Trainer, Consultant, Facilitator
Jana Křížková
Something work-related
Jana has spent 20 years working for one of the largest international corporations in the world. There, she gradually held many positions in the sales department — from sales representative and key account manager to roles with overall responsibility for business cooperation with key retail chains. Her passion for working with people and supporting their development is what led Jana to start passing on her experience and knowledge through various types of training. Her specialization is practical exercises and experiential learning. She also cooperates externally with the Prague University of Economics and Business, where she enjoys and is inspired by students’ perspectives.
Something personal
Jana has a wonderful family and three rascals, including an amazing and supportive husband. She enjoys learning new things, especially in the company of other people. She recharges best by spending time with friends over a glass of good dry red wine. Jana loves movement and still dreams of reaching the 100-kilometre mark on inline skates. Her current record is 95.2 km. Her biggest fear is boredom, routine, and stagnation.
1) How would you describe your job in one sentence?
My work as a trainer is varied, requires me to stay alert and keep working on myself, and when participants thank me for the value they gained, I live off that feeling for another month.
2) What has influenced you in life, and how does it show up in your work?
At primary school, I wanted to become a teacher. At secondary school, I wanted to be a manager in a suit. At university, I wanted to do work with great people. I then spent almost 20 years in various sales and management roles in a successful American corporation, and that is where the idea of passing on my experience to others gradually matured.
3) Why do you work for humancraft?
Because it combines great work with great people. humancraft has high expectations when it comes to the quality of work delivered, while also offering all the support I need to be able to do that work well. My colleagues at humancraft are highly inspiring and fascinating — I enjoy their knowledge, experience, creativity, and diversity, and working with them is truly fulfilling.
4) What has been your biggest challenge at humancraft so far?
Managing training in an online environment. Until then, I had relied a lot on my “in-person” energy and was afraid I would not be able to transfer it online. It was also a period when we had to learn to work with new tools, redesign our existing materials, and invest much more energy to make sure participants were satisfied.
5) How does your work influence your personal development and career?
They are closely connected — I could not work as a trainer without continuing to learn myself. I have learned to set aside both time and money for my own development.
6) What are the biggest challenges in corporate education today, and how is humancraft addressing them?
There are certainly several challenges, but the biggest one for me is the weak involvement and support from the managers of training participants. Their role is absolutely crucial if training is to deliver the expected value and lead to real change once it is over.