What Is Ian Rowland's Business Background?

​​​​​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, writing and producing material for sales, marketing and training. I created videos, brochures, handbooks, conference presentations and whatever else people wanted. Clients told me what they wanted to say and I helped them find the best way to say it. 

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During this early chapter in my career, I worked with a truly vast range of companies in manufacturing, service and retail sectors.

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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 switched to the IT industry, starting as a technical writer or 'professional explainer' for a north London company called Synon. I later managed the company's Documentation Department. My team produces all the documentation the company needed, from user manuals and marketing materials to newsletters and press releases.

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Later, 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 as a speaker, trainer and magician since about 2000.​