HR Workshop: Build Business Cases They Can't Ignore

Preston Sharpston

Leadership Coach 🌿

Learn to build and present business cases that get you a YES, faster.

You've proposed the idea: The sourcing strategy that would fix your time-to-fill problem. The engagement initiative that would increase morale. The retention play that would keep your best people from walking out the door.

But when you present your ideas, you're met with "Maybe next year" or "We don't have the budget for that right now."

But somehow there's budget for the keynote speaker who charged $80,000 to tell everyone to "bring their authentic selves to work." 🙄🫠

The problem usually isn't your ideas, it's that the way you're presenting them isn't resonating with business leaders as urgent, or that you aren't presenting them using the right language.

This workshop will help you fix that problem.

Over 2.5 hours, you'll work with me and a room of your peers to:

Learn the exact structure behind a business case that gets approved
Pick apart real business cases planted with the mistakes that get ideas rejected
Apply that structure to start building the case for what you actually need
Walk away knowing exactly what's missing from the cases you've already sent

Walk out with the framework, a sharper eye for what's missing, and a head start on the case you actually need to make.

What you’ll learn

Learn the structure behind business cases that get approved, and build one for what you actually need.

How to structure a business case that gets to a YES
How to frame your ask in the language of the business, not HR or TA
How to name the cost of inaction so leadership feels the urgency

How to show the options you ruled out before landing on this one
How to name the risk and your plan for handling it
How to set a timeline and success metrics that prove it worked

How to catch vague language before a decision-maker does
How to tell when a case is missing real urgency
How to identify the gaps that get ideas rejected before they're fully read

How to identify who needs to be on board before you ask
How to spot stakeholders who can make or break your case
How to bring in stakeholders to advocate for you

How to apply the framework live, in the room, with feedback
How to turn a request you've already made into a business case
How to walk away with a working start, not just an idea

Workshop agenda

What a Business Case Actually Is (and Why It Matters)
Learn the difference between a business case and a request, and why decision-makers respond to one and reject the other.
Where Most Business Cases Go Wrong
Review the specific, recurring mistakes HR and TA professionals make when presenting ideas, including vague language, missing data, and no clear ask.
The Anatomy of a Business Case That Gets Approved
Break down each required element of a strong business case: cost of inaction, the ask, options considered, cost-benefit, risk, timeline, and more.
Inside Two Real Business Cases
Read two real business cases line by line as a group, identify what's missing from each, and discuss why it would or wouldn't get approved as written.
Build One, Together
As a group, build a complete business case live using a shared HR/TA scenario, applying each element from the anatomy section step by step.
Closing: Your Next Steps
Review the full framework one more time, then leave with templates and clear next step for applying learnings to something in your org.

Learn directly from Preston

Preston Sharpston

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HR & TA Leadership Coach

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Who this workshop is for

For HR professionals who want their initiatives, policy changes, and program ideas to stop getting tabled.
For TA professionals who want their sourcing and retention fixes to stop getting pushed to "next quarter."
For other corporate professionals wanting to build better business cases

What's included

Live sessions

Learn directly from Preston Sharpston in a real-time, interactive format.

Community of peers

Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.

Hands-on practice

The workshop is built around doing, not just watching. You'll work through real examples, group discussion, and a live build alongside your peers.

In-class exercises

Walk through real business cases as a group, spot what's missing, and apply the framework to a live scenario before the session ends.

Free strategy session

Every participant gets a complimentary 30-minute session with Preston after the workshop to apply the framework to a real ask you need to make.

Useful templates

Get access to useful tools, templates, and frameworks that will help you build business cases.

Lifetime access

Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.

Certificate of completion

Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.

Maven Guarantee

Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.

Testimonials

Truly one of the best! So thankful to have been taught by [Preston]! If you haven’t taken any of Preston’s classes, I highly recommend doing so. His teaching style and depth of knowledge are top tier.
Sarah
HR Generalist
I've spent years in HR and truly value those who can translate strategy into actionable steps. Preston does this exceptionally well. If you want to grow as an HR professional, I highly recommend working with Preston.
Debra
HR Business Partner
Preston brings the goods. Check him out. You will be glad you did.
Scott
HR Executive
Preston’s expertise was invaluable. His communication was always clear, timely, and effective. I highly recommend Preston without reservation.
Gavin
Senior Recruiter