The future is clearly blended learning

Almost 28 years with Credit Management Training Ltd (CMT) and I’m as driven, passionate, motivated and excited today as I ever was.  More than 8,000 delegates have attended CMT training courses; over 400 companies have had in-house training from CMT and almost 2,000 delegates have completed the Diploma Course in Credit Management; 497 at Level 4.

Now with Klass Academy I move into Digital Education :

Klara Boor and I met in 2002 at a Credit Management conference in Brussels.  We made friends and kept in touch.  Two years ago, we talked about the possibility of working together. 

CMT has a long-standing history in the domain of high-quality training and consultancy, which has resulted in clients improving communication, cash flow and profitability.   We had great success in presenting live training courses and the market was beginning to move more towards on-line courses and webinars.

I wanted to expand our team, product offering and global presence and discussed this with Klara.  We came up with the idea of us setting up a new digitally enabled company, Klass Academy, to offer Digital Training, Virtual Coaching and Live Diploma Courses on Cash Collection and Credit Management.  This really appealed and we started working together, with a group of like-minded people on making it happen.

A lot of work has gone into planning, producing a business plan, writing scripts for the e-classes and filming.

Now with Klass Academy I move into Digital Education :

• Cash Collection Module, consisting of 7 interactive E-classes, allowing subscribers to learn at their own pace.
• Virtual coaching, allowing learners to discuss their specific questions with industry experts, in a virtual classroom.
• Live Diploma courses, on Cash Collection and Credit Management, allowing delegates to build expertise and qualify for a Level 4 Diploma.
• Gaming and friendly competition amongst peers is the notion promoted across all levels.

Klass Academy has now launched, working in collaboration with CMT.  We offer Best in Klass Customer Service, Best in Klass Collection Techniques and Best in Klass Credit Management Services.  Put us to the test, and see what the Best in Klass can do for you.

My Journey:

I was born in London of Greek Cypriot immigrants to England, who came here in 1954, unable to speak any English. 

My Father was a shepherd and he only went to school for a year, from the age of 6 to 7.  He worked extremely hard in factories and eventually went into his own Fish and Chips business.  His ambition was for his children to follow him into the business.

When I started school, I could speak very little English.  I was the eldest of six children and my parents only spoke to us in Greek.  Before too long, I was the best in class at reading and spelling.  It motivated me to work hard and to try and be the best at everything.  Obviously, you can’t be the best at everything, but I gave it a good damn try.

My parents wanted me to leave school at 15 and work in the Fish and Chip shop.  No chance.  The deputy headmaster from my school came to our house to persuade them to let me stay on for at least a year and I did. Between the 4^th and 5^th year at school, during the summer holidays, a neighbour asked if I’d like to earn some extra pocket money by helping out in his office.  Of course, being a skint teenager, I succumbed and was happy to accept.  He was a Credit Manager and I spent 4 weeks helping in a credit control environment.  Filing, photocopying, and making teas and coffees.

I got the feel of what was going on around me and after leaving school I decided that’s what I wanted to do and joined Bristol Street Motors as a Trainee Credit Controller.  Promotion to Credit Controller was swift and I soon became one of the best at collecting money over the telephone.  My mentor was a woman, Nellie Barnes.  She had 5 daughters and treated me like the son she never had.  I called her mum number two and she spoilt me rotten.  She was one of the absolute best Credit Controllers and she taught me well.

In January 1974, at 20 and a half years of age, I joined a manufacturing company, Valor Heating, as a Sales Ledger Supervisor.  They were advertising for someone 25 and over.  I went through two interviews and got the job.  By the time I left them, six years later, I was in charge of four departments. All thanks to my mentor, Mike Batkin, Financial Director.  He chose the right time for me to move on and spoke to a neighbour of his about me, who recommended me to Tatung UK.  Because of my young age, I went through four interviews before they appointed me.

I became Senior Credit Manager at Tatung UK, where I spent just over four years, reporting directly to the President, W T Lin, before joining CCC Business Studies, developing and promoting Credit Management training courses. The advert read ‘Have you got confidence, charisma, credit management experience?  If so, please send in your CV for consideration.’

After three and a half years with CCC Business Studies, I was headhunted by Touche Ross (now Deloitte).  They appointed me Director of Credit Management Training and they sponsored me for two years after I left them to set up CMT.

Up to Date with Klass Academy:

• NCFE Internationally Approved Centre
• NCFE Accredited Training Courses
• 7 interactive E-classes available to all
• Live Training in the UK, EU, Africa, and Asia
• Registered in Switzerland

What sets us apart from some other young startups, is that we have many years of experience and a lot of knowledge to share.