While talking with some colleagues about support and networks, we became aware that a large number of people are 'lone trainers' within their organisations with little support internally.
So with this in mind I thought it would be valuable for trainers to share their approaches to networking, obtaining resources (on tight budgets) and other factors relevant.
What are your experiences or tips?
Mike Morrison
2 Responses
Re: Lone Trainers
Hi Mike
I use resources from Trainerbase (http:///www.trainerbase.co.uk) as well as Business Balls (http://www.businessballs.com.
In addition I have several contacts within large organisations who have great internal resources that they are willing to share with me, providing I book in plenty of time etc. Things like video cameras, training rooms etc.
I network like a madman and intend to network like a demented madman this year!
Andrew Miller
Don’t Buy Anything…
When I first started as an independent I read ‘Go It Alone’ by Geoff Burch, which contains some excellent advice.
It was ‘Don’t buy anything until you have borrowed or hired it at least three times.’ That applies to photocopiers, laminators, binding machines, data projectors and so on.
The book also says don’t buy a fancy hatstand for your office, and don’t buy an expensive car: instead, buy a rusty old white van but put the keys for it on an authentic Jaguar keyring. Then when you visit a potential client, park the van round the corner in a side street (not in front of their reception) and fiddle ostentatiously with the keyring during your discussions. It might help you to be regarded as ‘reassuringly expensive’, like Stella Artois beer.