace is an essential professional development course for you.

Understanding Equine Behaviour Crucial to Horse Training

If you’re looking to develop a more sensitive and informed training method for horses, studying equine behaviour is crucial. The study of equine behaviour will help you to understand a horse’s behaviour, and to work with its inherent nature for successful, faster results.

The Certificate of Equine Behaviour is ideal for horse training professionals, riding instructors, horse owners, equestrian enthusiasts or anyone who wants to understand these majestic animals better.

While the assumption is that all equine behaviour is an adaptation designed to support survival, it’s not always the case. Horses can behave self-destructively, out of habit, or out of boredom, just like their human counterparts.

So, if you want to enhance the wellbeing and performance of horses in your care by gaining an understanding of what drives their behaviour, this course is ideal for you.

Learning Outcomes

In this online horse training course, you will learn about all aspects of equine behaviour.

Identify factors affecting equine behaviour
Describe the influence of genes on equine behaviour
Explain how horses perceive and how they respond to various stimuli
Understand how horses communicate and the nature of their social organisation
Explain the sexual and reproductive behaviour of the horse
Describe the different ways that horses learn and how this can be applied to the training environment
Explain how and why behavioural problems occur and how they can be prevented
Understand how horses perceive their surroundings

Horse Breeds and Temperament

Horses have personalities – and while many factors influence their behaviour, such as their environment and handling, a lot comes down to genetics. As any horse training professional knows, there are personality traits and temperaments common to certain breeds.

In the equine industry, the terms hot-blooded, warm-blooded and cold-blooded categorise a horse’s temperament, size and origin.

Hot-Blooded Breeds

As the name suggests, hot bloods can be highly strung and flighty. They’re comprised of ancient horse breeds from the Middle East. These light, refined, long-legged creatures are the athletes of the horse world, full of energy and with hot tempers. The hot-blooded breeds are the hardest to train but are also the most competitive and are popular racehorses.

Thoroughbreds

The most popular horse racing breed, the thoroughbred is known for its agility, speed and spirit. This breed is also a favourite in equestrian competitions such as dressage and jumping.

Arabian

The Arabian is the oldest breed in the world, dating back as far as 3000 B.C. The linage is evident in many light horse breeds, including the Appaloosas, Morgans and Andalusians. They’re known for their high spirit, loyalty and loving nature.

Warm-Blooded Breeds

Warm-bloods are a combination of hot and cold-bloods that originated in Europe (mainly Germany). Warmbloods are explicitly bred for equestrian sports such as dressage, showjumping, cross-country and leisure riding. They have a robust and attractive conformation and a quiet temperament.

Hanoverian

Originating in Germany, this warmblood is popular in dressage and show jumping circuits for its mild temperament and versatility.

Dutch Warmblood

The easy-going Dutch Warmblood originates from Holland and is known for its mild temperament and calm nature. They are versatile and excel in at top-level competitive equestrian pursuits from dressage to show jumping, eventing and driving.

Holsteiner

Mildly temperamental, this breed is competitive in dressage and reining, but is an exceptional showjumper.

Cold-Blooded Breeds

The cold-blooded breeds are heavy draft horses, including Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, and Shires. They are renowned for their calm, gentle and patient nature and were bred originally for strength and usefulness in farming and transport.

Shire Horse

The Shire is a British heavy draught horse and is the largest and heaviest horse in the world. This breed is versatile for use in driving, leisure riding and competitive equestrian. Shires are renowned for their calm temperament, strength, elegant head and prominent docile eyes.

Clydesdale

A Scottish breed of draught horse, the Clydesdale has a formidable statue, feathered legs and a high-stepping gait. They are well-known as gentle, easy-going giants that are easy to train and a joy to work around.

Percheron

The Percheron is a draught horse that originated from north-western France. It is admired for its immense power, innate intelligence and willingness to perform well under all conditions.

Understanding Horse Body Language

Horses, like humans, experience a range of emotions and express this through their body language. It’s important to read a horse’s body language to take necessary action, whether to protect yourself or to ensure the horse’s health and wellbeing.

A Happy Horse

It’s easy to identify a relaxed, happy horse as they display a comfortable posture, often with a resting hindleg, and alert forward-facing ears. Their eyes are open (but you can’t see the whites of their eyes), the mouth is closed, nostrils are oval, and their muzzle is relaxed.

A Scared Horse

If a horse is worried, they will stand with their head raised and ears either pointing backwards (or moving in all directions), eyes wide, a tense muzzle and square-shaped nostrils. The horse may also be sweating if they are excessively anxious or in pain.

An Angry Horse

It’s essential to identify an angry horse to avoid being bitten or kicked. The angry horse will display aggressive body language, including elongated, open nostrils, ears laid back, wide eyes with whites showing and mouth open showing teeth.

Whether you want to work in the horse training industry or simply want to understand your own horses better, our horse training courses, such as the Certificate of Equine Behaviour is ideal professional or personal development for you.

Less Negatives, More Positives – Learn How To Manage People’s Anger

Anger management courses can help individuals manage anger in themselves and others. This is particularly valuable because like other emotions, it can be difficult to give a precise definition of anger.

Because it is also such a strong emotion, anger can sometimes become overbearing and cause individuals to overreact and draw-in others, causing it to escalate. But anger can have positive aspects too – the key to managing it is not in its elimination but in challenging it constructively. This can include changing thought patterns, doing relaxation exercises and learning how to communicate better to reduce stress levels.

