Where can I get support and advice
For many in the freelance world, life is a solitary existence whilst the
knowledge requirements are are often daunting. Don't ever think that you
can do everything yourself; whilst you might be talented you are not a
genius. Having said that, I believe is was Einstein who said "Genius is
not knowing everything, but knowing how to find out anything". So by
reading and acting on this article; perhaps you are a genius.
Support for what
Saying that you will need support is a rather generalist declaration and
you may ask "support for what". This is a relatively straightforward
question to answer as it pertains to the competence required to be a
commercially focused learning and development practitioner. Because of
this requirement therefore it relates
to the 'Standard for learning and development practitioners' devised by
TrainerBase. You may need support is three areas:
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Personal (professional and ethical behaviour, relationships, communication and personal
development)
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Operational (consultancy, design, development, delivery and
evaluation of learning and development activities
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Commercial (business start up, business planning, business
process such as marketing, selling and accounting)
And for the astute amongst you, you will have noticed that the above
three areas of support are the 'Principles' of the 'Standard'.
What should become apparent in the way the Principles have been devised
is that each component of competence has been extrapolated out in order
not to create duplication. The Personal Principle considers the
individual and the behaviours, values, knowledge and skills that are
generic and all encompassing. By determining that you, as a competent
commercially focused learning and development practitioner, undertake
effective communication, build and maintain relationships and plan,
undertake and review you personal development means that these factors
do not need to be mentioned elsewhere; they underpin everything that you
do. It is taken as read that in your Operational and Commercial
development that you do not need to consider relationships or
communication in these principles; they have already been attested to in
you Personal development. This is one of the unique aspects of the
Standard and why it is so much more robust and flexible than the 180 or
so national occupational standards for learning and development.
Do be aware that what I am talking about is support that will enable you
to undertake a task or have a task undertaken on your behalf rather than
actually undertaking the task. Let me explain:
You have just set up your business and you believe that your position
with regards to VAT may need considering. Whilst Her Majesty's Revenue
and Customs (HMRC) is the place you will go to action a decision; the
decision may be taken as a result of seeking advice from an accountant,
business adviser or learned friend or colleague rather than the advice
provided by HMRC.
Member support
Firstly may I point out that TrainerBase offers outline general support
to members that ask for it; within the remit of our ability of course.
Having been in adult education since the early 1980's, as the founder of
the TrainerBase concept and web site in 2001 and creator and
co-developer of the Standard, I (Peter Mayes) have considerable first
hand experience and understanding of what it takes to be a successful
freelance trainer and the likely support that you might need. For
members who sign up to the Standard, either as a practitioner
development tool or for accreditation; TrainerBase offers in-depth
coaching and mentoring support as part of the package on specific
'Components' (see the Have I got what it takes page).
So where do you go for support other than TrainerBase, or to put it
another way, to whom would we point you having had a chat about your
development needs first? Below is a list of 'bodies' (and I use the term
in the broadest sense) that will likely be in a position to offer
valuable support. Please do bear in mind that some of the bodies listed
below are mentioned in more than one area of support. This is indicative
of the range of support services they may be able to provide. Also some
bodies not listed in a particular are might be able to offer support in
this area. What I am endeavouring to do is focus on a 'primary' support
services offered by that body rather than a support service that is a
'by product' of a primary support service. The primary support service
of an accountant is financial but a by product of receipt of that
service may be self confidence and esteem in operating a financially
sound commercial entity. And I have not suggested all the support
services a particular body might be able to offer; rather the main ones
that I consider to be relevant.
With that explanation over with let us now look at where you might get
support for development within the three Principles.
Personal support
Personal support will be sought to help with testing behaviour,
developing and maintaining relationship, ensuring effective
communication and continuing your own personal development.
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Family
On the assumption that your family has your best interests are heart and do
not hold any extreme views that may undermine a balanced viewpoint; seeking
their council can be valuable as a sounding board. Asking how they might
feel about a particular topic; whether they understand what you are trying
to say or checking that you look the bees knees before leaving the house
gives you an external marker of your presence and how you are perceived.
