Surviving Thriving in the Brave New World

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

2. 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.

3. It’s Different Now • "History is bunk.“ • The Director in chapter 3

4. It’s Different Now It’s Different Now • Change never sleeps • The economy • Technology marches on • Perception and requirements of workers and skills • Percent of training delivered via technology continues to increase

5. It’s Different Now It’s Different Now • Change Never Sleeps • Age old, though still applies

6. 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.

7. It’s Different Now • The Economy (Continued) • Tighter budgets • General uneasiness with economy and profitability • Yet another training industry boom and bust cycle

8. 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.

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Yet, It’s Still The Same • Normal cycles of life support our craft

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Things That Will Never Change • 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.

22. Things That Will Never Change • 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.

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

24. 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!!!!!