How was HRD for you? Find out how our training director got on in the next instalment of our anonymous diary.
Oh wow – two weeks since my last entry – how time flies and situations change!
Well its been an interesting two weeks with the HRD conference, my recruitment plans and tenders. So let's start with the good.
As I said in my last entry, I was concerned that my business was sounding a little jinxed! Well, my faith in human kind has been restored. In earlier entries I mentioned my need for a senior trainer, well he has arrived (note no capital on the word he) and he is settling down very well, getting on with the staff and making a very positive impression on the client base already. I feel the load lightening as I type! Another month will see him working with the sales team and making a real impact on their sales and activity whilst freeing me up to do 'strategic stuff'.
Not only that but I have also found my junior trainer, who just happened to pop his CV in on the off chance and made a real impression in interview. He came back earlier this week to deliver a short session to my team (and they can be a real handful!) and he managed them perfectly, what a find! He will be starting with us very soon and I think the team will appreciate his fresh approach.
Last time I wrote HRD was looming – a recruitment fair for associates (for me anyway) and I was not to be disappointed. On the first day alone I received requests from some 50 potential associates all offering their wares. I was hoping for an old-fashioned market approach to this activity, some bright entrepreneur acting as an agent shouting "Associates 'ere, get your associates 'ere, fresh in today, two for a quid!" but instead I got some very interesting people... as well as some not so interesting people.
HRD – what a fantastic opportunity. We had some really great potential clients come to see us and, yes, we even managed to make a couple of sales on the days that we were there. It was great to meet up with old colleagues and meet new ones (I hate that phrase, I prefer friends) and talk about all the opportunity that there is out there. We just need to make sure that it converts into business.
Finally, remember the tender - well we got it! How great does that feel? I can feel the warmth and good wishes flooding in. Seriously, what a great feeling. We have never won an open tender before and this is a real landmark victory for us – thanks to all of my team for all their hard work in making it happen.
To read the last instalment in the Dear diary series click here