Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World

1
Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World

• EuroTAAC 2003
• Keynote
• Mark Steiner

2
Thriving in a Brave New World

• Presentation is loosely derived from the
  futuristic 1932 novel, Brave New World, by Aldous
  Huxley.
• It seems many things have changed regarding our
  industry and world in the last couple of years.
• This is my feeble attempt at contemplating what
  was, what is, and what will always be.
• As with any Steiner session, there are quotes.
  This sessions quotes are taken from various
  characters in the novel, Brave New World.

3
Its Different Now

• "History is bunk.
• The Director in chapter 3

4
Its Different Now
Its Different Now

• Change never sleeps
• The economy
• Technology marches on
• Perception and requirements of workers and skills
• Percent of training delivered via technology
  continues to increase

5
Its Different Now
Its Different Now

• Change Never Sleeps
• Age old, though still applies

6
Its Different Now

• The Economy
• "Youve got to choose between happiness and what
  people used to call high art. Weve sacrificed
  the high art."
• Mustapha Mond in chapter 16.

7
Its Different Now

• The Economy (Continued)
• Tighter budgets
• General uneasiness with economy and profitability
• Yet another training industry boom and bust cycle

8
Its Different Now

• Technology Marches On
• "Imagine the folly of allowing people to play
  elaborate games which do nothing whatever to
  increase consumption. Its madness. Nowadays the
  Controllers wont approve of any new game unless
  it can be shown that it requires at least as much
  apparatus as the most complicated of existing
  games."
• The Director in chapter 3.

9
Its Different Now

• Technology Marches On (Continued)
• Authorware 6.5 . . .
• Handheld devices and their convergence
• Internet2
• Just reported last week -Scientists at the
  Stanford Linear Accelerator Center used
  fiber-optic cables to transfer 6.7 gigabytes of
  data -- the equivalent of two DVD movies --
  across 6,800 miles in less than a minute.
• The team was able to transfer uncompressed data
  at 923 megabits per second for 58 seconds from
  Sunnyvale, California, to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Computer clock speed and capacity
• Broadband getting more prevalent
• Emerging Standards (AICC, SCORM, ADL, XML)

10
Its Different Now

• Perception and Requirements of Workers and Skills
• More infomore training needs
• Competitive worldtrain more people about more
  things in less time
• Percent of training delivered via technology
  continues to increase

11
Yet, Its Still The Same

• "Wheels must turn steadily, but cannot turn
  untended. There must be men to tend them, men as
  steady as the wheels upon their axles, sane men,
  obedient men, stable in contentment.
• Mustapha Mond in chapter 3.

12
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Change never sleeps
• Normal cycles of life support our craft
• Access Matters
• Marketing
• Know How
• Integrity
• Communication
• Project Execution

13
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Change Never Sleeps
• Look for upcoming trends for example tighter
  budgets, more difficult to get big ticket
  projects, do more with less, etc. But what are
  you going to do about it?
• Know that change is inevitable, so you might as
  well embrace it. Were all out afloat on this
  same turbulent ocean. Build a good raft!
• Bet on something, but be smart about it. A shark
  must swim to stay alive so never stop moving,
  though dont confuse movement with progress.

14
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Normal cycles of life support our craft

15
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Access Matters
• How do I know you?
• How is it that clients and providers connect?
• Networking is key
• TAACs
• Listservs
• Training and learning professional orgs like
  ASTD, ISPI, SALT
• Local professional orgs
• Industry-specific professional orgs
• Company Within your own company and org

16
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Marketing
• If people dont know you, how do you get them to
  know you?
• If youve just met someone, how do you tell them
  more?
• Web site
• Resume or Statement of Capabilities
• Brochures (on or off-line)
• White papers
• Portfolio samples
• Etc.

17
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Know How
• Why would I hire you?
• What do you know?
• What have you done?
• Be prepared to discuss and demonstrate your
  skills and capabilities.

18
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Integrity
• Why should I trust you?
• Say what you do, do what you say.
• Always over-deliver.
• Care. Make your clients problems your problems.

19
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Communication
• How do I know what it is you could do for me?
• Who are you?
• Who is your company?
• What do you do?
• How do you do it?
• Prepare an elevator speech- a short 30-60 second
  prepared speech on services and competencies.
• Meeting/facilitation skills are essential.

20
Yet, Its Still The Same

• Project Execution
• Why would I call you again?
• Deliver the goods ON time, EVERY time.
• Manage your team, projects, and clients
  carefully.
• The newer and less informed the client, the more
  education and hand holding that is required to
  ensure successful project execution.

21
Things That Will Never Change

• Back to Kindergarten
• Dont lie.
• Dont cheat.
• Dont steal.
• Return what you borrow in better condition than
  you received it.
• ALWAYS deliver what is promised.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Treat people with respect.

22
Things That Will Never Change

• There will always be change, always be training.
• Technology is good, but its difficult (nearly
  impossible) to replace a human. Some ILT will be
  required.
• There will always will be problems to solve.
• Clients appreciate (and gosh! even require)
  exceptional value, service, and advice. Be sure
  that is what you are delivering EACH AND EVERY
  day.

23
Summary

• Its Different Now
• Yet, Its Still the Same
• But Some Things Will Never Change

24
Thank you!

• Thank you to Steve Howard, Bernard Davis, John
  Dickson-in Edinburgh Mark Tomlinson and his
  team-in Germany
• And of course, to The Dutchies (Bart, Erik,
  Peter, Edward, did I miss anyone?) for starting
  EuroTAAC.
• To all of the participants and presenters-this is
  YOUR conference.
• Enjoy the rest of EuroTAAC!!!!!