Bob Dean is the CLO of a leading C-level talent search firm. He is here to give us his view of the learning field.
He is looking for a Talent Development System (TDS – a term he made up). It should be out of the box, not like an LMS (although that could be part of it), but overall talent, not just traditional learning. Online performance reviews, position descriptions, etc.
ROI keeps him up at night. It is important but is often overstated. Alignment is more where it is at – what is the strategy and overall priorities and then align them. Having a head of talent (CTO) over it all. Does he ask for an ROI? No, they are too busy. He would rather have ROV (Return on Visibility) getting the C’s as part of the learning. Those companies with a strong grapevine, the ROI would be trumped by the speak in mid to small businesses (his has 1800 employees) and he feels this way.
How does he assure alignment as CLO? Being a business person gives you a fundamental background. “The 6 Disciplines of Breakthrough Learning” he says is fabulous – the handbook for CLOs. Very practical. This has been his bible for alignment.
He also stresses that designing a complete experience is key. He wants to drive behavior change through learning. Align yourself that way. Not through other metrics. This is more than a 2 or 3 day program. Continuous Development Experiences (CDE – another new one he made up). Align, commit to change, and engage beyond leaning forward but you want them to jump in and get involved. This is true blended learning.
Social Learning? He sees it very positively. University students were telling him that email is dead. But he would be bullish on podcasting & vodcasting. He would love to see his company go all iPhone. Search the internet, watch video, he wants them to do it all.
Q: (Again) K-12 is broken and poses a certain use on the kids. How do you see that affecting the CLO and learning in a corporation.
A: Is actually impressed with what they have turned out. But use Blackboard, they have about a 90% penetration and they use one platform. There are benefits because of it. But then they are hired and see companies limping along and they will not be real impressed. The more teachers are competent, the more the students will be.
Q:
A: We look for competencies, credential and experiences when looking for executives. Fit and stick.
Q: How do you get stick?
A: Tell me about your experiences, transitions between jobs, how you worked in your cultures. Walk them through a career journey – stuff you can’t get off a resume.
Q: Of those who sell LMS and went into talent and those who sell talent and then add on an LMS, which is going to win?
A: Those who started with talent. They have the basis. It needs to also have a career development history.
Q: Where is simulation and games going?
A: As a parent watching children with technology – we spend A LOT on technology for the kids – we notice that they are engrosed in simulation everyday. He loved aviation. His kid said that it was the most powerful use of the Internet because there was a whole environment around the game. Now he has a job in the aviation industry.
