CEdMA Europe Newsletter


CEdMA-Europe Members' Newsletter - October 2008 Index Introduction Workshops 1 October, "Operational Metrics, Measurements and Evaluation" Conference - 6-7 November, "Focus on the Customer" Recent Articles from the Education and Training Press: News Reviews and Current Trends Training Manager/Director Development Selling and Marketing Education Learning Methods and Media Case Studies and Reports Measuring Education Value Processes/Managing Costs/Outsourcing Training Professional Topics Education Administration Skills Gap/Technical Certification Webinars and Podcasts <<<new>>> And, Finally..... Feedback, please! Introduction Welcome to the October edition of the CEdMA-Europe Members' Monthly Newsletter, which will be sent to CEdMA Europe members and to European colleagues of CEdMA USA members. Please note that from now on, the date on the newsletter will be the beginning of the month rather than the end. As usual, you will learn about updates to our forthcoming programme of events, and there is the collection of recent articles whose content is consistent with the important topics that you our members voted to cover in our recent Conferences. The News section contains six articles with the whole month's news, three of which contain individually dated press releases. In Reviews and Current Trends, there are eight reports, ranging from the economy and jobs to a 360 Report on e-Learning. The Training Manager/Director Development articles follow the usual theme of providing useful support to you, so the six articles cover a range of management topics. There are three articles in Selling and Marketing Education, one on producing your own webinars, and two on branding. As usual, the Learning Media and Methods articles are many and varied (20 this time), in particular e-Learning 2.0 (four) and development (three). Case Studies and Projects has two articles, about Accenture and Telstra. Measuring Education Value has three articles, about strategy, application and reliability. Processes/Managing Costs/Outsourcing has one article, about the decline of training outsourcing. There are three articles in Training Professional Topics, all about presentation techniques. In Skills Gap/Technical Certification there are three articles, two about exam security and the other about networking skills. Finally, in the new section called Webinars and Podcasts, there are five webinars from industry organizations. Back to top
	Workshops

	1 October, "Operational Metrics, Measurements and Evaluation" Stop press - we have over 20 registrations but still room for more! The CEdMA Europe Autumn 2008 Workshop will take place at Sybase Maidenhead on Wednesday 1 October from 1300 to 1700. At the recent May Conference, the attendees voted this as the most needed subject to discuss in the current climate. Most of us have our own standard set of operational metrics and measurement. But what do you do with them? Are they easy to measure? Can we use them to make business decisions? Does senior management use them as a scorecard? In the first part of the workshop, Neil Gregory of SPSS and Jasmine Huxtable-Wright of Symantec will discuss a common set of "traditional" metrics and measurements having polled a number of CEdMA members. You are invited to comment on these and add your own experiences. After the break, Simon Maskrey of SUN and Justin McCarthy of Sybase will present a significantly different set of operational metrics and measurements based on their changed business models and new ways of doing business. Again, comment and discussion is encouraged from the floor. Agenda 1300 Coffee 1330 Introduction - Mike 1345 Traditional Operational Metrics and Measurements - Neil Gregory and Jasmine Huxtable-Wright 1500 Break and Networking 1530 New Metrics and Measurements for New Worlds - Simon Maskrey and Justin McCarthy 1645 Summary 1700 Close Here's your printable agenda. Please let Mike know if you or any of your colleagues will be attending, so that we can make sure we have enough seats, coffee, biscuits, and so on. I look forward to seeing you there! Note: we are holding workshops on Wednesdays in 2008. Back to top
	Conference 6-7 November: "Focus on the Customer"
	The Autumn Conference will take place at the Marriott Royal in Bristol. The theme is "Focus on the Customer", a topic area voted by you the members as being the most pressing in the current environment. Following the recent successful change, Pulse of the Industry will again get everyone to share their hot topics, which will have been gathered in an online survey in advance with other input. Pulse is intended to introduce everyone, and help with networking during the event, as individuals explain what their key interests are. Then, after the break, we'll split the hot topics into two and have parallel discussion groups. The following sessions address the theme. What Customers Want – A View from Someone who Knows Over several years, our speaker from EMC was responsible for setting up and managing data centres across several countries for Lloyds Bank then Orange. A critical success factor was ensuring the right training was available both for initial setup and on an ongoing basis. How did he go about that? Did he use vendors, “independents” or in-house resources? Let’s find out. View from an Independent Training Company This perspective of what customers are looking for comes from a well-known independent training company, Global Knowledge. This includes buying trends on the