Comments on: Crying Wolf? Changing Organizational Culture in a Downturn http://thezedman.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/crying-wolf-changing-organizational-culture-in-a-downturn/ Exploring eLearning in a Web2.0 World Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:06:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: johnzurovchak http://thezedman.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/crying-wolf-changing-organizational-culture-in-a-downturn/#comment-17 johnzurovchak Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:04:58 +0000 http://thezedman.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-17 Gary, Thank you for your comments. You make a number of good points. In particular, I really like your idea of learning resources and the notion of providing resources - I plan to put that one into effect. I would agree with you that most people don’t want to be content creators - at least not under that label. I have found that people love to talk about what they know. That is what I am looking for in my organization. The ability to provide the tools to enhance conversations throughout the organization so that every shares what they know best and asks great questions. Thanks again for taking the time to share. John Gary,

Thank you for your comments. You make a number of good points. In particular, I really like your idea of learning resources and the notion of providing resources – I plan to put that one into effect.

I would agree with you that most people don’t want to be content creators – at least not under that label. I have found that people love to talk about what they know. That is what I am looking for in my organization. The ability to provide the tools to enhance conversations throughout the organization so that every shares what they know best and asks great questions.

Thanks again for taking the time to share.

John

]]> By: Gary H http://thezedman.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/crying-wolf-changing-organizational-culture-in-a-downturn/#comment-15 Gary H Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:52:18 +0000 http://thezedman.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-15 There is a lot of talk about Learning 2.0 and creating learning organizations. I think a lot of the technologies mentioned (blogs, wikis, etc.) do have a place in the learning environment, but I also think it needs to be very informal and implemented almost in stealth mode. We shouldn't call it "learning" or "training", just tell people there are resources available. If the resources are good, people will use them, and ultimately will improve their job performance. Don't start a new learning initiative, just start providing resources. I think people would rather be consumers of learning resources in the workplace, not content creators. Most people don't have time to do their job, let alone create content for others. Unless, of course, you convince management that creating things like knowledge bases are a good idea and ultimately lead to great organizational productivity. The trick in a downturn is proving those 'stealth' initiatives have value. Simple web metrics can help show usage, but a simple survey might be better to gauge value. Don't force people into an LMS, let them just access quick resources. Also, don't discount formal learning. A lot of people prefer to get away from their desk to focus on learning in a classroom. Classroom training can be a good way to promote the new informal resources. There is a lot of talk about Learning 2.0 and creating learning organizations. I think a lot of the technologies mentioned (blogs, wikis, etc.) do have a place in the learning environment, but I also think it needs to be very informal and implemented almost in stealth mode. We shouldn’t call it “learning” or “training”, just tell people there are resources available. If the resources are good, people will use them, and ultimately will improve their job performance. Don’t start a new learning initiative, just start providing resources.

I think people would rather be consumers of learning resources in the workplace, not content creators. Most people don’t have time to do their job, let alone create content for others. Unless, of course, you convince management that creating things like knowledge bases are a good idea and ultimately lead to great organizational productivity.

The trick in a downturn is proving those ’stealth’ initiatives have value. Simple web metrics can help show usage, but a simple survey might be better to gauge value. Don’t force people into an LMS, let them just access quick resources.

Also, don’t discount formal learning. A lot of people prefer to get away from their desk to focus on learning in a classroom. Classroom training can be a good way to promote the new informal resources.

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