Modern Learning for the Enterprise: Observations from Allego at DevLearn
At the 2018 DevLearn conference, Allego's Jake Miller and Alex Salop observed that modern enterprise learning faces challenges like outdated training methods, content overload or ineffectiveness, and learner engagement, with significant interest in innovative sales enablement, brain science-based approaches, and especially micro-learning—which, while foundational and popular for its focused, personalized, and engaging format, is only one component of a comprehensive, blended learning strategy that few vendors currently offer.
Jake Miller, Product Marketing Manager at Allego, and Alex Salop, Allego’s Director of Product Marketing, just returned from the 2018 DevLearn conference in Las Vegas. They shared their observations from the show via email, resulting in the following discussion:
Alex:
- Meeting the modern learning needs of users across organizations is similar to the challenges seen in Sales. Traditional training approaches are overdue for an update.
- Learning organizations are struggling to deliver new learning modalities that people actually want.
- Content remains a central issue: companies have too much, too little, or content that isn't effective.
Jake:
- There is significant interest in innovation for sales enablement and sales training. Many conversations focused on how customers have implemented organization-wide learning, reflecting a growing trend.
- Learner engagement is a primary concern for training professionals. Many vendors at the show focus on improving learner engagement.
- Brain science is a big topic. Attendees are interested in evidence-based learning approaches, especially those presented by neuroscience experts.
Alex:
- Micro-learning is receiving a lot of attention, tying into content, brain science, and engagement themes. Alex asks Jake why micro-learning is so popular.
Jake:
- Micro-learning is foundational for modern learning. Trends like personalization, continuous learning, AI-based reinforcement, and social learning all depend on short, focused content. Micro-learning drives better engagement because it is less overwhelming than long sessions.
Alex:
- Micro-learning is a strong marketing term and has great potential, but it's only one part of the modern learning continuum. Effective learning involves blending different modalities to drive engagement and retention. Many vendors offer partial solutions, but few provide platforms that combine and manage multiple modern learning modalities.
- Alex questions whether micro-learning solves the content problem, noting that content creation may not necessarily become easier.
Jake:
- Micro-learning does not solve the content problem; it introduces new challenges. Creating concise, effective content can be harder than producing long-form material. However, micro-learning enables a wider range of authors, including subject matter experts, managers, leaders, and peers, to contribute valuable training content.
- The content challenge shifts from creation to curation and management. Learning and development teams must curate and manage incoming content and ensure the right material reaches the right people.
- With effective tools for managing micro-learning content, the content problem can be reduced, though not eliminated.
Alex:
- Some vendors offer short-form content creation, mobile quiz solutions, or gamification, but few provide a comprehensive platform for both content delivery and management at an organizational level.
- Allego is ahead of the curve in this area, addressing needs that are present across organizations and disciplines, not just in sales.
Jake:
- Jake agrees and thanks Alex for the discussion, noting the value of the conference experience.