How did it all start?

The founders of ABL, Paul Belcher and Judy Apps, met at NLP University training at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the birthplace of NLP. They are both NLP Trainers and Coaches, and Members of the Global Trainers and Consultants Network, a community of people trained at NLPU who have the highest level of training reputation and quality in the field. They instantly recognised their complementary skills, and a shared passion for making a difference in business. Paul has a strong business background with experience in senior roles, including R&D, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing and Training. Judy has extensive experience in performance, and has been training and coaching in leadership and presentation for many years.

The NLPU Training and Consulting Course at Santa Cruz University where ABL was formed.
Can you spot Paul and Judy?

ABL World actually came into being as a result of their shared perception that – in spite of the number of training options and the popularity of NLP - most current NLP Training was not meeting real needs of individuals and organisations as well as it could.

Most people find the experience of being a delegate on a good NLP Practitioner course to be a positive one. During the supportive atmosphere of the training they go through NLP processes that produce real insights and teach them quite a lot about themselves. But those ‘processes’ often don’t seem quite as appropriate back in the more pressured atmosphere of the workplace, surrounded with people unfamiliar with NLP. As a result, the learning never really gets transferred to the place where it is really needed, in the everyday performance of leadership, human interaction and business change.

Practical applications of NLP and Coaching - the ABL approach

The ABL NLP Practitioner and all other trainings emphasize the practical applications of NLP. When dealing with human interactions every day, you will find conversational skill and flexibility is more important to you than self-development jargon. ABL teaches effective ways of applying NLP fluently and gracefully in your everyday life with all the many different people you will meet. In fact, we teach you how to coach yourself and others successfully.

The ABL World NLP Practitioner and other training makes explicit the connections between NLP and relationships, leadership, sales, negotiation, influence, learning, change, coaching and performance. You walk away with not only enhanced skills but also the ability to know how and where to use them.

NLP and other methodologies

We also realise that NLP does not exist in isolation, but can be successfully integrated with existing models, such as Accelerated Learning, established profiling tools, Emotional Intelligence and so on. Such links are emphasized throughout ABL's work. For example, in the ABL NLP Practitioner we explore how the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI™) links with NLP meta-programmes. Our aim is to include 'what works' in each context.

From Robert Dilts; NLP Pioneer

"It is a great pleasure to see that Paul Belcher and Judy Apps have joined their unique skills and considerable talents to create this NLP Practitioner Course.

As graduates of the NLP University Trainer & Consulting Course I have had the opportunity to witness and appreciate their competence as trainers and presenters. Mostly I appreciate their genuine interest and desire to bring empowerment and inspiration to others through the tools of NLP."

              Robert Dilts, 2006

Meet the Team
 

The ABL team brings a wide range of experience from the world of business, training and coaching. Your lead trainers are Judy Apps and Paul Belcher and they can be contacted directly if you have any questions about ABL's services.

 

Judy Apps

Combining the skills of a performing arts and business management background, Judy has spent many years unravelling the secrets of how great leaders inspire others, and now teaches these skills to leaders in major corporations. With 15 years’ experience in developing creative training programmes and in coaching, her programmes emphasise the reconnection of mind/body processes, and ways of awakening the state of being that moves, energises and influences others. An NLP Trainer, and member of the NLP University Global Trainers’ and Consultants’ Network, she is an avid researcher and developer of wisdom from many different sources, including Bioenergetics, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Linklater Method, Aikido and Tai Chi. Her cutting edge techniques, combined with an incisive, encouraging approach, have enabled many leaders to achieve great leaps in their ability to communicate and their sense of personal confidence. Recent clients include Glaxo Smith Klein, Deloittes, VW Financial, Schering Pharmaceutical, Herbert Smith, BOC, Tetrapak, Jones LaSalle,  the Cabinet Office, and VW Financial.  A regular speaker, she has presented at NLP National Conferences for the past 3 years and she appeared at last years at the London NLP Conference. For more information on voice and presentation work with Judy go to Judy's Enlightened Training website. Can’t say any more than absolutely brilliant. Lots of food for thought. I feel like a new person! Finance Manager, Children’s Services  I feel different. I look different, I am different.  The whole course was excellent. I’ve already put into practice the tools given to me. Judy is inspirational! Development Manager  It is the best course I have attended and one I benefited from enormously.  I am putting it into practice already. Administrative Manager  Judy has a fantastically non-threatening approach to unlocking your ability to really connect with an audience. She has a gift for helping you to be charming and confident and seems able to bring out the best in the shiest of presenters. Director of Marketing  Judy, you are brilliant: What I loved was your energy levels and the variety in pace, the stories, the movement, the handouts and the humour. Senior Manager, Local Government.  Brilliant! The best course I’ve ever attended. Judy is wonderful. Senior Manager, Local Government Your course was extremely well received and very successful. Training Manager,Tetrapak, Sweden  Great speaker/facilitator. Very enjoyable. Area Manager, Cabinet Office Leadership Programme.  Most enjoyable and stimulating material presented and discussed by a brilliant facilitator. Director, Marketing and Business Growth Company

