We have a client who is a publisher of an industry specific journals and newsletters. One of their monthly magazines is seen as that sectors main lead on Management and Practice issues.
The publisher has for a number years held conferences, seminars and workshops offering training and development to the sector. Attendance to these can and do count towards individuals CPD points requirements.
However year on year interest has declined...and attendance is dropping. Despite offering alternative topics and guest speakers to the conference audiences and different mediums and subjects for the development courses (the sector is not known for being cutting edge with technology...but webinars and distance learning have been offered together with traditionally 'classroom' and coaching style).
The publisher is convinced (from feedback) that there is a continued desire for the conferences and development...but the situation is becoming not commercially viable for them.
Any suggestions from the group on how to generate, instigate and capitalise on development needs (mainly behavioural soft skills / Mgt Development) within the sector??
Thanks
One Response
Interest
Hi Starch
As there seems to be little interest in your question I will offer my thoughts…
I attend seminars and conferences quite regularly but I must admit that year on year the desire to do so is dropping…
Spending a day out of the office can be quite expensive so there must be a real benefit or I don’t bother anymore. The majority of events seem to be about selling me stuff or " we are the best e learning or coaching company" etc etc
The best events I go to are where ideas and problems are shared, guest speakers know what they are talking about and I come back witha real sense of having had a worthwhile day out of the office. Probably 1 or 2 out of 10 days out achieve this.
So…you have a tough job on your hands but I hope my experiences will help you decide on what to do…
Steve