For Business Process & Applications Professionals

How Kelly Services Implemented Onboarding To Retain Quality Workers

by Claire Schooley, October 22, 2009

Kelly Services did not have a formal onboarding program. New hires spent a few hours hearing about the company, its policies and procedures, and then learned on the job — some succeeded, others didn't. Even with good recruiting, succession planning, and . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

The Millennials Are Here! Are You Prepared?

by Claire Schooley, October 8, 2009

The Millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, are now entering the workplace. They bring sharp technology skills, a desire for challenging work, flexibility, mobility, and an ability to work well in teams. These new employees often meet a seasoned workforce . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Web Conferencing 2009 Market Overview

Pick A Portfolio Of Providers To Meet All Your Conferencing Scenarios

by Ted Schadler, Claire Schooley, August 27, 2009

Web conferencing has become a key real-time collaboration priority for most enterprises. IT is working hard to pick the right suppliers, negotiate the right price, and drive adoption. But the market remains fragmented, pricing is often mysterious and . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Questions Senior Executives Ask About eLearning Specifics

by Claire Schooley, June 10, 2009

Executives today know that business depends on well-skilled and knowledgeable employees who make the right decisions, work effectively and efficiently, and keep their skills up-to-date. Especially in today's economy, executives want to make successful . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Case Study: Black & Decker Fuses eLearning And Traditional Methods To Achieve Learning Goals

by Claire Schooley, April 30, 2009

Successful Black & Decker sales staff need a combination of leadership skills, product knowledge skills, and hands-on experience. The sales training group, Black & Decker University, provides a blended approach with online training, instructor . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Get Serious About Informal Learning

by Claire Schooley, April 22, 2009

Formal learning works for 20% of learning needs, while informal learning handles the other 80%. In the past, informal learning was turning to ask your teammate a question. Today, the rise of Web 2.0 technologies and social media — and a growing cadre . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The ROI Of eLearning

A Total Economic Impact™ Analysis Uncovers Big Benefits From Learning Online

by Claire Schooley, April 13, 2009

Online learning earns companies a positive return on investment (ROI) in less than a year. If you have a business that is spread across many locations, it makes good business sense to implement an online learning program as a replacement for some face-to-face . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The ROI Of Telepresence

A Total Economic Impact™ Analysis Uncovers Major Value Of Virtual Presence

by Claire Schooley, February 25, 2009

Telepresence, the life-size, "you are there" meeting experience, is a hefty upfront technology investment — but over five years globally dispersed organizations reap a return on investment (ROI) of 47% or more. Travel reduction provides for the major . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Telepresence Comes In Less Expensive Models

But It May Not Have All The "Bells And Whistles" Of The Expensive Offerings

by Claire Schooley, February 25, 2009

Two vendors, LifeSize Communications and Telanetix, offer telepresence conferencing at substantially lower upfront costs than their higher-priced competitors like Cisco, HP, Polycom, Tandberg, and Teliris. Information and knowledge management (I&KM) . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

How To Maintain Your Learning Program In A Down Economy

by Claire Schooley, February 12, 2009

The world's economic woes present new opportunities for innovative forms of learning using technology that many organizations already have: informal learning, eLearning, and blended learning. Shrinking budgets make learning through technology very attractive. . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Topic Overview: Human Resource Management

by Zach Thomas, Paul D. Hamerman, Claire Schooley, January 21, 2009

The most important investments that businesses and government organizations make are in their people. In addition to direct expenditures on compensation and benefits, organizations invest in technology, outsourcing, professional services, and learning . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Informal Methods Challenge Corporate Learning

Learning Organizations Must Incorporate Informal Tools Into Their Total Learning Programs

by Claire Schooley, November 12, 2008

There is a new employee learning paradigm. The formal course with multiple lessons is still around and will always have a place in the learning hierarchy, but informal learning with "knowledge on-the-go" is already here — and it's getting stronger. With . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Alcoa Employees Access eTools For Fast Learning

