Free March Webinars

Spring is in the air and it’s a great time for new beginnings. Become informed about new trends, new directions and new research on interesting training and development topics by signing up for free webinars offered in March. We hope they will inspire and motivate you.

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: Connecting Your LMS to Your CRM: A Better Way to Bring Training to Sales

The connection between successful sales and training has been demonstrated time and time again, but bringing training to sales is often challenging. Sales forces are often dispersed and on-the-move, pausing only long enough to record a contact or sales call in the CRM. So one strategy for connecting sales to training is to bring the training straight to the place where sales lives and breathes - the CRM. Join Scot Lake, Senior Learning Analyst for Brandon Hall Group, as he discusses key practices for improving sales by integrating your LMS with your CRM. Key takeaways include:

• Tips for setting up access to LMS training in a CRM
• How to select the right content for sales training
• The latest research around measuring training’s impact on sales

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: A Whack on the Head: Re-thinking Learning Design

Today, organizations are dealing with a unique set of challenges while also having even greater opportunities for innovation. At the same time, we now have at our disposal an “alphabet soup” of learning and business methodologies – ADDIE, HPT, BP, Six Sigma, LEAN, AGILE - and an expanding toolkit of formal, informal, social, virtual and mobile technologies and approaches. So, what does this mean for how we design, develop and implement efficient and effective learning solutions? Join Lance Dublin, Chief Solutions Architect, Dublin Consulting as he: 

• Identifies the new and different organizational challenges – and opportunities!
• Describes six learning and development methodologies and how they impact learning design
• Identifies the range of  learning technologies and approaches now available
• Defines the 8 principles of new learning design

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 11AM – 12PM PST: How to Market your Online Training (ASTD members only)

Join webinar marketing veteran Roger Courville for a rapid-fire session of pragmatic, get-it-done ideas on improving registration, attendance and revenue in your online training programs.
Attend this interactive webinar to learn:

• How to market the  unique qualities of online training
• 3 tactics for making your invitations and registration site sizzle
• How to avoid everyone’s big social media mistake
• What your audience is willing to pay

Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: The Learning - Talent Connection: How a Single Technology Platform Can Accelerate Workforce Performance

 Organizations routinely leverage the efficiencies of technology platforms for their learning and development initiatives, but many of these same organizations continue to use manual processes to manage their talent. As a result, there’s little opportunity for technology to easily align training with organizational performance. Learning and talent management are inseparable, and managing them in two silos means missed opportunities for increased effectiveness. Join Scot Lake of Brandon Hall Group and Marc Blumenthal of Intelladon as they discuss the competitive advantages of integrating learning and talent management using a single technology platform.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: Contextual Learning - Cheapest, Fastest and Easiest Way to Deliver Learning

Join Ray Jimenez, Chief Learning Architect of Vignettes for Training, Inc to learn key principles and practical examples of contextual learning. Most learning approaches are top to bottom, mandated and driven by leaders, trainers and learning specialists. In today's economy, this is costly, slow and often times late. Contextual learning principles and methods suggest that learner's learn best by referring to their own context, first and foremost. What matters is the learners' view of the content, competencies and skills to acquire as they see fit on the job.

Thursday, March 15, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: Telltale Signs You Have Outgrown Your LMS

Learning and development is undergoing dramatic shifts. The workforce is changing. The way workers access and use knowledge is changing. Does your current LMS meet new technology and business expectations? How are learning and development functions to respond, and what role should learning management systems be playing in all this change? Join Brandon Hall Group Senior Analyst Scot Lake as he discusses these terrain-altering changes and six key requirements the learning management system should provide to help organizations adapt and thrive.

