by Diane Shawe

Participants are more interested in the qualifications and or skills they will gain in the subject at hand, and the experience you have in doing jobs similar to theirs and your track record in 'doing' rather than 'talking about' the topic. What is really important is your ability to engage with participants around this experience and help them to translate that into action. That is where the true value often lies for them. Of course we know that there are academic trainer and teacher courses which award acredited or private certificates Chosing the entrepreneurial route can bring great benefits, but there are also challenges. What are some of the considerations before you decide to set up, invest or replicate another succesful business model? Be candid about your strenght and weaknesses. What do you have to bring to the table? Do as much homework as you can before taking the plunge Look carefully into all aspects of owning and running a business and sound out anyone you know who has already done it. Be prepared to change your idea or abandon Don't be scared to appraise negative feedback, all businesses have a negative and positive aspect to them. Prepare a business or marketing plan. You'll save yourself a lot of time, money and stress if you understand as much about the theoreatical side of he business as well as the vocational aspects. Ask yourself these key questions before launching your business: a) Have you got the full support of your family? Your decision is likely to impact on them, so talk to them first. Don't be put off by their own fears, if you can actively offer up reassurances of how you can cope with what ever concerns them, then will be serve to give both them and yourself the confidence to move forward. b) Speak to any contacts you have in the sector you plan to work in. If you are goinf to invest in a Franchise, they try to get some feedback from any previous candidates who have made the investment. c) Check out the competition. If there isn't any, why not? You may not have rivals but will you have any customers? d) Are you prepared to work the long hours to get the business off the ground? e) Do you have the necessary skills? Can you cope with paprwork? Can you cope with criticism? f) What about funding? Talk to several banks and consider various options, be careful though, they are not assisting many businesses today they are more interested in protecting their own levels of risk and increasing ther profits. Some of the smaller banks might be of interest as they might treat you more like a customer than a commodity. If using your redundancy money, make sure you set aside enough for household bills and other costs. More and more people are looking for good quality training courses that can add value to their life, career portfolio and career longigivity. It has been proven that most recessions bring an influx of new businesses, entrepreneaurs and even millionnaires. One of these new areas of business is the growth of the non surgical hair replacement and hair enhancemet sector. The UK and Europe has a shortage of properly trained trainers who can deliver a variety of hair extension and hair enhancement technique to the non professional and professionally qualified sector. An opportunity now exists for anyone wanting to enter the vocational training market with a service that has far reaching benefit and impressive revenue streams. An opportunity exists throughout the UK today to establish your own training school in this very selective and much needed service. Visit www.academy-of-professional-and-vocational-training.org.  www.dianeshawe.com