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Friends and colleagues
I have separated out friends and colleagues from family in that motive for and
how a view is expressed will (and should) be different. In general a friend or
colleague will be more detached and not necessarily carry emotional constraints
(they should be able to be more objective without the fear of tarnishing an
underlying band). And there is the likelihood that colleagues will operate in
the same field as you and be able to offer a knowledge or skills based opinion
born out of experience.
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Religious groups
If you belong to a religious group; support is part their reason d'etre. Help
with ethical questions regarding how to behave in a particular situations will
be available. Do not loose sight of the fact that the views given will be based
on a particular stance regarding god, prophets, scriptures/writings and other
quasi political structures. Some views will and some views will not fit with the
way you wish to operate and will help guide your decisions about working in a
particular cultural or religious environment. That said if you wish or have been
approached to work in a different cultural or religious environment than your
own; who better to consult,
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Social groups
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Social group are a collective of individuals who may or may not
be considered friends or colleagues. Music, art, bowls, photography, drama,
wine, golf, rugby clubs are just a few collectives to whom you might turn in
order to seek support in developing yourself as a more rounded individual. Part
of that support might actually be joining a group in order to gain benefit
through growing esteem or building relationships. I have known subject experts,
who have been approached to train others, join speakers clubs to learn and
become more confident in the basics of oral communications.
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Business networks
Remembering that we are talking about seeking support for personal development,
business networks may not at first come to mind. That said, conventional and
virtual groups suck as BNI, Chambers of commerce, LinkeIn and Ecademy can
provide support on personal matters and also help in finding support.
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L&D networks
A number of learning and development networks have emerged and matured in the
past decade. TrainerBase is of course one, but also TJ Online and TrainingZone
and online environments where trainers can and do ask for help on personal
development matters. And these personal development matters may pertain to
Operational or Commercial undertakings but not at a specific level. A trainer
might as about recommendations for a facilitation, coaching, action learning,
accountancy course. This request is to build their general knowledge and
understanding which can then be applied to the undertaking of facilitation,
coaching or action learning techniques in a specific and appropriate environment
determined by the needs of a client. As for attending an accountancy course, one
hopes that it will enable the individual to be more astute in developing a
business plan and monitoring their business activities.
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L&D providers
Some providers of learning and development services run courses and offer
support specifically for trainers; these are the various Train the Trainer
courses that we come across. Some of these courses will be generic in nature
providing an overview of aspects of learning and development practice. Most will
be limited in nature focusing on Operational principles of competence.
GirlingMayes, as well as owning TrainerBase, runs a BTEC level 5 Professional
Certificate in Learning Practice Management. This is only course that covers ALL
aspects of the Standard and one of a few that include commercial aspects as a
mandatory part of its syllabus. Getting back to other providers, you will also
come across those that offer training in the operating of certain instruments,
profiling tools and techniques. Belbin, MBTI, Insights, DISC and others; all
require training and accreditation to use.
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Self help groups
I have included self help groups a separate from social and religious in that
they are joined (usually) for a specific purpose. One of the most common will be
diet and gym clubs. The reason d'etre behind these is obvious and in you own
development as a confident professional learning and development practitioner
may need to consider seeking this type of help. Consider; is it really congruent
for an obese or unfit trainer to be teaching health and well-being?
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L&D professional bodies
There are a number of professional bodies; institutes, societies and
associations that operate in or are associated with the learning and development
field. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the British
Institute of Learning and Development are two of the most visible. All of these
bodies should be in a position to offer help and support services in your own
professional development. Of course that is one of the benefits available as
part of a membership package.
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Industry professional bodies
Most trainers enter the field by accident and often as a result of being subject
experts. As such many trainers will be members of their own subject related
professional body. These bodies may be institutes, associations or societies and
may offer help, advice and support in aspect specific to an area of expertise.
If your intention is to become a subject expert, being a member of one or more
of these bodies may be mandatory.
The above suggestions are offered specific to your 'personal'
development. Next we consider support and advice services that are
particular and more specific to your activities as a learning and
development practitioner.
