March 2010 | Newsletter Archives | Print Version | Volume 10 - Issue Three

The past two years have been a wake-up call for L&D leaders. Although these years have been difficult, the upshot is that they have forced training organizations to become better aligned with business objectives. L&D leaders have the opportunity to redefine their priorities and put their resources into the key initiatives and programs that will drive competitive advantage. According to 2010 Corporate Learning Factbook (Bersin & Assoc.), learning organizations are doing just that. 38 percent of training professionals report "improving the effectiveness of training programs" as one of their top two priorities for 2010.

Those that become successful will be focused on answering business questions that are the most important to measurement and management.

• Consumption - who is taking what?
• Efficiency - how much are we spending/saving?
• Satisfaction - are learners getting what they want?

In addition to LMS data, learning leaders with an eye on business strategy also want to integrate with external data – whether it’s related sales information in Salesforce.com, collaborative information using SharePoint or other relevant data hosted externally.

GeoLearning recently recorded a podcast titled “You Can’t Manage What You Can’t Measure” discussing new reporting and dashboard functionality in the GeoMaestro LMS. Download the podcast here.

The largest differentiator is that they utilized technology in new and different ways. GeoLearning would like to provide you with some information that can help keep you not only on track, but ahead of your competitors. We’ve compiled five trends that can be implemented now. The value of implementing the strategies contained in the report pay for themselves in improved engagement, knowledge sharing, improved training and reduced cost of inefficient methods.

Download the Five Learning Trends for 2010 whitepaper.

Organizations today face similar challenges. They must encourage customers to more widely adopt existing solutions. But exactly how are these objectives to be attained in a cost effective manner? The answer lies in the concept of the Extended Enterprise. GeoLearning’s Extended Enterprise platform is ideal for companies that are to some degree dependent on external audiences to promote and sell their products. Industries including insurance, real estate, financial services, durable goods manufacturing, healthcare, technology, communications, or any field relying on the channel or independent reps/dealerships can all benefit markedly from the Extended Enterprise. Firms operating in such sectors can harness Extended Enterprise to:

• Boost agility in rapidly changing market conditions.
• Improve business performance and productivity.
• Increase customer retention & acquisition.
• Protect, reinforce, differentiate, and promote brand image.

For more information about extended enterprise, download the Widening Your Sphere of Influence: An Intro to Extended Enterprise whitepaper.

If your organization is truly competitive, time and experience matter. Unique learning and performance needs require products, services and support with industry know-how and familiarity. GeoLearning has a proven record of creating learning and performance results for customers across multiple industries. While every organization is unique and every set of challenges different, GeoLearning products and services have probably been used to achieve learning and performance management success in an industry just like yours. GeoLearning’s industry-specific solutions include:

• Extended Enterprise Training
• Finance & Insurance
• Federal Government
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Mid-Size Organization
• Retail
• Safety & Compliance
• State Government

GeoLearning’s GeoMaestro Named a Finalist for 2010 Codie Award

GeoLearning Up for Two Prometheus Awards including “CIO of the Year” and “Software Company of the Year”
Brad Rasmussen, CIO of GeoLearning, Inc., has been named a finalist for the 2010 CIO of the Year award sponsored by the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI). Additionally, GeoLearning has been named a finalist for the 2010 Software Company of the Year award. Winners will be announced at an evening ceremony on April 6, 2010 at the Meadows Convention Center in Altoona, IA. Hundreds of industry leaders from business, education and government are expected to attend the event. More information is available online.

GeoLearning Named to HR Outsourcing Today’s List of the Top Learning Providers for 5th Consecutive Year
Human Resources Outsourcing Today (HRO Today) magazine named GeoLearning to its annual “Baker’s Dozen” list of leading learning outsourcing services providers for a fifth consecutive year. The complete report, “2010 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ratings: Top Learning Providers”, solicits current learning buyers' input to rank the top providers. This input is a first-hand account from learning professionals already engaged in a learning outsourcing relationship. More information is available online.

Copyright 2010 GeoLearning • 4600 Westown Parkway, Suite 301 West Des Moines, IA 50266

4LearningXecs is published by GeoLearning, Inc. To submit ideas, questions or topics, send mail to Ann Torry, Integrated Marketing Manager at atorry@geolearning.com. If you know a colleague who would like to subscribe to 4LearningXecs direct them to www.geolearning.com/newsletter.