Future-Proof Your Learning Culture

Last week I attended the HR Tech conference at the ExCel Centre. Below, I will share some of the trends that struck me, and a few of the companies that impressed me. They are not use cases , but rather some meandering thoughts to help you develop your own use cases.?

There are two crucial areas of focus: Skills and AI.

Questions you could ask yourself now:

1. How can I transition my organisation to a skills and capabilities-based model
2. What are my AI use cases?
3. What (if anything) is the cost of not doing either of these things?

An Obsession with Skills

With the pace of change accelerating, organizations can no longer rely on traditional hiring practices alone. Instead, a strategic focus on upskilling and reskilling your existing talent pool is paramount. Imagine the agility and cost savings that come with seamlessly reassigning employees based on their ever-evolving skill sets. This approach not only future-proofs your organization but also empowers your people to continually grow and thrive. Simply,? cultivating a workforce oriented around versatile skill portfolios, you unlock unparalleled agility and future-readiness.?

An Obsession with AI

Unsurprisingly AI was the core buzzword with each company showcasing their AI capabilities and use cases. Conspicuously absent from the discussions were the ethical considerations associated with each of these innovations.

Unleashing the Power of Large Language Models (LLMs)

You may use LLMs like Claude, GPT-4, or Co-Pilot to draft content, summarize large documents, kickstart ideation, and identify patterns in vast data sets. While this approach of extracting information is valuable, the future is in simulations and immersive interactions which are less used. For instance, you could right now instruct the LLM to act as a client, and together, you can run through your sales pitch, gaining invaluable insights into how you might interact with an actual customer. This simulation tool is already part of the system, but very few people currently leverage it. As we move forward, the need to hire expensive actors for simulation training? days will diminish, as LLMs will become one of the primary use cases simulated learning.?

Video? Content for Learning

Training manuals?

Say goodbye to traditional training manuals filled with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other ‘dry’ content. Video is undoubtedly the word du jour for learning, as it garners higher engagement and retention compared to text alone. The popular phrase "our company is like Netflix" encapsulates the desire to create informative yet addictive video content that pulls learners in, rather than pushes them along. This trend incorporates gamification elements like badges, locked or unlocked content segments, and social sharing features to foster interactivity.?

PowerPoints and excises?to videos & quizzes

Ask yourself, do you have large training materials, PowerPoints and exercises? This trend involves transitioning from text-based learning materials to video-centric content delivered by aviators, complete with interactive elements like quizzes and assessments for learners to engage with. Great for micro learning modules, and with plugins to your favourite aviator creators.?

Extracting expertise from your team

One approach is to utilise real subject matter experts to present the content, and some companies are training their experts to convert their knowledge into videos (preparing them with a story like structure through preset questions) so that knowledge is captured and shared throughout the organisation. Imagine when Rob retires after 20 years of service, that knowledge does not leave with him, it is captured, structured and available for use!?

Editing videos without a media team

Tools like VEED excel in video editing and will soon offer functionality for editing via text prompts.

Extracting structures from videos?

However, once you have your video done, many more tools go further. There are now several? platforms that can automatically extract video summaries, create quizzes aligned with video content, and segment the video into interconnected topical sections. Essentially, with this route the learning is extracted from the video itself. This added layer of interactivity elevates video from passive consumption to an immersive learning experience. Moreover, with AI-powered language translation capabilities, these videos can be quickly adapted for global workforces, transcending linguistic barriers.

Video Bots

An amazing tool that works in real-time, video bots take the concept of conversational AI to a new level. Instead of interacting with a disembodied voice, you'll be conversing with a lifelike aviator. While the underlying functionality remains the same as traditional chatbots, the experience of engaging with a "person" in real-time can be extraordinary. Imagine the possibilities for personalizing the user experience – different segments of your user population could interact with bots that are tailored to their preferences, increasing the likelihood of positive engagement.

