Independent trainers choose ‘Trainers’ Toyshop’

Recent sales statistics have confirmed what the specialist learning resources distributor, Open Mind – frequently referred to by customers as the ‘Trainers’ Toyshop’ – has suspected for some time: in addition to being increasingly popular with in-house trainers and HR teams, it is now supplying learning materials to over 100 independent trainers.

According to Open Mind’s managing director, Alun Harvey: “For many years, independent trainers and training consultants have been benefiting from our advice on which learning materials complement their training courses most effectively. Recently, we have seen an increase in interest from the ‘independent trainer’ sector of the market – and that is reflected in our sales figures over the last quarter.”

Earlier this month, Open Mind completed its acquisition of the Ruislip-based learning resources preview centre, Progressive Training Resources (PTR) – making it the UK’s largest distributor of corporate learning resources.

Open Mind now serves some 600 regular customers throughout the UK. Most of these are from in-house training teams in the private and public sectors but a significant number of customers are now coming from the independent trainer sector too.

“We are able to give our customers access to over 10,000 learning resources in all forms of delivery media – from the ‘hi-tech’ online, DVD and CD-ROM delivered programmes, through the ‘traditional’ video programmes to books and audio tapes,” Harvey said. “We even offer games and ice-breaking activities.”

Customers can view these resources – for free - at the company’s state-of-the-art preview centre at its headquarters in Henley-on-Thames.

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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