Wednesday
Nov242004
296 - The Millenium Worker: "It Had to Happen!" & e-Learning Shopping

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - November 24, 2004
#296 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,905 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
1. The Millenium Worker: "It Had to Happen!"
2. e-Learning Shopping
1. The Millenium Worker - "It Had to Happen!" Millenium Generation defines those people born from 1979 to 2001. Colleges and marketers are tracking the changing attitudes and behavioral patterns of this group. They are more high-tech, have more continual communication with their parents and are often seen as the "everyone gets a trophy" generation.
Well, I recently was told a story that made me smile and think. A Vice President for HR at one of our e-Learning CONSORTIUM companies told me that she received a telephone call from a parent of one of their recent employees. The parent wanted to talk to her about why her daughter had received a 4 rather than a 5 on a performance review. "My daughter has great potential, is smart and sometimes shy. It is key that your staff give her the encouragement and support to succeed." The parent went on to explain that she had to speak with many of her daughter's college professors to get them to rethink their grading decisions.
My colleague was stunned and didn't really have any experience with such a call. Keep in mind that the daughter had received the next to highest evaluation. But, the parent wanted her daughter to "not be discouraged by coming out below the top."
It is interesting to think about some of the changing expectations and behaviors that this new generation of workers may be bringing to your organization. I am interested in hearing your reactions and experiences. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com
2. e-Learning Shopping - Better Term Than Procurement: As we head into 2005, let's consider the term "procurement". One of my good colleagues, Sonya Mau, Manager of Corporate e-Learning at COUNTRY Insurance reminds me that should think about how we describe and approach the buying of e-Learning services and products. There is way too much concentration on the formal and often overly structured process of "procurement". You would not do a procurement for a car. Instead, you would go shopping.
"e-Learning Shopping" makes it seem much more manageable and fair to stakeholders. Let's shift away from "off the shelf" RFP's that don't reveal real differences between products. Shopping gets our negotiation muscles going and may yield much smarter decisions. So, thanks Sonya, and watch this space for e-Learning Shopping perspectives.
Happy Thanksgiving Tomorrow - A Special Day in the United States.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* e-Learning Skills Lab - Saratoga Springs, NY
* Rapid Learning Development - London or Chicago
* e-Learning Briefing - Minneapolis
See http://www.masie.com for information and registration
#296 - Updates on Learning, e-Learning & Training
48,905 Readers - The MASIE Center - www.masie.com
1. The Millenium Worker: "It Had to Happen!"
2. e-Learning Shopping
1. The Millenium Worker - "It Had to Happen!" Millenium Generation defines those people born from 1979 to 2001. Colleges and marketers are tracking the changing attitudes and behavioral patterns of this group. They are more high-tech, have more continual communication with their parents and are often seen as the "everyone gets a trophy" generation.
Well, I recently was told a story that made me smile and think. A Vice President for HR at one of our e-Learning CONSORTIUM companies told me that she received a telephone call from a parent of one of their recent employees. The parent wanted to talk to her about why her daughter had received a 4 rather than a 5 on a performance review. "My daughter has great potential, is smart and sometimes shy. It is key that your staff give her the encouragement and support to succeed." The parent went on to explain that she had to speak with many of her daughter's college professors to get them to rethink their grading decisions.
My colleague was stunned and didn't really have any experience with such a call. Keep in mind that the daughter had received the next to highest evaluation. But, the parent wanted her daughter to "not be discouraged by coming out below the top."
It is interesting to think about some of the changing expectations and behaviors that this new generation of workers may be bringing to your organization. I am interested in hearing your reactions and experiences. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com
2. e-Learning Shopping - Better Term Than Procurement: As we head into 2005, let's consider the term "procurement". One of my good colleagues, Sonya Mau, Manager of Corporate e-Learning at COUNTRY Insurance reminds me that should think about how we describe and approach the buying of e-Learning services and products. There is way too much concentration on the formal and often overly structured process of "procurement". You would not do a procurement for a car. Instead, you would go shopping.
"e-Learning Shopping" makes it seem much more manageable and fair to stakeholders. Let's shift away from "off the shelf" RFP's that don't reveal real differences between products. Shopping gets our negotiation muscles going and may yield much smarter decisions. So, thanks Sonya, and watch this space for e-Learning Shopping perspectives.
Happy Thanksgiving Tomorrow - A Special Day in the United States.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* e-Learning Skills Lab - Saratoga Springs, NY
* Rapid Learning Development - London or Chicago
* e-Learning Briefing - Minneapolis
See http://www.masie.com for information and registration
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