How To Undertake Continuing Professional Development Even If You Have Little or No Budget
My employer doesn’t fund training and development. It’s something that I’ve heard so many times from accountants and professionals.
Once upon a time it might have been okay to say this. These days it’s a pretty poor excuse.
The truth is that you can do an awful lot continuing professional development even if you have little or no budget.
How you might ask? Here are some ideas.
Get a book from the library
In most towns there is still a public library or at least there is one nearby. Most of them here in the UK actually carry a decent selection of business books.
Get a free library membership, borrow a book and start reading.
Read blog posts
You will find blog posts on all aspects of leadership, management, business, technology and a whole lot more.
Do a Google search on The Best Blogs about X (X being the subject that you are interested in).
Subscribe to newsletters
If you are a member of a professional body you probably get a newsletter. You can supplement this by subscribing to good quality newsletters.
Watch a YouTube Video
There’s a ton of great content on just about anything, including business, careers and leadership. You will even find videos talking about topics that might be impacting on your profession such as Blockchain.
Listen to a podcast
Like video there are a whole host of business related podcasts.
Read your professional association magazine
It often comes free as part of your membership. A large majority never take it out of the wrapper. Yet there is often 2 or 3 really good articles.
Go to a local professional association event
These are often free to attend or minimal cost. If travel is the issue join a webinar instead.
Get involved in projects at work
These are particularly good for improving your skills and also building your profile.
Enrol on a Udemy Course
Many are free or low cost. The good thing is they are good quality too as they have to go through a review process before they go live.
The truth is continuing professional development has never been more important than it is now. Equally it has never been easier to access resources even if you have no or little budget.
So what’s your next step to start moving forward with your continuing professional development?
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.