Our Anger Management For Professionals course will give you the skills to help others manage their anger in the workplace and in professional settings. This includes sports coaches, those in management roles, or those who work in the counselling or health and wellbeing sector.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking anger management courses include:

Learning about the nature and scope of anger
Exploring the autonomic nervous system
Studying anger and arousal
Understanding galvanic skin resistance
Analysing voice stress
Gaining insights into polygraphs
Learning about the degrees of arousal
Exploring the difficulties of arousal theories
Studying theories of emotion including those of James Lange, Cannon-Bard and Schachter
Examining Lazarus’s appraisal theory and Weiner’s attribution theory
Gaining insights into facial feedback theory and Averill’s social construction theory
Learning about managing anger with counselling
Exploring the causes of anger including frustration and self-defence
Studying the expressions of anger
Examining anger counselling strategies
Gaining insights into the ‘empty chair’ technique
Learning how to recognise psychological arousal
Exploring thought stopping, time out and relaxation exercises
Gaining insights into assertiveness training
Studying the five stages of an assertiveness training interview
Uncovering the mental blocks to assertiveness
Gaining insights into managing anger with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Learning how to identify antecedents
Exploring anger assessments
Studying beginning therapy
Examining inferences, evaluations and chaining
Gaining insights into disputing inferences and evaluations
Learning about independence and the blockages to change
Exploring the use of imagery
Studying emotional insight, exposure and termination
Gaining insights into working with anger problems in CBT
Learning about anger management techniques for violence
Exploring appearance, posture, affect and speech
Studying the causes of violence
Understanding cold, hot and reactive violence
Gaining tips on dealing with violent people
Learning strategies for violence prevention
Exploring action after violence
Studying how to manage violence against others
Understanding mental disorders and violence
Examining anger management for people with mental health issues
Gaining insights into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of mental disorders
Learning about dementia and anger and how to support people with dementia
Exploring anxiety and depression
Studying grief, its stages and the tasks of mourning
Understanding how to manage anger and temper tantrums in toddlers
Examining anger in older children including adolescents
Gaining insights into psychological changes in girls and boys
Learning about depression and eating problems in children
Exploring how and why adults share anger
Studying anger management for people with personality disorders
Gaining an understanding of psychopathology
Examining borderline personality disorders and treatment
Gaining insights into psychopathy and treatments
Learning about roid rage and its symptoms
Exploring anger management services
Studying counselling services, courses, workshops and anger management clinics
Understanding group and individual work in anger management
Examining conflict management and conflict handling techniques
Gaining insights into life coaching
Learning how to set up an anger management consultancy

The 10 Basic Types of Anger

Anger is a universal emotion, and we all feel annoyed, frustrated or even outraged from time to time. The type of anger we use to express our feelings can also vary depending on our mood and the circumstances. But anger is neither good or bad – it is simply an emotion. Clarifying different types of anger and learning the strategies to manage them – particularly by taking anger management courses – is the key to controlling emotions and the subsequent behaviours that follow.

#1 – Assertive Anger

This is the most constructive type of anger in that feelings of frustration or rage can act as a catalyst for positive change. Rather than internalising feelings, avoiding confrontation or resorting to physical or verbal outbursts, anger is expressed in ways that don’t cause destruction or distress. This ‘assertive anger’ can help individuals address injustice, overcome fear and achieve their desired life outcomes. It’s a powerful motivator!

#2 – Behavioural Anger

This type of anger is expressed physically and usually aggressively. It might involve throwing or breaking things or even physically attacking the object of an individual’s rage. It can be highly unpredictable and often has negative interpersonal and legal consequences. Management strategies include individuals taking a moment to calm down, removing themselves from the situation and using self-talk techniques to regain control of their emotions.

#3 – Chronic Anger

This is an ongoing frustration with circumstances, anger towards oneself or a general resentment of other people. Because of its prolonged nature, it can have profoundly negative effects on one’s health and wellbeing. To manage it, individuals should spend some time on reflection and identify the source of their resentment. It can also involve forgiveness – which is a powerful process that can help people resolve lingering frustration and hurt.

#4 – Judgemental Anger

This type of anger is indignant and usually a reaction to someone else’s shortcomings or a perceived injustice. It assumes a morally superior stance and may alienate potential allies by invalidating differences of opinion. Management strategies include individuals being open-minded about different situations because they are rarely as simple as they seem! Other people’s perspectives can also give valuable insights into some of life’s challenges.

#5 – Overwhelmed Anger

This is a form of anger that occurs when individuals feel a situation is beyond their control. This results in feelings of frustration and hopelessness and is common when people take on too much responsibility, or unexpected events have reduced their capacity to cope. In order to manage it, individuals should reach out to others for support. By alleviating potential sources of stress, emotional and behavioural control may be achieved.

#6 – Passive-aggressive Anger

This is an ‘avoidant’ type of anger, where individuals try to evade confrontation and may deny feelings of fury or frustration. It can be expressed as silence, mockery or sarcasm, and often people who express anger in this way aren’t even aware they are being aggressive. Management techniques include individuals learning to assertively communicate and confidently face their fears in order to meet their personal and professional needs.

# 7 – Retaliatory Anger

One of the most common types of anger, this is usually an instinctual response to being attacked or confronted by someone else. It can be deliberate and motivated by revenge for a perceived wrong and often aims to intimidate others by asserting control over an outcome or situation. In order to manage it, individuals should pause and think before they act. By choosing to diffuse the conflict, they can avoid the often long-term consequences of revenge.

# 8 – Self-abusive Anger

This type of anger is shame-based and individuals may feel unworthy, humiliated or hopeless. By internalising feelings, anger can be expressed by self-harm, substance abuse, eating disorders or negative self-talk. Management strategies include cognitive reframing techniques and mindful meditation, which can help centre an individual in the present and help them deal with impulse-related behaviours.

