What Is Ian Rowland's Business Background?

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My clients sometimes ask me about my background in industry and my management experience. This obviously has a bearing on the training I provide, especially in the corporate sphere. ​​​​​​​

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I began my career in corporate media, such as writing and producing corporate videos (mostly sales and training) as well as devising multi-media conference presentations. Clients told me what they wanted to say and I helped them find the best way to say it. 

 

During this early chapter in my career, I worked with a truly vast range of companies in manufacturing, service and retail sectors. These included Boots, Pedigree Petfoods, GEC Marconi, the Savoy Group, Raleigh, Exxon, Bostik, C&A, Prudential and Thames Water. In other words, I've helped companies to sell everything from glue, shoes and cheese to bread, bicycles and bathrooms, painkillers, petfood and plastic pipes!

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I then moved into the IT industry, working for Synon — an international software company based in north London. I started as a technical writer or 'professional explainer' before setting up and managing the company's Documentation Department. This involved managing a small creative team to research, write and publish all the documentation the company needed, from user manuals to marketing materials, newsletters and press releases.

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After I left Synon, I became the UK Sales & Marketing Manager for Valtech, a French company with offices in London and around the world. This involved managing a team of about 20 people to hit sales targets, retain clients and deal with small problems before they became big ones. I loved this chapter in my career!

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I've worked for myself and run my own company since about 1998.​