Strangely, in the last week two different organisations have asked me to produce material for no payment. The first is a well-known training company in London, where I spent a number of days spread over two weeks delivering Advanced Excel courses to groups of delegates. (I was not directly engaged by this company, but through a third-party agency.) On my first day, I asked for the delegates to be sent the company’s course manuals after the course: I am usually asked what follow-up material will be available, so this is what I like to be able to tell them will happen.
On completing the second week, however, I was quite persistently asked by this training company to supply them with my files, worked examples and course handouts. I have declined to do so: I do not give away my IP for nothing. The company charges significant money (per delegate) for these courses (of which I receive a pretty small day rate) and I don’t see why I should hand over my own material for nothing. I would be quite happy to spend time crafting such material for them to brand and use, but not for free.
As this was all gradually dying away (thanks in large measure to the mediation of my agents), a second request came in. This time it was from a (different) training agency who gives me occasional work. “As a favour”, could I please supply them with a set of Word outlines: Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. “We don’t want to get them off the Internet – we’d like a trainer’s input”. Hmm, laudable sentiments; I wonder if they were trying to flatter me into taking this on… Well, I don’t normally do my own outlines. Much of my training is on behalf of third-party companies, so I use my own materials but choose carefully each time according to the outlines I am given. I only use my own outlines when I’m working direct, in which case I discuss the course with my client and tailor a unique outline to meet their needs and wishes. So again, if I were to take this on, it would be a significant (though small) job of work. I have quoted them a rate and we will see what happens.
If you want a professional to carry out a job of work, do be prepared to pay for it. Oh, and documentation IS work. It doesn’t magically appear in an instant, with no effort; it takes thought, care and meticulous checking. Above all, it takes time. Or, if you do want my material, book me for training direct and then I wll be happy to let you have whatever files you want!
