It’s time to consider new approaches to learning, like online development…
Developing people is what will grow your business. Unfortunately, as budgets tighten the first thing many businesses cut is learning and development.
I know, paying for that pricey training program is hard to justify when money is tight. Believe me, as a tiny business owner I’ve felt the fear of spending money on learning, even online development.
Whether you are a large corporation or a micro business, finding ways to select and fund strategic and ongoing learning is key to sustainable growth.
Businesses that find the courage and the resources to keep people at their personal learning edge, will be the ones to find their way into the leading edge of their markets.
Makes sense, right?
Traditional classroom training is just not as effective as we need
Then why are many people still so resistant to funding development? Because most development, even online development, is solely funded (motivated) by an employer and typically comes in the form of high priced training that takes time away from work and is marginally effective, at best.
I know. I’ve conducted some of those trainings.
Coaching is more effective than traditional training
When I discovered coaching, I was thrilled because it addressed many of the issues associated with training. Coaching is:
- Time effective. It usually happens within 30 – 90 minute sessions.
- Laser focused. Specific learning goals are typically established up front.
- Personally motivated. There is no way for participants to slip in and out unnoticed.
- Context specific. Coaches work with clients on their specific challenges and situations.
- Results oriented. It is very clear when learning becomes competent behavior.
The remaining challenges with coaching are price and access; coaching is typically very, very expensive ranging from $150 per hour and up… a resource that only select few can access, typically those identified as ‘top talent.’
As large organizations downsize, each employee becomes more and more critical. With micro businesses, every person involved makes a difference. In the new economy, every person needs to be top talent – both self identified and recognized as such by others.
In my goal of being the best coach and teacher possible, the issues of affordability and accessibility of development were the last obstacles to overcome in providing ongoing, effective, coaching style learning.
Online development makes coaching accessible and affordable
Access Online Development from Anywhere!
The solution? Coaching delivered as online development provided in the context of a social environment, where all the benefits of coaching can be realized, and more including:
- Learning rigor. Critical topics are covered that you just may not get to in a coaching conversation.
- Participant synergy. With online development delivered via discussion forums and virtual interactive sessions, participants learn from each other.
- Asynchronous access. Engagement, including socializing, can happen at any time that is convenient for the participant.
- Excellent quality. With technology we are easily able to update content and provide fresh and relevant case studies.
- Affordable pricing. The hourly cost of coaching plummets to levels that any and all can afford – who are motivated!
Online development is ideal when it replicates the dynamic nature of a coaching conversation, and is designed using the disciplined approaches of traditional training.
Online development works when the participant is personally motivated
Online Development is Effective When People are Motivated
Yes personal motivation and commitment are critical aspects of effective learning. The most powerful coaching and learning happens when goals are both personally and contextually relevant.
We’re even playing around with the idea that online development should only be paid for by the participant to ensure personal motivation and commitment – a reasonable idea the more affordable we make the learning – yet priced high enough to convey the real value we offer.
The importance of personal motivation and commitment are the reason we provide our online development to the public. ‘Top talent resources’ are thus available to anyone who decides they want to be top talent. No more excuses! No more obstacles!
Online development allows us to have the greatest impact possible
Our motivation is to have the most engaged participants we can possibly have, in ways that meet whatever demand comes our way, because in the end this is how we’ll have the most fun – and impact.
Find out more about our approach to online development here!
Have you decided for yourself that you are top talent? What resources will help you be top talent – indispensable and highly relevant?