Trials and Tribulations of a Roving Trainer

A Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year to you all in 2011

2011-01-05T14:54:00.000Z

The 'Trials and Tribulations of a Roving Trainer' didn't exactly lend itself to the title last month mainly due to the weather. What's that saying 'make hay when the sun shines' - never a truer word, but then again people don't necessarily like going to training courses on the odd occasions when the sun is beaming. So note to self, have to complete my year's work in approximately ten months to avoid getting caught out in the bad weather again.

In the meantime, we have a lot of training courses to keep you busy - from complete beginner courses (single classes to full courses, Equalskills, Computer Literacy, ECDL etc.) to more advanced FETAC courses. Speaking of which, our next Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 course starts on Thursday 13th January 2011, so book your place now.

Weather, weather, weather ...

2010-12-09T14:54:00.005Z

How was I to know that the bad weather was going to hit us so badly when it came to training courses all over the country. When you schedule these courses little do you think that weather such as we've had in the last two weeks could in any way interfere with travelling. Over twenty years training and travelling now and this has to go down as a 'first'.

It's the first time we had to cancel so many classes at our Centre because both trainers and learners were stranded, or just couldn't travel out. With schools closed, others didn't know until the morning whether they had their children at home or not. It was odd being there last week with no one in the Centre except ourselves.

It's the first time I've had to train others over the internet - using skype, email, phone and to some extent, by post. It's been a learning experience to say the least. Mind you, when talking to a Learner using Skype the whole family seems to invariably wander into the room for a chat, and even a neighbour or two ... "who is it?" I hear in the background. "Oh, it's the one from Lir".

In the middle of explaining something, you have Mum coming in with a cup of tea for her son or daughter, the dog jumping up on another Learners lap and licking his face off while we're talking. Several times a stray hand appears at the bottom of the screen with a little voice saying "who's that talking Mammy ... let me see ... let me see, please." Mind you, no one enters my room with a cup of tea or coffee so have to leave and make it myself when I can.

On a personal note, I've had so many grateful comments about the service we provided this time, even though the weather had many of us all tucked up at home. Mind you, it took a few days before 'cabin fever' set in, I think, and then after a few emails, texts and calls I suggested using Skype, email, phone etc., and it has been an absolute roaring success. Well done everyone who chose to carry on their course regardless of the weather! That's more the fighting spirit. I remember Billy Connolly making a comment one time when he was in the County Hall in Mullingar, a good few years ago now, he said "there's no such thing as bad weather ... just people wearing the wrong clothes!"

Ding, ding, ding ... it's that time of the year again!

2010-09-02T22:19:00.002+01:00

What a year so far? Who would have thought our economy would hit an all time low? I'm probably being a cow now, but I absolutely hate listening to the Irish news first thing in the morning. I can read it on-line, on a Twitter feed - but that unmerciful, dead-pan, dreary, hang-me-high-now voice of the newsreaders in the morning just wants me to get back into bed again and forget about the day ahead - what's the use? Seriously ... we all know its bad, but surely there's someone who might add a chirpy "well, that's how it is, but let's get out there and make today count!" Note to self ... that's obviously me talking to myself again.

That's a fair slice of the FAS funding pie!

2010-07-16T11:01:00.005+01:00

€1.3m ... that's a huge slice of the FAS funding pie ... and all to one company!! Do I feel jealous, like every other trainer or training company in the midlands - "yes I do!"

Judging from the response I've received personally from various Trainers, Training companies and clients in the Westmeath area, there is a justified sense of unfairness about this. I'm sure the thousands who read the Independent on the 9th July'10 all felt the same.

Lir Business Services & Training Centre is in business for 20 years, and other training companies almost tipping up the same number of years. We all went through the various tendering processes, quoting fair course fees to run courses to the best of our ability and to best practice, giving the learner, the trainers and the funding agency itself (FAS) good value and return on their investment. Instead, we all have filing cabinets bulging with letters "I am writing to inform you that you were unsuccessful in your tender".

In my opinion, and with the standards we set for best practice, if you went any lower, you had no option but to 'cut corners' and where exactly would that end? If I told you that there are trainers out there who are being paid weekly (not properly contracted, but with all the responsibilities of having to pay their own PAYE/PRSI at the end of the course they are giving, with classes of 20 learners) at the rate of €8-€10 per hour around the country? Would you believe me? €8 is clearly below the hourly minimum wage! Is that fair to the trainers?

Nor are many of these trainers listed on the FAS NRT, which, to be fair, is not exactly all their fault because there seems to have been no movement since last year on applications. It is no wonder shortcuts are being taken by these training companies to come out with a profit.

Did no one in FAS look at the numbers and say "lads, we seem to be giving a huge slice of our funding to (what seems to be, if I'm not mistaken) one training company in the midlands". Maybe this happened all over the country, maybe its still happening.

Did no one look at the FAS NRT (National Register of Trainers) and see that there were other companies only too happy to quote fair, justified fees for their services because they are professionals - not there to 'rip off' FAS but to provide a professional service that they could take pride in and gain the respect and repeat business of the learners? Was it a case of the "lowest tender" applied?

Anyway, enough of that ... all seems to be well again and business goes on the same as usual except if we spare a thought for those other training companies in the midlands who closed this year, possibly due to the downturn in the economy, who knows.
Are there any lessons to be learned for the remaining trainers and training companies in the future? Maybe, but I say, 'stick to your guns' and do what you have been doing and doing best - running training courses and centres to the best of your ability and to best practice - quoting fair course fees and keeping to standards that you and your staff are proud to say you are part of, and remember ... at the end of the day, if it's still millions the rest of us are after ... there is still the lotto!

