the future of connected learning: skillsoft strategy

Perspectives2008

Canadian

The Future of Connected Learning: SkillSoft Strategy

John AmbroseNovember 6, 2008

Speed of Change

Project Management

Customer Service

Leadership Development

Compliance

Six Sigma

Connected Learning

Three Market Shifts

Shift 1: Learning Portability

The Mobility Paradox

10% of this year’s 1.2Bhandsets will be

web-ready smart phones

Will grow to 30% by 2011

The Mobility Paradox

“In 2007, portable media was expected to grow very quickly – driven by the perceived need for disconnected learning” “In 2008, however, the expected growth has declined as a result of an increased focus on the appropriateness of delivery modality.”

- IDC eLearning Report, June 2008

Learning Delivery Trends

Mobile Devices

Mobile Challenges • Multiple platforms• Shifting standards• Slow networks• Rapid obsolescence• Economics

Mobile ‘Truths’

• Supplements, but does not replace traditional e-learning

• Component of the corporate “learning ecosystem”

• Appropriate content, appropriate device, appropriate time

• Tracking and reporting is key• Should not be device dependent• SkillSoft platforms continue to evolve to

offer increasing mobile capabilities• Must be simple

Mobile is an Extension of the eLearning Ecosystem

Online

Offline

Watch or listento downloadedvideo or MP3

Search a database for urgent snippet

Select from many modes

Take a course or read a chapteron an airplane

Offline Courses

Offline Chapters

SkillSoft’s Years of Mobile Expertise

pda.books24x7.com

Compatible with: PDAs, Smartphones, Palm Blackberry, Windows Mobile Pocket PCs, iPhone

Available to Books24x7 corporate customers at no additional charge*

New Mobile Enhancements• Visual Indicator• Above Search button• Appears on Every Page

Innovation Lab Preview

SkillSoft Strategy:• Continues to be an R&D priority• Mobility is an extension, not replacement• Focus on “In-between” learning• Web/email delivery• Trackability is key

Shift 2:Learning Ubiquity

Key is OvercomingObscurity

SkillSoftPortletsliberate

learning

Learning Programs

Search-and-Learn

My Plan

Booklist

Favorites

Passive Generic Static

Active Personal Dynamic

How Can These DriveLearning Ubiquity?

Web 2.0 and Social Learning

User-Generated Recommendations

User-Generate Tags (Coming Soon)

User-Shared Annotations (Coming Soon)

SkillSoft and the Collaborative WebSkillSoft Ubiquity Strategy:• Leverage Portals and Web 2.0 Technologies• Must Add Incremental Value to Learning• Drives Ubiquity• Trackable and Reportable

SHIFT #3The War for Talent

New Segment Emerging

Talent Management

New Segment Emerges

Common Thread

Focus today is on automating

existing processes

“Simply can not automate your way

out of a global skills shortage”

Example: How Learning and Talent Management Integrate

Automating Integrating Measuring Changing Behavior

SustainableBusinessValue

Learning Drives Behavior Change

SkillSoft and Talent Management

Our Strategy:• Very Early Market • “Swiss” with TM vendors • Leverage OLSA• Listen to clients• Learning as the ‘Killer Talent App’

THANK YOU!

John Ambrosejambrose@skillsoft.com