Corporate Trainer

• Start-up cost: RM5,000-RM11,000
• Potential earnings: RM35,000-RM100,000
• Typical fees: RM500-RM2,000 per day
• Advertising: Networking with local personnel managers, speaking before professional organizations and local groups, compiling a detailed portfolio in a specific area like sales or team management, communication skills, facility with group dynamics
• Equipment needed: Office furniture, computer, printer, fax, suite and presentation software, business card, letterhead, and envelopes
• Staff required: No
• Handicapped opportunity: Possibly
• Hidden costs: Living expenses for first six months to build client base
• Lowdown: Although there has been over the last decade an increase in the percentage of employees who receive formal training, fewer large companies keep a training staff on the payroll. The process of hiring and firing means big losses for companies trying to keep up with changing techniques, technologies, and procedures. Successful training will build a solid reputation, and can be a foothold to other money-making opportunities, such as books, tapes, manuals, and seminars.
• Start-Up: The Malaysian Society for Training and the Malaysian Institute of Management can be useful resources for developing your own program. You must spend the time and money (about RM1,000+), to create a specific presentation that will fill an existing niche in the industry, and earn you about RM5,000. You can charge more as you grow more established
• Bottom-Line Advice: Top trainers make excellent money, but be prepared to take the time to sell yourself and your seminars. Remember that companies are often looking for short-term benefits instead of the long-term value of a good training program. However, once your reputation is established, there is excellent opportunity for repeat business.