SOFest

5 Minutes

AI generated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For L&D managers For senior L&D Interviews Technology Video

From vendor to value partner: Turning learning conversations into real impact

Jo Cook 10 November 2025

External training providers face cultural barriers, politics and self-doubt when pushing for real impact. This conversation uncovers how to secure supervisor buy in, differentiate your offer, harness digital nudges, and […]...

11 Minutes

AI generated Delivering learning & training Digital literacy & digital poverty Diversity, inclusion and equity Emotional intelligence For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Interviews Video

From four walls to open fields: What SOFest taught us about connection and curiosity

Jo Cook 1 July 2025

TJ Editor Jo Cook takes us inside SOFest — the joyful, curious, and beautifully unorthodox learning festival in a field. With sessions ranging from AI coaching to human design, wild […]...

5 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice Sales & customer service

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Last update before the fun!

Kirsty Lewis 27 May 2025

With just a couple of weeks to go, Kirsty Lewis shares the emotional highs, financial lows and last-minute wins as SOFest edges closer. From surprise sponsors to sparkly outfit dilemmas, […]...

4 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice Sales & customer service

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The emotional rollercoaster is real

Kirsty Lewis 12 March 2025

Kirsty Lewis has a meltdown about the numbers for her facilitation festival, despite amazing plans Well we have made it to March 1st and that date is exactly 100 days […]...

4 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice Sales & customer service

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Exploring ticket sales tactics

Kirsty Lewis 21 February 2025

Kirsty Lewis on the ups, downs and wild ideas behind getting people to SOFest 2025 How are you? If you are new to this blog it is all about my […]...

5 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Show me the money

Kirsty Lewis 16 January 2025

How much does a new learning summit cost? Kirsty Lewis shares an eye watering amount This month I want to share the emotional rollercoaster that is creating a festival from […]...

3 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The workshops

Kirsty Lewis 15 January 2025

Kirsty Lewis focuses her new festival planning on the different themes and workshops we need For those of you who missed the previous blog, let me catch you up: Imagine […]...

4 Minutes

Blogs Communication Community and social media Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Creativity & innovation Delivering learning & training Economics and finance For experienced L&D professionals For freelancers, consultants & small businesses For HR For L&D managers For new to L&D For senior L&D Marketing Reflective practice

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The journey begins

Kirsty Lewis 14 January 2025

An honest account of the roller coaster of creating a newconference, with Kirsty Lewis About five years ago I came up with an idea of an event whereby 100 facilitators, […]...