CEdMA-Europe Members' Newsletter - January 2006

Workshop on 14 March - End-User Assessment with Learning Analytics
 

The spring CEdMA Europe half-day Workshop will take place on 14 March 2006 1330-1700 UK time at SAP Bedfont.

The speakers will be Mike Dowsey and Martin Roche of SAP Education. After an overview of Learning Analytics from Mike, Martin will describe SAP Education's recent experiences in carrying out their first Training Impact Survey. The topics covered will include:

For more details, look here.

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Conference on 11-12 May - How to improve education sales

The spring CEdMA Europe conference will take place on 11-12 May at the Initial Style Conference Centre at the The Mill and Old Swan near Oxford, where the theme will be How to improve education sales.

We are changing Pulse of the Industry to get everyone to share their hot topics, which will form a session in itself on day two. Pulse is intended to help introduce everyone, and help with networking during the event, as individuals explain what their key interests are. By limiting each summary to 5 minutes with one speaker per company, we can then move on to Routes to market for selling training, our first discussion session, which will be led by Phil Lawman.

Our personal development topic to help us with education sales is Improving our consultative selling skills, where Jim Wigg of Epicurean Associates will lead the session. (Some of you will remember Jim from the session he ran in Bristol in November 2004.)

On Friday morning, Justin McCarthy leads another discussion session, this time on Education pricing strategy and tactics.  After the break, we'll have a customer speaker to give A customer's view on buying training.

On Friday afternoon in Hot issues/topics, we'll bring together the input sent in advance which then gets qualified during Pulse and is discussed at length along with any other conference-specific outcomes. Finally, we have a short Planning the next conference session followed by an even shorter AGM.

CEdMA Europe members have two places at this event at no charge. Additional places for members and places for non-members (prospects or colleagues of CEdMA USA members) are charged at £195 (exclusive of VAT).

Overnight accomodation with breakfast costs £110 per night, payable to Style Conferences

For further information and booking (no forms required!), please visit here.

Alternatively, simply to book, send me an email.

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Advance notice for 2006 Events

We now have dates for all the workshops and conferences in 2006, so please have mark the dates below in your 2006 planner! Please note that all workshops will be on Tuesday afternoons, as in 2005, and not as originally announced.

Tue 14 Mar, Workshop "End-user assessment with Learning Analytics feedback", led by Martin Roche of SAP, at SAP Bedfont

Thu 11 May - Fri 12 May, Conference, "How to Improve Education Sales", at the Initial Style Conference Centre Mill and Old Swan near Oxford

Tue 13 Jun, Workshop "Introduction to Learning Management Systems and Learning Content Management Systems", led by Fiona Leteney of Feenix, at Sybase Maidenhead (Note that this is a different date.)

Tue 26 Sep, Workshop, "Internal Selling Experiences", at HP Bracknell

Thu 16 Nov - Fri 17 Nov, Conference, TBA, at the UK Learning Lab "where technology enables knowledge", Telford

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Recent Articles from the Education and Training Press

News

Industry News from IT Skills Research (Jan)

Research Digest from IT Skills Research (Jan)

IT Training Press Releases (Jan)

Case Study: Blended Learning at Barclays (Dec 13)

India Faces IT Skills Shortfall (Dec 13)

No Short-Term Let Up in IT Skills Shortages (Dec 15)

SumTotal, CollabWorx Offer Solution for Department of Defense (Dec 22)

BerkeleySoft Releases OnDemand LMS With Secure Enterprise Podcasting Support (Jan 3)

Clean Harbors to Fuel Training With GeoLearning's Managed Learning Services (Jan 4)

Plateau LMS Selected For US Defense Intelligence Agency's Virtual University (Jan 4)

Ahern Rentals Implements SumTotal LMS (Jan 5)

New Mexico Health Department Picks SumTotal for Learning Management (Jan 9)
 

Mitel Picks Saba for Product Training Program (Jan 9)
 

Eedo Knowledgeware Announces Call Center Spin-off (Jan 12)
 

Pharmavite Picks GeoLearning for Learning Services Contract (Jan 12)

LMS Market Grows 28 Percent (Jan 12)

