Friday
Dec311999
130 - Convergence in The Training Profession: A Perspective Viewpoint
December 31, 1999
TechLearn TRENDS --- Technology & Learning Updates
The MASIE Center http://www.masie.com Elliott Masie, Editor
Convergence in The Training Profession - A Perspective Viewpoint
Things are converging in the world of training. Over the past year, we
have been tracking a number of convergence trends that seem to be popping up
in corporate case studies, product announcement and surveys of training
patterns. Here are a few of the convergence themes:
* IT and Computer Training is being welcomed home to corporate training
departments. Over 75 major corporations have shut down their stand alone
IT Training department and have shifted the control of technical and end
user training to the core corporate training group, often with a specialized
coordinator.
* IT and Computer Training vendors are eyeing the management and soft skills
arena. Many of the developers and marketers of technical training products
and classes are expanding their offerings to include soft skills and
management skills in their portfolios.
* Management and Soft Skills Training is adding a technical aspect. Almost
every job in the organization requires a mixture of both process skills and
technology. Time management classes are including training on using
calendar programs. Leadership classes are addressing the use of intranets
for corporate communications.
* ERP and other Enterprise Wide Systems are addressing work processes. As
ERP moves to the core of the organization, it triggers a demand for business
unit training in how to leverage information for productivity. Ultimately,
each ERP gain requires a change in a business or work process.
* On-Line Learning and Classroom Training blend. A large number of
corporate trainers report that the strongest use of on-line learning is
often as an extension rather than a replacement for classroom. On higher
education campuses, distance learning tools are often used most robustly as
digital extensions of traditional classrooms.
* Telephones and Intranets blend for multimedia. Rather than use the busy
network for audio over IP, a good number of companies are turning to the
telephone system to provide the audio connection for virtual classrooms,
blending the telephone call with a visual delivered via an audiographic
collaboration tool.
* CD's and Internet blend for bandwidth fixes. Take a CD, loaded with
graphics, sound and video. Blend it with a connection to the internet for
interactivity and updated info and you have a powerful blend.
* Knowledge Management and Learning Function target same goals. Our email
is filling with parallel content from the world of learning and the world of
knowledge management. Different populations, different vocabulary, but
similar goals, aspirations and dreams.
* Consolidation and Mergers top the list. The number one topic at almost
any gathering of training vendors is merger and consolidation. Take a few
key vendors and there is a good chance that one of them will be owned by one
of the others in the next 2 years.
The world of training and learning is evolving and converging. Watch the
points of convergence for a good sense of where your profession, vendors and
customers are heading.
(Convergence will be a key topic at Elliott Masie's State of the Industry
Address at TechLearn '99 - October 31 to November 3rd in Orlando -
http://www.techlearn.com - Over 1,320 people registered already. Limit of
2,500!)
The MASIE Center http://www.masie.com Elliott Masie, Editor
Convergence in The Training Profession - A Perspective Viewpoint
Things are converging in the world of training. Over the past year, we
have been tracking a number of convergence trends that seem to be popping up
in corporate case studies, product announcement and surveys of training
patterns. Here are a few of the convergence themes:
* IT and Computer Training is being welcomed home to corporate training
departments. Over 75 major corporations have shut down their stand alone
IT Training department and have shifted the control of technical and end
user training to the core corporate training group, often with a specialized
coordinator.
* IT and Computer Training vendors are eyeing the management and soft skills
arena. Many of the developers and marketers of technical training products
and classes are expanding their offerings to include soft skills and
management skills in their portfolios.
* Management and Soft Skills Training is adding a technical aspect. Almost
every job in the organization requires a mixture of both process skills and
technology. Time management classes are including training on using
calendar programs. Leadership classes are addressing the use of intranets
for corporate communications.
* ERP and other Enterprise Wide Systems are addressing work processes. As
ERP moves to the core of the organization, it triggers a demand for business
unit training in how to leverage information for productivity. Ultimately,
each ERP gain requires a change in a business or work process.
* On-Line Learning and Classroom Training blend. A large number of
corporate trainers report that the strongest use of on-line learning is
often as an extension rather than a replacement for classroom. On higher
education campuses, distance learning tools are often used most robustly as
digital extensions of traditional classrooms.
* Telephones and Intranets blend for multimedia. Rather than use the busy
network for audio over IP, a good number of companies are turning to the
telephone system to provide the audio connection for virtual classrooms,
blending the telephone call with a visual delivered via an audiographic
collaboration tool.
* CD's and Internet blend for bandwidth fixes. Take a CD, loaded with
graphics, sound and video. Blend it with a connection to the internet for
interactivity and updated info and you have a powerful blend.
* Knowledge Management and Learning Function target same goals. Our email
is filling with parallel content from the world of learning and the world of
knowledge management. Different populations, different vocabulary, but
similar goals, aspirations and dreams.
* Consolidation and Mergers top the list. The number one topic at almost
any gathering of training vendors is merger and consolidation. Take a few
key vendors and there is a good chance that one of them will be owned by one
of the others in the next 2 years.
The world of training and learning is evolving and converging. Watch the
points of convergence for a good sense of where your profession, vendors and
customers are heading.
(Convergence will be a key topic at Elliott Masie's State of the Industry
Address at TechLearn '99 - October 31 to November 3rd in Orlando -
http://www.techlearn.com - Over 1,320 people registered already. Limit of
2,500!)
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