We’re developing a database of training options for engagement and change professionals. And we need your help! Click here to add your training to the database or read on to learn more about why we’re doing this.

A few years ago I was catching up with an old school friend. Before long the conversation turned to work. 

If you ask us what we do here at Business Lab, we cannot easily provide a two-word answer. At least, not one that people understand at a dinner party.

Engagement consultants? Partnership brokers? Collaboration wranglers?

Often it’s better to describe it in plain English. “We help organisations to engage and plan with the people they’re trying to serve.”

But even that takes time to unpack. It’s not the kind of work that careers advisors tell young people about at school.

Hence my friend’s question…

“Where on earth did you learn to do that?”

Such a simple question. And for many professions, there is a simple answer.

Lawyers get a law degree and then get admitted to the Bar. Taxi drivers get a Passenger Licence. Builders do an apprentice and get admitted to Master Builders.You get the picture.

But not so much for our line of work.

No one qualification rules them all in this line of work

As our team has expanded, we’ve been keeping our eyes out for formal training and development opportunities. We’ve gradually come across some excellent options. But many of them weren’t easy to find!

Part of the problem is knowing what to look for in all the jargon:

• engagement

• change-making

• codesign

• facilitation

• community-led-development

• social innovation

• collective impact

• systems thinking

• collaboration

• partnership brokering

• ...and more.

Add your training services to the database

So we’re developing a database of training options for others like us who want to strengthen their skills in making change happen in communities, organisations and industries.

Please check out the database and share your feedback with us at info@businesslab.co.nz. And if you want to add your training to the database, please click the link below to complete a quick form.

In time, we hope this will help others who share our passion for connecting people for a stronger society.