WBT Systems Powers Dutch Healthcare Initiative (Jan 12)
 

834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction - summary (Jan 12)

IntraLearn to Launch Microsoft SQL Application Suite (Jan 17)

Chalk Inc. Named Exclusive E-Learning Solution Provider for Intelligent Decisions (Jan 17)

The Secret Failures of E-Learning (Jan 18)

Plateau and Eedo Knowledgeware Enter Partnership (Jan 19)

ESAB Picks Cornerstone to Support Blended Learning Program (Jan 19)

Simmons Bedding Picks Learn.com to Develop Online Training (Jan 19)

Bayer Diagnostics Chooses WBT Systems for Learning Platform (Jan 23)

Nissan Implements Saba Learning Suite (Jan 23)

Brainshark Issued Patent for On-Demand Audio-Visual Presentations

(Jan 24)

American Mortgage Network Picks Learn.com LMS (Jan 24)

Learn.com Sees Second Straight Year of Profitability (Jan 24)

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Reviews and Current Trends

The C-level and the value of learning (Oct 05)

A survey, co-sponsored by ASTD and IBM, finds that the CEO and an organization's chief learning officer are often in synch, but perception and reality often are not the same. T+D Magazine, ©2005 ASTD

ASTD State of the Industry 2005 (Dec 05)

This is ASTD's annual review of trends in workplace learning and performance. T+D Magazine, ©2005 ASTD

Training Magazine Industry Report 2005 (Dec 05) and Summary (Dec 05)

Despite all the talk about e-learning, mobile learning and on-demand learning, Training's exclusive research of employer-sponsored training in the United States shows that most learning still is done the traditional way.

Training, ©2005 VNU Business Media

What's the Difference between Learning and Training? (Jan 06)

The words learning and training have five letters in common and touch the same field of interest—education. Often the words are used interchangeably, but some say there is a subtle distinction between the two. Of course, definitions for that distinction vary according to whom you ask. Some learning leaders feel that learning is a long-term process related to development, while training is a timely, technical skills-based process that might or might not involve a lower level of skill acquisition. But as time rolls on and the value stakes surrounding learning, development and training in the enterprise continue to escalate, training might get pushed into the learning and development arena whether it likes it or not. Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing
 

Future of the Profession (Jan 06)
A world that no longer exists describes the workplace learning and performance field of yesterday compared to the future. The workplace learning and performance professional will be a different creature, too, according to experts. T+D Magazine, ©2006 ASTD

Looking Forward - The Learning and Development Industry in 2006
(Jan 06)

This month, CLO magazine's Business Intelligence Board explored the issues that will have the greatest impact on learning and development over the next year. While most agree on some conclusions, a number of issues remain divisive. Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

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Training Manager/Director Development

Got Class? (Dec 05)

When it comes to learning, many trainers say they're happy doing it the old-fashioned way - in the classroom. Training, ©2005 VNU Business Media

Nano-Learning - Miniaturization of Design (Jan 06)

Most people acquire most of their knowledge in smaller pieces.

Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

The Many Shades of Learning (Jan 06)

In the early days of IT training, everyone came to listen and be taught by an expert. The advent of alternative learning options such as e-learning, e-reference and others has opened up a fairly complex discussion over what modality meets the need at what time. Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

Learning Trends to Watch in 2006 (Jan 06)

Jeanne C. Meister, now ex-Accenture, continues her "In conclusion" series with a look at trends to watch in 2006.

Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

A Strategy for Training Materials Selection (Jan 06)

While it might be reasonable to ask the trainers to evaluate new learning materials, the ultimate decision lies with the organization's top learning executive. This month we consider strategies to help you make the right choice.

Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

Is training in tune with business strategy? (Jan 06)

A recent survey by Coleman-Parkes claims that the IT function doesn’t talk to the business. This finding is all the more disappointing considering the strong arguments over recent years for ensuring the strategic alignment of IT to the business. And this got me thinking – is the training function any better?

IT Training, ©2006 Haymarket Professional Publications Ltd

Do your homework (Jan 06)

This is the period when the call comes to submit your budget for next year. We know that this has to go through a tortuous route of sense checks, reduction, more checks, general review, maybe even a ‘town hall meeting’ in which you have to justify your predictions of the coming year’s spend.