Make Me an Aviator

There is now a plethora of options for creating your own aviator – a digital avatar modelled after yourself or a member of your team – which can then be used in various online structures, from training sessions, to onboarding. Synthesia's executive offer is well-suited for mid-sized to larger businesses, and their team comes highly recommended.

Aviators for Evergreen Learning Materials

Prepare to be amazed by the power of "deep fake for good" technology. With just a few images, you can create highly realistic digital avatars – dubbed "aviators" – that can present your training materials with unparalleled flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The "aviators" are here, and they are impressive. With just a few images of a presenter, you can upload all your written training materials, and the aviator will deliver the content in a lifelike manner. This is "deep fake" technology, but harnessed for positive purposes. The true power of these aviator videos lies in their evergreen nature. If, for example, your SOP changes, these videos can be edited simply and quickly by altering the text – no need for costly video equipment, studios, or extensive editing. This means your learning content is future-proof – create it once, and it can be updated indefinitely. Companies like Synthesia offer compelling executive packages for this technology, but there are many more providers in this space.

Democratizing Coaching

Coaching has traditionally been an expensive endeavor, often reserved for leadership and executive roles. However, a number of programs, notably Ezra, are now democratizing coaching by making it accessible to all members of your organization. But what if you don't want a real human coach, and instead, you need to guide a manager through an SOP, such as a performance review? Enter the aviators to the rescue. Believe it or not, there are now highly credible "aviator coaches" that can fulfill this need. If peer-to-peer coaching is preferred, there are platforms that facilitate matching individuals within your organization for mentoring purposes, complete with built-in analytical tools. The true value of this option lies in its ability to measure the impact of coaching on behavior change and aggregate data across all your coaches.

Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and 360-Degree Reality

One aspect that surprised me is just how affordable immersive technologies have become for mid-sized to large businesses. The use cases for industries that rely on hands-on technical expertise – plumbers, engineers, doctors, sports professionals, and more – are vast.

Virtual reality (VR) offers a fully immersive experience. I had the opportunity to try testing blood samples using a virtual pipette, and the system could accurately assess whether I was dispensing too much or too little based on the pressure applied. Augmented reality (AR) has hundreds of use cases for construction workers, electricians, and anyone whose expertise lies in their hands – overlaying crucial information about complex machinery or equipment and guiding users through operation. 360-degree reality provides digital maps of physical spaces, allowing individuals to virtually explore and navigate environments. Imagine the potential for streamlining onboarding processes, alleviating anxiety for children transitioning to new spaces, or enabling immersive tours of historical sites.

Accessibility

Accessibility was a recurring theme, with a emphasis on ensuring that learning materials and platforms are designed with inclusivity in mind, catering to diverse needs and abilities. Basics include: text colour, subtitles, alt-text for images, optimising for readers, and regular audit in which people with accessibility requirements give their experience feedback on training or websites. Also suggested, baking accessibility into you QA process.

LLMs Becoming Increasingly Powerful

All-inclusive Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are now offering capabilities that were once unimaginable, with solutions tailored for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. A standout feature of these cutting-edge LMSs is their robust data collection functionality, which provides invaluable insights into areas where you need to adjust your approach to skills development, training, talent management, and personnel decisions. Proving return on investment (ROI) is made easier with 360-degree data collection, incorporating feedback from peers, direct reports, and managers – not just self-reports – to measure the tangible impact of training on behavior change. There is a range of capable options available, with the optimal choice largely dependent on your organization's size and budget.

The Sociality of Learning being explored

While digital platforms excel in many areas, fostering the social aspects of learning remains a challenge. However, some organizations are making strides in this domain by incorporating features like leaderboards, mechanisms for sharing learning experiences with others, and integrations with collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams to facilitate discussions around learning content.

Language Learning for Business

While not the most exciting trend, there are now databases that connect learners with language instructors who have relevant experience in their specific role or industry. This approach ensures that language learning is tailored to the vocabulary, jargon, and context relevant to the learner's area of work, rather than just teaching the language in a generic manner.

Ethical Considerations (NOT mentioned)

Conspicuously absent from the discussions