The professional development landscape is changing. Wouldn’t you agree?
Simply scan the environment and it’s clear our culture is mobile-obsessed. We’ve become more technologically advanced and move at a faster pace. Combine this competition for time and resources with the endless access to information and content available online—not to mention the countless organizations now offering education opportunities at competitive rates (even free!)—and you have a long list of continuing education providers competing for market share.
And as associations play a more significant role in training today’s workforce, they must help learners take responsibility for their own learning, as well as teach them how to learn and how to leverage that learning within their organizations. To remain relevant, associations must also:
- Transform industry-specific knowledge and information into viable training;
- Align education with member needs through regular industry research, analysis and trending;
- Connect the dots between theory and practice; and
- Explore opportunities for virtual and/or blended learning formats.
Finally, recall a past conference experience with a one-dimensional keynote speaker and an afternoon of lecture-style breakout sessions. (Rather not, right?) Members today demand compelling experiences—delivered in a unique and interactive way—that inspire learning, engagement and community. These transformations require buy-in from key leaders and stakeholders, deliberate training and coaching of program facilitators and content leaders, and significantly more planning, organization, lead time and logistics management than ever before.
So, my question to you is this: How is your organization adapting to this shift in the professional development landscape? What are you doing differently to make your education offerings more innovative and engaging (dynamic, even)? How will you stand out from the crowd this year?