Newsletter - May 2010

2010-05-05T17:36:00.005+01:00

Our May 2010 Newsletter for Lir Business Services & Training Centre (t/a Lir Business Centre) 42 Mount St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland is out now. If you go to http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/ and enter your email address we can email Newsletter and future Newsletters to you.

Snipbit from the Editorial for May 2010:

Welcome to our May 2010 Update

If you choose to believe that the economy is supposed to be on the cusp of a turn as I do, then let's get started now. If you were unfortunate to get caught up in redundancies, having to close your business etc., then it's time for a good re-think, speak to like-minded people and get yourself and your business back on track.

So what makes Lir different?

Working with experienced people who are in business. Being cautious of well-meaning people who may never have taken a risk in their lives is a start. You see, even having 21 years experience behind us, like you, we are clawing out way out of this recession too and feel we are making some headway.

We are doing this by providing very affordable full colour printing and confidential secretarial services, certified training courses with flexible payments and class booking times (note, you may qualify for some funding) and we are continually looking at new ways to improve. We are looking for ways in which you can sell yourself better and position yourself better. So, all in all, we have to dare to be different and approach all opportunities in a different way, for example ... for Newsletter in full, enter your email address on http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/

"Remember, if you keep doing things the same way - hey presto - you keep getting the same results!" Hard to swallow sometimes ...

At the Festival of the Fires - Hill of Uisneach last weekend:

"There's no way you'll get me to stand up to make a Presentation!"

2010-04-08T17:52:00.003+01:00

How often have I heard that phrase 'There's absolutely no way you'll get me to stand up in front of a group of people and make a presentation or sell an idea for my course."

How many of us have sat back and compared ourselves to other people who we thought were so entertaining, calm, smart, witty and so on, thereby convincing ourselves that it would be impossible for an average person like ourselves to carry off a convincing performance and make a presentation. We all have. Believe me, your audience does not expect perfection. As your Trainer, I'm not looking for perfection. So why do we put so much pressure on ourselves?

I am stunned at the variety of performances I have witnessed while running Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 courses. I have seen grown people, very confident people, work themselves into a complete frenzy just before the actual skills presentation and voila, what happens, a perfectly good presentation and some are excellent. Even if you feel you are about to pass out peacefully, get tongue-tied or say something you'd rather not have said during your presentation, your audience doesn't mind as long as the message is received and your audience walks away with something of value. Then you've done a great job.

As a trainer of some years now (painful as it is to think of the number of years) I still return to the office (or home) and feel so proud of the individual achievements of the Learners who complete their Skills Demonstrations. No matter how I try to get individuals to calm down, to think of the Presentation as being just another class activity - "remember, it's only a skills demonstration" I often remind them, stories filter through during the day of individuals still going to bed late the night before - only getting three hours sleep with the help of partners, sons, daughters and friends being secunded into (sometimes reluctant) mock audiences to help out the day before, potions and so on being discussed as an alternative way to calm themselves down just before their alloted time slot. Then like a bright star, they shine and I know only too well the wonderful feeling of having it all over - the audience genuinely smiled, they participated, they asked questions, they were genuinely interested and the feeling of elation for a brief time until you get home and are asked "well, how did it go?" and you answer "I never thought for one moment that I would get up in front of a group of people and make a presentation or sell my course, but I did."

Yes, you did, and you should be very proud of what you accomplished because it took guts, it took preparation, it took you taking a long hard look at yourself, pushing that boundary just a little bit further, and you know what, you succeeded. I'm so glad I got the chance to witness it.

Worthwhile Courses ... (FETAC)

2010-02-19T15:16:00.004Z

I can't imagine where you might start if you were let go out of work, or worried whether the job was going to go without notice - it must be a complete nightmare. It really is no different for a self-employed person, in fact it's not an option because you have nothing to live on if you close!

Training is a busy area. Many people have areas of expertise that they haven't tapped into, or haven't taken the time to think about it. Changing your career was never an option, until now ...

Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 course qualifies you as a trainer to teach learners in your area of expertise. Ask yourself, what is your background? Do you have a technical or professional qualification in the area you would like to teach? Would you genuinely enjoy teaching adult learners?

The aim of the Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 course is to qualify you as a professionally recognised trainer in your area of expertise and to provide you with an overview of the core Training Design and Delivery skills that will enhance your training ability on a professional and practical level. In essence, it is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes.

What is the benefit of doing a Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 course with Lir Business Services & Training Centre? Firstly, as part of your assessment on this course, you as a potential Trainer will have compiled a course that you can run afterwards. Yes, you're not just designing a single class and being assessed on that, you're designing a full course that you can run on successful completion of your course. Secondly, as part of your Skills Demonstration you are making a professional presentation to introduce your course to a potential Training Centre or Company. It doubles up as a 'Sales Tool'. I'm adamant that the course should work for you and that it's practical in nature. There is theory to cover on this course and it is important to know the various theorists we cover, but more importantly how to link this into the course you have designed to make sense of it all.

The course runs of 5 full days (one day per week). There is study and work to do during the course time and afterwards so be prepared to put in between 70 - 100 hours work, after all the whole point of you doing this course is to end up with a product that earns you living!

I'm on the FETAC Panel of External Authenticators and from authenticating several Train the Trainer courses for other centres, I cannot see how anyone can run this course in 3 days. I'd question whether 100% of the learning outcomes per the FETAC Module Descriptor is being taught and the depth of knowledge. Another falacy out there is that several learners are being told by other Training Centres that they will automatically qualify to be listed on the FAS NRT (National Register of Trainers). If I were you, I would check that out. My understanding has always been that you have to satisfy the trainer competencies and requirements as set out on the FAS Trainer Application Form to be considered.

