Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World EuroTAAC 2003 Keynote Mark Steiner

Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World

EuroTAAC 2003KeynoteMark Steiner

http://www.marksteinerinc.com/

http://www.marksteinerinc.com

EuroTAAC 2003

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 session’s quotes are taken from various characters in the novel, Brave New World.



EuroTAAC 2003

It’s Different Now

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



EuroTAAC 2003

• Change never sleeps• The economy• Technology marches on• Perception and requirements of

workers and skills• Percent of training delivered via

technology continues to increase

It’s Different Now It’s Different Now



EuroTAAC 2003

• Change Never Sleeps– Age old, though still applies

It’s Different Now It’s Different Now



EuroTAAC 2003


• The Economy• "You’ve got to choose between

happiness and what people used to call high art. We’ve sacrificed the high art."– Mustapha Mond in chapter 16.



EuroTAAC 2003


• The Economy (Continued)– Tighter budgets– General uneasiness with economy and

profitability– Yet another training industry boom and

bust cycle



EuroTAAC 2003


• Technology Marches On• "Imagine the folly of allowing people

to play elaborate games which do nothing whatever to increase consumption. It’s madness. Nowadays the Controllers won’t 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.



EuroTAAC 2003


• 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)



EuroTAAC 2003


• Perception and Requirements of Workers and Skills– More info=more training needs– Competitive world=train more people

about more things in less time

• Percent of training delivered via technology continues to increase



EuroTAAC 2003

Yet, It’s 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.



EuroTAAC 2003


• Change never sleeps• Normal cycles of life support our

craft • Access Matters• Marketing• Know How• Integrity• Communication• Project Execution



EuroTAAC 2003


• 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. We’re 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 don’t confuse movement with progress.



EuroTAAC 2003


• Normal cycles of life support our craft



EuroTAAC 2003

Yet, It’s Still The Same • Access Matters

– How do I know you?– How is it that clients and providers

connect?• Networking is key

• TAAC’s• Listservs• Training and learning professional orgs like ASTD,

ISPI, SALT• Local professional orgs• Industry-specific professional orgs• Company: Within your own company and org



EuroTAAC 2003

Yet, It’s Still The Same • Marketing

• If people don’t know you, how do you get them to know you?

• If you’ve 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.



EuroTAAC 2003


• 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.



EuroTAAC 2003


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

problems.



EuroTAAC 2003


• 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.



EuroTAAC 2003


• 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.



EuroTAAC 2003

• Back to Kindergarten– Don’t lie.– Don’t cheat.– Don’t 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.

Things That Will Never Change



EuroTAAC 2003

• There will always be change, always be training.

• Technology is good, but it’s 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.

Things That Will Never Change



EuroTAAC 2003

Summary

• It’s Different Now• Yet, It’s Still the Same• But Some Things Will Never Change



EuroTAAC 2003

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!!!!!


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Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World EuroTAAC 2003 Keynote Mark Steiner