Bridging Formal And Informal Learning

by Claire Schooley, October 21, 2008

Employees drive corporate informal learning. They use social networking tools, intranet search tools, or specific knowledge sites for short information or learning objects. Alcoa, a leading aluminum products company, has an eTools informal learning offering . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

For Stickier Learning, Try A Dose Of Serious Gaming

by Claire Schooley, September 19, 2008

When it comes to effective teaching, it's better to engage all of the senses. Interactive learning activities like simulations, immersive learning, and serious gaming put employees in virtual yet authentic situations where they can learn the skills and . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Learn From A Community: The eLearning Guild

by Claire Schooley, June 24, 2008

The eLearning Guild's developers, trainers, and managers have access to an inexpensive collegial community of practice that offers materials, ideas, and thought leadership. The six-year-old guild, which just signed its 30,000th member, has grown into . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

AT&T And Cisco Systems Announce An Intercompany Telepresence Service

by Claire Schooley, Henry Dewing, June 3, 2008

Cisco Systems recently forged ahead of the competition by making Cisco TelePresence, its lifelike, "you are there" videoconferencing technology, available through AT&T. Information and knowledge management (I&KM) professionals who have contemplated . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The ABCs Of Creating Really Good Podcasts

by Claire Schooley, May 9, 2008

To launch a successful podcasting program, think of podcasts as well-crafted, engaging radio segments delivered through the Web. Using radio segments as the model, podcasts should be short, focused communications or small nuggets of learning for customers, . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

How To Create A Comprehensive, High-Impact Learning Strategy

by Claire Schooley, May 6, 2008

Training departments in companies of all sizes are revamping their training and learning programs. Why? Learning organizations must develop employee-centric, business-driven learning strategies that guide the successful deployment of learning that is . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The Workforce Is Changing; What Are You Doing About It?

by Claire Schooley, March 4, 2008

The oldest of the 78 million US Baby Boomers are now reaching retirement age. Some will want to keep working — either full- or part-time — and others will have no other economic choice. But the vast majority will leave the workplace, creating a management . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Learning Management Suites, Q1 2008

Saba, SumTotal Systems Tie For Lead With Plateau Systems Hot On Their Heels

by Claire Schooley, February 12, 2008

In Forrester's 90-criteria evaluation of learning management system (LMS) vendors, we found that Saba, SumTotal Systems, and Plateau Systems lead the pack by providing feature-rich offerings and serving a broad international customer base. GeoLearning . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

The Banking Industry Is Using Video To Better Meet Customer Needs

by Claire Schooley, January 30, 2008

Banks are beginning to use video to carry on business with customers remotely. Through branch office videoconferencing or video-enabled Web conferencing, banks conduct high stakes business: selling mortgages, advising on loans, discussing purchase and . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Generational Workforce Strategies: Suggestions For Coping

by Claire Schooley, January 22, 2008

The age span in today's workforce stretches 50 years — greater than at any time in recent history. The social, political, and cultural experiences of people in their formative years impact their work styles. The characteristics of these different work . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Put The Right People In Place For A Successful Learning Management System Implementation

by Claire Schooley, October 24, 2007

After choosing a Learning Management System (LMS), the selection team can breathe a sigh of relief that the hardest work is done. Wrong! A strong LMS implementation team is now critical to ensure the business impact expected of the LMS investment. The . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

How To Select A Learning Management System

Planning Is Critical To Success

by Claire Schooley, October 24, 2007

Involve all major lines of business (LOB) and departments in selecting a learning management system (LMS) to ensure that it meets your business needs. A carefully planned LMS request for proposal (RFP) examines the present state of learning, projects . . .

For Information & Knowledge Management Professionals

Podcasting: 10 Things You Should Know

by Claire Schooley, October 11, 2007

Podcasting is a real boon for internal corporate communications, marketing initiatives, and informal learning modules targeted at customers and employees alike. A well-produced 10-minute podcast presents very specific information pertinent to the targeted . . .