EDITOR’S COMMENT


Size and the bespoke learning vendor


e.learning age magazine ISSN 1474 – 5127 Published by CloserStill Media


Commercial Clive Snell clives@elearningawards.co.uk


Kate Vose katev@elearningawards.co.uk


Tel: +44 (0)118 380 0350


Editorial Peter Williams


peterw@darkhillmedia.co.uk Melanie Williams


melaniew@darkhillmedia.co.uk


Designer Jane Denton


janedenton3@gmail.com


ONE OF THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS of the bespoke e-learning market is its fragmentation. Many of the vendors are country-specifi c who rarely sell outside their core region. There are two good reasons for this: fi rst much learning and development is language and culture dependent. An increasing number of e-learning courses do make it from the original language but they are still the exception. While there has been some selling to international markets – and not always predicated on a common language – these still have the appearance of branch offi ces or exotic forays often set up to service the needs of a particular international client. In its latest analysis of the bespoke e-learning market, Elearnity notes that few vendors operate on a pan-EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) or even global basis. It suggests that the second reason why vendors are failing to achieve international growth is parochial buying behaviour from customers. We have seen some consolidation notably through the creation of Learning Technology Group (whose 2014 results we cover in news) and from Kineo who became part of City & Guilds. But that consolidation has yet to become an all consuming trend. What we see in the market is a steady stream of start ups as new vendors easily clamber over the few barriers to entry which means making a name in e-learning does not take a lifetime. Elearnity notes that the most impactful solutions happen when customers are less directive and open to more consultative approaches. So far that consultative approach has largely worked with vendors who are small or medium sized businesses. But even allowing for the personalised and specifi c nature of this product there is no reason for a cap on the size of bespoke e-learning organisations. If the expectations of clients for their bespoke e-learning continue to grow they may shake off their parochialism and then vendors may decide they must scale up to meet those needs. Peter Williams Editor


Contents 02 News


04 Award News Totara Learning Solutions becomes headline sponsor for the E-Learning Awards


Published by:


CloserStill E-Learning Awards Ltd, George House, Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB


Tel: +44 (0)118 380 0350 www.elearningawards.co.uk www.elearningage.co.uk


06 Standards Flipping the S curve


07 Effectiveness Striking a chord


08 Community Seven ways stories power learning


09 The analyst’s corner Let go of training, embrace learning


10 E-Learning Awards case study


Channel 4 pursues risk and exemplary professional practice


12 Social learning Four habits of highly social learners


15 Organisation Why learners need to suspend disbelief APRIL 2015


16 Learning interventions How a rich blend contributed to a turnaround


22 Cover story A vision for the future


19 Ask genie L&D’s agony aunt dishes out more welcome advice


20 Gamifi cation Everything to play for


24 An elusive beast On the hunt for creativity


27 Sports coaching Tackling bad behaviour


29 The e-learner


30 Job Like Mine E-Learning Award winner Sam Yates on a new role


31 Chalkface

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