one side and what their suppliers (such as the hardware/software companies like us they resell) need to offer in order to make the offerings more attractive. Customers Perceptions IT Skills Research has just completed its annual survey into how the major training companies are perceived by buyers of IT training. As well as the current results, trends will be discussed. Where do we go from here? We’ve heard from a customer turned vendor, we’ve heard from an independent training company, and we’ve heard customer perceptions. What have they really told us? Where do we go from here? The training manager's personal development session is Creative Thinking, led by Epicurean Associates. Creative thinking involves creating something new or original. It involves the skills of flexibility, originality, fluency, elaboration, brainstorming, modification, imagery, associative thinking, attribute listing, metaphorical thinking, forced relationships. The aim of creative thinking is to stimulate curiosity and promote divergence. But how do we develop this skill? Overnight accomodation with breakfast costs £120 per night plus VAT, payable to Marriott. Here is the website page where you'll find full details, get a printable agenda, send a registration request and get a map for directions. Here is the printable agenda, and last but not least, here’s a map and directions for the Marriott Royal in Bristol. I do hope that you are able to join us and look forward to seeing you on 6-7 November. Just send me a note to enrol, and let me know if you want to stay on Thu night only, or Wed AND Thu nights (we have an early start on Thu). Back to top
	Recent Articles from the Education and Training Press
	News *From ASTD's The Buzz -* Worldwide Training Industry News (Sep 08)** Abstract News ©2008 Information Inc *Quick News Digest from IT Skills Research* (Sep 08) Industry News from IT Skills Research (Sep 08) IT Training Press Releases (Sep 08) Industry News Headlines from CLOmedia (Sep 08) Biz Briefs (Sep 08)** Trends, statistics and e-learning intelligence, e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Back to top Reviews and Current Trends The Half-Life of a CLO (Sep 08) If you want long-term job stability, don’t apply for the role of chief learning officer. The average duration of a CLO in a major corporation is about 18 months. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Shaky Confidence (Sep 08) What is the CEO confidence about economic prospects? T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Banking on Learning (Aug 08) Giving learners authority over their own development. LX Briefing, ©2008 ASTD Learning's Sacred Cows (Sep 08) I feel we as a learning industry have a responsibility to constantly evaluate our departments, our offerings and those we serve and reflect on how we’re doing. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Learning Shake-Up (Sep 08) A look at five major trends influencing the future of learning technologies, e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 360 Report - e-Learning 2.0 (Sep 08) Warning 4Mb This report contains comprehensive research and analysis that address the following e-Learning 2.0 concerns of survey participants: 1) The emerging technology will obsolesce what they do now; 2) The emerging technology will be difficult to learn; 3) It will be difficult to convince colleagues and management that they should embrace the emerging technology; and, 4) Not embracing the technology will lead to certain doom. ©2008 eLearningGuild Curbing Copyright Infringement (Oct 08) The web has opened up an array of resources designed to combat copyright offenders while simultaneously increasing the opportunity and temptation to step over to the dark side. CertMag, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc No We Didn't Lose 50,000 IT Jobs Last Year (Sep 08) Despite all the hype and doomsday headlines, IT employment is actually increasing. © 2008 Bluestone Media, LLC Back to top Training Manager/Director Development Retaining Women (Sep 08) Companies find smart new ways to draw and keep female talent for the long haul. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Leading With Substance and Style (Sep 08) Senior executives learn that people are always watching them and making all manners of attribution regarding their actions, mannerisms and trappings. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Big Talk (Sep 08) How to communicate with and manage employees during change. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Lifestyle Learning - Improve the Bottom Line With Behavioral Education (Sep 08) Academic education and professional degrees can impart the technical expertise necessary for on-the-job success, but ultimately, work styles and techniques drive productivity. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Successful Employees = Successful Business (Sep 08) Inspire employees to excel through honor, respect, and love. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Shingle or Not - Making the Move to Self-Employment (Sep 08) In the era of offshoring, right-sizing, and business closings, the question of whether it is time to hang out one's shingle is even more compelling. We have read of countless people being pushed from the corporate nest and declaring it the best thing that could have happened to them. What about now? And what does it take to succeed? Passion is a prerequisite, of course, but it's not all that stands between being a successful consultant or not. ©2008 ASTD Back to top Selling and Marketing Education Develop a Winning Leadership Brand (Sep 08) Organizations must make the shift to having the strength of their leadership as their strategic differentiator. