The Foundation Course: Tech & telecoms for beginners
Fullrun’s Foundation Course is 12-module programme of training sessions designed for junior and mid-ranking employees who are new, or relatively new, to the sector. The course is structured to offer delegates a comprehensive introduction to the history, structure, economics and culture of the tech and telecoms industry.
Just another training course?
The course has its origins back in the late 1990s. As an editor and then publisher working for a large tech media owner, I saw dozens of new recruits streaming into my own company every year.
I worked for a company that took staff development seriously. So the new recruits usually had plenty of training courses thrown at them. But in almost every single case, the training in question focused on professional skills: how to write a news story, the basics of sales technique, and so on.
Time and again, I was confronted by first- or second jobbers who couldn’t sustain a conversation with clients, prospects or sources on the latter’s terms. They were unable to demonstrate that they understood the context in which their clients operated.
- No-one told them about the industry’s founding myths and legends
- No-one told them about the difference between marketing hardware, software and services
- No-one told them about the industry’s financial drivers
- No-one told them about how the world looks from the client’s point of view
But is it any good?
Delivering 12 90-minute seminars is no mean feat. But we’ve been there: and we’ve done it at some of London’s best-known tech PR agencies. Here, for example, is what Giles Fraser, co-founder of Brands2Life, has to say about The Foundation Course:
“Everyone entering the technology industry needs an overview of all the industry’s component parts and their history. Peter has proved himself uniquely qualified to deliver such a lecture series in an authoritative and engaging manner.”
And here’s a judgement from Steve Earl of Speed Communications:
“Fullrun’s Tech Foundation Course worked excellently for our junior staff. The course cuts through jargon efficiently. It gives trainees the tools to understand a broad range of complex concepts. Highly recommended as a springboard to tech literacy.”
What’s the shape of this thing?
The Foundation Course contains 12 modules. Each module isapproximately 90 minutes in duration. The modules are designed to work independently of the others. Accordingly, you can cherry pick themes according to your employees’ needs.
The course contains a substantial multimedia element, including video clips and advertising creatives. Back-up is plentiful. Alongside a recommended reading list, the course material is extended via a raft of social bookmarks.
We regularly gather feedback covering presentation style and content from participants in order to enhance development of the course as a whole.
If you’d like to discuss Fullrun’s Tech/Media Foundation Course, give Peter Kirwan a call on 07803 975234, or drop him a line via email.