Operational support
When considering the difference between knowledge and skills at the
personal level and the difference in the operational level we need to
understand how the Standard was devised and what TrainerBase would be
looking for in relation to evidence of competence. It is perfectly fine
of you as a practitioner to offer evidence of personal development in
coaching or facilitation; you identify a possible need for those skills,
seek out and attend a course to gain the skills and comment on what you
have learnt as a result to increase your overall pool of knowledge,
skill and understanding. Taking coaching or facilitation, you support
needs within the Operational Principle will be different. You know that
coaching or facilitation would be appropriate as a learning methodology
because you have been on a course, however, the implementation within a
specific environment to a specific client need will be new to you and
outside your existing confidence. This is were you will seek specific
support; to advise on the use of a learning methodology and the likely
considerations you will need to be aware of.
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Friends and colleagues
When in doubt; ask a friend. This will likely be a first port of
call when a new learning challenge is presented.
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Social groups
If your friends and colleagues are not in a position to help then
widening the request to members of social groups may elicit some
valuable help.
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L&D networks
One of the most valuable sources of support and advice will be the
various networks that you can join. Posting questions on forums and
digests is a common method of seeking help from an expert collective
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L&D professional bodies
And professional bodies will most likely have discussion forums to
seek advice from fellow members but more importantly these bodies
might have a specific support facility such as a library, knowledge
pool or mentoring facility
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L&D providers
Most of the above advice and help will be freely provided (within
the remit of a membership). In some circumstances it may be
necessary to go to a learning and development provider and purchase
the knowledge and skills that you need. Care needs to be exercised
to ensure that seeking support from this type of body will be
specific enough to build on and supplement the generic knowledge and
skills that you already possess. Practitioners may look to learning
and development providers to solve specific problems and be
disappointed; only receiving generic knowledge that is no more
effective than a general understanding.
Commercial support
Since the start of the competence development process back in 2006,
commercial acumen has been seen as a mandatory principle. Learning and
development does not operate in isolation; it must be allied to the aims
and objectives of the business. This is the same for a freelance
trainers as it is for an employed officer. A freelancer has to know how
to administer a business because that is what they are; a business. An
employed officer must know the purpose of the learning and development
being implemented and the commercial benefit that it will bring the
business; without this, what is the point of training (a question all
too often asked resulting in the demise of learning and development. It
is not that learning and development isn't valuable or needed, it is
that the practitioners could not argue their corner and protect their
function. The following bodies should be considered by any practitioner
as a source of commercial acumen in support of their learning and
development activities.
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Business service providers
In matters of business, business service providers have to be a primary
source of support. Solicitors and accountants are the two bodies that a
learning and development practitioner is likely to build a relationship with
over a period of time. Insurance companies will also be a body that you will
have some engagement with. Some insurance is mandatory depending on the
status of your business. Other insurance, such as professional indemnity, is
optional but highly advisable.
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Social groups
Some social groups will include individuals from business service providers.
It is not uncommon (so I am told) for legal and financial support and advice
to be asked for and received on the golf course or whilst sampling a rare
Shiraz.
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L&D networks
Learning and development networks are populated with individuals who most
likely will have experienced the issues that you are or will experience.
Whilst seeking support and advice from within these networks is a valid
route, do bear in mind that the advice given is based on experience rather
than theoretical fact.
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L&D professional bodies
A number of learning and development professional bodies have partnerships
with business service providers; often free of charge. Free legal help lines
are available and can be a reassuring insurance policy; hopefully never
needed but worthwhile knowing that it is there; just in case.
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Business networks
And of course the various business support networks; often funded by local
or national government are worth seeking counsel from. Do however check out
the credentials of the individuals providing support. Whilst intention and
motive might be honourable I have know of advice from Business Link centres;
particularly on legal matters, to be fundamentally flawed (one organisation
starting up have been advised that they 'should' not be concerned about a
particular act and the spirit of the law did not apply to them only to find
a little while down the road that the 'letter' of the law did and they could
have illegally acquired assets seized if a case was pursued and proven.
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Finally
Being a trainer or learning and development practitioner requires a raft
of knowledge and skills. Few will have it all to hand but the wise will
know where to look. If you are a member of TrainerBase and are a little
unsure about what you should be doing in a particular situation, then
please feel free to get in touch.
If there is anything else you would like to know about what TrainerBase is doing to benefit its members please feel free to contact us.
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