Online Training Horror Story – Worst Training!

“The worst training I ever received was how to wash our hands… the woman literally went into the bathroom with me and watched me wash my hands. They weren’t even dirty!” — Steve B.

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Do you have a training horror story? Share your experience with us in the comment section. You may be featured on our next post. Remember, although most training does suck, Coggno provides training that doesn’t suck.

Coggno is like Amazon.com for online training. Our LMS is easy to use and always reliable.

Online Training Horror Story

One particularly bad online training session I had was an online conference, and usually everyone puts themselves on mute so that we can hear the instructor clearly. Someone put their phone on hold without pressing mute, so the entire conference had to listen to their waiting music. We had to call someone else in the office to tell them to put themselves on mute because they couldn’t be reached!
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Do you have a training horror story? Share your experience with us in the comment section. You may be featured on our next post. Remember, although most training does suck, Coggno provides training that doesn’t suck.

Coggno is like Amazon.com for online training. Our LMS is easy to use and always reliable.

Humor in Business: How to Get People to Listen to You

By Kristen Gull

When you hear the word “sales pitch,” don’t you feel like half of your brain automatically falls asleep? What’s even worse is that sometimes you have to be on the selling end of that pitch. Excellent sales people develop a stand-up routine of sorts around their pitch to most importantly get people to listen. Once the customer is intrigued, jokes help the pitch stay fresh, and occasionally, help to defuse bad customer (and even coworker) interactions. Here are a couple of ways how you can use your own sense of humor to improve interactions and relationships with people at work.

Rule #1: Be professional, but don’t take yourself too seriously. No one wants you to become the office clown all of a sudden, especially if that isn’t your role. However, you want to set the mood of, “We are here to do business, but who says we can’t have a little fun while we’re at it?” The best way to show that you don’t take yourself or your job TOO seriously is to make a joke about yourself. Maybe it’s your haircut, your silly glasses, or your mood. For example, let’s say you work at a coffee shop in the early morning, and you’re tired. You could yawn and say, “Guess I need MY coffee!” before your customers jump to the conclusion that you are inattentive. Your customers and/or coworkers will likely relate, and you will hopefully inspire a genuine connection. People will often respond with something like, “I can’t even get out of the house without coffee!” instead of the alternative, which would be being rude. Offering to make fun of yourself first takes the power away from any would-be insulter, as well as makes you more immediately humbled, more likable, and therefore less likely to have someone go out of their way to be rude to you.
Let’s say a customer (or coworker/boss) has already upset you by being rude to you. “Why don’t you know my drink by now? I come in and order the same thing every day. You better learn it.” [Or, for your coworker/boss, “I thought I told you a million times to do (blank)!”] What should your response be? Stay cool as a cucumber and say, “You know, I could’ve sworn I knew(/did) it, but this old steel trap just isn’t what it used to be! I apologize— I’ll make sure I get it right(/done) next time.” (This joke works even better if you are a fairly young person.) After promising that, if you really sincerely make it a priority to go out of your way for this person next time, (even if they are mean to you,) they will likely appreciate your effort and feel bad for being demanding in the first place.

Rule #2: Make fun of the situation. Your shift is almost over and your boss just told you that you have to move x amount of product before you leave. This means that you are going to have to pitch to every customer that will listen to you. That’s the trickiest part— the ones that will listen to you. How do you get them to listen to you? You acknowledge their probable excuses to get out of the conversation humorously before launching into the sale. “I know you guys probably are in a really big hurry to get to the movies or pick up some froyo, but I wouldn’t want you to miss out on this really great deal.” They will be intrigued— what deal?? This is because you made a connection by saying that you know their time is valuable and it is to you too, but that you would feel as though you were doing a disservice to them by not informing them of this special deal. People will be more receptive to your message if you preface it like this than if you just throw out, “We are having a two for one deal today— would you like to take advantage of it?” With that strategy, chances are, people won’t be connecting with what you are saying, so it doesn’t matter what you’re selling, or how great the deal is. They just know that you are asking them to buy something that they didn’t ask for or plan on buying, and they have a limited supply of money. They will tune you out and say no, just because they don’t want to hear the sales pitch. (Mostly because it forces them to think, which is something they were likely not prepared to have to do.)

