How to Start a Corporate Training Business

The opportunities and knowledge requirements in the corporate sector is huge. One of senior analyst named John Dalton, from Forrester Research center, conducted a study among 40 corporate training managers and chief knowledge officers at Global 2500 companies. He found that "Of those 40, 39 already had online training initiatives up and running.

They are completely jazzed about it, primarily because it saves them money." Corporate training can be provided through online courses, videoconferencing, forums, online chat rooms, classroom teaching and other types of communication methods.

As a trainer, it is very important to understand the mechanisms in the corporate sector. When you consider the delivery mechanisms, you can be glad that, it is quite sophisticated. Many companies offer robust desktop equipment and high-speed Internet connections, which are the two main factors that you must understand.

Companies provide Internet and mobile phone facilities to their employees who work off-site and these facilities are more prevalent in sales and marketing sectors. Professionals use Internet connections at their home, which is provided by their companies. When it comes to infrastructure and facilities, employees are served well.

Some workers may use the high-width technologies provided by their companies such as streaming media, audio and video conferencing, etc. But you may have to provide your training to other workers who don't have such facilities.

A point to be understood is that, if you pitch a particular company, the business students will be from remote areas also. So, you need to be well equipped to serve the remote workers too. Collaboration is a buzzword in today's business world. The professionals are data-driven and invaded by emails, IM (Instant Messaging) and other collaboration tools.

Training opportunities run the gamut from building the training materials to management skills. Knowing the basic software applications such as Microsoft Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, etc., is a prerequisite, to face the growing advancements in corporations.

Apart from these basic tools, you need to know the advanced tools as well, depending on the subject you are dealing with. For example, if you are dealing with the subject, embedded systems, it is necessary to know complete software and hardware knowledge about the subject.

In this case, you may have to know microprocessor programming and hardware construction, MATLAB functions, micro-controllers, etc.

Some of the rich potential markets for e-learning are market analysts, telecommuters, IT professionals, new graduates from engineering background, etc. Take a long run view before choosing the field, you want to provide training in. According to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs related to computer field, will have a high growth in the upcoming years. It is true that our economy is transforming to computer-based economy.

Telecommunications is a good and lucrative sector, wherein jobs related to network management, programming, and security, is booming. "The worst is over for the worldwide IT training market and the overall value of training remains" says Cushing Anderson, program director for learning Services Research at International Data Corporation (IDC).

Even though, there are wide opportunities in IT, it is advisable to choose the training subject according to your core field. It could be mechanical core subject, sales and marketing, management tools or any subject in which you have a specialization degree.

Don't restrict your knowledge to a basic required level. Acquire the knowledge from basic to advanced level. Create the training materials simple and easy. Make use of the web in developing the module. Don't plagiarize. If you are obtaining any direct information from a particular site, get the approval from the site owner prior to that. Consult the subject experts in case if you have any queries.

Website is one of the essential tools, required in your training business. You can create your website, using trained web designers and see that your website is not a replica of any other websites, because it may lead to shut down of your website. Maintain the website and update it with the new information like training policies, study materials, etc.

Trained professional are very essential to implement the training process efficiently. They will help to carry out the business effectively. At the beginning stage, you have to invest some money on them, but it is worth, if you have a long time goal. Discuss the study material with them and then prepare it. Also, you can hire managers to do the accounts related work.

With advanced Internet technologies, companies have strong firewall against Internet security threats such as email-bombing, etc.

To start your business, it is required to get the necessary certifications. One of the fast-growing certifications is Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), which is governed by International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, commonly known as (ISC)².

The required credentials by CISSP are successful completion of CISSP exam and 4 years experience in information security or 3 years plus a bachelor degree.

It is required to provide the certificates of your academic history and your professional certificate from Microsoft, Oracle or whatever course you have taken up, and after the essential verifications, the certificate of approval will be provided by CISSP.

With the help of subject experts and management staff, you need to formulate the training policies, considering all the factors required to make the training process operate without any hindrances.

• Discuss the training policies with the new employees and trainees.
• Periodically, mail the training policies to the employees and trainees.
• You can write articles, newsletters, blogs, to deliver the implementations.
• Give presentations and seminars to the targeting company, about your training subject and policies.

A corporate trainer earns well, if he/she knows the right approach and have the essential knowledge to carry out the business. Many professionals are inclining towards e-learning and online teaching methods. It is the best communicative tools that would help in your training business.

It is better to adhere to this trend of offering online courses than instructor-led training classes. Being a middle man by providing both IT coursework and helping the students to land on the right university through seminars or online, is a bright idea to make profits from both sides.