LMS Selection & Implemenation

Editor's Notes

• #2: Welcome everyone and thank you for sharing your lunchtime and taking time out of your day to attend our webinar.   For today’s webinar, we’ll have a discussion on launching your online training and certification program specifically as it relates to an associations requirements an choosing the right LMS. Return on investment is an important factor - but as you'll discover on today’s Webinar the largest pain point is normally choosing the right partner and having a strong implementation plan ahead of time.
• #4: Partnering with Your LMS Technology Provider - Here’s our first tip of the session. Look at this like a marriage of sorts – a long term relationship, that when done well, benefits both parties! However, if you pick a bad partner…well, we all know how those relationships work out!   Consider “partnering” with a Learning Management System provider rather than simply “ choosing” a vendor. Let me explain the difference, when you partner with an provider, you both have an investment. When you choose a vendor, typically only one side is invested and let me be clear – that’s you. Partnering gets you away from paying predetermined user licensing fees whether or not your members are using the LMS. With partnering – you only pay for when the product is being used – you and your partner are in it together. When you make money, so does your partner.   The right partner will bring the right technology into the relationship. Together, your organization and its partner will be able to automate many of the processes that require manual resources and deliver quality training to your members! Not only that, but when you find the right partner you will be able to automatically guide your members so that they will be able to access to their learning path towards certification 24/7.
• #5: Here’s what I know from working with professional associations: No two Associations’ processes are the same. Vendors don’t listen – they want you to conform to their rules - partners listen.   Our recommendation is to partner with a Learning Management provider that listens to you and can modify their platform to mirror your business processes as opposed to being limited by their restraints. So, I guess the question is - How do you know that you are being heard?   The answer is actually quite simple – One - Request that the provider illustrate and document “ your” business flow as you’ve explained to them as part the sales process Two - make certain this document is made part of the proposal. Three – take the time to review and modify the process document Four – Do not sign a long term agreement until you know and can document what the LMS provider has agreed to deliver. “ In other words”, make certain you’ve been heard and not sold –
• #6: Here’s an example of what the process document should look like . Providing a visual of your processes helps your partner understand what needs to happen in order for the relationship to be successful. This is like when you first start any relationship – sort of a “here’s what I need from you” list. This document helps you stay focused and ensures that what you are building together will work for everyone.   As you’ll see shortly – virtually all of your internal processes can be automated using this one technology. But like any relationship, you have to have a solid foundation first, things tend to get expensive when you start trying to rehab later. Think it through and make sure that your partner understands the roadmap. Here’s a little trick – listen for those partners who ask questions. Questions are good, they clarify what is expected! When a partner doesn’t ask questions it means one of two things, they either know everything or think they do. In either case, it’s not good.
• #7: I believe it’s worth the time to discuss pricing models as cost is ALWAYS an issue! Wow! That’s a bold statement! Here’s why I’m comfortable saying this. No matter who you are, cost is ALWAYS an issue! Typical LMS providers offer a SaaS pricing model. “SaaS” meaning they will be charging you a one-time upfront set-up fee , PLUS a monthly per user fee with a multi-year commitment . This just doesn’t fit the normal Association’s income and revenue model because typical Association members are only active on a LMS for a short period and only until they achieve certification! Standard SaaS models mean you’re paying out money each and every month, whether your members are using the platform or not! That’s not a partnership – remember what I told you earlier – in a partnership both of you are in it together – when you make money – so does your partner. Look for a provider that has something to offer other than a typical SaaS model.
• #8: Another good practice is - Prior to choosing a technology partner, take the opportunity to meet with the team who you will be working with during implementation and future customer support. It’s like meeting the in-laws – You’ll definitely get a preview of what it’s going to be like working with your “partner” in the future!   The point is make certain you have a great level of comfort with this group. Their insight can save you time and money down the road!   For example: Think of things like; Will you be looking at membership campaigns with incentives? There might be a future need for vouchers for your online certification programs. Have you thought about issuing vouchers to members who recruited new members? . Implementing this during on-boarding might allow you to incorporate a membership or corporate awards program down the road even if you’re not ready today at no additional cost to you! Again, unless you’ve done this before - You don’t know what you don’t know! – My point is: Make certain that you choose a partner who does know the questions to ask and who’s been down this road! Also, keep in mind that Associations business processes don’t operate on the same business flow as corporations . The point here is – it’s nice that a LMS provider can tell you they have IBM, AT&T and Apple as clients – These references don’t necessarily benefit what you are trying to accomplish!
