Introduction
Welcome to the website of Derek Owen and SkillsFX. Here you will find a range of skills training materials, personal development tools and books, training design, delivery and coaching services, train the trainer facilities, native English lessons by Skype, children's stories and books and lots more.
The skills training materials and personal development services I offer are a result of over 20 years of experience as a personal development consultant, coach, trainer, business leader, manager and author. These courses and the training materials have been designed following input, feedback and practical application from thoushands of people attending skills training courses and workshops. Personal skills development and skills training materials designed to bring about positive change.
Experience
Over the last 20 years I have worked in a variety of different positions. As a managing director, a training manager, a consultant, a coach, a project manager, a trainer, an english teacher, a sales manager and a sales person. I am now a freelance development consultant and author and I am working on a number of different areas including the design and development of soft skills training courses, writing a children's series of educational books, teaching English by Skype and personal coaching.
Unlocking your potential
I think that great potential lies within each of us and that there are some keys and techniques that can help to unlock this potential. This is what I enjoy doing. Making a commitment to finding this key is an important part to personal happiness and success. Frequently the key is not very far away and it may have been found already but not used in the correct way.
Soft skills development
The soft skills training materials and training services available here are based on my 20 years experience of training, developing and coaching well over 40,000 people, from new starters through to experienced senior executives. In industries such as call, customer service and contact centres, banking, insurance, sales, gas and electric, retail, FMCG, estate agency, training and recruitment.
Removing cost as a barrier to soft skills development
Most people believe that training and development is valuable and is beneficial. However it can be expensive in terms of time and money to both design and then deliver this training. Particularly if external resources are used.
This no longer has to be the case - The soft skills training programmes and course materials here can be purchased for a very low investment and then delivered internally by your own people if you wish. A full train the trainer can also be provided. Now you own the training and development rather than just renting it.
With our soft skills development programmes and materials you receive comprehensive materials, such as detailed trainer notes, delegate workbooks, skills exercises with model answers, group discussion activities, a learning evailaution, slides, handouts etc. Everything required to deliver successful skills training straight-out-of-the-box. There is enough material to run a 4 to 7 hour interactive soft skills training event depending on any break and meal times you plan. Plus the course author is also available to answer any questions you might have, to deliver a train the trainer workshop or deliver the training expertly for you.
Children's stories
The Cheese People and the Dairy Diaries tells the story of 40 different cheese characters living in Wensleydale Vale. The story is all written in rhyme, with colourful pictures and is available in written and audio (MP3) format. Every Mon to Fri a new mini story is written and this becomes the monthly Dairy Diary, with nearly three years worth of stories so far. It's a great fun read for adults and children alike and is also a great way of developing English language skills, as the rhymes are quite memorable! Here is a free sample of the Dairy Diaries.
Poetry
I write a lot of poetry. Some serious and some very light hearted. In 2008 I took key news topics and turned them into rhyming news articles which is available as a downloadable ebook and audio. I have also written a collection of other poems and these will be made available on the wesite very soon.
Please contact me regarding any of the materials or services I offer, or to ask any questions.