Many people say that classroom training is a thing of the past. I see their point, and I still chuckle every time I watch the video Goodbye Butts in Chairs, but I don’t completely agree. 

Presently, I’m helping my clients use classroom training successfully and see new applications for it in the future.

Today, many companies run sales training programs that are 1-2 day sessions. As a learning designer, I know that classroom training remains an excellent instructional method for skills practice and proficiency. Clients complement their instructor-led training (ILT) sessions with reinforcement programs to extend the learning.

Here is an example of a learning process for new hire sales training that combines ILT with a reinforcement program.

New hires in this example start by taking online pre-work modules to familiarize themselves with the company and products. They take an intro module to selling skills to become acquainted with the industry norms and typical selling scenarios. Next, they attend classroom training for skills practice.

The next progression is a formal reinforcement program which occurs over time. It includes making joint calls and planning with a more senior rep or field sales trainer. Then, they participate in a Skype Boot Camp skills practice session. It is run by their instructor and includes their peers from the classroom training session. Neither travel, nor expenses are necessary. Later, they participate in a Webinar to review all learning points thus far. Lastly, participants take an assessment to ensure proficiency.

A classroom training program should not stand alone. The “forgetting factor” is significant and participants need help using and applying the skills on the job. The above described reinforcement program is flexible and inexpensive. These qualities are especially beneficial, since many companies cannot justify large budgets for creating longer programs, let alone can their reps afford to be out of the field for long periods of time.  

In the future, we will see more comprehensive programs that combine ILT with formal reinforcement programs. We will also see a wider acceptance of social learning and informal learning in our learning ecosystem. This is one of my favorite topics and we’ll talk about this in future blogs.

For now, tell me, what are you doing to spice up your grandfather’s classroom training?

As an instructional design consultant, I’m the first to say that learning occurs in the classroom. Yet, learning happens informally as well.  By happenstance.  On the job …  Often!

It’s no surprise that an extroverted instructional designer like me, who got her start in sales, carrying a bag, gravitated toward “networking” and “collaborating” and “reaching out to colleagues.” It has helped me build my business.  Let’s be real. Especially given the recession in the last few years, networking has helped me stay in business!  It has also helped me stay current and to learn about the latest trends and technologies. Call it what you like, but the value in having a network shines through, however you position it, whatever you call it, and whether or not you like it!  

Yes, networking has helped me grow my business, but I love it because it enables me to learn. I’ve owned my instructional design firm since 1995, and I have to say that probably the only thing I truly and sorely miss about corporate employment is having colleagues down the hall, who, on a moment’s notice, would let me brainstorm with them, bounce ideas off of them and learn with them.

I’ve posted several “how to” articles on collaborating and networking. In today’s post, I’m sharing a site that provides resources for building your personal learning networking with web 2.0 tools.  It’s called Creating a PLN with Web 2.0 Tools and it was created by Michelle Bourgeois, Colleen Glaude and Katie Morrow.

While it’s not the newest resource out there, it’s still accurate in what is noted. I particularly like how it’s laid out in terms of Appetizers, Main Courses, Side Dishes and Desserts! There’s also a neat presentation to walk you through building a personal learning network.

I’ve learned so much in the past couple years about building my own personal learning network and this site encapsulates much of that learning. Take a look and let me know what you think. What value have you received from your personal learning network?

Did you know that the majority of what we learn happens on the job? Click here  to read more about this topic at Sumeet Moghe’s blog post.

Sumeet uses this graphic to describe the insights he got on informal learning, from The Internet Time Alliance: Clark Quinn, Jay Cross, Charles Jennings, Jane Hart and Harold Jarche. They often discuss and refer to the 70/20/10 principle.

Formal learning is fine, but informal learning is where the “rubber meets the road” and where most learning takes place.

Whether you’re the one who attends the corporate training programs, designs them, manages them, or sponsors them, you need to know how to maximize your investment in formal learning!  Complement it with informal learning and social media. For starters, take a look at Sumeet’s post to get some new insights and ideas on informal learning.

Old school: Networking is a “necessary evil to get a job.” 

New school: Networking is a professional competency that helps us DO a better job. 

Networking has become synonymous with informal learning.  How did that happen? Well, today’s business world moves rapidly. Change is a constant and new technologies emerge daily. 

To stay “ahead of the game,” individuals and organizations need to be current with the latest and greatest ideas and information. The Internet makes it easier to access information and to get acqauinted with people in far away places.

It’s a more competitive than time than any other point in history. For instance, by the time an article goes to print, much of the information it contains is no longer current. Similarly, by the time a course is designed for learners, the content is out of date.  One has to be connected to stay on top of things.

In the past, most learning took place through formal, instructor-led training. Relatively recently, advancements in technologies with the Web and e-learning began to change the way we offered training programs. After 2001, between the decreased travel due to 9/11 and a weak economy in the years that followed, less formal training took place. 

The trend is moving toward on-demand, learned-centered “un-training” where learners/workers are highly engaged and collaborate more. Studies show that people learn far more from peers on the job, than they do it formal training programs. Their facile search and find skills systematically enable them to identify what they need to know and who the go-to people are so they can combine people and technology to get up to speed quicker than ever.  

