XpertLearning has a very successful first-ever NetDimensions User Day event

Dubai, Moevenpick Hotel, June 02, 2010. XpertLearning, the leading provider of e-Learning solutions in the Middle East, held its first-ever NetDimensions User Day event. This event was a first of its kind within the Middle East region and was held in collaboration with NetDimensions, global enterprise solutions provider of performance, knowledge and learning management systems.

The event started off with a welcome note and an overview of the day’s agenda from Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-Founder of XpertLearning. John Quinn, ‘Presentologist’ and General Manager of Satellite Visual Communication, followed up and introduced the audience to the Interactive Audio Response System & Electronic Voting System, which was going to be used by the audience to respond to questions posted by the presenters during the day.

The audience was then introduced to the NetDimensions’ representatives, Steve Curtis, Channel Manager EMEA, and Rory Stewart, Consultant EMEA. Steve Curtis provided an overview of NetDimensions along with some key product updates. The focus of the event, however, was on NetDimensions’ key product offering, namely the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP). Steve was also involved in some other key presentations during the day, including a session with Clayton Marshall D’Souza, Technical Manager and Riham Khoury, Head of Academia at XpertLearning, on how clients can move from EKP Bronze to EKP Gold and the benefits that such an upgrade will bring to them.

Rory Stewart introduced the audience to NetDimensions’ latest product, the Mobile EKP (mEKP), which is an end-user version of the Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP) and which runs independently from a USB flash drive without any required installation or Internet connection. Rory also demonstrated how mEKP enables users to review course materials, run courses, take exams and review documents, as well as review exam and training history information from any computer with a USB port at their convenience anywhere, anytime.

Case studies were presented by representatives of XpertLearning’s key clients. Robert Saint-Jacques, Human Resource Director at twofour54, kicked off the case study series. He was followed by Rachel Devereux-Douglas, Learning & Development Manager at Supreme Group, Ali Zaheer, Training Officer and Haitham Kamal Abdulkarim, Contact Centre Team Leader, both from Emaar. The case study series was wrapped up with a presentation from Maggie Williams, Management Trainer and Tariq Manzoor, Learning and Development Administrator, both from ENOC. The case studies focused on the core product offering of NetDimensions, the EKP, and how it helped these organizations (twofour54, Supreme Group, Emaar and ENOC) in managing their entire training and development process from delivering and tracking to testing and reporting.

Nabeel Nazeer, Technical Consultant at XpertLearning, wrapped up the presentation series with a session outlining the different marketing initiatives taken by the company. The company’s social media marketing initiative was introduced to the audience. Nabeel also explained how XpertLearning works hard to provide excellent customer service and support its customers on EKP from pre-sales to implementation and after-sales technical support.

The event concluded with a prize ceremony, chaired by Riham Khoury, in a truly classic Hollywood-Oscars-event-like fashion. Prizes were awarded for 3 categories, namely Best Dressed LMS, Best Overall EKP Implementation and Biggest Usage of EKP Functionality.

Through the use of the Interactive Audio Response System & Electronic Voting System and with background music taken straight from the ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ to set the Hollywood Oscars atmosphere, the audience voted for the Best Dressed LMS. Vodafone Qatar knocked everyone out and landed itself the most-coveted prize. The prize was collected by Asim Mirza, Operations Delivery Manager, and Alexandra Pascu, Lead Trainer, both from Vodafone Qatar.

Emaar, represented by Ali Zaheer, bagged the prize for Best Overall EKP Implementation. DEPA won the prize for Biggest Usage of EKP Functionality. Stefanie Heidester, in charge of Internal Communication and Knowledge Management at DEPA, collected the prize from Janine Croft, Managing Director at XpertLearning.

All in all, it was a great first XpertLearning – NetDimensions User Day event. The XpertLearning team thanks everyone for attending and participating in this event. We look forward to welcoming you next year!

