Training industry waking from the dead?

Training is an industry that's often hit hard by recession - it's a very easy area to cut budgets and is often one of the first to feel the axe and the last to emerge as companies start to feel more confident. As a result, freelance trainers and small training companies have to plan for fairly severe ups and downs in business volumes.

Over the last few weeks we've been seeing a few training and workforce development projects coming through from clients - and this has turned into a significant flurry in the last week. Probably too soon to say training is back to normal, but there are definite signs that this whole are is reviving. On past experience there will be an even bigger flurry of work just before Christmas (as people clear their desks for the holidays) and again in early January - so any independent consultants, facilitators and trainers on Skillfair should probably stop Christmas shopping and make sure they're ready for incoming enquiriues!

Looking Forward - this Wednesday and beyond!

Despite the dark evenings, wind and rain - I really like this time of year as there's a real sense of urgency as people try to fit things in before Christmas - and you can also start to put one year behind you and plan for the next. It's strange that a simple thing like clicking the calendar on one day can make such a difference, but in all the businesses I've worked in there's always been a significant surge in business in January. I also like November because our annual conference is our only chance each year to meet you face to face and find out directly what you think about business, Skillfair, consulting and lots of other issues. If you haven't booked yet we have 2 or 3 places left for next Wednesday - just click here for details and to book.

The theme of the conference is 'Personal and Business Growth' - the aim being to set people up so that they're ready for what 2011 will bring. Even if you're not able to come along it's worth spending some time over the next month or so planning and working out what you need to do next year. It may be that you've been frantically busy working - in which case you could look at ways of delegating some of your work to get a better balance - or if the effort you've put in on sales and marketing just hasn't borne any fruit at all - now is a good time to take stock and work out what to do differently. We'll be listening hard to everyone on Wednesday so even if you can't make it we'll make sure to share the ideas and insights that come out of the day over the next few weeks.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines

Finding the motivation to do difficult things - where do you get it from?

I've been following a discussion on motivational quotes on Linked In - and some have made me chuckle - particularly;

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." 

Posted this on the Skillfair LinkedIn group and  predictably got even more useful advice and quotes back from members - my favourite so far;

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles; it empties today of its joys"

Consultants Conference - Last chance to book

The Skillfair conference is only 2 weeks away - and we're looking forward to meeting members and guests from all over the UK. If you've been waiting to see if your diary is clear, we have less than 10 places left and there's usually a flurry of last minute bookings - so now is definitely your last chance to book.

The formal sessions will cover topics including sales, marketing, social media, tendering and many more - with the aim of providing you with a boost to your skills and energy levels - something that is much needed in the current economic climate.

We'll also be announcing our plans for the next phase of Skillfair's development and asking for your opinions and input. For information on our thoughts so far have a look at the Skillfair blog.

We've kept the price for this year's conference the same as last year at £150 (£125 for Members) - making it exceptionally good value - to book your place just click here and login - or check out the full agenda.