Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World
EuroTAAC 2003KeynoteMark Steiner
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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now• "History is bunk.“
– The Director in chapter 3
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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
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EuroTAAC 2003
• Change Never Sleeps– Age old, though still applies
It’s Different Now It’s Different Now
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now • The Economy (Continued)
– Tighter budgets– General uneasiness with economy and
profitability– Yet another training industry boom and
bust cycle
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now • 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)
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EuroTAAC 2003
It’s Different Now • 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
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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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same• Change never sleeps• Normal cycles of life support our craft • Access Matters• Marketing• Know How• Integrity• Communication• Project Execution
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • Normal cycles of life support our
craft
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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
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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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • 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.
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EuroTAAC 2003
Yet, It’s Still The Same • 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.
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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
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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
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EuroTAAC 2003
Summary• It’s Different Now• Yet, It’s Still the Same• But Some Things Will Never Change
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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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