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Six Steps to Take Control of Your Brand Positioning (Sep 08) Most of us have worked at companies where every effort is made to improve, optimize, and perfect the training products or services that we provide. But how many of us have worked at a company that puts an equal amount of effort into managing what people think about our company? ©2008 Training Growth Innovations Webinars - Producing Your Own and Sponsoring Third Party Webinars (Sep 08) Here's guidelines for producing and promoting your own webinars; and an overview of the benefits of sponsoring other people's webinars. ©2008 Training Growth Innovations Back to top Learning Methods and Media Social Media Implementations (Sep 08) Many organizations are blending the best of learning methods with social media to provide access to a rich variety of e-learning. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc In Synch with SLS (Sep 08) Certifying virtual classroom teaching skills can help organizations successfully adopt synchronous learning systems. e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Real Blended Learning Stands Up (Sep 08) Moving beyond mixed offerings and building the best blended learning. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD A Better Blend (Sep 08) Most of you have e-learning; in-person classroom instruction; live Web sessions; and maybe even training via mobile devices. Now you have to figure out how to make use of these multiple forms of delivery to create the next generation of blended learning. Training Magazine, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Live but not In Person (Sep 08) Those charges with training and managing a mobile workforce need to call upon a variety of communication methods and tools to connect with far-flung teams. Training Magazine, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Contradiction or Paradox (Sep 08) The merits of exploring informal learning training. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Understanding Today's Learner (Sep 08) The author connects the dots between theory, reality, and practice by using Guild Research and interviews with practitioners. ©2008 eLearningGuild How to Get Started in e-Learning 2.0 (Sep 08) Here's a solid plan for getting started with Learning 2.0. ©2008 eLearningGuild Why E-Learning 2.0? This article provides insight into the uses and benefits that members are making of social media in the enterprise. You’ll also learn about the common concerns members have regarding these new tools. ©2008 eLearningGuild If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em (Sep 08) Web 2.0 technologies are changing the paradigm for learning from filling individual learners' heads with knowledge to tuning networks of experienced individuals to a given problem or opportunity. Now's the time to join the Webvolution. e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. RSVP to e-Learning 2.0 (Sep 08) The e-Learning party is just getting started. The combination of informal learning interventions and learner-contributed content is an invitation you can't afford to decline. e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. The Virtual Facilitator (Sep 2008) Tools to help you create more interactive online learning experiences. ©2008 NetSpeed Learning Solutions Here’s How to Build Your Next E-Learning Scenario (Sep 08) Often, a scenario or problem-based course comes in handy. By presenting the right type of situation, you can get the learner to think and make decisions which helps them process the course content and make it part of their knowledge. Rapid E-Learning Blog, ©2008 Creative Commons Build a Puzzle Animation in Just a Few Simple Steps (Sep 08) Building a puzzle animation is simple and only takes a few minutes. Rapid E-Learning Blog, ©2008 Creative Commons The Hidden PowerPoint Shortcut Everyone Should Know (Sep 08) When you use PowerPoint to build your rapid e-earning courses, you end up doing a lot of copying and pasting of objects. Or you seem to be inserting the same images over and over again. Well, here’s a tip that’s going to save you time and make your life a whole lot easier. Rapid E-Learning Blog, ©2008 Creative Commons Thinking Differently About Mobile Learning (Sep 08) Too often when we think of mobile learning we think in familiar terms: modules, quizzes, tests, assessments. ©2008 RWL Tech How to Train Multitaskers (Sep 08) Presentation techniques to help you keep multitaskers engaged in the learning experience. ©2008 Rexi Media Technology in the Classroom (Oct 08) With the widespread popularity of the Internet, more and more schools are increasing their online presence while incorporating a digital component into their classes. CertMag, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Game-Based Learning - Worth the Hype? (Aug 08) Convincing upper management is part of the battle. LX Briefing, ©2008 ASTD Revive Audio Conferences (Sep 08) Mobile workforces have made new training technologies obsolete and are placing an even greater demand on true-and-tried audio training, which can provide just-in-time learning. Training Magazine, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Let's Go to the Video (Sep 08) With more than 50 million people watching online video every month and millions of non-technical users generating video content, now's the time to jump on board the video bandwagon. e>training, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Back to top Case Studies and Projects Training at your Fingertips (Sep 08) Accenture's latest learning solution delivers required corporate training via mobile devices. