‘Trainers’ Toyshop’ warns trainers: ‘Don’t waste your budget'

Many organisations risk not getting the best value for money from their training budgets because they fail to research the learning resources market thoroughly and so do not buy the materials that are exactly ‘right’ for their staff, according to Alun Harvey.

Harvey is managing director of Open Mind, which for some 14 years has been a specialist distributor of over 10,000 learning resources to the corporate world and the public sector. Open Mind has a state-of-the-art preview centre in Henley-on-Thames - frequently referred to by customers as the ‘Trainers’ Toyshop’ - where customers can view thousands of learning resources on a free, ‘no obligation’ basis.

“There are many pitfalls for the unwary buyer of learning materials,” explained Harvey.

These not only include doing insufficient research of the learning materials available but also limiting that research to a few well-known producers. According to Harvey, this can leave buyers with learning materials that are not only unsuitable for their learners but which also fail to address the specific training needs of the organisation.

“Open Mind can supply products from over 100 publishers Not only can customers research the materials available via our website or visit our free Preview Centre, but we also offer an independent advice service to help them find exactly the right materials to meet their needs – and their budgets!” Harvey said.

“We can also offer advice and guidance on the most effective forms of delivering these learning materials – and we can also provide an intranet-based Learning Centre Management System, called STAR, to help clients manage in-house learning resource centres,” he added.

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Notes for Editors:

About Open Mind

Formed in 1991, Open Mind distributes and develops resources to help organisations to develop their people. As such, it provides customers with broad access to over 10,000 learning resources in all forms of delivery media and is frequently referred to by customers as the ‘Trainers’ Toyshop’.

These resources include:

Videos
CD-ROMs & DVDs
Online learning
Audio tapes & CDs
Books
Workbooks
Games & activities
Topics covered include:
Management
Sales
Finance
Commerce
Information technology
Languages

Open Mind also offers:

Free independent advice on
* Selecting from over 10,000 titles from 100 publishers - in all media – on any business topic
* Selecting appropriate resources to fit clients’ budgets
A free Preview Centre facility
Practical help with establishing – or re-launching - managing and marketing a Learning Resource Centre (LRC)
The STAR intranet-based Learning Centre Management System to manage LRCs
An online directory of resources, allowing users to search and view on-screen details of over 5,000 titles on 200 topics from more than 100 publishers – and purchase securely online

Further information from:

Alun Harvey, Open Mind, 01491 411061

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405

www.openmind-learning.co.uk