All the successful recipients of the Train the Trainer (FETAC) Level 6 Certificates completed through Lir Business Services & Training Centre are also part of a network of trainers specifically set up to help each other afterwards in case they know of a company who is looking for a trainer outside their area of expertise. It can be lonely out there on your own, so having a group of like-minded professionals that can share their experiences, training tips etc. can only be of assistance.

Some dates we have coming up:
Starting March 11th 2010 x 5 Thursdays 9.30am to 4.30pm (Mullingar)
Starting March 16th 2010 x 5 Tuesdays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (Athlone)
Starting April 10th 2010 x 5 Saturdays 9.30am to 4.30 pm (Mullingar)
Starting April 28th 2010 x 5 Wednesdays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (Monaghan)

We also offer a flexi-pay option. You may qualify for funding so speak to me first and contact your local FAS Office or Social Welfare Office and if you secure funding you can flexi-pay the balance.

Further information can be found on www.lirbusinesscentre.com or by contacting me (Frances Gallagher) on 044-9342754 or email frances@lirbusinesscentre.com

A Story from This Week: "The Day I was Let Go"

2009-12-04T16:54:00.003Z

I normally ask Learners to write a short Introduction about themselves and of their course of choice when enrolling on a Train the Trainer course. This is one example, though a bit long, I read it at least twice ...

"One day I was there and next day I was gone. Who was I? I was the head buck-cat, the Office Manager of a small Irish company. Now I suddenly wasn't. It felt bizarre standing outside the office with my desk tidy sticking out of the top of the plastic box for all to see and a copy of my RP50 Redundancy Form stuffed bulging in my right pocket. Yes, I had been let go. I had just been made officially redundant!
This god-damned recession just got worse. I kept my head down, made it in on time every morning. In fact, I was making it in a quarter of an hour earlier each morning, slight adjustment to my clock and hey presto, all seemed well and hopefully noticed. The question is why couldn't I have done this before now? Truth is I didn't particularly care, nor did I have to, to be fair.
I had grown up in this company, had battered many the storm with my employers from humble beginnings to what it is today, or perhaps two years ago, if I were to be honest. I dodged the myriad of Sales Reps and Training Consultants assaulting the office through every means available to them - cold calling, networking, fax shots, emails - the lot, with plans to update our skills - show up the lack of mine, more like, but I always had the office juniors to fall back on.
I was blessed with the timely and well honed skills of being very well organised and I possessed the ability to plan exceedingly well. The office ran like a dream. My boss thought I was the 'bees-knees', so did the clients, and I let them. Everything came through me and I in turn took all the praise from above in the way I had become accustomed to over the years. No one stood in my way.
After twelve years working in this company and working my way up to Office Manager within five of those years, this was the first time I had been out of work since I left school. I placed the box of years of tattered memorabilia into the boot of my car and felt the urge to get into the car as quickly as possible, as if my life depended on it. Once inside I closed the car door, took a quick glance around at the cars to my left and right and burst into tears. I was racked with self pity and saw nothing but a long period of mourning for my life ahead of me. I worried about the effect this was going to ahve on my family's lifestyle - the loss of our lifestyle - more tears, buckets of tears. What was I going to say to people, to other members of my family, to family friends and eventually neighbours who will notice me in the house all way instead of my usual early morning and late evening exit and entrance.
I was in a state of paralysis and this continued for quite some time. For the first few jobless months I was filled with a sense of shame. I was terrified of what the neighbours and friends would say about me if they only knew of my plight. I got dressed for the office each morning and did my grocery shopping in a hurry, as if I just popped out and was needed back in the office as soon as possible. My daywear consisted of office suits and well tailored clothing. I had very little to wear that was suitable for 'hoovering'. I found myself muttering someting like "working from home today" as I grabbed the post from the postman through the slightly opened front door.
I sat on the couch looking at morning TV and reprimanded myself for being so lazy, so I got up and refilled my mug, kicked off my high heels and dozed off.
My children and husband always fended for themselves over the years during the day and they didn't want to change their habits one little bit. This meant I didn't see them from one end of the day to the other. I had absolutely no structure to the day. Me, who was so well organised, who ran the company office like clockwork. Nothing seemed to fit into the day. Nothing belonged. Domesticity wasn't making sense. It seemed somehow foreign, like ti wasn't a 'proper' job to me. My son told me to stay out of his room. "Margie will tidy it up as she always does it's her job Mum". Margie had to go. I couldn't sit in the house having her tidying up around me and forever giving me odd looks and asking awkward questions now and then. I couldn't relax. I couldn't enrole on a computer course in case someone I knew was also enrolled on that course. In fact, I found it hard to leave the four walls of my house until it was dark!
Okay, so what happened? What bright idea did you have? Well I spoke to someone at Lir Business Centre, who listened without judging or making distinctive moves to sell me anything. Between us we came up with several possibilities on how I could get my life back on track again.
To start, I took one-to-one computer lessons on what I needed to learn - not a whole course and found it easier than I thought. I realised that training is something I wanted to get involved in and I had plenty of experience and I enrolled on a 'Train the Trainer' FETAC Level 6 course where next month I will qualify as a Trainer with a full course that I have put together and one that I can run as a self-employed person, in my own area of expertise.
I'd love to say it has been all plain sailing - I'm getting there, slowly. My confidence has grown and I now realise something - I was sure I had lost something else that day when I left that building, but I now have a new one - my identity!"

