Learning Outsourcing

The subject of Learning Outsourcing has surfaced everywhere in the last few months. The economy has forced lots of companies to assess how were they spending their Training and Development budgets.

Why outsource? All agree the top reasons are:

• Gain access to better training and subject matter expertise
• Reduce costs, increase efficiency and utilization
  
• Provide flexibility on delivering training  
• Handle large-scale or new projects quickly and efficiently
  
• Act as business partner
• Be a good cultural fit between the customer and the vendor

How are you handling the learning function? If you would like a free assessment to see how you compare with other organizations, contact us.

A Carrot, an Egg & a Cup of Coffee

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however.  After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. 
 

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Create engaging learning videos

With "learning" requiring that we get more creative, and the need to appeal to a wider audience than before, instructional videos have become part of the deal.  

Brandon Hall Research provides some insight about it via CLO magazine. 

Techniques to create video that engages learners:

1. Use humor
2. Use a familiar format
3. Use emotional stories
4. Provide feedback
5. Leverage content
6. Show, don't tell

HWNT's Professional Development Series

Hispanic Women Network of Texas (HWNT) offers a year-long Professional Development program designed to provide instruction and education on Career and Leadership.

Structured as a journey of self-discovery and development, through out the year, participants will hone their leadership skills and will end the series with a written, actionable plan that will guide them step-by-step on how to achieve their goals.

The series is facilitated by professionals through a mixture of self assessments tests, interactive presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

I have been working with HWNT and Monica Canales, developing the program's curriculum. Dates, venue and registration details will be posted soon. Check out more details about the program here.