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: Bring Your On-Demand Training Content to Life with Video

An increasing number of organizations are turning to technology for on-demand learning to supplement their live learning programs. Geographic dispersion and cost management pressures drive this trend, along with a recognition that just-in-time learning mechanisms can provide more timely, more motivated learning precisely when it's needed, increasing motivation and knowledge retention.
But it can be tricky to build cost-effectively on-demand content cost-effectively that truly engages. Why? On-demand training modules frequently lack “charisma” due to software or cost constraints. Kirstin Lynde of Randstad Professionals and Michael Kolowich of KnowledgeVision explain and show the basics of bringing an on-demand training content initiative to life.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST: An Active Approach to Teamwork Training

Teamwork is an essential component of organizational productivity. Today's leaders require a wide variety of skills for high performance teamwork, and it is up to learning professionals to use the most-up-to-date methods available to develop these skills. Join Thiagi, Resident Mad Scientist of The Thiagi Group and Tracy Tagliati, Training Manager of Move Inc. as they explore a variety of high-impact activities, jolts, and interactive learning strategies that have been specifically chosen to teach and apply some of the most critical teamwork competencies and concepts that we all need.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 11AM – 12PM PST: Leading in the Learning Function as a Business Partner (ASTD members only)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is top notch for learning and development. Hear from Chief Learning Officer Jody Hudson's team how continuous, agency wide learning supports the business partnership. Also find out, how do you teach effective leadership? How do you enable employees to learn from each other in communities of practice? And learn why job rotation is a critical element of government training and development.

Free February webinars

Our apologies for getting this blog post up a little late. Check out a number of interesting free T&D webinars being offered this month. We hope they will inspire and motivate you.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Contextual Learning - Cheapest, Fastest and Easiest Way to Deliver Learning

Join Ray Jimenez, Ph.D., Chief Learning Architect of Vignettes for Training, Inc., in this session to learn the key principles and practical examples of contextual learning. Most learning approaches are top to bottom, mandated and driven by leaders, trainers and learning specialists. This is an old production and content oriented model where the training departments must produce content for learners to consume. In today's economy, this is costly, slow and often times late. In work conditions where change is rapid and learners are adept in the use of technologies (mobile and collaborative tools), trends show that contextual learning is a faster, cheaper and easiest way to deliver learning. Contextual learning principles and methods suggest that learner's learn best by referring to their own context, first and foremost. What matters is the learners' view of the content, competencies and skills to acquire as they see fit on the job.

Tuesday, 07 February 2012, 210AM - 11AM PST

Selecting a Learning Management System

Amid the adoption of informal and social learning strategies, Learning Management Systems (LMSs) continue to play a growing role in employee training initiatives. These systems provide learners with access to content and provide managers with the ability to track a wide variety of information. In industries that require certifying or monitoring training, no better way exists to ensure that individuals are qualified to do their work than by measuring their skills and knowledge using a Learning Management System. How do you pick the right LMS for your organization? Join Scot Lake, Sr. Analyst, Brandon Hall Group as he describes a key practices and a disciplined methodology for selecting the right LMS for your unique organization.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 11AM – 12PM PST (ASTD members only)

Serious Play: Blurring the Line between Work and Games

In a sequel to Intrepid Learning’s popular webinar Make Learning Stick: How Games Help Improve Performance, Jason Gorfine, resident customer experience and user interface expert, will take a deep dive into the eight principles of HOW games help us learn. Join Jason for an examination of how “gamifying” a concept can turn obligatory, less-that-exciting tasks from mind-numbing to manageable (and maybe even fun).  Jason will cover a brief history of humanity’s affinity for games, give an overview of the importance of gaming, and a take a tour through of the eight principles of learning (with corresponding real-world examples).

Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Monetizing your LMS: Turning your LMS into a Profit Center

Most organizations tend to start shopping for a learning platform because they have internal learning and development needs. But with a vision, a plan, and the right technology, it’s possible to reach beyond internal learning communities and transform learning platforms into profit centers. Join Rachel Ashkin, Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Hall Group and Nancy Rickles, Director of Training, Super Enterprises as they present a case study on how Super Enterprises brought valuable learning content to their extended enterprise to create an often overlooked revenue stream.

Thursday, February 16, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Beyond Check-the-Box Professional Education: Associations that Push the Edge of Learning Delivery and Elevate Industries Served

Associations, membership functions, unions, even corporations are being asked to help elevate their individual industries by providing extended professional education to their industry communities. In today’s market were the gap between skilled and unskilled labor can mean the difference in survival for both employees and organizations alike, we are seeing a growing demand for professional education and development. Those who provide these services, such as Associations, want to better understand how to support their communities, industries, and members – while obtaining greater value from their investments in increased memberships and revenue opportunities.  

