Is e-learning replacing trainers?

E-learning as a mode of training is generating a lot of interest now and there is no question that it is a really useful tool. However, do all these benefits mean that e-learning should be the way forward for all types of training? Are trainers going to be replaced by videos, hyperlinks, text and audio?

What value do trainers add as compared to an e-learning tool? Let us consider this question by contrasting ATM and a Bank Teller. An ATM has many advantages…

- It can be made available in multiple places at a lower cost per transaction

- It can processes repeated requests without trouble or grumbling

- It is available any time 24 X 7

- It has a standard level of service

- It does not fall sick, go on strike, ask for promotions, ask for a raise or be rude to customers

But then, why do banks still have Bank tellers (the human ones)?

This is because the list of transactions people do, is not limited to what an ATM can do. While the ATM takes care of the most commonly executed transactions like cash withdrawal and cheque deposit…

- It cannot answer questions (except for what is my balance or do I have credit available)

- It cannot give feedback to the bank on new things customers are looking for

- It cannot form long term relationships and finally, most important of all,

- It cannot teach customers new behaviors. Even an ATM still requires a guard who helps out people who cannot operate it!

This last point, about maintaining relationships and changing behaviors is the most important value addition done by a human teller or trainer. An e-learning module no matter how well made, can never influence or change human behavior. To implement a new behavior a human being need practice and personalized feedback based on observation, about where we are going wrong.

So, until suitably programmed robots (with human qualities and defects) are available in the mass markets, behavioral trainers need not worry about being replaced by an e-learning tool. Product trainers, any take on this?

November Advanced Content Creation Workshop for Trainers

Nov 25th and 26th - 2 days were packed with fun, learning and mingling among participants from different industries and companies.

Our favorite part of giving out certificates to our participants...



Here, all of us posing for the camera...to remember an unforgettable day!



Note: Those who attended the program from outside Mumbai, have reached back their respective cities, safely.

The next Workshop on Content Creation for Trainers is scheduled for 19th and 20th December.

Editing Images and Graphs in PowerPoint

In our workshops, we talk about the importance of adding images to a presentations. While we use a number of sophisticated tools like Photoshop, Coredraw etc. to edit our images, it not required to own or use software for most people.

Most trainers and managers are aware of basics of putting in pictures, there is more they can do in PowerPoint itself in terms of :
- Modifying/ cropping images/ changing brightness and contrast
- Adding and playing with graphs
- Adding music and transition to create a self-running presentation

The presentation below ( can be downloaded) is put up for your convenience if you face any of the above problems. Do post a message or email me, if you have any further queries.

Tips on Polishing Powerpoint Presentations

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: powerpoint images)

Another suggestion, if you are looking for a free, easy to use basic photo editing software, is to use Google's Picasa. Its a fabulously user-friendly tool.

November Managers Workshop

A quick update on the Workshop for managers on November 12th - Make presentations with Impact - FAST. Here's us - presenting certificates to some of the participants. Turned out many of them knew each other from before, making it a more nostalgic occasion than expected!


Working through one of the exercises...thinking from A to Z..