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD Rising to the Top Down Under (Sep 08) When Australian telecom Telstra wanted to transform from a traditional utility model into a modern integrated media company, it created the Telstra Learning Academy. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Back to top Measuring Education Value What's Your Assessment Strategy (Sep 08) If you don't have one, now's the time to create it. Training Magazine, © 2008 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Why Follow Levels when you can Build Bridges (Sep 08) Measurement and evaluation are at their best when they are applied outside the classroom. T+D Magazine, ©2008 ASTD IOL - Determining the Impact of Learning (Sep 08) If CLOs want to be among the heavy hitters at their organizations, they’ll have to make reliable and meaningful measurement a priority. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Back to top Processes/Managing Costs/Outsourcing Training Outsourcing on the Decline (Sep 08) Chief Learning Officer magazine’s Business Intelligence Board survey results illustrate that the number of companies using training outsourcing has declined. Chief Learning Officer, ©2008 Media Tec Publishing Inc Back to top Training Professional Topics Openings That Entice (Sep 08) Your opening must engage the audience immediately. ©2008 Dianna Booher Slide Design for the Artistically Challenged (Sep 08) Most organizations pay a professional to design their Web site and printed materials, so why don’t PowerPoint presentations get the same treatment? ©2008 Ellen Finkelstein Ah, Um, Err… Like, Bad Habits, Y'know (Sep 08) Although it’s difficult to completely rid yourself of “credibility killers” (such as, like, so, you know, right, uh, ah), it’s actually pretty easy to reduce them. The good news is that you are not alone. ©2008 Lisa B Marshall Back to top Education Administration No articles this month. Back to top Skills Gap/Technical Certification Cheaters - Inside the hidden world of IT certification fraud (Sep 08) Industry launches counterattack using forensics, biometrics, analytics to weed out cert cheats. ©1995-2008 Network World, Inc. Don't be fooled by suspicious test preparation Web sites (Sep 08) Microsoft lawsuit alleges test-prep site illegally distributed exam answers. ©1995-2008 Network World, Inc. Networking Skills in North America - Trends, Gaps, and Strategies (May 08) This IDC whitepaper sponsored by Cisco shows that the number of networking positions will grow 30% in the next four years. ©2008 IDC Back to top Webinars and Podcasts Customer Training - Five Ways to Fast-Track your Programs in a Slow Economy (Sep 08) (Chief Learning Officer, 4 Sep 08) Impact of Mobile Learning on Employee Development (Sep 08) (KnowledgeShift, 16 Sep 08) The Legal Defensibility of Data Forensics (Sep 08) (charts only here) (Caveon, 17 Sep 08) How to Market Training - Four Principles of Effective Online Learning (Sep 08) (HR and TrainingZONE, 18 Sep 08) Sustaining a Culture of Excellence in Continuous Learning (Sep 08) (Chief Learning Officer, 18 Sep 08) Back to top
	And, Finally.....	T
	The shot at dawn campaign story (ethics and culture, leadership integrity and styles, decision-making, policy-making) By December 1916 more than 17,000 British troops were officially diagnosed as suffering from nervous or mental disability (we'd say shell-shock or post-traumatic stress disorder these days), despite which the British military authorities continued to charge and convict sufferers with 'cowardice' and 'desertion', and to sentence to death by firing squad many of those found 'guilty'. On 16 August 2006 the British government announced that it would pardon 308 British soldiers who were shot by firing squad for 'cowardice' and 'desertion' during the First World War of 1914-18. The decision was ratified by Parliament on 7 November 2006, and represented a remarkable u-turn by this and previous governments who had always firmly refuted any evidence and justification for pardoning the victims. This reversal followed and was largely due to decades of persistent lobbying and campaigning by organisations and individuals, many being families and descendents of the victims. It is not easy to imagine their suffering, especially of the widows and parents long since gone, for whom this decision came a lifetime too late. The story emphasizes two things: first, that people in authority have a responsibility to behave with integrity. Second, that where people in authority fail to act with integrity, the persistence and determination of ordinary people will eventually force them to do so. Back to top
	Feedback, please!

	I would really like to get input from you, the readers. Please give me your feedback and point me towards any article or source that you think the rest of the membership might enjoy. Thank you. Mike Dowsey Business Development Manager CEdMA-Europe mike@dowsey.net Back to top

The shot at dawn campaign story (ethics and culture, leadership integrity and styles, decision-making, policy-making)

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