Paul Belcher

Before becoming a trainer, consultant, coach and entrepreneur Paul’s first 14 years of corporate life were characterised by leading collaborations and troubleshooting roles requiring focus, excellent communications (across all levels) and strategic thinking to bring about successful and sustainable change. Paul has travelled extensively to work with companies such as Intel, Samsung, Hitachi, IBM and many others and has had a rich and diverse experience of working in a wide range of corporate and international cultures. Paul has always had a keen interest in people; how they work, what motivates them and how well they work together with others in different organisations and cultures. Paul discovered NLP whilst completing his MBA over 10 years ago and quickly realised that NLP offers individuals and organisations highly effective concepts, tools and techniques to fill the gaps that many management and personal development activities miss. Paul has since trained with many of the leading figures in NLP including Robert Dilts, Judith Delozier, Ian McDermott, Suzi Smith and Tim Halborn and is a certified NLP Trainer and Coach. Paul, like Judy above, is a registered provider of the MBTI psychological profiling tool.   Coaching is a fabulous tool to move you forward, Paul is a fabulous coach. His strength lies in his ability to get you to see things in a whole new way, a way that then gives you more opportunities and possibilities. I had amazing things happen to me while Paul was my coach. Author, Trainer and Coach With patience, humour, compassion and insight, Paul worked with me to work out what I wanted, how I could best achieve it and explore the magic of "what if". I would recommend Paul as a Coach without hesitation. HR Manager I have really enjoyed working with Paul. His sensitivity and support have given me a safe place to explore some big issues and he has helped me to identify a number of ways forward and to develop the confidence to follow them through. Paul's lightness of touch and sense of humour have also made the sessions fun and I would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone thinking about having a coach. HR Consultant What I particularly valued about your style was, your focus on my outcome and the tone/pace of your voice as you coached me through my own thinking. Your expertise was to use your skills so I came up with the ideas. I was amazed at the result I got in such a short space of time. Trainer, Coach and Consultant

Guest Presenters and Trainers

We have a number of guest presenters and trainers for 2006. We are delighted to confirm that Mike Southon and Dr Mirjam van Roon will be joining us for the NLP Practitioner course. More to follow...

Mike Southon

Mike is an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker and author famous for his 'Beermat' series of books. Mike will be joining us on the 'Negotiation and the Power of Influence' module of the NLP Practitioner course in 2006 to share his own strategies for sales, negotiation and entrepreneurship. Mike is an inspirational and charismatic model for success and you can find out more about him here.

Mirjam van Roon

Mirjam van Roon is a graduate of Coach University and is accredited as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coach Federation (ICF).  She is qualified to deliver and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI™) and uses the assessment extensively in coaching and training. She is an active member of the ICF and its London Chapter, as well as a member of the Association for Psychological Type.  She is a member of the faculty at Coach University, where she teaches both introductory and advanced coaching skills to a new generation of coaches. Mirjam will be bringing her extensive training and coaching experience to the NLP Practitioner course for the 'Leadership and Walking your Talk' module. Her long-term experience of using the MBTI™ profiling tool will provide you with comprehensive insights into your behavioural preferences and the links with MBTI™ and NLP. Mirjam has recently completed her Practitioner level certification with NLPU in Santa Cruz, California. You can find out more about Mirjam here.