Kathey Bailey
White Gables, Quinton, Northampton, NN7 2DZ.
Telephone: 01604 862292. info [at] kbtraining.co.uk.
www.kbtraining.co.uk
Certification: listening to both your heart and your head.
Kathey Bailey, proprietor of KBTraining joined the TrainerBase part of the
Learning Practitioners’ Association in 2008 and bought the enhanced profile
option as she wanted to ‘stand out from the crowd’. She was immediately
intrigued by the ‘Certified Learning Practitioner’ accreditation and was pleased
that the Association was running a free workshop so that she could find out
more.
Kathey commented “I enjoyed the workshop but felt a bit frustrated because I
couldn’t seem to make up my mind whether or not to go for the accreditation. My
heart wanted to do it, but my head kept saying ‘look at the cost’. As I walked
out of the hotel door, I still wasn’t sure what to do – and then, just as I was
about to leave, my business brain kicked-in. It reminded me that one of my aims
for the year was to get more non-council customers (many of my customers at that
time were councils and I wanted to widen my base). My decision was made! (It was
further reinforced when I got home, checked my emails and found an unexpected
request for courses, equivalent to the cost of accreditation – it was meant to
be.)”
Kathey’s head had started buzzing with the evidence that she could supply for
her accreditation, and that evening she brainstormed it all onto a spreadsheet
that she could later sort into order. She then put aside three days in August to
pull it all together. Kathey said “I really enjoyed the process as it helped me
to reassess my business and processes – it also brought back some great memories
as I delved back through my history of courses, customers and emails”. Kathey
then arranged to meet Peter and Heather to validate her evidence; “which was
immaculately presented” commented Peter Mayes, Chief Executive.
On successfully completing the evidence validation Kathey put herself forward
for final assessment at the next workshop in September 2008. Kathey’s
presentation on Speed Reading was a triumph. She achieved a rare ‘Empty 3’
assessment grades for the way she handled the learning evaluation criteria of
her activity. Kathey achieved her CLP status on receipt of her post assessment
reflection.
Having gained her accreditation, Kathey immediately added it to her list of
accomplishments on her website and in her letters to potential customers.
Setting oneself apart from the thousands of other capable trainers in the market
place is a significant challenge; the CLP accreditation provides trainers with a
key point of difference. It took a couple of months for the first definite lead
to come in and resulted in two days work in January 2010. Other opportunities
are still ‘circling’. More work has come Kathey’s way in the Spring and then,
like busses, three opportunities came at once, all resulting in courses.
One of the main differences Kathey has found with potential customers
contacting her via TrainerBase is that they have given her business without
meetings and, in most cases, without detailed proposals. In other words, they
have felt that the CLP status guarantees quality and they can get straight to
their concerns about booking dates and ensuring that the content is tailored to
their needs. This saves both parties a huge amount of time.
One of the TrainerBase contacts that has resulted in an on-going partnership
is Sue Ryder Care - their L&D Manager, Sue Ollive, remembered TrainerBase from
her days as a self-employed trainer. She knew that it would be a good source to
use when she was looking for a Business Writing trainer and Kathey is sure that
being a CLP helped Sue consider her profile favourably. Following a successful
first course, a number of initiatives were agreed including:
- working with their managers to ensure that company style guidelines are
incorporated into their emails, letters and reports
- running ‘Time Management’ and ‘Presentation Skills’ courses for them
A mutually beneficial relationship that will hopefully last for some years.
Has becoming a CLP been value for money? Kathey say “definitely in terms of
both time and money - it has saved me considerable time by not having to go
through detailed proposal and selection processes, and the amount of business
has far outweighed the initial cost”.
Would she recommend it to others? Her comment “well, you have to listen to
both your heart and your head on that one. Do you ‘want’ to do? Where does it
fit into your business plans? And are you serious about looking for new
customers and helping them to find you? If you are then in my experience, being
a CLP has certainly given me the edge”.
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