Member Article

Christmas Q&A: Sara O’Brien, KF Training

By Sara O’Brien, commercial director at KF Training

Your Business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

We’ve had an amazing year so we’ve seen many highlights but it’s got to be seeing the tremendous results of taking the business through a challenging but very rewarding 12 month transformation project! We’ve created 22 jobs, expanded operations across Yorkshire, the North West and Derbyshire and we’re ahead of our three-year strategic plan.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

As we specialise in delivering skills and consultancy business support in continuous improvement, there are definitely things I would have done differently. That’s all part of improving and strengthening what we do – learning from experiences, successes and failures is all part of the journey.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

2016 is most definitely ‘our year’ so lots to look out for! We have an exciting re-brand due to launch in January which is particularly impressive! I’m also looking forward to seeing the new product development team unleash their creativity and seeing our fantastic team continue to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. Our continued expansion into our core regions across the North of course is one to watch out for. We’re also growing our senior management team and are recruiting for two posts so can’t wait for the full team to be in place.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

Jump in Newcastle absolutely rock! I love their creative vibe, they are so talented! Also Narrative in Sunderland have an amazing energy which is infectious – I do believe the secret to a successful business stems from creating great vibes and stimulating inspiration in the workforce and both of these companies do just that! The North East Automotive Alliance is doing great work getting off the ground this year – as one of their members I’m pleased to see how well they’re doing.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to de-stress?

I’m a simple creature. Work is a big part of my life so I enjoy nothing more than relaxing with family and friends, make-up free with a speciality G&T in hand, and generally having a good time with those I love.

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow?

Social media is the way forward and I’m in awe of any business who gets it right! So, yes, lots of accounts have caught my eye – especially Bdaily of course – and I’m taking inspiration from those guys in 2016!

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

If Richard Branson needs a caretaker on Necker Island then count me in! Or failing that, anything that embraces my creative streak.

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Relax, you can’t please everyone all of the time. Seize opportunity, embrace all that life offers and failure is good – how else will you learn?!

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

Something practical, thoughtful and useful. If my husband reads this I can probably expect to unwrap an electrical appliance of some sort! I have to work hard at staying organised so a nice personal organiser would be perfect!

For further information about KF Training visit http://www.kftraining.co.uk/, call 0191 518 6830 or e-mail info@kftraining.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by KF Training Ltd .