Professional development and ways to make learning easier

Most large companies provide professional development support to their staff, but for solo business owners professional development is an area that is often neglected.

This section provides general information on creating a professional development plan, but also looks at specific ways to make learning easier such as improving your memory. Many soloists find having a business coach useful for their professional development, so this section also covers how to choose a business coach and the benefits of business coaching.

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Professional development articles

• Working Smarter

  Optimise learning by showing you know

  You’ve spent time and energy learning something new and you’re about to put this new knowledge into action. For many, this is when they realise they hadn’t really learned what they meant to learn after all, so here are some ways to optimise learning.

  • Published 02 April 08
  • Mark Moore
  • 1 Comment

• Working Smarter

  The benefits of a business coach

  I put off getting a business coach for a long time. I was already a leader in my own industry and forging ahead with things quite capably on my own, so I thought. Why did I need someone to tell me what I thought I already knew?

  • Published 12 March 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 7 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Creating a professional development plan

  Most large companies provide training and career development support, but as a soloist this is often neglected. Here we look at advantages of both formal and self-directed learning and show you how to create your own professional development plan.

  • Published 07 November 07
  • Zern Liew
  • 4 Comments

• Working Smarter

  When reading is bad for you

  It is assumed that there are many benefits of reading, but are there some instances when reading can be a waste of time? Is reading a double-edged sword? What do you think?

  • Published 26 October 07
  • Megan Tough
  • 9 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Business book recommendations

  The very best thing solo business owners can do to make the most of October is to get their hands on a really good book and spend the month actively reading it. So if you’re looking for a great business book recommendation read on.

  • Published 01 October 07
  • Karen Morath
  • 11 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Improve your memory

  How often does your memory let you down? Are your powers of recall lacking? The good news is those whose memory lets them down can learn to remember using the right techniques.

  • Published 06 August 07
  • Mark Moore
  • 3 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Learning tips: Ten ways to make learning easier

  Are you learning in the best way that you can? Do you find learning easy and enjoyable? If not, by following these learning tips you can make a few powerful changes to make learning easier.

  • Published 09 May 07
  • Mark Moore
  • 2 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Professional Development: Seven steps to turn learning into earning

  Of all the vital skills that you must have to perform your work excellently, which is your weakest? Have you ever considered that it’s the weakest of all your vital skills that sets your level of professional development?

  • Published 06 April 07
  • Mark Moore
  • 4 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Business coaching: How to choose a coach

  A coach provides advice and guidance based on their own experiences and capabilities, so it pays to take the time to find the business coaching that's right for you. So how do you choose a coach relevant to your needs?

  • Published 18 January 06
  • Grant Hyman
  • 1 Comment