# 9 – Verbal Anger

Verbal anger can be a form of psychological or emotional abuse that deeply hurts an individual’s target. It may be expressed as furious threats, ridicule, sarcasm or intense criticism or blame. This often results in the individual feeling ashamed and apologetic afterwards. In order to manage it, individuals should take a breath before they speak and try and delay the impulse to lash out.

#10 – Volatile Anger

This type of anger often comes out of nowhere and is experienced by individuals who are quick to get upset by annoyances. It can be incredibly destructive because even though individuals calm down just as quickly if left unchecked it may eventually lead to more violent verbal or physical behaviour. Management strategies include individuals identifying the signs and symptoms that precede an outburst, and using relaxation techniques to stop their anger from escalating.

Are things a little too tense at work? Learn a range of valuable anger management techniques that will improve communication and help reduce people’s stress with our Anger Management For Professionals course.

Nurture Your Love Of Plants With Landscape Design Courses!

Landscape design courses that focus on biophilic design combine natural systems and elements into a landscape to increase people’s physical and mental wellbeing. The word biophilic essentially means ‘love of nature’, and this course will teach you how to use landscaping methodologies and techniques to encourage the use of public spaces and make landscapes more people-friendly.

Our Introduction to Biophilic Landscaping is ideal for those working in horticulture, environmental management landscape design and construction, or anyone keen to undertake the design of parks, gardens, cityscapes, streetscapes and more!

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes achieved by undertaking landscape design courses include:

Exploring the relationship between outdoor environments and human wellbeing
Learning about and understanding biophilia
Studying health problems and biophobic design
Understanding the urban heat island effect
Examining psychological and physiological stress
Gaining insights into the breakdown of ecosystems
Learning about environmental degradation
Exploring the health benefits of biophilic design
Studying the theories of stress recovery
Understanding the value of green space
Learning about biophilic landscaping terminology
Exploring design considerations
Learning from past mistakes
Understanding the repercussions of failing to involve the community
Studying isolation from nature
Examining good biophilic design
Gaining insights into connections with nature
Learning about sense of place
Exploring long term sustainability
Studying the beneficial user experience
Understanding the practical considerations
Examining a multidisciplinary approach
Gaining insights into town planning
Learning to consider of outcomes
Thinking about the future
Exploring the patterns and principles of urban design
Studying the terrapin bright green criteria
Understanding nature in the space patterns
Examining natural analogue patterns
Gaining insights into nature of the space patterns
Learning about biophilic landscaping and its relationship to health
Exploring the strongest empirical support
Studying the application of patterns
Examining the components of the landscape
Gaining insights into biophilic components
Learning about hard landscape components
Exploring stone and brick surfaces
Studying timber surfaces
Understanding soft landscape components
Examining the relationship between health and design components
Gaining insights into the direct experience of nature
Learning about air, water, plants animals and weather
Exploring natural landscapes and ecosystems
Studying the indirect experience of nature
Understanding the experience of space and place
Discovering the concept of prospect and refuge
Examining natural components in detail
Gaining insights into vegetation and animals
Learning about water quality issues
Exploring the five principles of healthy places
Studying how to improve air, water and soil quality
Discovering how to overcome health inequalities
Examining how to promote healthy lifestyles
Learning how to increase social interaction
Exploring how to reduce anti-social behaviour, isolation and stress
Examining opportunities for working, learning and development
Studying uplifting and healing for both physical and mental health conditions
Understanding water harvesting, retention and reuse
Gaining insights into stormwater, rainwater and urban runoff
Learning about integrated urban water management (IUWM)
Exploring biophilia in different environments
Studying environmental stress
Understanding general adaptation syndrome
Examining the physiological effects of stress
Gaining insights into biophilia in the workplace
Learning about noise levels and temperature
Exploring environmental and climate conditions
Studying water contaminants and water chemical problems
Understanding microbiological problems
Examining water quality for aquaria and ponds
Learning about Legionnaires disease in soil and potting media
Exploring using plants to extract contamination
Studying how to grow plants on contaminated soil
Understanding the biological filters for water pollution and wastewater
Using roof and wall gardens to improve air quality and aesthetics
Examining accessibility and safety
Gaining insights into roof gardens and vertical gardens
Learning about decorative plant supports
Exploring the types of installations for roof gardens
Studying wall gardens
Examining design considerations and plant selection
Learning about the building and components of a green roof
Exploring construction materials
Studying how to deal with heights
Understanding plants which cause damage
Examining plants suited to roof and vertical gardens
Gaining insights into bromeliads and succulents
Learning about hardy groundcovers
Exploring xerophytes
Being able to analyse existing landscapes
Studying how to assess a landscape
Understanding how to measure pollutants
Discovering how to create buffer zones for pollution
Examining using windbreaks, hedges and screens
Gaining insights into creating and landscaping shaded areas
Learning how to design a home garden using biophilic design principles
Studying how to consider your priorities
Understanding how to create a natural approach to gardening
Learning to avoid problem materials
Discovering how to dispose of waste and make good compost
Uncovering simple design procedures
Exploring how to integrate biophilic design into an existing landscape
Studying how to retrofit green walls and roofs
Uncovering how to use hydroponics for a vertical wall NFT system
Understanding how to redevelop public institutions
Examining the water chemistry of runoff
Gaining insights into the quality of urban runoff
Learning about annual pollutant loadings from runoff
Exploring water quality in urban compared with rural areas
Studying how to improve the water quality of runoff in the biophilic context
Examining how to improve the water quality of recycled water in the biophilic context
Gaining insights into reducing the use of pest control chemicals in gardens
Learning about biocontrol
Exploring a range of chemical weedicides
Studying how to work in and improve urban development
Understanding the challenges for design
Examining permaculture and hydroponics
Learning how to use swales for water retention
Exploring how to work in urban development

The Patterns of Biophilic Design

Many landscape design courses like ours focus on biophilic design because it can reduce stress and improve well-being – qualities which are important in our increasingly urbanised world. The 14 patterns of biophilic design represent the relationship between human biology, nature and the design of a built environment. And according to research scientists and design practitioners, they define the aspects of nature that most impact our satisfaction within these types of environments.

