In this issue:
1. The view from 30,000 feet
2. Favorite things -- Cool technology
3. In Search of
4. A Reader Asks: What is the ratio of total $ spent on training to total $ sales for a year?
5. Upcoming events
1. The view from 30,000 feet
I am writing this issue 30,000 feet in the air as I fly to Amsterdam for the Information Technology Training Association's (ITTA) Strategies for Success - Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) conference. This is a sister event to ITTA's Strategies conference that they hold in the US every year. As many of you know, ITTA is our industry's professional organization and the Strategies conference is their event for their commercial membership. This year the owners and CEO's from EMEA's leading IT Training companies from 23 countries will be meeting to discuss the future trends and issues facing the industry. In the next issue of Influential Trends, I will report on the key issues discussed at this event and compare these to the ones identified at the Strategies US event that was held earlier this year. For more information about ITTA and becoming a member, please visit http://www.itta.org.
2. Favorite Things -- Cool Technology
In our last issue, I mentioned that I was starting a series of articles that addressed how different learner groups implement technology. I recently spoke with Scott Muri of Celebration School in Florida. Scott is responsible for their technology implementation. This school is a model for how technology can be integrated into the classroom and curriculum of schools. Why should you care about what happens in high schools and grade schools when your primary interest is the training of adults on technology? Well, think about this:
- Over 50,000 students are currently involved in "laptop" computer programs in their schools. These students use a laptop computer for ALL of their course work. These are not specially selected, technology-gifted students -- these programs cross all grades and abilities. Their comfort level with technology and their uses of technology to research topics and develop their schoolwork far outpaces many workers in today's corporations. These students will be applying for jobs in your corporations in the very near future. Will your current curricula bore them? Challenge them? Try to teach them skills they know in their sleep? Or can they teach you a few tricks?
- Schools like Celebration don't just have incredible technology, they are also developing their curriculum in innovative ways. Celebration plans on having all of its courses and processes web-based in the next few years. Everything will be accessed through web technologies. It is fascinating.
- Companies like Apple, Sun, and others are using the schools as testing grounds for technologies that they then port over to corporations. Celebration uses a technology that has computers built into rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. These teeny computers are for everything from opening doors (instead of keys or pass cards) to buying beverages from vending machines. For those of you who are looking for ways to track and control your training inventory, this technology could be the answer.
For more information about Celebration, the Java/Sun technology, and school programs, please visit http://www.ibutton.com/celebration/ and http://www.dalsemi.com/News_Center/Press_Releases/1999/prcelebration.html.
3. In search of
There was a typo in the last issue of Influential Trends. If you were searching for the web site for the New Media Instructional Design Symposium, the correct URL is http://www.influent.com/nmid99/.
4. A Reader Asks:
My fellow Minnesotan, and PACT colleague, John Humphrey, from 3 M Corporation, submitted this question. Does anybody have an answer for John?
"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.
Just to be clear, here's an example:
In 1994, Company X spent $1.6MM on training companywide, and had total sales of $64MM, for a 1:40 ratio.
In 1995, they spent $2.5MM on training, and sold $75MM, for a 1:30 ratio.
In 1996, they spent $8MM on training, and sold $160MM, for a 1:20 ratio.
In 1997 they spent $10MM on training, and sold $500MM, for a 1:50 ratio.
I'm not looking for cause-and-effect. I understand many factors could impact either or both figures positively or negatively. However, I'd certainly be interested to know what was included in the 'total training $' figure: customer training, facilities and salaries for training, external as well as internal training, education, conferences and seminars, time-away-from-work-for-class, other cost centers (e.g., help desk, library) considered part of your training function/organization, consulting, internships, others?
Please send your responses to hfisk@influent.com.
We will share the responses in a future issue of Trends.
Thanks!
5. Upcoming events
Here are some upcoming events that are of interest:
-- Frontlines Conference
September 22-24, 1999 Orlando, Florida
Having trouble finding a great event for your organization's help desk staff and technical support staff? Then the Frontlines Conference can be your solution. Whether you provide deskside, field service, or telephone support; whether you support internal or external customers; whether you supervise or provide technical support on the front lines, this conference is for you! Created and hosted by George Spalding, noted technology support guru, this event will get the folks on the frontlines of technical support up to speed on the important issues of the day. For more information, go to http://www.influent.com/frontlines/
-- 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
