Leading Learning Podcast

We recently told you about the major areas that all learning businesses should be thinking about as they consider how best to grow and improve their offerings – what we coined the 4 “Cs” of the current learning landscape. And that included concision, context, competency, and community. But we quickly realized there was another area of equal importance that wasn’t originally included so we are unveiling a fifth "C" to add to this important list of trends impacting the learning business landscape – competition. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff discuss ways to help you get a handle on the competition in your market using Michael Porter’s Five Forces model as a framework for discussion. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode141. Highlighted Resource – Our previous podcast episode, The 4 Cs of the Learning Landscape.  Thank you to NextThought, the sponsor of the Leading Learning podcast for the third quarter of 2018. NextThought is your partner in learning management system technology, creating engaging experiences, increasing learning potential, partici pant satisfaction, and member retention. Empowering learning businesses like yours with the perfect combination of art, science, and techno logy of online learning, Next Thought helps you achieve your education goals. They go above and beyond the standard learning management system by off

Whether or not we are aware of it, each and everyone one of us is biased. It’s actually not always a bad thing and, in fact, it’s a natural function of the human mind. But as learning leaders, if we aren’t in tune with the fact that we are constantly forming biases – and the ways in which they are shaping our thoughts and actions – it’s impossible to ever overcome them. Howard Ross, founding partner of Cook Ross, is considered one of the world’s leading thinkers on identifying and addressing unconscious bias. He’s also author of Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives and Our Search for Belonging:  How the Need for Connection is Tearing Our Culture Apart. And as a learning and development professional with over 17 years of experience in diversity, inclusion, and intercultural learning, Shilpa Alimchandani is the Director of Learning and Innovation at Cook Ross. In her role, she leads the firm’s efforts to co-create learning solutions with its clients. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Howard and Shilpa about the concept of unconscious bias including why it’s important, the benefits of bringing awareness to it, and ways to disrupt bias both personally and as facilitators of learning. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode140.  Highlighted Resource – a collection of Thought Papers that Cook Ross makes available on its Web site (completely free and don’t require an e-mail address) - they cover a range of topics related to diversity and bias. Among the resources there you will find Howard Ross’ white paper ”Everyday Bias: Further Explorations into How the Unconscious Mind Shapes Our World at Work,” which is a great introduction to the issues he explores in more depth in his book Everyday Bias. Note also that Jeff wrote a blog post that looks at how the bias patterns that Howard identifies in his book can impact learning. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 120 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details

With over two decades of experience running international technology meetings, Corbin Ball is a highly acclaimed speaker, consultant, and writer who helps clients use technology to increase their efficiency and productivity. Because his work focuses primarily at the intersection of technology and meetings – rather than solely on learning – he offers a slightly different perspective to those of us in the business of lifelong learning. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with Corbin about what’s going on in the world of meetings and technology, including virtual conferences and virtual and augmented reality, as well as their impact on learning and the potential benefits and limitations associated with each. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/epsiode139.  Highlighted Resource – The Tagoras virtual events report, Association Virtual Conferences: State of the Sector - We’re currently in the process of running a new survey and we’ll be issuing a new edition of the report in the fall of 2018, but for now you can access the previous report, which is chockfull of data about how organizations are—and aren’t—using virtual conferences. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.

For anyone in the learning business who is looking at how to effectively grow and improve their offerings, it’s important to be tuned into the trends that are currently impacting the market. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff discuss four major themes, or what they refer to as the 4 “Cs,” of the current learning landscape: concision, context, competency, and community. Full show notes at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode138.  Highlighted Resource of the Week – the recording of our 2017 Learning Trends, 2018 Learning Forecast Webinar (and slides to go with it).This is the most recent of our annual trends and predictions Webinars, and the trends and predictions highlighted are definitely still relevant and even still unfolding. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.

