A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life Stories

To Niche or Not to Niche - That is the question!Many are told early on in their foray into freelancing that niching is a good idea. whilst logical it can still leave us scratching our heads about how to start, where to start, how to do it and maybe even asking if it is worth it.In this episode, Cat Hase and I talk about finding our niches and how to discover and refine your niche. We share the value of networking, seeking external validation, and conversing with others to gain clarity. Cat reminds us to stay open to opportunities outside of the niche and the importance of aligning the niche with personal values and interests.Cat is a creativity coach and helps facilitators and trainers to bring more play into their workshops. Cat loves designing and creating activities. her favourite question is "Do you have any ideas for....."In this episode we cover the followingThe Topic of NichingKnowing What You Want to DoDefining What You Enjoy and Don't EnjoyThe Decision to NicheFinding Your NicheThe Importance of Retreats and ConversationsThe Moment of ClarityThe Value of Conversations in Refining Your NicheAdvice for Finding Your NicheNoticing Signs That Your Niche Isn't WorkingMyth: Niching Means Saying No to Other OpportunitiesShowcasing Your Strengths Through NichingThe Importance of Clear Communication and MarketingBuilding a Network of Niche ExpertsThe Role of Timing in Niching and Offer DevelopmentInvesting in Yourself and Your BusinessMy invitation to you is to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Kirsty and Claire Vintiner discuss various aspects of freelancing, including valuing oneself and one's work, reframing budgets, setting boundaries, and having great client conversations.Claire Vintiner is a coach, a facilitator, and someone who isn't afraid to bring leaders and organisations together to play a transformative role in addressing people, planetary and systems challenges. Claire has experienced being an associate as well as working with her own clients.As the conversation unfolds, Kirsty and Claire emphasize the importance of evolving and continuously working on one's relationship with money. They also highlight the significance of trust, both in oneself and in the process, and the power of saying no when necessary. They discuss the process of client conversations and how to effectively engage with clients through open questions, deep listening, summaries, and probing questions to understand the clients' needs and objectives.Here are some of this episodes themesHow We Value Ourselves and Our WorkUnderstanding the Worth of Your WorkBuilding Comfort with the Reframing of BudgetsSetting Boundaries and Saying Yes or NoHaving Great Client ConversationsThe Client Conversation ProcessAsking QuestionsSummarizing and ParaphrasingProbing on AnswersBuilding Rapport and Small TalkAsking the Next Logical StepBudget DiscussionsProposal vs Concept NoteWinning Work on QualityAbout the School of Facilitation Podcast, A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life StoriesA Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Ged shares with me his journey of leaving the world of retail and starting his own business. We discuss the challenges he faced in his early years and how he managed to overcome them. Ged emphasizes the importance of accountability and external motivation in driving his success. He also talks about his strategies to expand his reach and find new opportunities. Ged's story highlights the resilience and determination required to build a successful business Ged is a Negotiation skills trainer and GSCOP specialist. He can be found commentating on the world of Retail on the BBC, writing in the Grocer or the UK papers.We discuss a myriad of topicsLeaving the World of RetailYear One: Starting the BusinessYear Two: Getting ByYear Three: Financial StrugglesThe power of external Motivation and AccountabilityHow Finding New Contacts and Opportunities is EssentialBuilding Relationships and Staying RelevantThe Power of PR and Using Media to Build CredibilityUtilizing Introductions and LinkedIn for NetworkingThe Power of LinkedIn for Business GrowthResilience and Adaptability in BusinessGrab a cup of tea and take a seat on the pink chair, enjoy!__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Gairdner started out in the corporate world in a variety of roles from commercial to marketing for a well known drinks brand and then diving into Banking in 2007 as that world started to collapse. He chose to leave corporate life to help a coach build their business and from there joined Heresy Consulting.In this episode two parts of the conversation with James jumped out at me.The first is his challenge to me as to whether I run a project shop or a business.The second was a quote from Elliot Jacques which suggests the way we construct our businesses is a mirror of our psychology.Both conversations have me thinking more about what it is I am doing in my business which is both supporting and hindering SOF's growth and development.We talk aboutThe mental and emotional transition that occurs after leaving a corporateWhy James wanted to build a business vs evolve his craftThe benefits of having products in your training businessThe difference between being a business and a project shopThe triangle of projects, retainers and being a trusted advisorThe relevance of referral feesElliot Jacques thinking that we construct our businesses as a mirror of our psychologyWhy developing a reflective practise benefits us, our business, and our clientsWhy facilitators and trainers should have supervisionCome on in and have a listen.If you enjoy this conversation let us know, hit subscribe, leave a rating or reviewhttps://www.heresyconsulting.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gairdner-1192a76/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about moving from working in-house to becoming a B:Corp business, how associate relationships benefit from transparency and communication and how niching is beneficial.Phil Walsh is a man with a big heart who works with purpose-led organisations as a facilitator.The conversation in todays podcast follows the natural curve of Phil's career. We cover a multitude of topics:How to grow your facilitator or trainer skills in a corporateOur love of NLPLeaving the corporate world and finding those initial gigsThe world in 2007!A Kirsty rantAssociate green and red flagsWhy niche and the benefitsFinding direct clients and professional persistenceGrab a cup of tea, tune in your ears and take a seat on the pink chair__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Jones was a consultant with PA Consulting until she realised she needed to make a change and get out. For the last 11 years she has run Neon a boutique consultancy which aims to help leaders create more