Posts From: Doug Harward

One of the most frequently asked questions of training analysts is ‘how big is the training market?’ The truth of the matter is no one really knows for sure, although we are able to make good rational estimates based on sound research and economic analysis. Why is the data hard to get to? Because corporations (buyers of services) are weary of reporting actual expenditures for training. And in some cases, many large companies don’t accurately know how much they spend on training as expenses get buried in non-training related line items.

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With the introduction of new authoring and delivery technologies, integrated fully with social networking platforms, the learners experience is changing. Now when we want to learn something new, the first thing we do is “Google it.” Using a search engine is so engrained as our first source of information and knowledge that is has achieved the ultimate status of being recognized as a verb instead of a destination.

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An info-graphic titled "The State of Digital Education" was recently published which portrays a story of the rapid transformation of digital technologies in k-12 and post secondary education. The graphic addresses the size of the education marketplace, disruptive technologies impacting the education process, trends bringing education into the modern world, and new technologies which will work together to result in more effective learning solutions.

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TrainingIndustry.com annually publishes the top trends that are reshaping the training industry. At the Mid-Year point of 2011, here is how those trends are materializing, how some are taking off, and how some are slow to be adopted.

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In a recent conversation with the head of sales training in a medical technology company, I was asked, "How do we train our sales professionals to be the most knowledgeable, credible and efficient in the market?" In other words, she wants to make sure her sales team is a differentiator! Not just depending on the quality of the products and services, but that the people in sales truly make a difference to the client.

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In 1918, in a small town in Indiana, a Father gave his son a sheet of paper. On it was written 7 principles which he hoped his son would learn to live by. Little did the Father know that his son would not only live by those principles, but he would carry that sheet of paper in his wallet for the rest of his life.

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Training BPO has changed considerably since the late '90's when many believe it actually took root as a viable business strategy for learning leaders. Today's training outsourcing market has changed considerably. Here are some of the biggest changes I've seen in the last few years.

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If you were in the training industry in the mid 1980's, you may remember one of the earliest LMS products to hit the market. It was a standalone computer program called Registrar® and was designed as a training administration package. Since then, the technologies have changed considerably, and I believe we are entering a new evolution of LMS technologies.

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GP announced they have entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of the consulting business of RWD Technologies. It's now about how how the two companies will integrate their culture, capabilities, and brand.

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The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index uses 10 data elements as leading indicators for the purpose of forecasting future economic activity. These indicators include data such as manufacturing activity, unemployment, change in interest rates of treasury notes, housing starts, and more. Obviously what is not included is data related to corporate spend for training. Should it?

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