Blog

Written by Bob Hayward

As someone who's spent decades in the trenches of leadership development and training delivery, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of our profession. From my early days as a psychiatric nurse to founding seven businesses and now leading Be More Effective Ltd and Management Learning Resource as part of it, one truth has remained constant: the best learning resources emerge from the collective wisdom of practitioners who understand what truly works in the field.

That's why I'm reaching out to you today – the trainers, facilitators, and HR managers who are the backbone of professional development across the UK and beyond.

The MLR Story: Born from Real-World Need

When we re-launched Management Learning Resource (MLR), our vision was simple yet ambitious: to give fresh life to a comprehensive repository of practical tools that have the potential to make a difference in people's professional lives. Today, the MLR store at www.mlruk.com houses everything from the internationally acclaimed Birkman and CliftonStrengths® Tools to great business simulations like Mars Rover and the innovative Coaching Cards, each selected because they solve real problems for real people – trainers – facilitator and learners.

Take the What's My Communication Style Self-Assessment – it's become one of the most popular resources precisely because it addresses the fundamental challenge every trainer faces: helping people understand how they naturally interact with others. Similarly, the Personal Style Inventory continues to resonate with facilitators because it provides that crucial self-awareness foundation that underpins all meaningful development work.

The Gap We Need Your Help to Fill

But here's the thing – despite our extensive catalogue, I know we're missing pieces of the puzzle. Every time I deliver a workshop or coaching session, I encounter unique challenges that existing resources don't quite address. I suspect you experience the same thing.

Perhaps you've found yourself thinking, "If only there was a tool that helped teams navigate hybrid working dynamics more effectively," or "I wish there was an inventory that specifically addressed resilience in high-pressure environments." These gaps represent opportunities – not just for better training outcomes, but for innovations that could benefit thousands of professionals.

Your Expertise, Our Platform

This is where you come in. We're actively seeking contributions from experienced practitioners who've developed their own games, exercises, inventories, or assessment tools. Whether it's a team-building activity you've refined over years of delivery, a diagnostic tool you've created to address a specific workplace challenge, or an innovative approach to skills development, we want to hear from you.

Consider Motivational Maps® – this powerful tool exists because someone recognised the need for a more nuanced understanding of what drives people at work. Your creation could be the next breakthrough that transforms how we approach leadership development, team dynamics, or personal effectiveness.

What We're Looking For

The beauty of the MLR platform is its diversity. We're not just interested in one type of resource. Here's what catches our attention:

• Assessment Tools: Like the existing communication and leadership style inventories, and yet perhaps addressing emerging workplace challenges such as digital collaboration skills or change adaptability.
• Interactive Exercises: Practical activities that can be seamlessly integrated into workshops, similar to the coaching cards while targeting specific learning objectives you've identified in your practice.
• Diagnostic Instruments: Tools that help identify development needs or team dynamics, building on the success of the current assessment range.
• Games and Simulations: Engaging activities that make learning memorable and applicable, particularly those addressing contemporary workplace challenges.

The Collaboration Process

If you've developed something that's proven effective in your training practice, we'd love to explore how it might benefit the wider community. Our approach is collaborative – we're not just looking to acquire resources; we're seeking partnerships with fellow professionals who share our commitment to excellence in learning and development.

The process begins with a conversation. Share your concept, your experience with it, and the specific challenges it addresses. We'll explore together how it might fit within the MLR ecosystem and benefit our community of trainers and facilitators.

Beyond Products: Your Voice Matters

But this isn't just about existing resources. We're equally interested in your insights about what's missing from the current marketplace. What challenges do you face in your training delivery that existing tools don't adequately address? What would make your job easier and your participants' learning more effective?

Your field experience is invaluable. You understand the nuances of adult learning, the dynamics of group facilitation, and the practical challenges of skills transfer in ways that academic researchers might miss. This real-world perspective is exactly what we need to guide our future development priorities.

A Community of Practice

At its heart, this invitation is about building a stronger community of practice. The most effective learning resources emerge when experienced practitioners share their innovations and insights. By contributing to MLR, you're not just potentially creating a revenue stream for yourself – you're helping to elevate the entire profession.

Think about the tools that have made the biggest difference in your career. Chances are, they were created by someone who faced the same challenges you encounter daily. Now you have the opportunity to be that innovator for others.

Taking the Next Step

If this resonates with you, I'd encourage you to take a moment to explore our current offerings at www.mlruk.com. Get a feel for the types of resources that align with our quality standards and practical focus. Then, consider what you might contribute to this growing collection.

Whether you have a fully developed product ready for market or simply an idea that's been percolating in your mind, we want to hear from you. The best innovations often start with a simple observation: "There must be a better way to help people learn this."

Drop us a line at [email protected] or give us a call on 01793 686512. Let's start a conversation about how your expertise and insights can benefit the wider training community.

After all, the future of professional development isn't just about the tools we use – it's about the collective wisdom we bring to creating them. Your contribution could be the missing piece that transforms someone's learning experience.

What will you create next?

Bob Hayward is Managing Director of Be More Effective Ltd and MLR, and a serial entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in leadership development and training. He combines insights from his background as a psychiatric nurse with practical business acumen that enabled him to build a number of successful businesses himself before which he now uses to help organisations and individuals achieve their potential.