deeply human organisations.In this episode, Kate and I discuss why she chose to leave the corporate world and how she thought she had associate work lined up, but it was retracted. What to do? Resign or Stay?The conversation continues and we dive into these topics:Leaving the corporate worldThe serendipity of finding the first piece of workExperiencing loneliness as a freelancerWhy community is important to elevate lonelinessThe need for professional developmentThe benefits of having a supervisorHow do you find work now?What happens when client work is quiet?Come on in and have a listen.If you enjoy this conversation let us know, hit subscribe, leave a rating or review____ About the School of Facilitation Podcast, A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life StoriesA Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores what negotiation is and how we can have better negotiation conversations. I noticed that sometimes selling and negotiation do not come easily to facilitators and trainers hence my desire to talk to Mark. I want to start to share what you can do when you find yourself in these situations.Mark Davis is known as the Cultural Navigator. He weaves negotiation and cultural intelligence together supporting businesses with their negotiation skills, cross-cultural communication, and Leadership development.Mark and I wend our way through this conversation thinking about a fictitious negotiation with a client. We pull out a variety of skills, behaviors, and mindsets that can be adopted to enable there to be a positive outcome for both you and your client.What is the difference between Selling and NegotiatingThe language of sellingWhat to do when you meet someone from purchasing?The different skills and behaviours we can use in a negotiationWhat are the three things to prepare for your negotiationNegotiation as a ritualThree questions to ask in a negotiationThe benefit of using summariesAssumptive statements and how to use them to gain clarityPull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and enjoy the listen.Connect with Mark on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/culturenavigator/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Richard Bellars and Darren Hilton join us in a captivating exploration of partnership dynamics as they unveil the intricacies of their collaboration through The Sourcery Project. Let’s embark on a journey exploring the essence of fruitful partnerships, learning from the experiences and insights of these seasoned professionals. Through candid conversations, Richard and Darren illuminate key aspects of effective partnership formation, including: Establishing shared values and leveraging individual strengthsCultivating synergy to achieve collective goalsEmbracing vulnerability and anticipating challengesHarnessing transformative frameworks like Theory U for innovationUtilising profiling systems for enhanced communicationNavigating the practicalities of financial managementOffering sage advice for aspiring partners on their journey With Richard's emphasis on regenerative leadership and values-based influence, complemented by Darren's passion for nature and human potential, the episode offers a rich tapestry of perspectives and practical wisdom. So, grab your favourite beverage, settle into the pink chair, and immerse yourself in this insightful conversation on the art of successful partnerships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode talks about the different relationships we have within our businesses - working with a sibling, our relationship with ourselves, leaving a business partnership that no longer works, and our relationship with goal setting and systems.Meg Bolger is a facilitator, author, and creator of The Facilitator Cards.Meg and I have a candid conversation aboutWhat it's like to work with your sister and know you are responsible for someone else's monthly salaryThe processes she uses in her business, weekly and monthlyGoal-setting and how goals pop up for Meg and how she grabs themHer neurodivergent diagnosis and being creativeThe different relationships we experience in our businesses. We don't always talk about these easily and yet they are a core part of our everyday worldHow you process a business divorce in your early 30s when you weren't expecting it and more importantly what you learnGrab a cup of tea,Take a seat and enjoy.___About Meg:Meg Bolger is a facilitation geek passionate about social justice, teaching facilitation, and creating resources for a more beautiful world. Meg is the captain of Facilitator Cards, co-author of Unlocking the Magic of Facilitation, co-creator of The Safe Zone Project, and many other resources for facilitators and social justice educators. Meg lives in Vermont where she tries to get into the woods everyday and keep up with her three nephews.​Learn more about all of Meg's work at MegBolger.com__About the School of Facilitation Podcast:A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how the inner world of the business leader creates the shape and flow of the business they lead. Our values, beliefs, experiences, thoughts and emotions all lend themselves to the structure, behaviours and outputs of our business.Dr. Simon Kettleborough is the founding partner of Aephoria, an organisation that helps humans flourish. We speak about the four different brains we can access to help us make meaning in this age of complexity, the difference between therapy and coaching, why taking a look at our inner world is beneficial.Grab a cup of tea,Sit back and enjoy the episode.About SimonSimon is one of the founders of Aephoria, a team of talented and committed leadership and organisational development practitioners. Over the past 26 years, Simon's career spanned consulting, leadership roles in private, public, and non-profit sectors, encompassing Leadership Development, Coaching, Existential Psychotherapy, Diversity and Inclusion, Strategy, and Sustainable Development. He transitioned to self-employment in 2002, establishing businesses in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil. Early in his career, he gained insight into organisational dynamics from within, working in Sales & Marketing, Business Development, and Consulting at Arthur D. Little, Diageo, and British Steel.Simon has called Cape Town home since 2009 and has previously resided and worked extensively in the UK, France, Belgium, Brazil, and South Africa.In his free time, Simon enjoys cycling through the Western Cape's forests and mountains or playing keyboards in his 80s rock band.Simon's social linksLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-simon-kettleborough-05b080a/Website: https://aephoriapartners.com/about/aephoria-core-team/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aephoriapartners7848/featured Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.