Heather Butler – passionate about developing people
This month Carolyn talks to Heather Butler, MD of The People Development Team Ltd.
Established in 1998, The People Development Team Ltd (PDT) has grown from a partnership to a thriving consultancy delivering a range of highly interactive Leadership Programmes, bespoke and accredited management programmes, personal skills and career support.
About The People Development Team
Carolyn (The Complete Trainer Ltd): How did PDT start and what motivated you to get into training?
Heather Butler (PDT Ltd): The Company originally formed as a partnership by me and Angie Peacock. My previous roles were all involved in Leadership Training and Consultancy and it became obvious when we met that our high impact form of training that gave companies the sustainable results they needed was what companies were looking for. As many companies do, we have grown organically starting with an extra consultant and an administrator then as we gained more contracts including some really terrific leading edge consultancy so our team grew and we knew early on that we must have been doing something right if our clients kept coming back. We soon added career development onto our product range when we realised that clients wanted an end to end service which included the consultancy piece, the change piece which included the training and then assistance for individuals on their new career paths whether internally or externally of the company.
Carolyn: There are many training companies out there, what do you think makes you stand out?
Heather: That’s the question that any potential client always asks and throughout our journey it has changed and will carry on changing but the one thing that has been maintained throughout is that we design and create events which are exciting, sustainable and meet the objectives set and more importantly move people forward so the company can see a real ROI. We also have a number of superb courses which are accredited (ILM, C&G, CMI) and for many companies that gives them the quality framework they need. Delegates come away with real skills, real learning and a qualification that is theirs, for life. More importantly employer benefits from any great training include: increased retention, motivation – and a workforce who can demonstrate the effectiveness of their training.
Our unique selling point is not just one thing – it’s not just the accreditation or our programmes, it’s the way the whole structure works together with us as a partner to our clients: administration, programme content, marketing, client management, flexibility, quality control and our great trainers; it’s the whole package. We often say to our clients that the only way to see all of this in action is to try us out and we are happy to come along and do a session for their senior decision makers – at no cost – so they see real training.
Carolyn: You are obviously passionate about training and development and believe firmly in the value of that training. What is your business vision?
Heather: PDT has a very simple vision – to help individuals, teams and organisations to be the best they can. Training, really effective training, has the potential to change organisations completely, not just give individuals an extra skill or qualification. Bespoke and accredited management training is one aspect of our work, but we also continue to support organisations through Outplacement, helping transition people both as they leave and those who remain. The important thing is to meet the needs of the client.
Carolyn: What is the single most important aspect of the training you deliver as a company?
Heather: That’s hard to answer. I can’t say there is a single thing – but top of the list is quality. We assess our trainers regularly; we are assessed as an organisation regularly by the various bodies which we align ourselves to and we ensure our trainers have their own CPD programme too. But then making sure our programmes meet a client’s needs is also paramount – you can deliver the best programme in the world but if it isn’t what the client actually needs, then you are wasting effort. As I said, with PDT it’s the whole package – everyone in the organisation strives to deliver great service and brilliant results for our clients.
Carolyn: Where are you based and where do you tend to work mostly?
Heather: Our Head Office is in Hertfordshire but we work all over the country. Many of our clients are national and international, so we also work overseas in Europe, the USA and the UAE, however the vast proportion of our work is in the UK.
Carolyn: What are you most proud of about your company?
Heather: Simple! Our people and our clients. We have won a National Training Award and been a finalist for many more awards with our clients, we are Matrix accredited, we have our Investors in People as well – all of this is because of the people in our organisation and the relationships they have with our clients.
Carolyn: I’ve heard quite a lot about training suffering in the current economy. Has this been your experience?
Heather: Business is still good, and fortunately still growing, but I would say that organisations are sometimes taking slightly longer to commit to some of the largest projects. Conversely we have found that the Government Funding opportunities have encouraged more clients to continue with their training and development programmes using the opportunities presented to enhance their training projects rather than cut back. Reducing training is a false economy – increased competitiveness means that you have to invest more in people, improve performance and do the best you possibly can in these difficult times.
Carolyn: Have you any closing comments to add before I send this ‘to press’, as it were?
Heather: Yes, I’d like to make a special offer to your people, if I can. We have open programmes running in London and Stansted shortly – if any of your clients want to book, we are more than happy to give them a second place free if they book using this link: http://www.people-development-team.com/tct-promotion.htm and discount code TCT0709
Carolyn: Thank you Heather. All the details are listed below:
- Open Programmes Impact and Influence – 3 August London and 8 September Stansted
- Introduction to Coaching – 12 August London and 23 September Stansted
- Presentation Skills – 14 August London and 10 September Stansted
This month Carolyn talks to Heather Butler, MD of The People Development Team Ltd.
Established in 1998, The People Development Team Ltd (PDT) has grown from a partnership to a thriving consultancy delivering a range of highly interactive Leadership Programmes, bespoke and accredited management programmes, personal skills and career support.
About The People Development Team
Carolyn (The Complete Trainer Ltd): How did PDT start and what motivated you to get into training?
Heather Butler (PDT Ltd): The Company originally formed as a partnership by me and Angie Peacock. My previous roles were all involved in Leadership Training and Consultancy and it became obvious when we met that our high impact form of training that gave companies the sustainable results they needed was what companies were looking for. As many companies do, we have grown organically starting with an extra consultant and an administrator then as we gained more contracts including some really terrific leading edge consultancy so our team grew and we knew early on that we must have been doing something right if our clients kept coming back. We soon added career development onto our product range when we realised that clients wanted an end to end service which included the consultancy piece, the change piece which included the training and then assistance for individuals on their new career paths whether internally or externally of the company.
