20th July 2009

Where do you start when you’re asked to write a blog?  Do you focus on something specific, a general subject that more people will have some interest in, do you try to wow people with your expert knowledge or entertain them with funny stories and anecdotes?  I think my blog stuff, if that is what you refer to it as, will be a bit of everything and anything. 

What is going on in the world of training and development, was one subject mentioned.  At this time of year, the world of training traditionally calms down, as summer holidays take over.  I don’t think it is that people don’t want to train their staff in the summer, more that they simply can not organise training in the summer because there is always at least one participant who can’t make it.

At Phoenix, we are entering a period of weeks where there is someone on holiday every week.  I myself am off at the end of this week.  School holidays and not much training combine to give me the perfect opportunity to go away.  The months preceeding my holiday have been busy, May, June and July always seem quite busy, even this year during these “challenging economic conditions”.   I speak to a lot of trainers and the general view is that the market is a little up and down but most people haven’t completely stopped training their staff.  I think training is viewed slightly differently nowadays.  More of an essential, something actually worth spending money on and not a dull but necessary process.  I know I would say it but training isn’t boring and nor should it ever be!  Whilst pleased to hear the regular feedback that “the course was way better than I expected”, I always wonder why that is.  Clearly past experiences have made people think that training is likely to let them down and some people arrive at courses expecting the worst.  I met a guy the other day, who was delighted to hear that I would not be using PowerPoint and I asked him what he was expecting and he said politely that he feared the training might be a little dry!  In the end he was surprised by how much he enjoyed the course. 

So, off on my holidays at the end of the week, France, the Ardeche region for a couple of weeks of rustic charm! Tucked away for two weeks with the family pursuing outdoor activities. Eating and drinking local produce and not worrying at all about the next course or meeting.  Might worry a little bit about the Test match but will be back in time for the start of the football season!