Enriching experience


E.learning age is delighted to be working on this special supplement with Unicorn to mark the 25 years since the Unicorn business was started.


The anniversary is providing a three-fold opportunity. First this is a moment to celebrate. Any business surviving a quarter of a century has done well, but perhaps especially so when the chosen sector is technology-based learning and development focussed on the corporate sector. So much has changed and continues to change that a whole range of entrepreneurial qualities are required to have prospered in this field; among them agility, open mindedness, technical ability, collaboration and team work and a considerable amount of personal values such as courage, strength and integrity. All e.learning age’s dealing with Unicorn suggests that the firm has those qualities imbued by its founders who are still actively demonstrating leadership today. It’s a powerful combination.


Secondly it provides an opportunity to look back over a quarter of a century and to recall


Contents 4 Suited and booted


Peter Phillips examines ‘The Business of Bespoke.’


6 Unicorn’s 25 years’ timeline Re-tracing the significant steps for Unicorn and one or two other notable events over the past 25 years


8 Hearing it first Bob Little reflects on the emergence of TACT - the UK’s first industry body and the forerunner of today’s e-Learning Network.


some of the moments – both sector-specific and more generally – that have contributed to the richness of life over this period. Unicorn’s nostalgia trip is shot through with both humour and self-awareness that stops the journey becoming too indulgent or self important.


It is entirely suitable that this publication ends with a look forward. We all should try to see what lies ahead and some of Unicorn’s people have provided 25 predictions of where next. Perhaps not all of them to be taken too seriously, but you decide.


Finally this publication itself tells a tale of how technology – and what we can do with it – has moved over the last few years: this is a digital publication where the written word, audio and video can all be combined to give the reader – we hope – a more enjoyable and enriching experience.


Peter Williams Editor, e.learning age peterw@bizmedia.co.uk


10 Clunky to Funky Helen Watts, Unicorn Director, reflects on how technology trends have affected the e-learning world


13 Shelf life


As the world gets increasingly mobile, Peter Phillips asks how can Off the Shelf (OTS) suppliers keep pace with industry innovation


and demand?


16 What next? 25 predictions for the next 25 years!


3 E.learning age: Bizmedia Ltd, Loddon Park Farm , New Bath Road, Twyford, Reading RG10 9RY, UK


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