In this issue:
1. Trends in Technology Training in Europe
2. Cool Technology - Video on the Web
3. National Techies Day
4. Readers Respond: What is the ratio of total $ spent on training to total $ sales for a year?
5. Upcoming events
1. Trends in Technology Training in Europe
The Web and the increase in information sources has shrunk the world -- we no longer can only be concerned with what is happening in our backyard - because we may be offering training for someone thousands of miles away. It is critical these days for technology training professionals to be aware of global trends in training.
The Information Technology Training Association's (ITTA) Strategies for Success - EMEA Conference that was held in Amsterdam recently brought together over 250 attendees from 23 countries. The conference addressed many of the issues affecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia. I asked Bob Mosher, Assistant Executive Director, to comment on his observations of the important trends and issues in the European market.
IT: What were the key issues discussed at SFS EMEA?
BM: Learning how to customize delivery is a hot issuethese days. Also the impact of mergers and acquisitions. Unlike the US, there is a very slow market in some areas -- corporations can not afford to outsource their training. However, other areas, particularly the Eastern Block countries are struggling with rapid growth - they don't have the infrastructure to handle the pace.
IT: How do these issues differ from issues discussed at the US event?
BM: They don't differ a whole lot -- they are a few years behind. The issues addressed at this year's event are the issues we heard in our US event 2-3 years ago. The slowing market is a global issue as centers learn how to offer a more customized offering. Moving from a "butts in seats" mentality to a highly customized, multi-modality solution is a hard "reengineer" for many companies. The Internet is still not a big deal yet because of all the technical and cost issues.
IT: What was your biggest "learning" of the event?
BM: The slow adoption of the Internet. As I mentioned earlier, I'm still surprised at the slow turn around with technology and access. Some phone lines are still outdated and cost is a REAL issue. We're VERY spoiled over here with cable modems and $9.95 a month "all you can use" access. It's coming, but I'm still surprised at how slow it is and how little it's mentioned/talked about.
IT: What is ITTA going to address at it's 2000 event based on what you learned this year?
BM: The 2000 event will be bigger then ever. We REALLY learned a lot from our steering committee and will do many things differently next time. This event REALLY represents a cross section of that part of the world and deals with global IT training solutions.
Thanks Bob!. If you would like to learn more about ITTA, please visit http://www.itta.org.
2. Favorite Things -- Video on the Web
For years, video was used by training programs to deliver many kinds of content -- but it dropped out of favor as the Web has become the hot delivery media. As bandwidth and access speeds increase, using video on the Web is fast becoming a very feasible option for delivery of content over the web -- and it can offer you the some interesting solutions to your training challenges.
Ten-TV.com has been a pioneer in the porting of video content over the web. At the Strategies for Success Conference (above) they had cameras rolling at key breakout sessions at the conference and also interviewed industry leaders about the future of our industry. You can view these sessions and interviews and see for yourself the state of video on the web and the state of the IT Training industry in Europe. Attendees of the event are receiving free 30-day access to the site, but non attendees canalso view any of the content at the web site for a modest fee. Besides the SFS conference sessions you can also access hundreds of hours of archived ITcontent by the world's leading industry experts.Access the video for the conference through http://www. itta.org or http://www.influent.com.
3. National Techies Day is TODAY!
These days, almost every technology section of every major newspaper or magazine has an article about the shortage of information technology professionals. National Techies Day, October 5th, is the first annual celebration for technology professionals to acknowledge their contributions. As the trainers of the technies we can also take pride (and some credit) for the work they do. National Techies Day was started by CNET.Com and Techies.com and has fortune 500 companies such as Compaq and Fed Ex as major sponsors.
A website has been set up to tell you about activities around the country. The website lets you send an e-greeting to your favorite techie, you can participate in a real-time, online Web Cast event, and they will be announcing the Techie Team of the Year. If you are interested in promoting the IT profession, you can also get involved in the planning for the 2000 event. To find out ways to honor your techies or to find out about activities in your city, visit http://www.techiesday.org/main/index_m.jsp.
4. Readers Respond:
John Humphrey, from 3 M Corporation, submitted this question.:"What I'm looking for is the ratio of total $ spent on training to total $ sales for a year (or better yet, over a period of years) for a company.
Thomas Anderson, Honda, responded with:
Auto Dealers ...(there are about 15,000 dealers)..as a group spend about 1 - 2% of their gross on training. They required quite a bit of training due to the technical nature of the product.
Also..
In his keynote at Strategies for Success, Lance Secretan, The Secretan Center (http://www.secretan.com) cited statistics from a Fortune Magazine survey of the top 100 companies. These companies spent, on average, 2% of profits on learning. Exceptional companies listed included IBM which spends 6% of profits and Arthur Anderson which spends 6% of sales.
5. Upcoming events
Here are some upcoming events that are of interest:
Seminars:
Needs Assessment -- Instructor: Dr. Allison Rossett
October 27-28, 1999
San Francisco, CA
In this two-day seminar, you will review performance analysis and focus on needs assessment. You will determine what kinds of information to gather to prepare for a program that will be delivered to groups, to independent learners and via technology. You'll discover how and when to use interviews, surveys and observations and increase the likelihood that your recommendations will turn into action and business results. For more information, visit the seminar Web site at: http://www.influent.com/seminars/needs.htm
One Stop Documentation -- Instructor: Dr. Conrad Gottfredson
Nov. 11-12, 1999
Washington, DC
Are you looking to create single source print and online documentation that people will choose? Trying to develop a single manual for training and ongoing performance support? Want to maximize user independence and reduce support costs? At One-Stop Documentation, you will learn a comprehensive model for developing online or paper-based documentation that users will find easy to use because the information is mapped in a consistent manner. For complete program information, visit: http://www.influent.com/seminars/onestop.htm
Conferences and Symposia
New Media Instructional Design Symposium
November 8-11, 1999
Washington, DC.
A unique event for those involved in the design and development of instruction/training using media/technology. This highly-focused, intense event is renowned for its high quality, in-depth sessions, provocative keynote presentations, and excellent networking opportunities. For more information, go to http://www.influent.com/nmid99/.
Wanted! Your ideas and issues and questions..
Do you have a question about your technology training challenges? In need of a resource or idea to solve a specific computer training problem? Looking to connect with others in the IT Training industry? This e-newsletter is meant to be a resource for you to find the answers you need to help you survive and thrive in our industry. Readers of this e-newsletter are encouraged to send in questions, ideas, resource links or articles to hfisk@influent.com
That's all for now,
Heidi Fisk