Train the Trainer - FETAC Level 6

2009-11-17T19:56:00.002Z

The aim of this course is to qualify you as a professionally recognised trainer in your area of expertise and to provide you with an overview of the core Training Design and Delivery Skills that will enhance your training ability on a professional and practical level. The course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes. As part of your assessment, you as a potential Trainer, will have compiled a course that you can run afterwards. The course is run over 5 days (one day per week) and incorporates up to 70 hours study/working on a course of your choice.

The course fee is very competitively priced at €610 (weekdays) €650 (weekends) and there is a flexi-payment option available. The course is being held in venues all around Ireland and places are booked on a first-come basis. Information on www.lirbusinesscentre.com or email frances@lirbusinesscentre.com for more details.

My next blog will obviously be less formal and will focus on exactly what the course entails. If you are interested in doing the course solely on the basis that you heard you will automatically get listed on the National Register of Trainers you are being mislead - there are other stipulations - and you can speak to me or to the NRT themselves to get clarification on that matter before parting with your hard earned cash. This course is for those who genuinely see an opportunity to train others in their area of expertise and who would like to be part of that process. It is the first step in a brand new career and one that you will thoroughly enjoy! Speak later ...

September'09 Update ...

2009-09-17T14:38:00.002+01:00

Welcome to our September'09 Update!

Train the Trainer (Nationwide) FETAC Level 6 (Sept/Oct/Nov)
Business & Secretarial Studies Award FETAC Level 5 (Oct’09)
Reception Skills (Nationwide) FETAC Level 5 (Oct’09)
Interior Design FETAC Level 5 (Oct’09)
Horticulture (includes Computer Skills) FETAC Level 3 Sept’09

Ongoing: start booking:

Bookkeeping (Manual & Computerised) FETAC Level 5
Payroll (Manual & Computerised) FETAC Level 5
ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) 7 modules
ECDL ‘Start’ – completing 4 modules
Word Processing or Spreadsheets FETAC Level 5 or Level 6
Database or Slide Presentation FETAC Level 5
Private ‘One-to-One Classes’ (Ongoing – book appointment)
Children of Lir Computer Classes (7 – 12 years)- Ongoing

What do they do in there?

Lir Print …
Lir Train …
Lir Recruit …

Train the Trainer FETAC Level 6 (Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec’09)
Train the Trainer Mullingar,Co. Westmeath.
This course is designed to equip Learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes. We have successfully managed to keep costs down and are taking bookings on a first-come basis. A choice of start times opposite.
Other Venues: Monaghan, Navan, Portlaoise, Drogheda, Cavan, Longford (In-company/group courses available to book)

Daytime: €600
Sept 7 x 5 Mon (Full day)

Saturday: €650
Oct 3 x 5 Sat (Full day)

Morn or Evening: €700
Oct 15th x 8 Thu

Business Studies Secretarial FETAC Level 5 Award (BBSSX)
Recession or no Recession, you still need employable skills!
1 Year intensive PLC Course - Flexi-time Classes & Payments
Business & Secretarial skills appropriate for the modern office: Text Production, Word Processing, Information & Administration, Reception Skills, Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace, Communication Skills, Work Experience module and choices of other Modules - Bookkeeping, Payroll or Audio Transcription etc.
Ideal for those who would like to keep their part-time job and study at the same time. Book classes and pay as you go. We also have shorter Secretarial Skills Courses available. (See www.lirbusinesscentre.com for more details).

Reception Course Certified FETAC Level 5 … Choices - Front Office Skills
FETAC Level 5, Mullingar, 6th Oct’09 (1 day per week x 5 weeks) €300

FETAC Level 5, Monaghan, Navan, Portlaoise, Drogheda, Longford.
(Attend 2 days training plus Assignments and completed Workbook)
Oct’09/Nov’09, €300

FETAC Level 5, Distance Learning
€60 deposit plus 4 x €60 (as Assignments/Workbook are submitted)
Anytime - €300

Lir Certificate - One Day Course In a town near you – contact us
Oct’09/Nov’09 €80

Interior Design … Certified FETAC Level 5
Colour & Light – Introduction to Interior Design facilitated by an experienced and practical Interior Designer. Contact us for more details on Collection of Work/Projects (Starting 6th Oct’09 9.30am – 1pm
Option 1: A certified course - FETAC Level 5 Course Fee: €400
Option 2: One Day “Interior Design on a Budget” Fee: €60

‘Knit-Nat’ Crafts Group - September/October’09
Get back to/or start knitting, sewing, crafts … contact us and let us know what you are interested in doing.

Autumn/Winter Special Offers …
Bookkeeping FETAC Level 5 Certified
Payroll FETAC Level 5 Certified
Word Processing FETAC Level 5 or 6
Spreadsheets FETAC Level 5 or 6
Database or Slide Presentations FETAC Level 5
ECDL (Full 7 Modules)
ECDL ‘Start’ (4 Modules)

Authorised Agents:
Thesaurus Payroll Software
€140 plus VAT @ 21½%

Horticulture Course – FETAC Level 3
This course includes both Practical and Computer Skills elements, visits to local garden centres and gardens.

Training Swaps …
Still taking interesting ‘swaps’ for an ECDL … run it by us … email lir@eircom.net

Printing & Confidential Secretarial Services:
Secretarial Services:
Many of you already know that this is how we started out way back in the late ‘80’s - providing confidential Secretarial Services was important then and is vitally important now. It is one of the biggest cost-cutting exercises you can do at the moment. Typing can be done over the weekend, at night – the hours don’t matter and you’re not paying staff for overtime rates either. Speak to us confidentially and we’ll organise a Secretarial Services Package that suits you.
See www.lirbusinesscentre.com for more information or phone me!

