Working as a consultant can be a great career move, but it can sometimes be a lonely occupation as well. Working by yourself, or with just a few colleagues, can be difficult, and it can be hard to get the information you need to grow your business and wow your clients.
One of the best ways to keep your business growing and make it even more successful is to attend ongoing training seminars designed specifically for the consultant community. If you feel you need to take advantage of new training opportunities for your own consulting business, use the following tips to find a great consultant training seminar.
Talk to Others in the Industry
Chances are you work with a wide variety of people, across many different job categories and industries, as part of your consulting business. You can use this network of individuals to help you find the consultant training you need to get your new business off the ground or grow your existing consulting firm. Ask others who have attended training seminars what they liked – and what they did not like – about the training they received. Harnessing the experience of others in the industry is one of the best ways to ensure you find a top quality seminar.
Leverage Your Current Network
Another way to choose a great seminar is to check with others who are in the same business. The need for ongoing training is a universal part of the consulting business, no matter what industry you choose to work in. Ask your friends who are consultants for various industries to recommend a quality training seminar. This will help you find the training you need, and help you avoid expensive training that is not worth the money.
Research the Seminar Providers
One of the most valuable things you can do when choosing a consultant training seminar is to research the individuals and companies who are providing the seminar. Are they currently working as professional consultants, or do they appear to do nothing but hold seminars? How many years of combined experience do the trainers bring to the seminars? What kind of reputation does the company providing the seminar have in the business community and the consulting world? Are the seminar marketing materials professional, polished and appealing? The answers to these questions can tell you are great deal about the professionalism and quality you can expect to receive when attending the seminar.
Convenient Dates and Times
While consultants work for themselves, it is their clients who call the shots. You need to be available when your clients need you, whether you feel the need to attend ongoing training or not. Look for a training seminar with convenient dates and times. This will help to ensure that you are available if a new client calls, or if you need to provide additional information to an existing customer. Attending the training seminar at night or over a weekend can maximize your time while minimizing any potential disruption to your business.