Making the most of free training opportunities

I know it’s hard when starting and growing a business, as the knowledge gap can be far and wide. Until you start a business you do not know what you do not know. When running a business you then start to get a better grasp of what you do not know, however funds and time for learning can be scarce.

There are many free sources of training available which will accommodate the most pressured business owner; all you have to do is search them out for your location and your subject area.

Each of us has a dominant learning style: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic (movement), the three main sensory receivers. You may like watching videos or listening to music, or even prefer your learning to be active, so get to know and work with your preferred learning style where possible when acquiring knowledge.

• The local library is a great source of knowledge; if you travel a lot why not borrow audio books and acquire knowledge on the move.
• The internet in general, via Google, has great content mixed with some poor and inaccurate, however it is a great starting point. Use trusted sources such as trade and business associations like CIPD, and other noted experts.
• Personally I am a visual learner and so I like to search Youtube, which can be an excellent source of how to’s, case studies and expert knowledge sharing.
• If you are a kinaesthetic learner, liking physical contact, eye contact and movement, then the City Business Library host a range of seminars aimed at helping new/existing business. All seminars are run by independent consultants, staff or business support organisations, however to discourage drop out there is a minimal charge. See if your location has something similar on offer.
• There are many business networking groups and trade associations like the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Business, which may offer sponsored free of charge seminars, otherwise they will charge for membership and the training is free as part of the membership benefits.
• Other businesses offer free training in the form of Webinars and Google Hangouts this is in exchange for your name and email address, and you can always unsubscribe later.
• Slideshare is a site where experts, educational institutions and businesses share their training material to demonstrate their expertise and this can be a good source of training, although many of the slide decks are from presentations and so can be difficult to parse without seeing the presentation as well.
• Coursera offers free online courses from top academic institutions. Most are academic rather than business focused, however there is a section of Business and Management courses
• Businessballs is a free ethical learning and development resource for people and organisations, run by Alan Chapman.
• Lara Morgan and Nicola Cook run Company Shortcuts, which is a source of free templates and is wholly dedicated to excellence in sales and leadership.

If you adopt the perspective of a lifelong learner and are open to adapt and change then your business has the best chance of survival. Seek out knowledge and knowledge will seek you.

I would love to hear of your experiences and sources of training opportunities.