TRAINING ON PODS

TRAINING ON PODS

A reader delivers sales training to a group of approximately 130 sales and customer-service representatives and is considering using podcasting to broadcasting product-development updates, time-sensitive information, content that is subject to change, and other items. "If successful, we might even do a monthly 'radio talk show' broadcast focusing on items that are important to the field."

"Is anyone out there doing this in a corporate setting? If so, what are they using it for? What equipment are they using? Did they purchase a high-end system, or did they use freeware and an inexpensive microphone with their existing PC? What are their lessons learned/success stories?"

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DON'T HIGHJACK YOUR CASTS

A number of sales organizations are podcasting successfully to their reps, including EMC, Xerox and Prentice Hall, says podcasting vendor Anders Gronstedt (anders@gronstedtgroup.com).

"The reason (podcasting) hasn't grown more (in popularity) is that many training organizations hijack this medium for time-shifted lectures, which is a sure route to failure."

The most successful podcasts, he says, are carefully crafted "edutainment" shows that sound more like talk-radio programs than training sessions. "The casts can be 'theater of the mind,' complete with field reports, exotic imaginary locales, humorous 'commercials,' inspirational vignettes and subtle spoofs on the competition. Some programs we custom-develop for sales organizations feature running themes, jokes and cliffhangers that make reps look forward to the next program."

Among his other tips?

• Don't take a course approach; make it a regular program.
• Don't hide podcasts in your learning management system (LMS); make them available on a blog to transform them into a two-way, listener-driven medium.
• Don't expect your reps to use their own players; give them each an iPod or other MP3 player.
• Don't put out audio books and other generic content; custom-develop the casts for your organization. "Generic off-the-shelf programs only work for generic off-the-shelf companies."

www.gronstedtgroup.com
Gronstedt is president of The Gronstedt Group Inc. in Broomfield, Colo. Prices for the firm's custom podcasts typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 for 30-minute programs.

PODCASTS GAINING GROUND

In the two years since Duke University pioneered the use of iPod learning, the medium has caught the imagination of both the academic and business sectors, says Mark Aberdour (markab@epic.co.uk).

"It has become clear that digital music players are being used by learners to listen to much more than just music, with spoken-word content becoming firmly established on the iPod. Education and learning have become common categories on Web sites such as Podcast.net, and many major universities have signed up to Apple’s iTunes University to deliver podcasts on everything from campus life and current affairs and events to faculty lectures and books. iPod learning is now widespread."

For sales and product training, Aberdour suggests considering personal digital assistant (PDA) delivery -- "particularly for product-knowledge topics where graphics and animations may add value. (Flash on PDA is coming on in leaps and bounds.)"

At Epic, where he works, Aberdour has seen the corporate world moving "enthusiastically" into the wider mobile learning space over the past 12 months, and the company has completed an increasing number of PDA and iPod learning projects for clients. "Some projects have been prototypes for clients evaluating new learning ideas and devices in their organizations; others are for wider rollouts where mobile devices already are well-established." Management, sales, product-knowledge and compliance content, he says, appear to lend themselves particularly well to PDA and iPod delivery.

Finally, some advice: If the reader wants podcasts to supplement his or her PC-based e-learning and instuctor-led training, a good deal of thought must go into achieving the right blend of content for each type of delivery. On the equipment side, the reader mentions wanting staff to record their own podcasts. "In my experience listening to (these) podcasts, the quality can be poor (e.g. low volume and muffled), but I will happily listen to a low-quality podcast if the content is thought-provoking and engaging." Development of some simple guidelines for staff to follow on effective audio-recording techniques, he says, should enable decent-quality podcasts with a fairly low-end kit.

Aberdour is a technical producer at Epic, a learning consulting company in Brighton, U.K.

Source: Online Learning www.vnulearning.com