The perception of value. How much does the Seminar cost?

“How much does the seminar cost?”

“How much do you think its worth?” Came the reply.

This was the conversation at our first Health and Safety Seminar, back in 2014. Back then there had been a whole range of changes to Health and Safety Regulations, associated standards and documents. We had developed a presentation to keep everyone in the loop although it would take all morning as there was a lot of items to discuss. By lunch time we would feed everyone and allow for a bit of cross discussion before people would decide to drift away, back to their workplaces.

The problem was, we didn’t know how much to charge. This was to be a bespoke, half a day training course that some would find more useful than others. So, we decided to create a form, which we would ask the delegates to tick a box of value once they had finished and we would invoice in accordance with their wishes. The options on the form were……. £0, £20, £40, £60.

After the show was over, most people ticked the £40 box. Some ticked 60; some ticked 20. One person ticked £0, and they managed to get a free lunch out of us. However, we honoured all their requirements and raised a bill in line with their request.

How much do you value anything? Does value line up with cost for the things you purchase?

Our current Seminar on 15th May this year is being charged at £85. It is now an all-day event allowing us to introduce a range of different professional presenters. They are likely to have experienced things they wish to share, or developed concepts which are new and effective, or offer a different view on the world of Heath Safety and the Environmental management. We try to find a really quirky venue and provide premiership league food for the guests. In all, we try to create the wow factor.

Some people though such as the guy from one of the regional councils informed us it is too much to pay! He says his IOSH branch meetings cost nothing (really? They have free membership? And receive free food? Are in the employer’s time?). That’s fine for him. The IOSH branch meetings are usually quite good, and we sometimes use their speakers at our seminars. However, we think the concept pf price ahead of value in this instance, represents the epitome of short sighted, narrow minded attitude that we consider died out a long time ago in the world of health and safety. Health and safety Directors, Managers, Officers, Trainers, Auditors etc. All need to be innovative, progressive, curious, flexible, resilient, open minded, inquisitive, receptive and adaptable.

Do you consider yourself in this group and not in the dinosaur group?

If so, there are still some spaces at our coming Health, Safety and Environmental management seminar on 5th May 2025. Contact 08432890579 as soon as possible for more details or email hello@traintosafety.co.uk

PS. Wonder what happened to the person who ticked the £0 box? We cant say, we never saw them again!