Join Stacey Harris, VP of Research for Brandon Hall Group, and Christina Turner, VP Client Success & Implementations, Digital Ignite, as they share recent survey data and key practices in increasing the value and effectiveness of Professional Education Programs. They discuss four key practices in improving professional education programs including: Creating a continuum of learning activities, pragmatic social learning, creating membership pipelines, and integration of access and communication points. They’ll share real world examples from associations that have increased member value, revenues, and industry impact – while continuing to elevate the goals of their communities and associations.

Thursday, February 16, 2012, 9AM – 10AM PST (ASTD members only)

Critical Competencies for Today's Leadership

Successful leadership involves managing one’s self and relationships with others to move toward a specific business goal. The role of a leader is to grow others: help people grow their skills, knowledge and their confidence to develop leadership themselves in a real, practical context. The real world has other plans, however. Business goals are fluid, people are stressed, and one way technological messages continue to invade every moment of our lives. One thing remains the same – leadership is all about people. How can you clear a little chaos and build a high performing team? Join Lou Russell from Taleo to consider a new approach to leadership as we are all faced with predictable, constant chaos.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Let’s Get Mobile: Changing your Concept of Mobile Content Design and Delivery

We know that by 2015 over 7.1 billion mobile connected devises are predicted to be in service around the globe, and they estimate over 287 million tablets will ship annually. With the launch of Kindle, Fire at $199 – Tablets are now feasible replacements for printing costs. We are at the tipping point, and mobile delivery is here to stay. Many organizations have dabbled with mobile learning, but they haven’t figured out how to take it to an enterprise level. The feedback has been less than positive on simply turning e-learning courses into mobile courses and end-users are requiring that learning organizations speed up the process of delivering better, faster, more relevant mobile content that meets the needs of their on-the-go lifestyle.  

You know that you shouldn’t be asking “if” you need mobile learning, but rather “how” do I best invest resources in mobile learning? Because mobile learning changes all the rules and your learning customers have high expectations. Mobile is a consumer driven market, and learners are not just critical of your approach but vocal if it doesn’t meet their expectations. Join Stacey Harris, VP of Research for Brandon Hall Group, and Mark Hellinger, CEO of Xyleme, as they share recent findings from the Relationship Centered learning market and best practices in expanding your mobile learning efforts. If you’ve been planning on going mobile or have already taken your first steps, this webinar will change your view of the options.  

Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Blended Learning: Critical Design Decisions 

What does blended learning mean in today’s learning landscape, and how is it being used?  What guidance or tools are available to help you select the right delivery methods and the most appropriate instructional strategies? Join Sally Hovis, Vice President, Learning Design, SkillSoft, to learn some key points to consider when developing blended learning programs.

Thursday, February 23, 2012, 11AM – 12PM (ASTD members only)

LMS Selection and Implementation

Too often, vendor selection decisions are made in a vacuum. Without consulting others in your organization, utilizing research, and tying the decision to organizational objectives, you risk having the project rejected, a costly and drawn out implementation or under-utilization of the system. Michael Baker and Stacy Lindenberg from First Citizen's Bank address the entire selection process, and shares best practices along the way. In addition, you will receive templates to use in your own organizations to support the process. You can plan ahead and avoid pitfalls associated with vendor selection and learn the step-by-step process of vendor selection, creating buy-in, presenting to executive level stakeholders, implementation and continuous marketing.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 10AM – 11AM PST

Evaluation Basics: Four Challenges that can Make or Break Survey Research

Surveys and questionnaires are common instruments used to collect data of all types. Whether evaluating a training program or assessing organizational climate, self-administered surveys are a tool with which we must contend. Join Patti Phillips, Ph.D., President & CEO, ROI Institute, as she presents the four basic, but critical, challenges that can make or break a successful survey project.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 11AM – 12PM PST (ASTD members only)

 Transforming Learning at Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Chief Learning Officer Kimo Kippen will lead this informative session about how a 93-year-old company reinvented itself and transformed learning. During this session, Kimo will share how the company recognized the need to relaunch its learning and describe the strategic approach behind what would be the immediate areas of focus.