Nature in the Space:

#1 – Visual Connection With Nature – this is a view to elements of nature, natural processes and living systems. If achieved, it can be either stimulating or calming, and convey a sense of weather, time and other living things.

#2 – Non-Visual Connection With Nature – this is stimuli connected to the other senses (hearing, touch, smell and taste) that gives a positive reference to nature, natural processes or living systems. Spaces feel well balanced and fresh, and the conditions are both complex and familiar.

#3 – Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli – when in these spaces, people feel as though they are experiencing something fresh, stimulating, interesting and energizing. They also give people brief, but welcome distractions.

#4 – Thermal and Airflow Variability – this pattern is characterized by subtle changes in humidity, temperature and airflow across the skin that mimics a natural environment. These spaces feel alive, refreshing and invigorating, while providing a feeling of both flexibility and control.

#5 – Presence of Water – these are spaces that enhance someone’s experience through hearing, touching or seeing water. They feel captivating and compelling, and sound, lighting, accessibility and proximity can contribute to whether someone feels calm or stimulated or both.

#6 – Dynamic and Diffuse Light – this pattern leverages varying intensities of shadow and light that change over time to create natural conditions. They convey expressions of movement and time and evoke intrigue and drama combined with a sense of calm.

#7 – Connection with Natural Systems – this is an awareness of natural processes especially seasonal changes that define a healthy ecosystem. These spaces make people aware of the cycles of life, and they are nostalgic, relaxing, enlightening and frequently anticipated.

Natural Analogues:

#8 – Biomorphic Forms and Patterns – these are symbolic references to textured, patterned or numerical arrangements that we see in nature. These spaces feel comfortable and possibly contemplative, captivating and even capable of absorbing energy.

#9 – Material Connection with Nature – this pattern refers to elements and materials from nature that reflect the local geology or ecology. These spaces feel warm, authentic, rich and sometimes stimulating to people’s touch.

#10 – Complexity and Order – this is rich, sensory information to connects to a spatial hierarchy that is similar to what you would experience in nature. These spaces feel engaging and are a balance between being boring and overwhelming.

Nature of the Space:

#11 – Prospect – this pattern offers an unobstructed view over distances. These spaces feel freeing and open while offering a sense of control and safety, particularly when people are alone or in an unfamiliar environment.

#12 – Refuge – these are places for withdrawal from activity or environmental conditions where people are protected overhead and from behind. They feel safe, contemplative, embracing and offer people a sense of retreat.

#13 – Mystery – this pattern is a promise of more information, and entice people to travel deeper into the environment. They evoke a feeling of anticipation and offer a combination of denial and reward that compels people to further investigate the space.

#14 – Risk or Peril – this pattern refers to an identifiable threat combined with a reliable safeguard. These spaces feel exhilarating because people feel they may be dangerous but nevertheless intriguing and worth exploring.

Winners of the 2019 AILDM National Awards

Every year, the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) recognises the very best landscape designers and their projects from around the country. Here is a list of last year’s Gold Award winners who will offer plenty of reasons for you to consider landscape design courses as your next career move!

Landscape Design – Rooftop

Richard Rimell of Quercus Gardens
Judy Dolin of South House Gardens
Claudia Crawley of Grindstone Landscapes
Alison Watson of Outdoor Designs

Residential Landscape Design – less than 50m²

Rebecca Colechin and Michael Doak of Ecodesign

Steve Warner of Outhouse Design
Charlie Albone of Inspired Exteriors
Nicola Cameron of Pepo Botanic Design
Julia Levitt of Sticks & Stones Landscape Design

Residential Landscape Design – 50 to 150m²

Adrian Swain and Michael Doak of Ecodesign
Jane Stark of Stark Design
Gerrad Everson of Octopus Garden Design
Steve Warner of Outhouse Design
Mitchell Turner of Goodmanors Pools and Gardens
Nicola Cameron of Pepo Botanic Design

Landscape Management – Environmental and Amenity Horticulture

Adrian Swain of Ecodesign
Robert McIlroy of Saunders Havill Group

Allan Correy Award for Design Excellence

And finally, this award is named in honour of landscape architect and horticulturist Allan Correy, who was known for his ecological and modernist approach to design. The winner of last year’s most coveted award (and the ultimate inspiration for undertaking landscape design courses) was…Adrian Swain from Ecodesign

Keen to create landscapes that positively enhance people’s physical and mental wellbeing? Put that green thumb to good use with a landscape design course like our Introduction to Biophilic Landscaping!

Learn How to Write a Biography – Certificate of Biographical Writing

Biography writing is the art of telling someone else’s life story. It highlights their work, achievements, and contribution to the world. A biography may cover a person’s whole life or only a short period, from a week to a few years. Popular subjects for biographers include historical figures, actors, artists, writers, and political figures.

The Certificate of Biographical Writing is an online program that will teach you how to write a biography, from researching to editing and publishing for publication. On completion of this online course, you’ll feel confident in constructing your first draft of a biography for the purpose of publication.

Learning Outcomes

In this online course, you’ll discover how to write a biography and will achieve the following learning outcomes.