With today’s technologies available, engagement and collaboration have become prevalent; information and best practices are shared more often. Standards and expectations are higher than ever. People don’t stay in jobs as long and take valuable information with them when they move on.

In this competitive, rapidly-changing world, one “wins by a nose” and those who are not “in the race” and are not leveraging Web 2.0 technologies and with their face-to-face relationships will be left behind.

Professional networking skills foster engagement and collaboration within companies and silos are breaking down.  Whether you’re in the job search mode, or looking for advancement within your company, read more about others have to say about networking and informal learning.

Read more:

Tony Karrer    

Jay Cross – Informal Learning

Jane Hart 

Charles Jennings

Harold Jarche

Clark Quinn 

Jane Bozarth 

Make Your Contacts Count

Keith Ferazzi

Michael J. Hughes

Bob Burg

I couldn’t say it any better than Kent Schlenker says it here.

In the same way that the geeks/nerds took over the world in the age of computers, educators will have their time.  And their time is coming…fast.

 The best thing is that I’m not just talking about teachers and trainers, but everyone with their inner educator waiting to bust out. READ MORE

Whether you call it networking, collaborating or engagement,  it’s still going to help you do a better job.

Here’s a neat chart that shows examples of using social media on the job, for collaboration, networking and engagement AND for promoting learning. All of these add up to an upbeat and productive environment. And that benefits individuals as well as organizations!

Check it out at the Center for Learning & Performance Technology.   Are you using these social media tools to help you get ahead? Are others using them in your organization? Make a point to learn about one new form of social media and find a way to use it today to network, collaborate or engage with others!

I found a cool presentation about the network learner and am sharing it here with you, because it’s got some excellent information in it. Definitely worth your time!

Thanks to Scott Leslie for sharing this on SlideShare.  As an instructional designer, and as someone who is passionate about networking, I must say that Scott did a great job in describing and illustrating the direction that the training and performance improvement field is is going, in our fast paced, digital world.

Let me know your thoughts about PLEs (Personal Learning Environments), Crowdsourcing, and Social Learning.

Click here to take a look: Becoming a Network Learner

(If you like this, be sure to follow me on Twitter, because this is what I tweet about most.)

Answer True or False for each of these statements:

1. If I make a good first impression, my contacts will stay in touch with me.

False. It takes 6-8 interactions for people to remember you and for you to “register” on their radar screen. Even if you make a great impression when you meet someone, it’s rare that they would stay in touch with you, without your follow up. It’s important to stay in touch and continue to get to know them and to teach them what you do and what types of leads/resources you are looking for. It’s equaly important to continue to get to know them, and to learn more about their strengths and networking needs.

2. I only need to focus on face to face networking.

False. You need to use social media in addition to face-to-face in order to build therelationships. With the average American having 250 business contacts, it’s virtually impossible to stay in touch and develop relationships with everyone. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitterare excellent ways to stay in touch and get better acqauinted.

3. If you appeal to a potential contact’s need to feel important by asking for advice and help, you’ll surely land an appointment.

True and False! People in general are good, and are willing to help, but more importantly: Don’t kid yourself that they are sitting around waiting for job searchers to call and ask for help on their marketing plans. It’s a two-way street. GIVE them a WIIFM for what you can do for them. People are networking more these days. There are only so many hours in a day. So, you can’t just say “Fred suggested that we meet.” Fred can give you an intro, but you have to give your contact a WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) for WHY should they take their time to meet with you/what you can do for them.

4. I’ve got job security, so I don’t need to network.

False. Information has never changed faster, so to stay up on the latest information, trends and best pratices and to succeed in your job, you need to leverage your face-to-face and social networks.  Old School: Networking is a necessary evil for job seekers. New School: Networking is the way to get an edge and stay current on the latest information.

5. Talk about your personal life, when networking; don’t always keep conversations strictly business-related.

True. We’re all multi-faceted, people are drawn to those that have similar interests. So ask people what they like to do when they are not working. Share your latest hobbies and ambitions. It’s a way to show people what you are all about and you may even make a new friend or exercise partner.

How did you do? Did you get all 5 right?

If you did, jot me a note in the comment form on this blog, along with your name and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a free book, Make Your Contacts Count.

Networking has become synonymous with informal learning.  How did that happen? Well, today’s business world moves rapidly and change is a constant; new technologies emerge daily. We’re more connected and networked and share more information than ever before.

Old school: Networking is a “necessary evil to get a job.” 

New school: Networking is a professional competency that helps us DO our jobs well. 

The Internet makes it easy to access information and to get acquainted with people in far away places. To stay “ahead of the game” in this current environment, individuals and organizations need to be “up to the minute” with the latest and greatest information. 

Business is more competitive than ever and information changes sooner. By the time an article goes to print, much of the information it contains is no longer current. Similarly, by the time a training need is identified and a course is designed, the content is out of date.  

This phenomenon has paved the way for the growth of informal learning. It is imperative to be connected so you can stay on top of the latest and greatest.