This rule also works in awkward coworker situations, such as a disagreement or miscommunication. Make fun of the situation first— “Look, I know you and I would both rather be getting our toenails pulled out right now than have this conversation, but we should work this out like (Richard Simmons/Jane Fonda/Billy Blanks/insert your favorite workout instructor here) for the good of the workplace.” If you acknowledge how the other person feels, (“I know you’re mad at me because I was being a big fat jerk to you…”) and then honestly communicate how you feel, (“…and I am sorry about that, but understand it was because I was frustrated about this silly thing you did. Next time, I would prefer if you didn’t do that thing, and if you do, I will handle the situation in a better way by talking to you about it first.”) This way, you can use your humor to defuse hard feelings and get on the right foot to solving the problem.

Rule #3: End on a high note. Let’s go back to the sales situation. Let’s say that a customer listens to your acknowledgement and says, “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I have only enough to buy exactly what I came to get.” Make a joke about how it benefits him to take advantage of the sale, “You can always come back later today, but okay. Just don’t come crying to me when we are all sold out tomorrow, mister! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” This way, you are showing that you are not going to take their rejection personally. It also implies that the sale benefits them more than you, so really, rather than pitching, it sounds like you’re letting them in on a secret, or sage advice. That provides more of an incentive to say yes versus: “Are you sure? Are you sure you’re sure??” or “Please! I have to sell 15 of these before my shift ends in 5 minutes!” Those tactics are desperate, and no one likes a desperate… well, anybody. It’s pathetic and gives the other person an uncomfortable amount of power. Don’t worry about getting every customer. There are plenty of customer fish in the sea. You don’t have to throw yourself at every single one. So, make that last joke and GET OUT.

Same goes for coworker/boss situation. Did you finally reach an agreement or an understanding regarding the immediate problem? Then END ON THAT. Don’t try to work out every single problem you have ever had with this person in one day, or try to tell them what you don’t like or would change about them, etc. Find that high note and end on it. “Well, that was like ripping a band-aid off, huh? Not as painful as we anticipated!” As stand ups say, tell the joke, get the laugh, and GET OUT.

These tips will help you to genuinely connect with others, which has value that is as tangible as money. If you connect with your customers and coworkers, they will likely feel connected to you. The connection itself provides more value than the product/service or work alone, which will keep your customers and coworkers happy.

Why Corporate Training is a Must

What is LMS, Anyway?

Maybe you’ve wondered about where your online training comes from; then again, maybe you haven’t. Regardless of whether that question makes you scratch your head, I’m going to attempt to explain it to you anyway. After all, this blog is about obtaining knowledge, so prepare to learn something new.

A Learning Management System, or LMS, is a software platform in use by schools, businesses, and all types of organizations, to disseminate training and all types of coursework without the need for a classroom. In 2010, according to an article featured on the site edudemic.com, educational systems spent $2 billion in computer systems that are capable of supporting LMS, in order enhance the learning experience for millions of students. Many educators believe that online learning tools are a positive addition to traditional curricula, helping to engage students and improve their grades. It makes sense, since most students have computers at home; bringing them into the classroom has been a natural progression.

School-age children and college students are not the only segment of the population benefiting from LMS. The workplace is embracing this tool in order to keep employees well versed in industry developments, as well as required training. Instead of schlepping to sales or training seminars, you can now get the same experience on your computer or electronic device of choice, wherever and whenever. It beats sitting in a conference room; now you can sit in your easy chair or at your desk, and take part in the same training you might have to travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles to receive in person. Webinars have replaced seminars, and most companies couldn’t be happier.

No matter how old you are, or how far removed you are from an actual classroom, it’s easier than ever to be a student. Just fire up your Internet connection and the world of learning is at your fingertips. It can be required training for your job, coursework to effect a career change, or just good old-fashioned curiosity that sparks your imagination. And, before you go thinking that an LMS is just one more tool your company can use to spy on you, think again. You always benefit from education no matter where it comes from; if your company is providing it through an LMS platform, consider yourself lucky – you’re getting paid to learn something new!