As Vice Provost of Curriculum and Academic Innovation, Chief Innovation Officer, and Associate Professor of Education at Concordia University, Dr. Bernard Bull is a true thought leader when it comes to education and learning. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with Bernard about some of the biggest issues affecting education including  the future of credentials, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of data analytics. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode137.  Highlighted Resource – How to Predict Educational Trends: It Doesn’t Happen Overnight, by Bernard Bull - a brief look at fifteen factors that are valuable when you are studying trends likely to shape and change education over time. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.   7dzrrwew

There’s no reason that learning can’t be fun and effective at the same time. But when it comes to designing instruction, all too often one of these areas is missing from the equation. With a mission of saving people from bad learning experiences, Michael Allen, founder & CEO of Allen Interactions, has been a pioneer in the e-learning industry since 1975. With nearly five decades of professional, academic, and corporate experience in teaching, developing, and marketing interactive learning and performance support systems, he is the author of nine books, including the widely read Michael Allen's Guide to e-Learning: Building Interactive, Fun, and Effective Learning Programs for Any Company. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Michael about how e-learning has changed over the years as well as the benefits and key components of designing an effective learning experience. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode136.  Highlighted Resource – The eBooks download page of the Allen Interactions Web site. Here you will find a wealth of free eBooks covering titles ranging from A Bite-Sized Guide to Microlearning to 6 Rules to Designing eLearning for Maximum Motivation to Three Essential Design Elements for Creating Engaging ELearning Games, and more. These are really practical guides that will help you with you with both your e-learning and your broader learning initiatives. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.

If virtual events aren’t something you’ve considered for your learning business—or if they are and you just don’t know where to start —we are here to help. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff share their thoughts on why to consider a virtual conference and some ideas and tips to support your success if you should decide to offer one. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode135.  Highlighted Resource – Association Virtual Events – a free Tagoras report based on data collected from over 100 organizations that provides decision makers who want leading edge knowledge to support their strategic planning for virtual events. It touches on topics like timing and pricing; registration and attendance; tools commonly used to deliver virtual events; and common mistakes to avoid. Note there will be a new version of the report released in September 2018. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between Tagoras and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.

Veronica Diaz is the director of professional learning at EDUCAUSE, the association for information technology in higher education. In her role there, she contributes to the strategic management of the organization’s professional learning product portfolio, directs their online programs and supports face-to-face events and conferences. She also manages the microcredentialing program and virtual and place-based mentoring programs. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with Veronica about EDUCAUSE’s work with microcredentialing and mentoring including why and how they got started and valuable lessons learned along the way. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode134. Highlighted Resource – a 15-minute video of Veronica Diaz’s Content Pod™ (presented at our 2018 Learning • Technology • Design virtual conference) where she talks about EDUCAUSE’s mentoring efforts. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the detail.

If you’re looking to grow your learning business, you need to know how to gain more customers – and keep more of the customers you've already earned. To do this requires thoughtful marketing, customer service, and customer experience that customers love enough to talk about. Jay Baer, President of Convince & Convert, helps the world's most iconic brands do just this. He’s a marketing and customer experience expert, keynote speaker, and New York Times best-selling author of five books, as well as the host of the award-winning Social Pros podcast. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Jay about how to win perspective customers and create lasting relationships, the importance of top-notch customer service, and the power of word of mouth. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode133.  Highlighted Resource  – The Convince & Convert Blog - this is the blog started many years ago by Jay Baer, our guest for this episode and frankly, if you aren’t already subscribed, you should be. Convince and Convert is one of a handful of “must read” marketing blogs on our list – one we link to regularly in our Leading Learning newsletter. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus is specifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the detail.  

One of our favorite tools for helping learning businesses hone their product strategy is the Value Ramp™. If you aren’t already familiar with it, the Value Ramp is a tool we developed that highlights the relationship between price and value, the importance of momentum, and the impact of brand. Because many organizations haven’t taken the time to really reflect on the relationships between their products, using this tool can certainly be an eye-opening experience. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff discuss eight tips for filling out your Value Ramp and how to effectively manage the value offered along it. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode132.  Highlighted Resource – A page with additional information related to the Value Ramp - includes both text and video as well as helpful visuals to help you make use of the tool. Our sponsor this quarter is ReviewMyLMS, a collaboration between our company, Tagoras, and 100Reviews, the company that is behind the very successful ReviewMyAMS site. As the name suggests, ReviewMyLMS is a site where users can share and access reviews of learning management systems, but in this case, the focus isspecifically on systems that are a good fit for learning businesses, meaning organizations that market and sell lifelong learning. Contribute a review and you will get access to all existing and future reviews—there are already more than 100 on the site. And, if you don’t have review to contribute, there is also a subscription option. Just go to reviewmylms.com to get all the details.