The economy has stabilized, but we’re not exactly jumping for joy yet.
As a self-professed leader in the learning space, I wonder (like Tony Karrer has wondered) what will become of so-called training vendors … whether the economy is rebounding or not. Tony’s recent leadership to organize a LearnTrends event was fabulous (The Future Of The Business Of Learning); below are my own personal thoughts of what those vendors should be thinking about. I ask then, ‘do training vendors get it?’
Problem #1
- Few training vendors are actually evolving to become learning 2.0 & web 2.0 savvy
Opportunity
- Evolve! Formal courses are fine, but we need a holistic package of 2.0 opportunities, processes, models and out of the box thinking. (see Peck Training Group for an example)
Problem #2
- Converting ILT is not a value proposition
Opportunity
- Cold calling and suggesting you can turn my ILT courses into eLearning is not enough. How can those courses be turned into a formal-informal-social experience? (see Jane Bozarth for further thoughts)
Problem #3
- Your business model is flawed.
Opportunity
- Sending catalogues of formal ILT and eLearning courses is not enough. You need to think through how you might provide offsite/onsite, virtual/in-person personnel that act as ambassadors of the learning 2.0 model inside the organization. It’s not solely about content – it’s about providing an extension to the mission, and addressing some of the new roles we need for generation ‘next org’ type of thinking.
Oh, and please stop with the long-winded cold-call emails. This does nothing for your credibility.
