John Philp

From humble beginnings in the retail sector, rising through various stages of promotion within large corporates to finally heading up the HR and training function of a Major UK company.  Having spent 23 years at the front end of creating training and development solutions and acquiring professional qualifications through the CIPD and other International Training Institutes, I feel I’m just starting to get the hang of this now.

What has been your most rewarding training experience?

I have so many rewarding training experiences it’s impossible for me to say which is the “most rewarding”.  Every time I travel to a new destination or meet new clients I find that hugely rewarding.

Any bizarre or amusing training stories?

In March 2003 I arrived in Kuwait to deliver a 4 day workshop for senior managers in the oil industry.  On the morning of my first day, the US military invaded Iraq: this resulted in the airport closing down to all commercial flights.  I ended up being stranded in Kuwait for 23 days in the SAS Radisson Hotel.  The chap in the room just down the corridor from me was General Tommy Franks, who was leading the military offensive.  I had 19 visits to the air raid shelter one evening, ducking from Saddam’s incoming missiles.

What made you want to become a trainer?

The need for me to get out of corporate life, have no set routine to follow, and the need for constant change in my life.  This job gives me all of that.

What would you be if not a trainer?

Talk show radio host.  I have a very good face for radio.

Which four words describe your training style?

Dynamic
Humorous
Pragmatic
considerate

Feedback you’d most like to get from a delegate following your course?

What other courses do you run?  I’d love to come back on another one of your programmes.

Feedback you’d probably get from delegates following one of your courses?

Please see previous answer

Any words of advice for a delegate about to go on one of your courses?

Suspend all previous perceptions or notions of what you think will happen on this course.  This is going to be different from anything you’ve had before.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had while on a training course?

If I told you that I would probably never work again!!!

What’s the most important ingredient in order for a course to be successful?

A real ‘acknowledged need’ for the training in the first place.