In the past, learning took place through formal, instructor-led training. In the late 80’s and 90’s, changes began to occur with the advancement of Web and e-learning technologies. In 2001, between the decreased travel due to 9/11 and a weak economy in the years that followed, less formal training took place due to travel and budget restrictions. 

Companies looked for less expensive alternatives and the trend has moved toward on-demand, learned-centered “un-training” where workers are highly engaged and collaborate more. Working =  Learning and Learning = Working. “Un-training” must be easily accessible, more relevant and meaningful.

Studies show that people learn far more from peers on the job, than they do it formal training programs (70 20 10). Their facile search and find skills enable them to systematically identify what they need to learn and who the go-to people are so they can combine people and technology to get up to speed quicker than ever.  

New technologies emerge daily, and engagement and collaboration have become the norm. Information, resources and best practices are shared more often and more easily. Standards and expectations are higher than ever. People don’t stay in jobs as long and take valuable information with them when they move on.

It’s a competitive, rapidly-changing world where one “wins by a nose.” Those not “in the race” who are not leveraging Web 2.0 technologies and with their face-to-face relationships are left behind.

Read more about how  emerging technologies, social media, engagement and networking impact the way we learn and succeed in today’s world.

Social Media for Knowledge Workers: eLearning Technology   (Tony Karrer)

Informal Learning (Jay Cross)

Training and Social Media Handbook (Jane Hart)

The Future Business of Learning for Suppliers (Charles Jennings)

Seek, Sense, Share  (Harold Jarche)

Informal and Formal Learning Tool (Clark Quinn)

ADDIE Wasn’t Even There to See It   (Jane Bozarth)

I saw something highly unusual yesterday and I want to share it. It was a detailed and sincere thank you note.

 John Luce sent a “Landing Notice” to his network and thanked many of the people who have helped in along the way. I had the good fortune to meet John through a Search Team I led for the Career Navigator at the United Way. He struck me as an intelligent, positive leader. He was always energetic, willing to share and help out and he did it in an authentic, “nice guy next door” way that made it easy to get to know him and like him.

So, when I saw his email note thanking and acknowledging scores of people who had helped him along the way, I wasn’t surprised. What continues to surprise me though is how most people do NOT take the time to thank others for their help. That makes people like John, who are sincerely thankful and appreciative stand out over and above the rest!

Think about it, who are you most apt to help? Someone who is appreciative and who stays in touch in a genuine manner, or someone who takes your time with no thanks and does not take interest in you, nor stays in touch. It’s a no-brainer! In addition to showing appreciation along the way, John did many things well in his networking endeavors, so I asked him to share his BEST PRACTICES.

 Here are more tips from John, based on what worked well for him:

• “Networking. Note that it’s not Net-Talking, Net-Meeting, Net-Eating; it’s Net-Working. It’s work and it was absolutely helpful in my job search. It was a lot of work, I typically worked at it from 30-60 hours each week (studying, learning, meeting with people and strategizing).
• It was a lot of fun.
• You’ve got to be organized. I kept track of every activity Monday through Sunday. From online and F2F networking, phone calls, webinars, conferences and seminars to who I met, where I spent my time, where leads came from and what I learned from it.
• You need some “Me Time” to do something you love and to rejuvenate. I scheduled that in to my time each week.
• You have to have a good support system; understanding family and friends are a must. Spend time with positive people who encourage you. I now appreciate my wife and family and friends even more.
• I met a lot of wonderful, intelligent, giving people; more in the past 6 months, than I have met in the last 20 years!
• When networking, you can always learn, and find a “nugget” of wisdom or good information. Stay open and be willing to learn from others.
• Get comfortable with the fact that you’re unemployed and start talking to people about it. Educate them about what you’re good at and what you’re looking for. Ask them to keep their eyes and ears open for you as well.
• I found Toastmasters to be helpful as well. It’s a great opportunity to improve your speaking and leadership abilities, especially useful when job searching.
• Always be willing to help others. This “Abundance” mentality works; give first, and things will come back to you.”
• Learn about others and help them.
• I wasn’t aware of the full value: After many years in the workforce, it was refreshing to learn that networking not only helps you find a job, it also helps you in your day-to-day life. Need an electrician? A contractor? You’ll know who to call when you’re well-networked. Similarly, when you need to stay on top of trends and best practices in your job, your network will provide them to you.” 

While John said he has always felt comfortable talking to others, he did not know, at first, HOW to network, nor what to say or do. He learned from others who were willing to learn and share as well. Remember, your open-mindedness will only help you in your endeavors.

John has made networking a way of life. He’s going to the Digital Rochester event at Max’s tonight and plans to continue to keep up his network/support system. If you see him, be sure to thank him for his tips and contributions!

He hit on something that I believe as well, “Today’s networking is not your grandfather’s networking — you can’t just stay home and send out emails. You have to get out their and work. Let people help you and be willing to help them!”

John recently landed at Excellus. He’s excited about the opportunity and is keenly aware of how his professional competencies in networking will help him do an excellent job in his new role.