In this online biographical writing course, you will learn about all aspects of conservation.
Determine when, why, where and how biographies are written.
Determine sources of information and then acquire appropriate information for a biography.
To decide on the type of biography and context in which it should be developed, based upon researched information.
Write different types of short biographies to meet different purposes.
Analyse a life to determine the structure, style and content of a comprehensive biography that could become a small book, large book, or screenplay.
Plan a type of biography.
Determine how a biographical manuscript may be dealt with after the author completes writing; to produce and market a finished product.
Apply knowledge and skills developed throughout this course, to research and produce a biographical short story.
Discuss how topics are integrated into biography and how they help or hinder the work.
Create a biographical timeline.
Locate a biography, in print or online, and assess the referencing used.
Identify a theme or themes in a biographical work and think about how events in the work tie back to the theme.
Research copyright and libel laws in your area.
Research letters requesting information or interviews with experts or other sources.
Locate two pieces of primary evidence, then two pieces of secondary evidence for the topic of your choice. Keep notes on how you found your evidence and what makes it primary and secondary, respectively.
Research short biographies of “ordinary” people.
Analyse the life of a person you’d like to write about. Look at this task from the perspective of deciding what content you would include and the best structure and style to use for this subject.

Creative Non-Fiction – Biography, Autobiography & Memoir

A biography, autobiography and memoir are all creative non-fiction genres. A biography is the life history of a person, authored by someone else. An autobiography, on the other hand, is the story of a person’s life, written by that person. And a memoir is a collection of memories written by the person themselves.

5 Famous & Fascinating Biographies

Biographical writers know how to write a biography to capture their subject’s major life events while telling a gripping story. Great biographies should engross the reader just like fiction. Generally, biographers have a keen interest in their subjects. The following is a list of five popular biographies of notable public figures.

The Dalai Lama by Alexander Norman

This biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the first authorised book in 25 years. The author, an acclaimed Oxford-trained scholar of the history of Tibet, presents the definitive biography. It is a unique, multi-layered, and at times even shocking tribute to this inspiration public figure.

The Dalai Lama illuminates an astonishing odyssey from isolated Tibetan village to worldwide standing as a spiritual and political leader of one of the world’s most profound and complex cultural traditions.

Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick

Commencing with Elvis’ service in the army in 1958 and culminating with his death in Memphis in 1977, Careless Love chronicles the unravelling of a life that shone so brightly. The work focuses on the complexities of Elvis’ relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It’s a spectacular revelatory read and offers a unique perspective on American popular culture and the trappings of success. It shines a spotlight on one of the most misunderstood public figures of all time!

Marilyn Monroe by Barbara Leaming

Barbara Leaming’s Marilyn Monroe is a multifaceted, sympathetic portrayal that will forever change the way we perceive one of the most enduring icons of sexuality. If you think you’ve heard all there is to know Marilyn Monroe, you’re in for a surprise. This author reveals a fresh narrative of sexual, psychological, and political intrigue.

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

Author Ashlee Vance delves into the technology and vision of Elon Musk, entrepreneur and innovator of SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. Musk sold one of his Internet companies, PayPal, for $1.5 billion. This exciting biography explores the genius’s life and work, from his turbulent beginnings in South Africa and arrival in the United States to his remarkable technical advances and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Becoming Dr Seuss by Brian Jay Jones

A biography of Theodor Geisel, author of the legendary Dr Seuss books, is a definitive, fascinating, all-reaching book by biographer Brian Jay Jones. Dr Seuss is a wild, wonderful, and whimsical children’s character – think The Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, and Horton, to name just a few! But his creator, Theodor Geisel, had a second more radical side. Geisel was a complicated man on an important mission which this talented biographer brings to life.

Do you know a life that needs documenting? Perhaps your ambition is to write about someone remarkable. Or maybe it’s someone closer to home. Whatever your subject, our biography writing courses, such as the Certificate of Biographical Writing, will show you how to write a biography.

Wild for Wildlife? Discover Our Wildlife Conservation Course!

Many alarming world trends, including climate change, is threatening our wildlife more than ever. These animals need knowledgeable, compassionate humans to help! This wildlife conservation course suits those with a general interest in wildlife conservation. It is also ideal for those looking to pursue a career in academia, consulting companies, wildlife and conservation organisations, professional and scientific societies or even in zoos and aquariums.

The Certificate of Wildlife Conservation is an online wildlife conservation course that will give you a broad knowledge base of the strategies involved in wildlife conservation and how research, surveys and management techniques can assist with its preservation.

Learning Outcomes

In this online wildlife conservation course, you will learn about all aspects of conservation.

Develop a concept of the guiding principles of wildlife conservation and the threats to wildlife.
Determine the principles and approaches used toward species recovery.
Discuss the principles of habitat conservation with regards to fragmentation, restoration and the use of protected areas.
Describe and discuss the various approaches used to conserve threatened species and ecosystems.
Appreciate the range of flora survey techniques that have been developed to sample fauna for the purposes of conservation.
Discuss and differentiate between fauna survey techniques that have been developed to sample fauna for the purposes of conservation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the consequences of overexploitation. Discuss and differentiate between marine survey techniques used to conserve marine species.
Discuss and differentiate the range of planning tools available for farming, urban and residential planning to help conserve wildlife.
Identify various management techniques used to conserve wildlife.
Develop a wildlife recovery plan for a species under threat.

Jobs in Wildlife Conservation

Are you a modern-day conservationist? Do you have a passion for animals? If so, discover your dream job in wildlife conservation. Wildlife conservationists work to preserve the habitats of animals and plants.