Carolyn: There are many training companies out there, what do you think makes you stand out?
Heather: That’s the question that any potential client always asks and throughout our journey it has changed and will carry on changing but the one thing that has been maintained throughout is that we design and create events which are exciting, sustainable and meet the objectives set and more importantly move people forward so the company can see a real ROI. We also have a number of superb courses which are accredited (ILM, C&G, CMI) and for many companies that gives them the quality framework they need. Delegates come away with real skills, real learning and a qualification that is theirs, for life. More importantly employer benefits from any great training include: increased retention, motivation – and a workforce who can demonstrate the effectiveness of their training.
Our unique selling point is not just one thing – it’s not just the accreditation or our programmes, it’s the way the whole structure works together with us as a partner to our clients: administration, programme content, marketing, client management, flexibility, quality control and our great trainers; it’s the whole package. We often say to our clients that the only way to see all of this in action is to try us out and we are happy to come along and do a session for their senior decision makers – at no cost – so they see real training.
Carolyn: You are obviously passionate about training and development and believe firmly in the value of that training. What is your business vision?
Heather: PDT has a very simple vision – to help individuals, teams and organisations to be the best they can. Training, really effective training, has the potential to change organisations completely, not just give individuals an extra skill or qualification. Bespoke and accredited management training is one aspect of our work, but we also continue to support organisations through Outplacement, helping transition people both as they leave and those who remain. The important thing is to meet the needs of the client.
Carolyn: What is the single most important aspect of the training you deliver as a company?
Heather: That’s hard to answer. I can’t say there is a single thing – but top of the list is quality. We assess our trainers regularly; we are assessed as an organisation regularly by the various bodies which we align ourselves to and we ensure our trainers have their own CPD programme too. But then making sure our programmes meet a client’s needs is also paramount – you can deliver the best programme in the world but if it isn’t what the client actually needs, then you are wasting effort. As I said, with PDT it’s the whole package – everyone in the organisation strives to deliver great service and brilliant results for our clients.
Carolyn: Where are you based and where do you tend to work mostly?
Heather: Our Head Office is in Hertfordshire but we work all over the country. Many of our clients are national and international, so we also work overseas in Europe, the USA and the UAE, however the vast proportion of our work is in the UK.
Carolyn: What are you most proud of about your company?
Heather: Simple! Our people and our clients. We have won a National Training Award and been a finalist for many more awards with our clients, we are Matrix accredited, we have our Investors in People as well – all of this is because of the people in our organisation and the relationships they have with our clients.
Carolyn: I’ve heard quite a lot about training suffering in the current economy. Has this been your experience?
Heather: Business is still good, and fortunately still growing, but I would say that organisations are sometimes taking slightly longer to commit to some of the largest projects. Conversely we have found that the Government Funding opportunities have encouraged more clients to continue with their training and development programmes using the opportunities presented to enhance their training projects rather than cut back. Reducing training is a false economy – increased competitiveness means that you have to invest more in people, improve performance and do the best you possibly can in these difficult times.
Carolyn: Have you any closing comments to add before I send this ‘to press’, as it were?
Heather: Yes, I’d like to make a special offer to your people, if I can. We have open programmes running in London and Stansted shortly – if any of your clients want to book, we are more than happy to give them a second place free if they book using this link: http://www.people-development-team.com/tct-promotion.htm and discount code TCT0709
Carolyn: Thank you Heather. All the details are listed below:
- Open Programmes Impact and Influence – 3 August London and 8 September Stansted
- Introduction to Coaching – 12 August London and 23 September Stansted
- Presentation Skills – 14 August London and 10 September Stansted
To get your ‘buy one get one free’ on any of these programmes please book via this link http://www.people-development-team.com/tct-promotion.htm and enter the promotional code TCT0709.
PDT offers a wide range of training options and delivers bespoke and accredited programmes for both the private and public sector. For more information visit their website at: http://www.people-development-team.com/
Testimonial
Learning and Development is a crucial part of our business. We believe that if our Team Members are happy, well-trained and committed to the job that they will deliver a better guest experience. And if our guests have an enjoyable experience they are more likely to want to repeat it ….which is good for everyone. We want people to recognise that we are giving something back in terms of investment in their personal development.
In return we find that people are more loyal to the company and the brand and more productive in their jobs. We encourage Managers in all areas of the business to continue their development with the externally recognised Institute of Leadership and Management scheme that includes written assignments, formal presentations and tests their leadership and team building skills in an environment well beyond their normal comfort zones. To deliver this extremely vital development to our Management population we have partnered with the People Development Team on several development programmes and the feedback from delegates has been extremely positive.
HR Manager, Bourne Leisure
PDT offers a wide range of training options and delivers bespoke and accredited programmes for both the private and public sector. For more information visit their website at: http://www.people-development-team.com/
Testimonial
Learning and Development is a crucial part of our business. We believe that if our Team Members are happy, well-trained and committed to the job that they will deliver a better guest experience. And if our guests have an enjoyable experience they are more likely to want to repeat it ….which is good for everyone. We want people to recognise that we are giving something back in terms of investment in their personal development.
In return we find that people are more loyal to the company and the brand and more productive in their jobs. We encourage Managers in all areas of the business to continue their development with the externally recognised Institute of Leadership and Management scheme that includes written assignments, formal presentations and tests their leadership and team building skills in an environment well beyond their normal comfort zones. To deliver this extremely vital development to our Management population we have partnered with the People Development Team on several development programmes and the feedback from delegates has been extremely positive.
HR Manager, Bourne Leisure
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