Archive for March, 2004

Talent Management - Enhancing Performance With Online Learning or E-learning Tools

Monday, March 29th, 2004
Online Learning
Yoshiko Choy asked:

Talent Management has started to leverage greatly on learning and knowledge management approaches to enhance the performance of talents. Many learning platforms are incorporating online learning or e-learning as delivery channels. This has greatly impacted how knowledge information is managed as well.

Learning Management System or LMS is software for delivering, tracking and managing training. A complete LMS or learning management system tracks both online learning and physical training attended by the learner. More dynamic systems are developed with the learner’s KPIs or Key Performance Indicators incorporated within. Linking directly to the learner’s KPIs would give the evaluator better gauge of the learner’s ability to apply what was learnt, thereby indicating the Learning ROI or Learning Return On Investment.

This ties in well with the measurement of expected learning outcomes. Companies who have the budget would leverage on the the LMS or learning management system to semi-automate the learning process and manage the efficiency of each training program.

Benefits of the LMS is that it tracks the learning progress of the learner, with reminders to complete select programs applicable to the learner’s work requirements and progression path. When used as a talent management tool, the linking of KPIs or key performance indicators to the learning outcomes are most crucial as it forms part of the overall evaluation or appraisal system of work performance.

Closely intertwined within the LMS learning management system is the hosting of online learning or e-learning programs. Online learning or E-learning is most effective for access of static information which the learner previews the background and foundation of the topic in discussion.

As discussed, the LMS is capable of tracking both online learning and physical training programs. Blended with both forms of learning, it greatly enhances the learning curve of the learner.

Despite issues comprising of external factors which could render the measurement of Learning ROI less accurate, there are schools of thoughts supporting this trend. Many companies with the budget do leverage their Talent Management performance evaluation process on online learning and measuring the Learning ROI.

Stay tuned for the next articles featuring Talent Management on Compensation and Succession Planning.

Free Online Learn

5 Great Benefits Of Online Learning

Monday, March 22nd, 2004
Online Learning
John Morris asked:

Online courses offer more people than ever the ability to get a post secondary education. Because it is a self directed program, it may not be suited for people that aren’t highly motivated and organised. Of course, no matter what education you choose you should make sure that it is accredited, or even better, internationally recognized. Getting an education online offers more than you might have ever thought possible.

1. Learn From The Comfort Of Your Own Home

One of the greatest things about online learning is that you can learn anywhere – even in the comfort of your own home. This will save you countless hours of transit that you would otherwise waste every day going to and from school by car or bus. Instead of enduring a boring – and often stressful – rush to get to class at a horrible hour of the morning, you can use those hours for actual learning, or even sleeping in!

2. Avoid Schedule Conflicts

Online learning is extremely flexible, allowing students to learn when they want. This is great for students who have a full time job or have children and wouldn’t be able to attend classes any other way. You will get much more one on one instruction in the distance learning course because you can always contact your instructor by email or video conference.

3. Focused Learning – Accommodates multiple learning styles and mediums – Students can connect via email, chat rooms, or wiki pages – Students vastly prefer online learning – Skip over material you already know and focus on topics youd like to learn

4. Learn At Your Own Pace

It is possible for students to learn at their own pace – this means that some students will graduate from a 2 year program in 3 or even 4 years, whereas other students will graduate in 1 year, or even six months. This means you can be working much faster than you origionally thought – meaning you can pay back any student loans faster too.

5. Vastly Less Expensive

If you look around the internet you will find classes that are very inexpensive compared to a regular college or university program. Be sure to research the program carefully before you enroll. Interesting materials such as video lectures, taped lectures, and such, may be mailed to you. At the end of their education, when students finally hold their degrees, most of them are laden with huge student loans. Don’t let huge student loans get the best of you – get an online education instead and save vast amounts of money.

Free E-Learn

Identifying a Good Wedding Photographer For Hawaii is a Cinch

Tuesday, March 9th, 2004
Photograph
Trevor Price asked:

Having a Hawaiian wedding is like a dream come true, but it can be a nightmare trying to interview and hire a Hawaii wedding photographer when you’re on the other side of the country. To learn how to find the best destination wedding photographer right from home, read on.

Ask for a Phone Interview

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the extra cash to pop over to Hawaii to interview potential photographers. So, in lieu of an in-person interview, insist on a phone discussion with at least three different Hawaii wedding photographer companies. Because your photographer will be with you throughout your wedding day and responsible for your photo memories, you want to get a good personal feeling.

When interviewing a photographer over the phone, ask him or her about their personal style (journalistic, candid, traditional, etc), favorite photo spots in the area and exactly what you can expect for your fee. During the interview, try to get a feel for the person as well as the service.

Review Their Portfolio

It’s hard to hire a photographer long distance, but at least make sure you review their portfolio before you hire. Most photographers have an online portfolio or should be able to at least email you photos. If they’re unwilling to provide examples of their work, then look elsewhere.

When you review a prospective photographer’s portfolio, look beyond the quality of their web design or flashy gimmicks and get right to the photos. Ask yourself if they tell a compelling story? Do you like the style and feel? Would you hang those photos in your home? Do the people look good or washed out?

Be Sure to Get Client References

Whether you’re hiring a wedding photographer for a destination wedding or a local one, you should always get references from past clients. You want to be able to ask a previous customer how they enjoyed the service, if they’d hire the photographer again and both the photographer’s strengths and weaknesses.

Bring a Photographer From Home

It can be costly, but bringing a wedding photographer with you to your destination wedding ensures that you can meet your photographer in advance, get comfortable with the person and have the photographer you want, not the one you have to choose out of necessity.

However, bringing your photographer with you from home can be very expensive. In addition to the photographer’s fees, you will be responsible fro their airfare, transportation to and from the airport, hotel accommodations and a per diem for food. To save money, many brides book their photographer’s hotel at a nearby, cheaper alternative rather than at their own, more expensive resort.

Ask Your Venue or Hotel for Advice

Almost every weekend, most venues and hotels on the Hawaiian islands have at least one wedding - that means they see hundreds of local photographers. So, ask them to recommend a Hawaii wedding photographer or see if they’ve worked with your prospective photographer in the past. You’ll get an insider opinion from local wedding experts.

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