Rachel Devereux-Douglas: A magical e-Learning journey at Supreme Group

Rachel Devereux-Douglas has worked in Dubai for 12 years, 10 years in a Learning & Development Capacity. She began her career with Emirates Airlines in 1998 and quickly began training Cabin Crew for Service Delivery and Customer Service. During her 5 years training, she completed a Training Development Diploma through the University of Leicester, before moving to the Corporate Leadership Department as a Learning & Development Specialist to deliver management training programs and development centers for senior managers. During this period, she began and has now completed her Masters in Social Science for Human Resource Development and Performance Management through the University of Leicester. After 10 years with Emirates Airlines, she moved to a company called ‘Supreme Group’ in 2008, a Foodservice and Logistics provider to clients in challenging and remote regions. She joined ‘Supreme Group’ as the Corporate Learning and Development Manager to set up the department and deliver management training programs. Supreme has grown from 3700 employees to 9000 during Rachel’s tenure and is still growing today.

After conducting 38 interviews as part of a Training Needs Analysis (TNA), she quickly identified employee needs, which evolved around almost 300 different topics with requirements for technical and non technical skills – which of course she could not personally deliver. Through networking, she was introduced to Paul Michael Gledhill, Director and Co-founder of Xpert Learning. Paul subsequently came to visit Rachel in a small office in Deira to discuss the needs of Supreme. Rachel then attended an open seminar facilitated by Xpert Learning, SkillSoft and their clients at a five-star hotel in Dubai. The event included a panel of high-profile Learning & Development professionals and speakers, all sharing best practices. Attending this seminar helped Rachel to conceptualize her approach to e-Learning in order to make the initiative within Supreme Group, a success. After this session, she prepared a SWOT analysis and conducted a cost benefit analysis to compare the cost of classroom training, travel, accommodation, time spent out of the business amongst others, to the fractional cost and large selection of online learning modules. Rachel was particularly attracted to how e-Learning could accommodate her employees’ needs, especially those working in remote locations with 24x7 learning at the fingertips.

e-Learning began in April 2009; the contract started with 100 employees who were nominated as ‘good performers’ in order to gain membership. At the onset this was treated as a ‘Reward’ program. Rachel selected modules that linked to the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values, core competencies, through an online TNA facilitated by Xpert Learning and face-to-face TNA by herself. This approach offered a seamless development plan aligned to the annual performance review. Through the application process, employees had to analyze and prioritize which modules would add most value to their development; this required feedback from the line manager, therefore aiming to gain commitment. The Manager was also requested to set objectives in the performance review, requesting their employees to complete at least 10 modules per year. Xpert Learning offered a lot of support and flexibility to add additional modules on where necessary; with quarterly scheduling in order to provide a summary of results and revisit achievement of objectives. This added value particularly where managers needed a specific skills set outside of the core competencies.

Rachel ensured that employees received a bi-monthly newsletter on e-Learning to illustrate results, employee testimonials, top 20 learners, most usage per business unit to create healthy competition and communicate prizes and prize winners for completing the most number of modules.

Halfway through the program, Rachel initiated a recognition ceremony to reward e-Learners and employees who completed corporate programs with certificates. As part of a post-course for e-Learning, Rachel designed and recommended the use of a reflective learning log; supplemented with feedback from the line manager, that should be attached to the performance review in order to provide recognition for behavioral changes on the job. Although the training was not mandatory, the results were above 100% target with 1082 modules completed in 2009-2010. By the end of the first year, the total number of employees using e-Learning had doubled in size.

The feedback from employees has been extremely positive; this has provided a motivational tool for employees who are grateful of the investment in their development, creating ‘positive perceptions of goodness’ about the company they work for. Many potential employees even enquire if development is provided for employees, making the employer proud to confirm that e-Learning is one of the learning tools available for them.

The 2nd year of e-Learning at Supreme Group has just started and an invitation has been sent to all employees to apply for membership. Potentially, the number of users could grow between 300 – 3000 employees. Rachel whole-heartedly testifies through personal experience that adding best practices, before, during and after implementation, will support a company embarking on an e-Learning program.

Undoubtedly, this will be another successful e-Learning year for Supreme. We wish Rachel all the best in her endeavors.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn or contact her at racheldouglas@mailme.ae