Business intelligence reports from Learning Light

In the latest 'Letter from Silicon Valley', Learning Light speculates on applying e-learning technology in support of strategic transformation.

Learning Light (LL), a non-profit organisation seeking to establish itself as a Centre of Excellence in the use of learning technologies in the workplace, has begun providing its members with monthly business intelligence reports from Silicon Valley.

The reports are written by the California-based e-learning guru, Jay Cross.

In the latest 'Letter from Silicon Valley', Cross speculates on applying e-learning technology in support of strategic transformation.

The full report is available exclusively for Learning Light members.

Cross writes: "Eight years ago, when I coined the term, everyone thought of 'e-learning' as a less expensive and less cumbersome alternative to training".

"Proposals described the benefits of eliminating travel expenses, cutting time away from the job, shifting to instructor-free self-study, and closing the IT skills gap".

"It's time to think bigger".

"Let's explore how e-learning technology might be repurposed in support of strategic transformation".

According to Cross, appreciative inquiry (AI) challenges people to answer the question of what our organisation would look like if it were designed in every way possible to maximise the qualities of the positive core and enable the accelerated realisation of our dreams? "My ideal organisation would live and breathe the AI philosophy, not solely espouse it during a campaign for self-renewal," writes Cross.

"The spirit of AI would pervade every nook and cranny of the organisation".

"AI would make our values and beliefs transparent: available for sharing with customers and partners".

Interviews would continuously generate inspirational stories.

"Everyone we touch could be involved in helping us become what we should be".

"Many previously formal procedures can be eliminated when everyone on board understands 'the big picture".

"Our AI would play a leading role in recruiting talent, orientating new hires, maintaining top-notch customer service, and positioning the firm in its markets".

In Cross' view, distance learning technology enables far-flung organisations to conduct the discovery phase of AI remotely, via interviews.

People use the positive stories from the interviews as springboards to their dreams.

Stories are shared; patterns emerge.

Then the group turns to design.

Destiny means maintaining the momentum for change.

"The time has come to assess whether the live version of AI is as effective as the electronic form," Cross writes.

"AI may prove most effective as a blend of virtual and real".

"I suspect we will discover many more organisational processes that benefit from e-learning support".

"It's not just about learning any more".

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