In this issue:
1. Smell Like a Rose with YOUR Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) End-User Training
2. Report from ITTA's Strategies for Success
3. CORRECTION!
4. Your Professional and Continuing Education
1. Smell Like a Rose with YOUR Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) End-User Training
by Doug Whittle
"ERP Training Stinks" is a must-read article which appears in the June 1, issue of CIO Magazine, http://www.cio.com/archive/060100_erp.html. The article's bottom line is what any of us who have been through an ERP implementation have been saying: ERP training is not necessarily typical IT training...it's more about business knowledge and processes.
The article's author, Malcolm Wheatley writes "what we normally call training is increasingly being shown to be relatively worthless." So what will keep YOUR ERP Training smelling like a rose? Providing training that enables staff to know the "whys, wheres, and whos" of the business process not the "hows" of the ERP system. The end-users of ERP need to know that what they enter into the system has a pervasive affect on all other components of the business. Paper work-arounds and people work-arounds circumventing ERP are deadly.
If you are just getting started on ERP systems training or are on your second or third phase of implementation, come learn the latest on knowledge and process-based ERP education and training at the ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, August 21-23, San Francisco, CA, USA. This event is the only event to focus on the end-user training for ERP and large systems. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 and click on the ERP tab for complete details.
2. Report from ITTA's Strategies for Success
David Holcombe, President and CEO of Influent Technology Group (http://www.influent.com) recently participated in the ITTA's Strategies for Success Conference (http://www.itta.org) in Dallas. Here is his report:
What drives corporations to eLearning? In the opinion of Frank Feather, author of "Future-Consumer.com" and "Future-Trends.com" and keynote speaker at ITTA's Strategies for Success Conference in Dallas:
1) Globalization of the workforce and increased levels of remote workers.
2) Cost. Travel budgets historically associated with training are diminishing or gone in most organizations.
3) Opportunity Cost of training time. eLearning is perceived to be faster, just-in-time, or on learner time.
4) Rapid Assault of software and hardware upgrades forces more training and thus increases in both Cost and Opportunity Cost if traditional training approaches are used.
5) Content updates are accomplished more quickly and with less expense.
Another kernel of an idea:
eLearning companies must track "stall" rates of the learners using their programs. The "stall rate" is the frequency and timing of learner stalls in a eLearning program. Effective design would track this, anticipate it, and provide prompts to learners to get them back on track.
3. CORRECTION!
In the last issue of Influential Trends, we inadvertently omitted Matt Richter and Katt Kopet from the list of authors for the feature article: "Storytelling as a training tool?"
4. Your Professional and Continuing Education
Here are some upcoming events for your continuing education and professional development you won't want to miss!
Computer Training World 2000 Conferences & Expo
Three-Conferences-in-One format incorporating The ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, Technology Training Management Conference, and The Computer Trainers' Summer Camp
August 21-23, 2000
San Francisco, CA
THE event for the computer/technology training professional. This is the event to help you find your way through the issues of rapidly changing technology roll-outs, move from classroom to technology-delivered instruction, and address certification, outsourcing, and retraining staff challenges. CTW is the ONLY event specifically targeted to those who manage or provide technology training. See http://www.influent.com/ctw2000.
Help Online 2000 Symposium
July 11-13, 2000 (Pre-conference workshops July 10)
Chicago, IL
You asked for it! We are uniting the best faculty with Help writers, designers, developers, and managers in a unique Symposium format to facilitate inquiry and dialogue between faculty and participants. General sessions will be led by industry leaders. There will be no commercial element to this event! The focus is on learning, networking, sharing, and in-depth discussion within the framework of three tracks: Management Strategies, Tools & Techniques, and Trends and Issues. Visit http://www.influent.com/hol00/index.html.
Seminars are offered nationwide by a distinguished faculty of industry
leaders and experts.
The Art of Visual Interface Design
June 20-21, 2000,
Chicago, IL
The objective of this introductory seminar is to present you with a set of key visual information and interaction design principles. It will provide first-hand experience in the conceptualization, creation, and application of visual communication and information design principles that will allow you to effectively and efficiently communicate ideas and information. You will leave this seminar with an understanding of how to design, develop, and manage attractive, useful and effective visual interfaces for online information delivery.
For more information or to register, please visit:
http://www.influent.com/seminars/art.htm.
Project Management Workshop: A Field Guide to Success
June 29-30, 2000
Chicago, IL
This workshop will focus on the fundamental issues facing project managers, team leaders, and project team members. The participant will be lead through a step-by-step project management method that incorporates techniques such as risk management, problem solving, estimating, change management, and managing scope. The participant will leave the workshop with the necessary tools and techniques to manage projects of all sizes.
For more information or to register, please visit:
http://www.influent.com/seminars/project.htm.
How to Conduct Needs Assessment
September 25-26, 2000
Atlanta, GA
You will benefit from the instructors' use of real-life cases, lively examples, and proven practices drawn from topics as diverse as new product rollout, leadership training, object-oriented programming, using the Internet for business intelligence, limp french fries, computer repair, call-center support, and transporting animals at the San Diego Zoo. You'll come away with new and creative techniques for reporting data in ways that increase the likelihood that your recommendations will turn into action and business results.
For more information or to register, please visit:
http://www.influent.com/seminars/needs.htm.