Let’s not forget that online training, and all training for that matter, can be far from perfect. If you’ve had a less than positive experience with training (online or otherwise), let us know about it!

Project-Based Learning Keeps Students Engaged

The worst part of training is – you guessed it – boredom! How many of us have had our eyes glaze over in a classroom, or while viewing online training? Most likely more than we are willing to admit. There is, however, an alternative that is working to keep learners engaged, and that is what’s known as “project-based learning.”

Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups. Project-based learning is filled with active and engaged learning, inspiring students to obtain a greater knowledge of the subjects they’re studying. Research indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-based learning. In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work.

Sounds like fun, right? You can view project-based learning in action by clicking here.

Project-based learning is also an effective way to integrate technology into any curriculum. A typical project can easily integrate computers and the Internet, as well as many other types of electronic devices and equipment that will enhance the learning experience.

The key to embracing the future of online training is to try out the many new and exciting ways learning is evolving. There are so many more options that go beyond the classroom that will keep you engaged, and ensure that whatever you need to learn sticks with you.

Do you have any experience with project-based learning? If so, we want to hear about it.

Size Matters

Before cell phones became “smart,” we wanted them to be as small and unobtrusive as possible. Now, we want our phones to do everything from handle our calls, keep track of our kids and even order in dinner on occasion. But, when is a phone not enough? When you need a screen large enough to educate you. That’s where tablets come in.

Today, being mobile is all about having access to every bit of information you can. That means, in effect, carrying your PC with you wherever you go. Sure, tablets have still not achieved the ultimate portability of a laptop, but they’re getting close. For most people, having a smart phone AND a tablet is de rigueur, meaning that you can’t be fully functional on the go unless you have both.

When it comes to learning, a tablet becomes even more indispensable. It gives you the ease and convenience of having an Internet connection and the ability to access almost everything you could on a laptop – including online training courses. Plus, a tablet gives you that extra bit of “real estate” to comfortably read materials without having to content with tiny fonts on your smart phone. Hey – your phone will do in a pinch, but a tablet is ideal.

Be Smart About Your Choices

The key to getting the most from your devices when it comes to learning is to be smart about choosing them. Today’s student is likely to\ have all three: a smart phone, a tablet and a laptop for ultimate accessibility. Each device, however, has it’s advantages and it’s drawbacks. You have to decide which to use for specific applications to get the most out of your choices. And by the way – by “student” we mean learners in school and in the workplace. After all, education is a lifelong endeavor.

How do you prefer to access information? Are you a device junkie or are you monogamous when it comes to your devices? We really want to know!

Six Minutes? Yeah, Right

If you want to laugh and at the same time be horrified, check out this infographic on what Americans do on an average workday. Like the blog author, we want to know what the six minutes devoted to education consists of. Right now, I’m scratching my head about what I could possibly learn in six minutes that doesn’t involve peeling back the plastic on a Lean Cuisine meal and sticking it in the microwave. Other than that, I’m stumped.

We’ve all heard the saying that education is a lifelong process. And, education takes time. Unfortunately, too many people think they can be “superhuman” and do it all. Honestly, there is a time and a place for all activities, including education. But, we have to remember that shortcuts don’t get it done when it comes to learning. The six minutes working Americans supposedly spend on “education” could very well mean they are checking in on a favorite news site, watching CNN, or maybe flipping through a newspaper or book. That’s my take on what those six educational minutes most likely are. Last time I checked, a class is about 50 minutes long, sometimes more.

Like most people, I find it difficult to quantify every activity I perform as a working person. Some days, I spend more time on certain tasks, less on others. But, when education is part of the equation, you can bet that I spend a heck of a lot more time than six minutes on it.

How about we re-name the activity? Surfing the Internet or goofing off online sounds more accurate to me. If you happen to be learning something, even better.

