SAN DIEGO, CA (September 27, 2006)-With technology closing the gaps between locations around the globe, people do not work, or learn, the way they used to. The new mode is "dispersed"-one team member may be in Los Angeles whereas others may be in Sydney, Singapore, Stockholm, and Shanghai. This spread of workers and their leaders creates a challenge when training is needed for individuals or groups.
The conundrum of learning outside of the classroom is how to provide high-quality, customized training without the level of human interaction that typifies classroom learning experiences. Web-based and virtual learning now make it possible to reach large groups of learners simultaneously, and to enrich content, teaching methods, and learner participation. However, they often lack the "high touch" customer service that people crave.
A case study released by Bersin & Associates-a leading research and consulting firm-highlights methodologies developed by The Ken Blanchard Companies ® (Blanchard ®) that blend elearning and other learning modes
while offering the personalized service that hallmarks Blanchard´s 25-year history as a global leader in organizational and leadership training.
Chris Howard, Principal Analyst for Bersin, explains that the high-tech part of Blanchard´s "Learner Care" approach is enabled by a Learn.com-based portal that hosts all the information Blanchardrequires for its coursework. The high-touch part provided by Blanchard includes frequent communication, small groups of students, and lots of interactivity. This process is facilitated by a single point of contact-a Blanchard Learning Manager who develops the client´s Website, coordinates all communications and logistics, tracks completion rates, and provides reports.
The concept of blending different learning modalities was spun from forecasting by Blanchard´s think tank, the Office of the Future, which identifies global trends five to ten years out and then uses that information as the basis for new programs and services. Seeing a trend back in the 1990s toward geographically dispersed work units, and a need for delivering training at lower costs but with higher productivity, Blanchard evolved to blended learning solutions ¾often using blended learning to increase reach rather than replace classroom instruction.
Jamie Grettum, Director of Blended Solutions and Dan Glaser, Lead Learning Manager of Blanchard´s Blended Learning team will be speaking at ASTD´s Valley of the Sun Chapter meeting Phoenix, on October 13, 2006. Their session, called "From Apathy to Application: Four Strategies for Effective Blended Learning," will share expertise gained from managing blended initiatives for Blanchard clients.
The company´s blended learning methodologies are based on the view that learning is not just a single event but a continuous process. The Blanchard approach emphasizes sustainability, follow-up, and reinforcement after training takes place. The blended model spreads these activities over time with a typical course involving a live or virtual launch, online and self-paced learning, a live classroom application session, and either live or Web-based coaching.
Each of Blanchard´s customer-focused LearnCenter portals is customized for the client. And when client organizations have a number of different learning groups, Blanchard is able to set up "sub-LearnCenters," which are further customized and accessed through the main portal. The sites create a road map for learning, including reminders, and deadlines for completion of specific assignments, as well as a one-stop place where participants find log-in instructions, information on self-paced modules, goals, and expectations. The portal can also house messages from the client´s CEO and other executives as a part of the effort to keep learners motivated and on track.
After considering a number of learning management system providers to support its Learner Care approach, Blanchard selected LearnCenter from Learn.com-a hosted learning management system designed to create, manage, and track enterprise-wide learning, both in the classroom and online. This technology offers the most flexibility for developing and customizing the Web portals for Blanchard clients. Blanchard clients pay one overall fee for Learner Care services, based on the specific services they engage. The cost of the technology is built in.
The Learner Care approach is intended to make learning experiences user-friendly as well as effective. It supports Blanchard training in five different areas: self-leadership, one-to-one leadership, team leadership, organizational leadership, and coaching services.
The Ken Blanchard Companies ® is a global leader in workplace learning, productivity, performance, and leadership effectiveness that is best known for its Situational Leadership ® II program-the most widely taught leadership model in the world. Because of its ability to help people excel as self-leaders and as leaders of others, SLII ® is embraced by Fortune 500 companies as well as mid-to small-size businesses, governments, and educational and non-profit organizations. Many Blanchard ® programs for teams, customer loyalty, change management, and leadership effectiveness blend the use of assessments with instructor-led and e-learning. Using best practices based on the company´s continual research, Blanchard´s world-class trainers and coaches support people in making the shift from learning to doing and drive organizational and behavioral change into all levels of organizations. To learn more, visit www.kenblanchard.com.
Bersin & Associates has more than 20 years experience in elearning, training, and enterprise technology. Its innovations include a complete methodology for learning management systems selection and application usage and one of the largest research studies on blended learning implementations. The company provides a wide range of services, including market research, best practices, benchmarking, vendor and product analysis. Bersin & Associates can be reached at www.bersin.com or at 510.654.8500.
For further information regarding this release, contact
Wendy Wong
Director of Media Relations
The Ken Blanchard Companies
760-233-6710