The typical duties performed by wildlife conservationists include studying water, plants, and soil, and preventing and finding cause for environmental degradation of habitats. In wildlife conservation courses, you’ll discover your aptitude for becoming a professional, volunteer or advocate in the wildlife conservation industry.

The types of jobs in wildlife conservation include:

Parks & Wildlife Ranger
Environmental Science & Protection Technician
Parks & Conservation Technician
Conservation Scientist

10 Endangered Animals in the Wild

Endangered animals are those that are at risk of becoming extinct. Species become endangered for two main reasons – a loss of their habitat or genetic variation. The following is a list of ten of some of the most endangered animals in the wild.

Black-Flanked Rock Wallaby

These shy, small, and extremely agile marsupials live amongst the rocky outcrops and caves in central and western Australia. The black-flanked rock-wallaby comes out at dusk to feed on grass, leaves, bark, and fruits. In winter, this exquisite animal can be seen basking in the sun!

The WWF reports that while still quite widespread across its range, habitat destruction, predation by foxes and feral cats, and competition for food and shelter have exacted a toll. As such, local extinctions and the wallaby’s distribution is now significantly reduced. The populations that remain are generally small, isolated and at risk of extinction.

Snow Leopard

This wild cat’s beautiful coat and elusive nature make it a rare creature. Sadly, human threats have created an uncertain future. Scientists predict that there may be only between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild.

Koala

The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) strongly suggests that the koala’s conservation status be upgraded to ‘critically endangered’ in South East Queensland as they are, according to the Queensland Minister for Environment, ‘functionally extinct.’

The decline of this cute Australian icon is a result of habitat destruction, dog attacks, bushfires, and road accidents. The AKF estimates that there are less than 1,000 koalas left in the wild.

Hawksbill Turtle

The hawksbill turtle, named for its narrow-pointed beak resembling a hawk, is critically endangered. Its habitat is the world’s tropical oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Sadly, this creature is hunted for its precious shell, which is used to make everything from hair accessories to furniture. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), nesting female numbers have declined by over 80 per cent in the past 100 years.

Sunda Tiger

Distinguished by their heavy black stripes on orange coats, there are estimated to be no more than 400 left in the wild today. They survive only in the remaining patches of forest on the island of Sumatra. The demise of this majestic animal is a result of deforestation and rampant poaching, which could result in their extinction like their Javan and Balinese counterparts.

Sumatran Elephant

This magnificent creature is threatened by habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, and poaching, which has caused the population to plummet by at least 80 per cent over the last 75 years. It’s estimated that the current population of the Sumatran elephant is 2,600 in the wild.

Giant Panda

Despite having no natural predators, the Giant Panda is endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, illegal poaching, and deforestation. Only about 1,864 pandas are remaining in the wild.

Green Turtle

The green turtle is among the world’s greatest travellers, known to travel more than 2,600 kilometres during migration between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. This beautiful creature, an integral part of our tropical coastal ecosystem, is endangered due to harm by discarded fishing gear, long-line nets, boats and ingestion of marine plastics. Feral animals also attack their nests.

Blue Whale

The largest animal on the planet, weighing as much as 33 elephants, these giants of the ocean are endangered due to environmental change, such as habitat loss and toxins, and harm by boats and fishing gear.

Orangutan

Orangutans are closely related to humans – sharing 97 per cent DNA! They are patient, curious, and intelligent mammals. Unfortunately, they are critically endangered due to logging, fires, palm oil plantations and poaching.

Whether you want to work in wildlife conservation as a professional or as an advocate, our wildlife conservation courses, such as the Certificate of Wildlife Conservation is ideal professional or personal development for you.

Learn How To Write a Script With Our Scriptwriting Course

A diverse and exciting industry full of opportunity awaits those who know how to write a script. With hard work and dedication, you’ll start to get your work noticed, and could gain employment as a sub-contractor or even start your own production business!

In this course, you’ll learn how to develop a storyline, develop a script and understand how characterisation, dialogue, music, sound effects and visual elements can combine to create a compelling piece of work. You’ll gain an understanding of the business of scriptwriting, from legal and ethical considerations to the commercial opportunities available.

The breadth of your professional writing skills will also mean you could be writing scripts for a variety of mediums and audiences, from marketing and advertising services to mainstream and fringe media. This includes writing scripts for TV, radio and film, to working on niche projects like producing podcasts and training videos.

With a Certificate of Script Writing, the sky really is the limit!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by learning how to write a script include:

Studying the scope and nature of script writing
Exploring what scripts are and how they are used
Learning about writing scripts including uncovering the story you want to tell
Gaining an understanding of the one page, one-minute rule
Understanding visual, behaviour and aural storytelling
Discovering the ‘show and don’t tell’ concept
Examining abbreviations, how to handle your time and how to format scripts
Gaining insights into how to plot a screenplay
Learning about different types of stories including their specifications
Exploring the duration of performance
Studying how to develop the storyline
Understanding the Story Pyramid
Gaining insights into creating a storyboard
Learning the techniques for plotting a story
Exploring fiction and creative non-fiction
Studying non-fiction scriptwriting in terms of education, corporate and presentation writing
Gaining an understanding of scriptwriting formatting
Learning how to write the outline and the script
Exploring cliff hangers in a script
Studying how to format outlines
Understanding characterisation and how to build, plan and write good characters
Examining sound effects in script writing
Gaining insights into dialogue in script writing
Exploring examples of dialogue
Learning how to write dialogue and dialogue tags
Studying how to write scripts for TV, film and the internet
Gaining an understanding of fiction and non-fiction script writing
Examining pace, time frame and visuals
Learning how to write scripts for radio in terms of voice, music and sound effects
Studying how to write scripts for training and instructional videos
Gaining an understanding of one, two and multiple-person scripts
Learning how to use visuals in training presentations
Exploring scriptwriting for children
Studying fiction and non-fiction hybrids when writing for children
Understanding children’s cognitive development
Examining the implications for the writer
Gaining insights into socialisation, gender, roles and stereotyping
Learning about writing for advertising
Exploring the purpose of advertising
Studying how to write and analyse ads
Understanding summary skills including tips for summarising
Gaining insights into writing for infomercials
Learning about scriptwriting commercial opportunities
Studying how to start your own production business
Gaining an understanding of the law and ethical and legal considerations.