If you have a spare six minutes in your day, how do you like to spend it? Really – we’d like to know!

Release the Bandwidth!

One of the shortfalls of online education, unfortunately, is a lack of Internet bandwidth in certain areas of the United States. According to a recent article that appeared on the Denver Post Web site, the “digital divide” is greater than we think.

Hardware Envy is So Yesterday

It used to be that we were envious of computer hardware. Now our jealousy is of the access some people have to high-speed Internet through cable television and satellite providers, as well as fiber optic access is select areas of the country. As we well know, a high-speed Internet connection is crucial to obtaining optimum benefits from online training courses. Without it, we might as well return to the traditional classroom.

Unfortunately, the quality of high-speed Internet access varies depending upon where you live. If you’re in a rural location, chances are, you don’t have access to top speeds. But, in urban centers and surrounding suburbs, you have lighting fast speeds and plenty of available bandwidth.

In addition, Internet access might be more costly in rural areas; less subscribers means passing along increased fees to existing users, while users in more populous areas might be able to get a break with the bundling options the cable and satellite providers entice us with.

“I think the divide has been redefined,” said Randy Boyer, executive director of the San Juan Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), which serves five counties in southwestern Colorado. “It’s more about whether you have equal access to what’s available through the technology — and no, we don’t right now. It’s a completely different divide than we used to have.”

At a time when “flipped” classrooms, online courses and blended learning — a combination of in-person and online instruction — present new educational opportunities for students, a lack of high-speed access to the Internet puts  far-flung districts and the urban poor at a distinct disadvantage.

Many regions in the United States are grappling with the transition from classroom education to online training, and the problem of Internet access is only now coming to the forefront. States like Colorado are addressing the issue, but others need to get on the stick and upgrade public works in order to give learners in rural areas the access they need in order to take advantage of this most important ability to acquire education and much-needed skills online.

Tell us, does your area have adequate high speed Internet? Has poor connectivity kept you from obtaining the online training courses you need? We want to hear from you!

Like Something? Don’t Like Something? Well, Speak Up!

By now you have surely noticed that you cannot do anything online today without a site asking you for feedback about your experience. Whether it’s finding a plumber, ordering food, or – you guessed it – partaking in online training, you will at some point be asked to share your thoughts. Some users view this task as a pain in the rear, but others will always oblige and provide the requested information. It might take a few minutes to complete a survey, or to write a short blurb that either gives a thumbs up or down, but don’t discount the importance of the task. Your words are not only helping a company improve its products, they are helping other people make informed decisions about products and services.

Good Business is All About Research

It’s no secret that businesses spend millions on research and development of their products, using focus groups, surveys, and other methods to determine what it is people want. Customer feedback gives companies the ability to rate themselves against the competition and find ways to entice the consumer to spend their hard-earned dollars on their products as opposed to their competitors’. This research takes a great deal of time and effort, but if the net result is positive word-of-mouth, the effort is worth its weight in gold.

Customer feedback is especially important when a company loses customers. It will determine why customers are no longer buying its products. The goal of the survey becomes finding out if there is anything the company can do to win a customer’s business back. For example, a company that sells accounting software for small businesses might call thousands of former customers to determine why they stopped using the product. The company might discover that customers do not like paying $19.95 per month for 10 features, when most use only two or three features; they may prefer an alternative pricing structure. Regardless of the reasons, the company would have no way of knowing what was turning off its customers without contacting them.

Feedback is Especially Important For Online Training

In order for online education and training to gain a solid reputation as a viable mode of learning, feedback is especially important. Those who purchase training courses or partake in other types of online coursework must make an effort to provide feedback so other learners can get a sense of what its all about. Remember, regardless of whether the feedback is positive or negative, the contribution is the most important part. If the content creator is reputable, he or she will consider the comments left by learners in order to improve or modify the content to make it more user-friendly and appealing to everyone.

Coggno wants to practice what we preach. If you’ve used our online learning marketplace, leave us a comment on our Facebook page.

If you have a story you’d like to share about a good or bad online training course you’ve taken, post it here!