Printing Offer:
5,000 A5 Full Colour Double Sided Leaflets €350 plus VAT including Design – excellent value! Remember we cater for small runs and have a solution for most printing queries.
Phone Joe now on 044-9342754 or 087-2536686 or email joe@mullingar.net

CV Preparation:
Interview Techniques:
Many people who call into us for a CV Preparation have never had to have a CV done before, sounds incredible to some, but I totally understand. Now is not the time to take a chance with your CV. It needs to sell you completely. It needs to ‘jump out’ to a potential employer and say ‘yes, I’m the person for the job’. You have a wealth of experience at this stage and having it done professionally either through our Secretarial Services or through a personal one-to-one CV Consultation is a worthwhile investment.
Do you sell yourself well in an interview situation? Don’t just skip over this question without answering it honestly … how to sell yourself at a Telesales Interview etc. Book a One-to-One Consultation now.

‘Lir Recruit’ - Recruitment Agency:
Recruit info …
Recruitment is very quiet at present, but some employers are still recruiting sooner than advertising – it is fair to say that it is and always has been far easier to place a candidate we know who has trained with us as we get to know you better. If you are an employer our placement fees are minimal – contact Frances (044) 9342754 or email frances@lirbusinesscentre.com
Whether you are registered with Lir Recruit, or not, visit www.lirbusinesscentre.com under Recruit and if any positions listed interest you, email your CV first.

‘Lir Stamp & Seal’ Promotion:
Lir Printing provides stamps and seals for all occasions.
When was the last time you said ‘it would be handy if I had a stamp for this’ … ‘if only I had a stamp – well, now you know where to get them.

We can put your Company Logo on the self-inking rubber stamp or/and an image. Same day order, so no excuses. Remember, we are open Saturdays,
CVs, Letters, Projects, Mass Booklets, Photo-copying, Faxing, Binding, Business Cards, Headed Paper etc. (See end of Update …)

‘Chanel’ Wedding Stationery Promotion:
Getting married?
We have a full range of ‘Chanel’ Wedding Stationery available to order, or if you would prefer some made-to-order Wedding Stationery items then speak to Joe here at Lir Business Centre

The whole point of a Wedding Invitation Card is to get the message across and that it’s a card and you both like. It certainly does not have to cost a fortune – you have enough expense! So don’t get caught into thinking that if it is not expensive then it’s no good.

Contact us (044) 93 42754 and speak to Joe or Brogan

“Lir Armorial Scrolls and Family Name Histories
You know when you’re stuck for an idea for a present, or a ‘thank you’ gesture and absolutely no idea what to get maybe for a Parent, an Aunt, Uncle, Friend or Client. One idea is a framed Armorial picture giving detailed information on your family name. The Armorial Crest can be viewed in our office, printed and framed and delivered if required.

The armorial history combines the Surname history at the bottom of the scroll with a full colour rendition of the earliest Coat of Arms once associated with a bearer of the surname. Full colour border graphics to complement the arms of each history, and, suitably framed and mounted, these scrolls make an attractive display. A double frame and matting allows two histories to be placed together as a wedding gift or anniversary present.

Each Scroll can be previewed on screen and quickly printed on a sheet of 11x17 parchment paper. Each is sold with an individual certificate number and a seal guaranteeing the authenticity.
This is the product that many of our customers say they have been waiting for!
Phone Joe: (044) 93 42754
(087) 2536686

Lir Course Suggestions … they are more than welcome …
I’m always surprised by the training suggestions I get from Students and some of the more recent ones are:

Guitar Lessons – sorted, contact us.
Sewing Classes – “I want to know how to use a sewing machine”, “I want to re-invent my clothes instead of throwing them out – any ideas”.
Knitting Classes – “I want to know how to knit”, “would like to share what I know with other fellow knitters" – nattering and knitting! – a sort of ‘Knit-Nat’ Group – why not? Contact us.
Sewing Course:
Where students can learn how to make up a commercial pattern in a fabric of their choice and are shown how to cut out, sew, fit and finish a garment. Contact us! …

“Lir Chocolates” Promotion
As an on-going promotion, the next time the phone rings and someone asks you where would they go to get Printing, Training or Recruitment services, answer ‘Lir Business Centre, Mount St., Mullingar’ and you could be one of the lucky ones who receive our promotional box of ‘Lir Chocolates’. Why shouldn’t you get rewarded!

“Mullingar Entertainment News” …
… just a little something I heard …

Karaoke … making a come-back –
Pubs, Clubs, Parties, 6,000 songs plus YOU!
For bookings phone 087-2536686

Lir Business Services & Training Centre t/a Lir Business Centre
Lir Print, Train, Recruit
42 Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
(044) 934 2754 (044) 934 2755
frances@lirbusinesscentre.com www.lirbusinesscentre.com
Follow us on: www.twitter.com/lirtraining or www.twitter.com/mullingar

… We Print … We Train … We Recruit … We Print … We Train … We Recruit …

August'09 Update and Newsletter

2009-08-06T15:20:00.008+01:00

Welcome to our August’09 Update!
I can’t believe how quickly the year is going by and how shaken everyone has become due to the economy. The way I look at it, we have two choices, either sink further into a malaise of discontent and uneasiness or get on with our lives – though it may be different now. I have never said that it is easy, but what has been easy? I get up each morning knowing that there is Printing, Training and Recruitment opportunities out there … and I have no choice but to make a determined effort to go out and get it. I value each and every client/student that walks through these doors and through keeping in touch and asking what people want, we have been able to improve what we are doing, adjust our services and costs, and thereby benefiting everyone concerned. You’ll be surprised at what we have done so far. For a colourful version of this Newsletter go to www.lirbusinesscentre.com and enter your email address.