Freytag’s Plot Pyramid

One of the earliest dramatic plot structures was devised in the 1800s by German novelist and critic, Gustav Freytag, in his analysis of ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama. He conceptualised five plot elements and his ‘pyramid’ continues to help writers organise their ideas and thoughts. So if you’re after some tips on how to write a script with a simple yet dramatic structure, read on!

Freytag’s derived his plot pyramid from the conflict of man against man, specifically the hero and his adversary. The action of the drama and the grouping of characters is in two parts – the hero’s own deeds and those of his antagonist – which Freytag describes as ‘play and counter-play’. These two parts must be united by a climax, to which the action rises and falls away. Freytag is indifferent as to which of the two parties justice favours. In both groups, power and weakness and good and evil are mingled. The drama is then divided into five acts (sometimes referred to as a ‘dramatic arc’) – Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Falling action and finally, Catastrophe.

Exposition

Once the setting is fixed in a particular time and place, the mood is set and characters are introduced. Exposition can then be conveyed through flashbacks, dialogues, background details or the narrator telling a back-story.

Rising action

An exciting force or event begins immediately after the exposition, building the rising action in one or a number of stages towards the point of greatest interest. These events are generally the most important parts of the story because the entire plot depends on them to set up the climax and the satisfactory resolution of the story itself.

Climax

The climax is the turning point and changes the protagonist’s fate. If things were going well for them, the plot will turn against them, often revealing their hidden weaknesses. If the story is a comedy, the opposite will often happen, with things going from bad to good for the protagonist, often requiring them to draw on hidden inner strengths.

Falling action

During this act, the hostility of the counter-party targets the hero. Freytag lays out two rules here – the number of characters should be limited and the number of scenes where the hero ‘falls’ should be fewer than in the rising movement. The falling action may contain a moment of final suspense, often where the final outcome may be in doubt.

Catastrophe

The catastrophe is where the hero meets his destruction and where conflicts are resolved, creating normality for the characters, and the release of anxiety and tension for the reader or viewer. A tragedy ends with the protagonist being worse off than at the beginning of the narrative. Comedies often end the opposite way!

Five Famous Screenwriters Who Hated Their Own Movies

In exploring how to write a script, we often turn to famous screenwriters. However, even the most successful of these don’t always like the movie that results!

#1 – Kelly Marcel – Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to E.L. James’s bestselling novel, Fifty Shades of Grey in early 2013. The studio then hired Saving Mr Banks screenwriter Kelly Marcel to adapt the book. However, although the studio promised Marcel creative freedom, the author was unhappy with her work.

E.L James wanted to remove a lot of the dialogue as she believed ‘it could be a really sexy film if there wasn’t so much talking in it’. Subsequently, Marcel wasn’t commissioned to write the film’s sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, and couldn’t even watch the original as her ‘heart was really broken by the process’.

#2 – Lana and Lilly Wachowski – Assassins (1995)

During the mid-1990s, the Wachowski sisters sold their screenplay to producer Joel Silver for $1 million. Richard Donner was signed on to direct with Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas in the lead roles. However, although it was one of the hottest unproduced screenplays at the time, Donner didn’t like the darker tone, so he hired another screenwriter to rewrite it to make it into a standard action thriller.

The Wachowskis weren’t happy with the decision to tone down their screenplay, so asked that their names be removed from the project. The American Writer’s Guild denied their request. However, their negative experience led to the sisters wanting more control over their work, so they became directors instead!

#3 – Bret Easton Ellis – The Informers (2008)

Although Ellis co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of the movie from his own novel, the final cut was not exactly what he was after. He was predominantly upset that the tone of the story went from dark humour to something more melodramatic, and blamed Australian director Gregor Jordan.

In Ellis’ opinion, he wrote scenes in the script that were funny – with an Altman-esque sense of humour. However, they were directed in a way that resulted in the scenes not being funny at all and what he believed played out like an Aussie soap opera!

#4 – Quentin Tarantino – Natural Born Killers (1994)

Renowned as someone who knows how to write a script, Tarantino sold his screenplay for Natural Born Killers to director Oliver Stone in the early 90’s. Two years later, Stone released the film with Juliette Lewis and Woody Harrelson in starring roles. And while it was a box office hit, Tarantino despised the production because of the alterations made to much of his original content.

Years after its release, the producers of the movie sued Tarantino when he tried to publish the original screenplay. However, although producers believed Tarantino forfeited his rights when he sold it to them, a judge ruled in Tarantino’s favour.

#5 – J.D. Shapiro – Battlefield Earth – 2000

Actor John Travolta commissioned screenwriter J.D. Shapiro to adapt Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s novel Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 for the big screen in 1997. However, Shapiro ended up writing a darker version of the novel and was fired from the project when he refused to change its tone.

Regardless, much of what he wrote ended up in the final movie and he received a writer’s credit, much to his dismay. Released in 2000, Battlefield Earth ended up being known as the worst movie of the decade. However, Shapiro remained a good sport about its failure, accepting a Golden Raspberry Award in 2001 for the year’s Worst Screenplay!