IT Training, ©2006 Haymarket Professional Publications Ltd

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Selling and Marketing Education

On the cost of selling an Enterprise Learning System (Jan 06)

“A must-read if you are interested in the learning management system (LMS) marketplace ‘Using industry-average data, the cost of selling a Blackboard enterprise learning system is estimated to be $259,000 per sale. Analysis of the third-quarter 2005 data estimates this cost at $280,913. Other estimates range as low as $222,386.’" ©2006 Jim Farmer, instructional media + magic

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Learning Media

Rapid E-learning (Jul 05)
Enter rapid e-learning development software, which allows organizations to create e-learning more quickly, more easily and at lower price points than is possible using conventional e-learning development tools. Just how hot is the rapid e-learning market right now?
Training Magazine, ©2005 VNU Business Media 

Disconnected - Why learning professionals need to care about mobile learning (Dec 05)
Given the broad and growing adoption of mobile devices, it's hard to avoid the logical application of these devices for learning purposes. Mobile learning responds to people who need access to information and performance support when out in the field or on the job. T+D Magazine, ©2005 ASTD

Making remote authoring a reality (Dec 05)

Mike Alcock of Atlantic Link explains how the latest generation of Microsoft technologies is creating a new paradigm for the creation of on-line learning. He looks at how e-learning was traditionally developed and how new technology is allowing remote authoring of e-learning programmes. ©2005 Atlantic Link

834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction (Dec 05)

In early 2005, The eLearning Guild conducted a survey of its members on the subject of Synchronous Instruction. The last question asked people with online instruction experience to list their favourite tips to share with others. 336 members out of 644 responses contributed. ©2005 The eLearning Guild

Rapid e-learning gets the job done (Jan 06)

If you need a training programme developed fast, go back to basics and hand over control to SMEs, advises Clive Shepherd.
IT Training, ©2006 Haymarket Professional Publications Ltd

Blended Learning v2.0 - Multi-Sensory Solutions (Jan 06)

At the dawn of the 21st century, many believed that traditional classroom training was on the way out, and e-learning was poised to take its place. Today, we know that the future of learning is a hybrid of traditional and modern modalities. Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

Beyond the Talk About Blended Learning (Jan 06)

There has been a lot of talk about blended learning, but blending requires more than scheduling learners to attend different kinds of training. Take a closer look to determine how blended learning can drive performance improvements.

Chief Learning Officer, ©2006 Media Tec Publishing

LearnLinc Version 5 (Jan 06)
LearnLinc is a robust and reliable synchronous training tool. It contains every feature you would expect—and then some.  Its flexible pricing and installation options make it a viable choice for companies of almost any size. While LearnLinc doesn't come with every bell and whistle, it still has more features than most trainers will ever use. LC Express, ©2006 ASTD

Leveraging Work Flow (Jan 06)
There are many people intrigued by the buzz surrounding "workflow learning" who cannot explain their own workflow lucidity. Darin Hartley tells us what we need to know. T+D Magazine, ©2006 ASTD

Which comes first - learning or technology (Jan 06)

We are entering a new and exciting period where the options for delivering learning will be many and varied. Vaughan Waller looks at the learning issues.

©2006, Technologies for Business and Learning

The challenges of implementing e-learning (Jan 06)

Just Learn's research has shown that there are many challenges facing the e-learning practitioner if they are to implement e-learning successfully, and here they describe the survey's top ten. ©2006 Just Learn

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Case Studies and Projects

Dividends paid (Jan 06)

Financial services companies have to deal with high employee turnover in customer-service positions. They have to ensure that appropriate training resources are available. T+D Magazine, ©2006 ASTD

Case Study - Enhancing Customer Service at John Hancock (Jan 06)

This case study details how John Hancock implemented a low-cost, easy to use e-learning platform to meet increased demands for on-the-job training, regulatory compliance, and increased customer service.