Kind regards
Frances Gallagher

What do they do in there?
Lir Print …
Lir Train …
Lir Recruit …

Training Fees to suit all pockets …
Training Swaps …
‘Lir 555 Computer Club’-
Our training ranges from €10 per class upwards. Through our ‘Lir 555 Computer Club’ training it costs from as little as €5.55 per hour for computer training.

‘Lir Training Vouchers’ -
You can buy Training Vouchers from €20 for yourself or someone you know who would benefit from training and build up a course over time.

Flexi-Class Times and Flexi-Pay Options –
Computer classes can be booked at times that suit you thereby allowing you more flexibility when it comes to booking your classes and paying fees.

Great feedback from the May’09 Newsletter and some interesting suggestions for ‘swapping’ a service or product for an ECDL course, for example. We took up three of the ‘swaps’ offered and it worked out extremely well.

Train the Trainer FETAC Level 6 (Aug/Sept/Oct’09)
Train the Trainer
This course is designed to equip Learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes. We have successfully managed to keep costs down and are taking bookings on a first-come basis. A choice of start times opposite.

*** Excellent Value! ***
Daytime: €600
Aug19th x 5 Wed or
Sept 7th x 5 Mon

Saturday: €650
Sept 19th x 7 Sat

Evenings: €700
Sept 17th x 10 Thu

Image Processing FETAC Level 5 (Sept/Oct’09)
Image Processing Course
This course is designed to develop practical understanding of digital image processing using image processing software and provides the Learner with the appropriate knowledge and skills to visualise and plan all the stages involved in the production and manipulation of digital graphics images. (See http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/ for more details).
FETAC Level 5
Daytime: €300
10am to 1pm

Aug 18th Tue x 8 or
Sept 7th Mon x 8

August Special Offers … use €20 Training Vouchers
ECDL (Full 7 Modules or ‘ECDL Start’ 4 Modules)
Bookkeeping FETAC Level 5 Certified
Payroll FETAC Level 5 Certified
Keyboarding / Data Entry FETAC Level 4
(Purchase €20 Training Voucher(s) and book course of your choice, when training hours run out purchase another Voucher and complete at your pace.

Authorised Agents:
Thesaurus Payroll Software €140 plus VAT @ 21½%

Reception Course €300 (Also by Distance Learning)
Front Office Skills
FETAC Level 5 Certified (Pay in full or €60 deposit, and 4 x €60) With Distance Learning you can start whenever you like and complete within 6 months. Otherwise book yourself into a 5-day Reception Course at our Centre starting in September’09 (1 day per week). See http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/

Time Management (Half Day Course) €90 - Stop procrastinating!
This half day (morning class) is designed to make us more aware of our time and how we actually spend it. Thinking and planning about setting goals for our business is always a good idea, but there comes a time when we have to stop procrastinating and start earning money – especially now in this economic climate. How many times have we caught ourselves always busy being busy – doing work that is not necessarily selling or money producing activities, but we swear we are building our business – in fact we are just ‘getting ready to get ready’. This morning class will help to focus more on what needs to be done and how to manage our time more effectively.

Business Studies Secretarial FETAC Level 5 Award (BBSSX) Recession or no Recession, you still need employable skills! ‘My mother told me this, and it never let me down’
One Year intensive PLC Course - Flexi-time Classes & Payments
Business & Secretarial skills appropriate for the modern office: Text Production, Word Processing, Information & Administration, Reception Skills, Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace, Communication Skills, Work Experience module and choices of other Modules - Bookkeeping, Payroll or Audio Transcription etc.

Ideal for those who would like to keep their part-time job and study at the same time. Book classes and pay as you go. We also have shorter Secretarial Skills Courses available. (See http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/ for more details).

CV Preparation:
Interview Techniques:
Many people who call into us for a CV Preparation have never had to have a CV done before, sounds incredible to some, but I totally understand. Now is not the time to take a chance with your CV. It needs to sell you completely. It needs to ‘jump out’ to a potential employer and say ‘yes, I’m the person for the job’. You have a wealth of experience at this stage and having it done professionally either through our Secretarial Services or through a personal one-to-one CV Consultation is a worthwhile investment.

I received an email from a ZaleTabakman.ca about the ‘Top 10 Skills by Job Hunters’ – an interesting read.

There you go, I’ve been saying it for years – start selling!
Do you sell yourself well in an interview situation? Don’t just skip over this question without answering it honestly … would you sit in front of me and let me interview you and appraise your interview technique. Book a One-to-One Consultation now.

Quote: ‘Getting a job is the same as making a sale, once the product is you and the sale is the job offer’

‘Lir Recruit’ - Recruitment Agency:
Recruit info …
Recruitment is very quiet at present, but some employers are still recruiting sooner than advertising – it is fair to say that it is and always has been far easier to place a candidate we know who has trained with us as we get to know you better. If you are an employer our placement fees are minimal – contact Frances (044) 9342754
Qualified and Experienced Trainers required. Visit http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/ under Recruit.

Printing & Confidential Secretarial Services:
Printing Offer:
Many of you already know that this is how we started out way back in the late ‘80’s -providing confidential Secretarial Services was important then and is vitally important now. It is one of the biggest cost-cutting exercises you can do at the moment. Typing can be done over the weekend, at night – the hours don’t matter and you’re not paying staff for overtime rates either. Speak to us confidentially and we’ll organise a Secretarial Services Package that suits you.
See http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/ for more information or phone me!