Aspiring to be a famous screenwriter or advertising jingle writer? Get those creative juices flowing and learn to write for a variety of exciting mediums with our Certificate of Script Writing!

Wedding Photography – Snap Up This Opportunity!

Whether you want to photograph a loved one’s special day or start your own commercial enterprise as a professional wedding photographer, this online photography course is ideal for you.

The Certificate of Wedding Photography is an online program that will teach you how to shoot a wedding ceremony and reception and provide you with the knowledge you need to start your own successful photography business.

On completion of this course, you will have gained the fundamental knowledge to start your own business as a wedding photographer or expand your skillset and increase your employability in the wedding photography sector.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an online photography course include:

Determine factors relevant to any wedding that can impact how a photographer will plan and conduct the shooting of photos for that wedding
Learn how to plan what to do, where and when on the wedding day
Select photographic equipment appropriate for use when photographing a wedding
Determine an appropriate style for wedding photographs, according to the needs of the client
Improving your photographic composition
Shoot a Wedding Ceremony
Shoot a Wedding Reception
Process and present wedding photos to the clients, in a variety of formats
Successfully establish, market, and manage a wedding photography business

6 Traits of a Successful Wedding Photographer

As a wedding photographer, your primary responsibility is to your clients – the bride and groom. It’s their day you’re tasked with documenting precious memories that will last a lifetime. As such, you’ll need to have a passion for the art of photography, have a creative flair and be tech-savvy. But you’ll also need the soft skills too – patience, a sense of humour, a friendly and social nature, and problem-solving skills! You can learn many skills with an online photography course, but there are others that you’ll need to develop naturally.

A Passion for the Art

Wedding photographers are artists with good business sense. They’re also performers. But top of the list is their fierce passion for the art of photography. If you’re considering a career as a wedding photographer, the passion for the art will be what sets you apart and drives your career success.

Creativity

Creativity is an important attribute for any wedding photographer, from choosing backdrops to subject and juxtaposition of both – you’ll need creative flair. This creativity will give you the confidence to put forward ideas to make the photographs as memorable and unique to the happy couple as possible.

Detail-Oriented

Just like creativity, being detail-oriented is a must for wedding photographers. You’ll need to see that a bride’s hair is slightly askew, that a groom’s laces are undone – these can ruin a great photograph. Most will agree, there’s no more significant event in a couple’s life than their wedding day. And the wedding photographs need the attention-to-detail to capture it perfectly. After all, these photos will be around for over 100 years!

Tech-Savvy

Good photographers should commit to ongoing professional development. The field is continuously changing, so you need to embrace new developments readily. New photography software and tools are being introduced so they should know how to use them. This skill is vital in getting more customers to their side.

A Friendly, Social Disposition

Remember, you’re not just a photographer – you’ve also got to be a performer. A wedding is a momentous occasion, especially for the bride and groom and their parents, so they’ll be a lot of anxiety. Your job is to make these people feel relaxed and comfortable, so you’ll need to be able to turn on the charm. A sense of humour is always appreciated. When it comes to easing the pre-wedding jitters, nothing relaxes people faster than a bit of laughter.

Patience

You’ll need to evoke the patience of a saint as a wedding photographer. You can bet that they’ll be obstacles – whether it’s a sour guest, a weather event or wardrobe malfunction – be prepared, and be patient. It will be worth the wait and the extra time spent when your clients are thrilled with their wedding photographs! After all, referrals are big in this business.

9 Different Styles of Wedding Photography

As with other photography niches, wedding photography has its specialisations too! You can express your artistic flair with a variety of photographic ‘styles.’

Traditional Wedding Photography

This timeless and elegant style of photography is classic and posed. The usual subjects are group shots of the happy couple with the bridal party, immediate family – as well as the all-important cake cutting and the first kiss and the first dance of the couple as husband and wife.

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography

This style tells the story of the day in a more relaxed, informal way. Photojournalistic wedding photography is often mixed with traditional wedding photography to find a balance between formal and informal shots. It’s similar to photojournalism and documentary-style photography.

Illustrative Wedding Photography

Illustrative wedding photography focuses on composition, lighting, and background. It’s often inspired by landscape photography with the use of wide-angle lenses and even aerial photography.

Portrait Wedding Photography

Portraiture generates magnificent images, think the blushing bride or the happy couple at their wedding ceremony. This style is formal as subjects pose for the shot with direction from the photographer.

Natural Wedding Photography

This style has an emphasis on using natural light, resulting in more natural images. It’s ideal for outdoor and destination weddings with – after sunrise and before sunset to avoid the harsh sunlight.

Fine Art Wedding Photography

Think creative framing, lighting, composition, and post-production skills. Fine art wedding photography entails artistic flair to capture unique images. There’s no real posing involved, and it often features rings, bouquets, and the wedding attire.

Fashion Wedding Photography

Lights, camera – action! This style of photography is glamourous. Expect fashionable poses, elegant expressions, and beautiful backgrounds. You can get creative with posted shots while the happy couple enjoys being a high fashion model for the day!

Black & White Wedding Photography

Black and white wedding photography is classic and timeless – it also enhances the mood of many photographs. This type of photography can bring the couple into focus.

Vintage Wedding Photography

The retro-client will love the vintage look, and with the availability of clever vintage photo filters, it can be an easy effect to achieve. There’s an old and timeless feel to these shots – perhaps due to evoking feelings of nostalgia. You can turn ordinary images into extraordinary artistic works of art.

Do you have a passion for weddings and an eye for photography? Why not combine them and start your own business as a wedding photographer? Discover our online photography course, the Certificate of Wedding Photography today!