Excellence at Work Podcast 280

Extended Enterprise Learning Beyond Traditional Corporate Training

 

This podcast, hosted by Rachel Cook of Brandon Hall Group, featured insights from Michael Rochelle, Jeff Walter, and David Proegler. They discussed Extended Enterprise Learning, focusing on its unique complexities, strategies for effective implementation, and the critical role of technology.

Key Points
What is Extended Enterprise Learning?
  • Definition: Training targeted at non-employees who impact a company’s operations, including:
    • Customers learning to use products.
    • Channel partners selling or servicing products.
    • Operational partners like contractors or outsourced teams.
    • Suppliers ensuring product quality.
  • It also includes professional development programs by third-party organizations or institutions.
Differences from Employee Training
  • Complexity: Extended Enterprise Learning deals with diverse learners across geographies, partners, and roles.
  • Motivation: Unlike employees, external partners don’t have direct incentives like pay raises or promotions tied to training. Certifications play a significant role in motivating and validating competency.
  • Content Delivery: Programs require adaptability to ensure learners can access and engage with training while managing limited time.
Challenges in Extended Enterprise Learning
  • Organizational Complexity: Managing diverse learners, roles, and certifications across multiple partners.
  • Tracking Relationships: Learners often have multiple affiliations (e.g., working for several partners), which creates challenges for tracking and measuring progress.
  • Content Relevance: Training must align with real-world performance metrics like sales, service quality, and compliance.
Certifications as a Key Component
  • Serve as a motivating tool and a measure of competency.
  • Enable tracking of individual and organizational skill levels.
  • Help organizations adapt to evolving technologies and standards, providing clear pathways for reskilling.
Technology’s Role
  • Beyond Delivery: While most LMS platforms handle basic content delivery, Extended Enterprise Learning requires specialized systems that manage:
    • Complex learner relationships.
    • Role-based certifications.
    • Integration with business metrics.
  • Customization: Organizations must prioritize features tailored to their unique extended enterprise needs rather than relying on generic LMS functionalities.
Checklist for a High-Impact Program
  • Define Goals: Clarify whether the goal is knowledge transfer, skill development, or performance improvement.
  • Measure Impact: Incorporate metrics to track training effectiveness, such as learner performance and manager feedback.
  • Organize Learners and Content: Establish clear structures for managing learner roles, certifications, and access to training.
  • Integrate with Business Metrics: Align training outcomes with operational KPIs (e.g., sales, quality scores) to demonstrate ROI.
  • Evaluate Technology: Ensure the chosen LMS can handle extended enterprise complexities, such as tracking multiple relationships and supporting certifications.
Key Takeaway

Extended Enterprise Learning requires a strategic approach that balances training delivery, learner motivation, and business impact. Organizations must adopt specialized technologies and processes to effectively manage the unique challenges of training a dispersed and diverse external workforce.