5,000 A5 Full Colour Double Sided Leaflets €350 plus VAT including Design – excellent value! Remember we cater for small runs and have a solution for most printing queries.
Phone Joe now on 044-9342754 or 087-2536686 or email joe@mullingar.net

‘Lir Stamp & Seal’ Promotion:
Secretarial Services:
Lir Printing provides stamps and seals for all occasions.

When was the last time you said ‘it would be handy if I had a stamp for this’ … ‘if only I had a stamp – well, now you know where to get them.

We can put your Company Logo on the self-inking rubber stamp or/and an image. Same day order, so no excuses. Remember, we are open Saturdays,
CVs, Letters, Projects, Mass Booklets, Photo-copying, Faxing, Binding, Business Cards, Headed Paper etc. (See end of Update …)

‘Chanel’ Wedding Stationery Promotion:
Getting married?

We have a full range of ‘Chanel’ Wedding Stationery available to order, or if you would prefer some made-to-order Wedding Stationery items then speak to Joe here at Lir Business Centre

The whole point of a Wedding Invitation Card is to get the message across and that it’s a card and you both like. It certainly does not have to cost a fortune – you have enough expense! So don’t get caught into thinking that if it is not expensive then it’s no good.
Contact us (044) 93 42754 and speak to Joe or Brogan

“Lir Armorial Scrolls and Family Name Histories"
You know when you’re stuck for an idea for a present, or a ‘thank you’ gesture and absolutely no idea what to get maybe for a Parent, an Aunt, Uncle, Friend or Client. One idea is a framed Armorial picture giving detailed information on your family name. The Armorial Crest can be viewed in our office, printed and framed and delivered if required.

The armorial history combines the Surname history at the bottom of the scroll with a full colour rendition of the earliest Coat of Arms once associated with a bearer of the surname. Full colour border graphics to complement the arms of each history, and, suitably framed and mounted, these scrolls make an attractive display. A double frame and matting allows two histories to be placed together as a wedding gift or anniversary present.

Each Scroll can be previewed on screen and quickly printed on a sheet of 11x17 parchment paper. Each is sold with an individual certificate number and a seal guaranteeing the authenticity.
This is the product that many of our customers say they have been waiting for!
Phone Joe: (044) 93 42754 / (087) 2536686

Lir Course Suggestions …they are more than welcome …
I’m always surprised by the training suggestions I get from Students and some of the more recent ones are:
Guitar Lessons – sorted, contact us.
Sewing Classes – “I want to know how to use a sewing machine”, “I want to re-invent my clothes instead of throwing them out – any ideas”. Knitting Classes – “I want to know how to knit”, “would like to share what I know with other fellow knitters – nattering and knitting! – a sort of ‘Knit-Nat’ Group – why not? Contact me.
Sewing Course:
Where students can learn how to make up a commercial pattern in a fabric of their choice and are shown how to cut out, sew, fit and finish a garment. Contact me! …

“Lir Chocolates” Promotion
As an on-going promotion, the next time the phone rings and someone asks you where would they go to get Printing, Training or Recruitment services, answer ‘Lir Business Centre, Mount St., Mullingar’ and you could be one of the lucky ones who receive our promotional box of ‘Lir Chocolates’. Why shouldn’t you get rewarded!

“Mullingar Entertainment News” …
… just a little something I heard …
Karaoke
Karaoke … making a come-back –
The Bridge Bar, Dublin Bridge, Mullingar Sat 8th Aug’09
For bookings phone 087-2536686

Darragh J. Glennon – Debut Album Launch – ‘Detour’ - The Stables, Mullingar - Sat. 2nd Aug’09 – www.bebo.com/Darragh_J or www.myspace.com/darraghjglennon

Lir Business Services & Training Centre t/a Lir Business Centre
Lir Print, Train, Recruit
42 Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
(044) 934 2754 (044) 934 2755
frances@lirbusinesscentre.com http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com/
Follow us on: www.twitter.com/lirtraining or www.twitter.com/mullingar

… We Print … We Train … We Recruit … We Print … We Train … We Recruit …
If you do not wish to receive any future LBC Newsletters on Printing Services, Training or Recruitment positions, please reply with ‘Opt Out’ in the Subject Line.

Reception Correspondence Course - FETAC Level 5 Certified

2009-07-27T14:26:00.006+01:00

Hi all,

From travelling around the country for the past number of years I discovered that many people who enjoyed the "One Day" Reception Skills Day I ran in different towns, wanted a course that was certified. In order to do that, the course would have to be much longer and more detailed. To that end, we have developed a Certified Reception Correspondence Course that can be completed in your own time and on a flexi-pay option whereby you pay €100 to start and €50 for each Assignment submitted (4 in all). We will keep you informed of dates and times when we are in your area if you would like to meet us and you will get the chance to meet others who are doing the this course or another similiar course.

You will have a dedicated Course Tutor at your disposal (more than likely myself) contactable by phone, Skype, email, Twitter, or whatever method is mutually beneficial. I'm excited about this course because, first of all, it makes it far more time-friendly, payment-friendly and above all, you are not on your own.

During the course we keep in touch to make sure you actually finish the course. This is very important to us as it is part of our Quality Procedures agreed with FETAC that we do all we can to make sure the participant finishes the course.

Use the recession now to build on your skills and make yourself more employable when the economy improves. If I remember anything from the last recession, it is that the minute the economy started improving and companies started recruiting staff, recognised quaifications were being requested to narrow down the number of applicants applying.

So if you need any assistance on CV Preparation or Interview Techniques (which can be done privately as a consultation on a One-to-One basis or by using Skype in the privacy of your own home or office), remember that 'Lir Print ... Lir Train ...Lir Recruit'. If you would like to receive our monthly Newsletter sign in on our website http://www.lirbusinesscentre.com also.

