We're now a couple of weeks into the new year and things have certainly gathered pace. Due to the achievement of learndirect branding at the end of 2008 we now have a launch date and all efforts are going into the planning of this. It has been an excellent learning experience dealing with all the factors that are involved and I feel I have handled this pressure well so far. I now have dealt with a 1600 person mail drop, inviting dignatries and arranging who will help out, planning the layout of the day, ordering food for the event and other tasks such as carrying out risk assessments.

The start of the year has also seen most of our new classes starting and this has involved a lot of planning to make sure the classes don't lose numbers early on as this can cause them to be pulled.

All in all, it has been an exciting start and definitely not the quiet January people expect!