careers
A job like mine I
f many found graduating at the peak of the early 80s recession disillusioning and frustrating, for Sanjay Misra it was just a temporary challenge. Misra, one of the founders of e-learning specialist
XOR, graduated in chemical engineering and set out on his working life with a short stint as a van driver. “It was very enjoyable and a good, fun job,” he says. He switched to IT and joined pharmaceutical firm
Glaxo (now GSK) on its graduate analyst/programmer training programme, where he pioneered concurrent networked training programmes for the systems he designed. Later, he moved to the emerging universe of PCs, began integrating mainframe databases and PC business software, and ran training courses. He says: “I saw that the best way of maximising
coverage was to devise a distributed portable method of delivering training. My CBT (computer based training) career was born.” This was only the beginning. In the next 20 years, he went on to develop a host of e-learning skills. In 1986 he started supporting marketing functions with a course called Anatomy of Physiology of the Respiratory System. “Much to my surprise, it won Best Overall Healthcare Training Programme at the National Health Training awards that year. After five years with Glaxo, he joined Systems Interactive as a designer/developer. Here he met his future XOR colleagues and boosted his programming. “After the demise of Systems Interactive we (largely developers) formed XOR. Many clients came with us.” At XOR, he is responsible for client and project
management, and design and development, as well as a lead consultant and finance director. But despite directorial responsibilities, he sees himself primarily as a designer/developer. “I’ve always preferred to remain hands on. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the job is meeting different people and working in varying fields. It could be retail finance and back office systems one year and horticulture the next, with hairdressing and air traffic control thrown in. “There aren’t many dull moments and we have camaraderie through good times and bad,” he adds. His company celebrates its 20th anniversary in July. So what is e-learning for him? “It’s primarily a portable, distributable way of providing learning, that
june 2011 e.learning age Sanjay Misra: Hands on
hasn’t changed essentially in 25 years. But technology changes constantly. Few organisations now have to be told about the ‘new and wonderful’ concept of CBT, e-learning etc. That used to be half the selling effort.”
Constantly seeking ways to adopt new technology
appropriately, Misra adds, “Clever design can turn a ‘dull as dishwater’ topic into contextualised, engaging and ultimately empowering, worthwhile learning.” Misra’s deep, analytical grasp of e-learning shows
The low down From van driver to director, via IT
Designer of the Best Overall Healthcare Training Programme winner 1986
Co-founder of XOR where he holds senior management role
Operating style: Hands on
Ideal world:Wants organisations to be braver in commissioning
Lies awake worrying: That the spirit of adventure could be stifled
Each month e.learning age talks to someone carving out a career in the industry. This month, Archana Venkatraman talks to Sanjay Misra
when he lists its advantages. “Cost savings can be significant. Although e-learning and traditional learning have similar upfront design costs, production costs per head drop a lot above a certain size of audience. “Internet or intranet delivery is cheaper than sending printed literature or bringing people to training centres. However, we believe e-learning isn’t always appropriate, although there should always be a place for it in blended solutions.” Misra wants organisations to see the value they will get if they are braver with their commissioning. He thinks a big challenge is maintaining enough value to keep growth and investment in the sector viable. “Although the cost of producing and delivering content is falling, downward pressure on chargeable revenues, particularly from overseas competition, means returns are diminishing too.” It is no surprise that Misra has a secret love affair with technology. Smartphones, consoles and tablets – he is constantly looking forward to exploring them. How social media has been embraced by nearly
everyone and used in everyday life, fascinates him. But, he advises, “Whatever material we put out there should match younger generations’ expectations of how words are used in ‘their’ medium. Also, get an idea of how your material is being received.” He urges professionals to keep things simple, particularly for potential new users. “Whether it be in the content, the planning, even in any consultative documentation, avoid jargon and allow for flexibility.” Does the industry match his exuberance? “I don’t believe we’re fully exploiting the capabilities of the hardware. That may be due to a certain inertia that builds up as e-learning courses are successfully deployed, and that become a model for building the next project. Within tight time and cost constraints the spirit of adventure can often be stifled.” After 25 years in the industry, Misra is as excited today as he was when he started. “One ambition is to marry my fondness of engineering with what I’ve learned about producing e-learning. That could be a project as I approach retirement,” he concludes.
Archana Venkatraman is a reporter on e.learning age
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