For more information on this course, contact me on (044) 93 42754 or (086) 1567203, follow me on Twitter 'Lirtraining' or email me personally at frances@lirbusinesscentre.com

Many thanks,

Frances Gallagher

Submission deadline ... for May'09 Assessment

2009-04-18T21:31:00.007+01:00

Hi, you know who you are, a few Reception Assessment Portfolios (Roscrea) not received yet. Assignment 2 due last week. Let me know what's happening ... all was well two weeks ago! If you need help let me know.

Safety & Health in the Workplace - same thing, two Assessment Portfolios (Assign 1 & 2) haven't arrived yet - to be submitted asap.

Gerry ... this is what the pyramid looks like - you would have received a handout of same ...

Jarlath (Navan) you only have one more module to complete the ECDL ... (Module 5: Database) tutor will be there Wednesday and following Wednesday. It would be a pity not to finish it.

Maryann (Kilkenny) you put a lot of work into Reception FETAC Assessment 2 received by post. Congratulations!

Business & Secretarial Skills Award (FETAC) course participants. Great night last Thursday . Your group work and presentations so far outstanding. Keep up the good work.

Nervous about training at Lir Business Services & Training Centre?

2009-04-06T12:00:00.007+01:00

This time, I am going to talk to you about taking part in training at Lir Business Services & Training Centre (Mullingar). I've been tutoring for 20 years and I've had experience with people who've come back into eucation after maybe twenty, thirty or maybe more years and from a variety of different workplaces, from hospitals, health centres, factories, retail or office sector and these people have registered on our courses and, indeed, have come back to us for more training. They would have attended at first, unsure what they could achieve, but all the feedback that I've had has been that they've not only found it worthwhile for work purposes, but that they've found it personally very rewarding as well.

You'll be coming into an adult learning environment where the tutors will be experienced and enjoy working with adults and I think that's because adults coming back into education are bringing them their whole life and work experience and it will be from that point that the tutors at Lir Business Services & Training Centre will be taking the training. So experience that you've gathered over the years is going to be really valued. So when you start, first of all, you'll be with other people, like yourself, out on an entirely new experience, but with the support of an experienced tutor that's used to working with adults.

All our courses are accredited - mainly FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) Levels 3 to 6. As you complete your training with us, you will complete work during the day or evening and you will have some work to do outside of class times. These activities will be the things that will build up marks for you as you so through the course so that there won't be a pile of work for you to do at the end of the course. Gradually, as you go through you'll be building up pieces of work and your tutor will be guiding you at evert stage and you're receiving credit for them as you go along.

As with many FETAC accredited courses, you may be asked to share experience about how you think that applies to you at work, or a place of work. You'll be, therefore, taking aspects you do and enlarging your knowledge about them and then, hopefully, bringing this back into your workplace at an increased skill level.

The best advice I can give is to come with an attitude of being up for a challenge and really being open minded and willing to join in, because that not only makes it more interesting, but it makes it more worthwhile for everyone because you are going to participate and contribute as well to the group. So you attitude is very important. Not everything is going to be easy, so at times you may find something harder to do and that's why the tutors are there - there is never a stupid or silly question, so don't be afraid to ask the same thing twice if need be.

At the end of your training you will be able to take away a tremendous sense of achievement by having completed the module and I suppose, personally speaking, I've also received a lot of personal satisfaction from working with people of such high commitment. If you are in any way nervous, just book in for one class to see how you get on and make up your mind afterwards.

Safety & Health in the Workplace FETAC Level 5

2009-03-22T13:40:00.003Z

Wow, so much of this is pure commonsense, yet people can make such a song and dance about it but it is important ... I'll say that again ... it is important!

Training in Roscrea

2009-03-13T17:47:00.004Z

A long enough journey from Mullingar to Roscrea, means early morning rise, clear the head, set the SatNav to get me through the back roads to my destination when I reach the town itself. Nothing like wondering if you brought all the equipment you need for the day with you when you find yourself on the road between Mullingar and Tullamore. Tullamore is a busy town around 8am.

Newstalk keeps me interested - Claire and Gerry finally discovering 'Twitter', Claire's 'to the point' interview style is engaging and the websites to visit are very interesting but my two hands are firmly on the wheel and my iphone/notebook is in my bag - I'll get a chance to look them up later, convincing myself that I will remember the website address by the time the day is over and I am back home in Mullingar.

The road between Tullamore and Birr is a long drive - nothing to really see unless I am missing something - not even a decent 'bad bend' to be careful of on the way back. Can't understand the 'catch-up' aspect of driving that other drivers engage in - I can see them coming on a straight stretch, way back, and it's as if their lives depend upon it, but they must catch up with me. I imagine them in the car, hunched, frowning, focussed. When they catch up they stick to my tail on the straight stretch, not doing much else and I find I'm glaring at them in the rear view mirror - "what do you want?" "are you near enough?" "can you see into my boot, because I can't", "pass me out if you want to - it's a straight road", I shout in the confines of my car - hoping that Claire and Gerry don't hear me, but they don't. I dread braking when this happens and I find myself constantly checking that I am sticking to the speed limit - go away!

Another thought - did I bring everything I was asked to bring any of my course participants the last day I was down in Tipperary - again, half my brain/memory is in my bag! Nearly there ...

Secretarial Skills

2009-03-13T17:03:00.001Z

Is it me? or do the letters I receive have to be so badly laid out? Is it my age? or just that it doesn't matter any more how a piece of correspondence appears on the page?