©2006 Bersin and Associates

Case Study - Littlewoods and Optimum (Dec 05)

Atlantic Link worked with Littlewoods Call Centres to create a self-sufficient e-learning tool that increased productivity, increased staff retention and increased results. The only things that reduced were the price and the length of the courses. ©2005 Atlantic Link

Software - All systems go (Jan 06)

At first glance it isn't always easy to distinguish between one HR system or systems provider and another. Sally Flood looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the biggest four in the market.

Human Resources, ©2006 Haymarket Business Interactive Ltd

Upgrade without tears (Jan 06)

Mobile phone operator Orange faced a mammoth task when it decided to switch from Windows NT 4. And it was up to a trio of IT staff to prepare 12,000 users. Sally Flood meets one of the three musketeers.

IT Training, ©2006 Haymarket Professional Publications Ltd

Safe in their hands (Jan 06)

IT security is now more important than ever for BA. Which is why the airline is professionalising its central security team, reports Ron Condon.

IT Training, ©2006 Haymarket Professional Publications Ltd

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Measuring Education Value

Shopping for Learning Analytics (Jan 06)

Organizations can no longer afford to spend freely on software deployments without having the ability to measure exactly what the product is accomplishing. Learning and Training Innovations, ©2006 Questex Media Group, Inc.

Making the Business Case for Value (Jan 06)

Expert on measurement and evaluation Dr Jack Phillips, talks to TrainingZONE about the ROI methodology. ©2006 TrainingZONE 

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Processes/Managing Costs/Outsourcing

ASTD/IBM Learning Outsourcing Research Report (May 05)
ASTD and IBM set out to determine the extent to which corporate learning executives are embracing the concept of outsourcing and changing the way in which they engage external service providers. The survey was conducted to identify learning executives' current and future perceptions of and intentions with outsourcing, as well as what drives their decisions. ©2005 ASTD/IBM

What Capabilities Should I Use to Select a Training Outsourcing Supplier (Jan 06)

Doug Harward presents 13 capability areas that have been identified as critical for consideration by training buyers. Conversely, these are core competencies of training outsourcing service providers. Corporate and government executives trying to identify the right training partner can use these capabilities to evaluate suppliers by weighting the importance of each capability and then rating the potential partners on the criteria. The total score for each company can then be calculated to determine the best potential learning outsourcing partners.
©2006 TrainingOutsourcing

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Instructor Topics
No articles this month.

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Education Administration
No articles this month.

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Skills Gap/Technical Certification

No articles this month.

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And, Finally.....

The sergeant major and the rude parrot story (examples of management styles)

A retired sergeant major inherited a talking parrot from a recently departed relative who had run a busy dockside pub. For the first few days in his new home the normally talkative parrot was distinctly shy. The old major, despite his stern and disciplined ways, felt sorry for the bird, and gently encouraged it with soft words and pieces of fruit. After a week or so the parrot began to find its voice - a little at first - and then more so. Responding to the kind treatment, the parrot's vocabulary continued to recover, including particularly the many colourful expressions it had been taught in the dockside pub.

The old sergeant major began to be quite irritated by the parrot's incessant rudeness, and after a few more days of worsening profanities, decided action was required to bring the bird under control. The sergeant major tried at first to incentivise the parrot with the promise of reward for good behaviour, but to no avail. He next tried to teach the bird a lesson by withdrawing its privileges, again to no avail; the parrot remained stubbornly rude.

Finally the old major flipped into battleground management mode; he grabbed the bird, clamped his hands around its beak, and thrust the struggling, swearing parrot into the top drawer of the freezer, slamming the door tightly shut. The swearing and struggling noises continued inside the freezer for a few seconds and then abruptly stopped. The sergeant major listened for a while and then, concerned that the parrot's shock might have been terminal, carefully opened the freezer door and opened the drawer to look. The parrot slowly clambered out of the drawer and perched on its edge.

"I must apologise for my rude and disrespectful behaviour," said the parrot, "I promise never to use bad language again. And by the way, what did the turkey do?"

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Feedback, please!

Once again, I would really like to get input from you, the readers. I am also trying to create a library of useful articles on the website, all of which will appear first in a newsletter. If you have any article to contribute, please send it.

Mike Dowsey

Business Development Manager

CEdMA-Europe

mike@dowsey.net