3 Responses

1. Know how to do what you want to do!
   Joanne

   Some people are natural at imparting information and are good, possibly unqualified trainers. However I believe there is a certain science to training and it is well worth knowing this. You might read all the books you need to read and gain the knowledge and become a successful trainer. There is a sentiment within the training community regarding being a professional trainer; a qualified trainer. To some purchasers it does not matter, to others it does. I believe there is an advantage in having one of the training qualifications.

   The Training Foundation does their TAP and the CIPD does their CTP. I have been told that TAP is becoming well established in the NHS, so that might be a consideration.

   Hope this is of use.

   Peter

2. Sales Training – A career or a job?
   Joanne

   I am fortunate that I have met many people looking to change career and many choose training as there are few barriers to entry. However, many trainers who operate their own ‘business’ are in fact just holding down a job where they have a great boss – themselves! As well as getting quals look at whether you want a business or a job. Have you considered buying a good training franchise who can help support you through the process of translating your sales skills to a sales training environment? Going into business by yourself can be lonely but as part of a franchise network at least there are others that can help you and are not competing with you – you are in business for yourself, not by yourself.

   I obviously work for a franchise company in this area but my advice is valid if you are considering going into business and whether you consider my franchise or another, it’s proven to be a safer way to get into business.

   Training should be a business and not just be a job and if you enter you need to be able not only to deliver high quality training but you still have to sell, so thankfully you have sales skills already!

   Good luck

   James O’Brien – Business Education International aka BEI Training

3. It is all so personal
   Joanne,
   I think the difference between moving from being in sales to training sales, and making yourself attractive to either training companies or to clients direct (if you go alone) is that you need to become more of a consultant, and you must get to know other sales methods. My experience is that good sales trainers are able to relate to the varied ways that people have in their personal selling methodology, and yet plug into the audience some ideas that they can use about your own selling techniques.
   The bit about being a consultant is harder, as it means you should have a broad appreciation of the world as well as the business world, and this diversity makes you a more attractive proposition. I also find you need to be a bit of a physcologist (not that I am by qualification) to get into the heads of the audience.
   Finally if you have this dream to get into sales training, it is more than a job, it is a philosophy that you want other people to benefit from your experience, and you have to use a coaching and mentoring type language to engage.
   I trust it happens for you, I was lucky 12 years ago of having the dream and then being presented with the oppotunity to not only get from sales to sales training, but also change industry sectors are the sames time.
   Best of luck, Pete