• #9: As a last note on this bullet point - Seriously , please don’t take the Partner parity point for granted! Too many Associations we speak with suffer from “Loved it when they bought it and then hate it when they got it.” Kind of like, I love you, now change!   Just to recap - Spend the time to make certain that you’re working with a partner that really understands your pain points and who only benefits by your mutual success!   It just makes sense that with a mutual commitment of two parties working together as “partners”, the odds of you meeting and exceeding your goals and objectives with be far greater than choosing a vendor who’s collecting a licensing fee win lose or draw.   Also, going back to the last presentation slide always have the mindset of sharing with your LMS partner your forward thinking. In other words , even though you aren’t ready to implement or offer certain programs or processes , make certain you discuss your future plans so that the functionality is available in the LMS platform today at no cost tomorrow!
• #10: Next – I’d like to focus on How to Jump Start Your Online Training and Certification Content Library.
• #11: One of the obstacles Associations face in launching a new online training and certification program is creating the content . We want to share with you two suggestions you may want to consider to speed up the process. Remember content is inventory, and with little inventory to start; this is a direct reflection on revenues!   It’s common practice for Associations to use their SMEs to deliver PowerPoint in workshops or online Web Conferences. Talk to the LMS partner about the ability to record these online seminars and converting them into engaging eLearning courses . Ask what they can do for you as they have more resources and channel partners that do this sort of thing.   The point is: Try and leverage your existing materials and create a new revenue stream. By converting this to eLearning you’re going to be offering learning in a format that truly results in a better learning experience and is available quickly and 24/7. Think about it - You’re all here today - in this educational meeting to learn! You’ve set aside 30 minutes out of your busy schedule. If you think of this webinar as one of your current training events; by converting it to an eLearning format, you give your members navigation control; allowing them to pause, bookmark, revisit, and jump forward at a time that is convenient to them. In addition there is a good chance you would be able to charge a fee for these events.   The right LMS “partner” can work with you to also insert quizzes, surveys, and discussion forums to provide interaction and promote your learning community within these very same webinars. This really is by far one of the easiest; most economical ways to jump start your training and certification curriculum.   Second , consider including content that you can purchase right off the shelf. Turn to third party content providers. Chances are part of your curriculum already exists and is already created in an engaging eLearning format.   Make certain you ask your Learning Management partner if they offer a library of curriculum created by experts that is continuously updated. You don’t need to be the creator for all your content. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel!   Think about it... By incorporating this approach for your members to choose specific courses within your existing curriculum; you’re addressing the difficult problem of meeting the broad appeal of your members, but also allowing enough specific learning to address the individual’s needs. An experienced Client Services team can provide you with suggestions for building your own content with quality and affordability. Again, this is why it is so important to meet the client services team prior to making that final decision on an LMS partner.
• #12: Okay, Next I would like to discuss Best Practices. Wait 5 seconds then go to next slide…
• #13: Question; Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You’ve just discovered that a course was being advertised for certification training by one of your members through one of your Chapters; but the materials have never been reviewed or approved? At the Chapter level, they thought they had the latest version of a quality control course – THEY DIDN”T!   By using the appropriate LMS you’ll be able to define the workflow needed to insure that all curriculum is adhered to quality control, approval and most importantly, standardization.!   Just as important you can carry this type of workflow approval through to include Chapter branding, marketing materials, legal documents, even Instructor quality control!   Make certain that when you set up the permissions in your LMS your “Partner” knows that they need to create different administrator permission rights for your instructors to control online registration and attendance documentation. Also, another permission set for your Chapter leaders to obtain reports and manage news, announcements, and notices to their specific groups.   If done right the first time - All resulting in better quality, more learning, and of course more revenue!
• #14: Keep in mind – as part of Best Practices – your goal is to utilize the LMS technology to include as many of you internal processes as possible! But at the same time – NOT HAVING TO ADD ADDITIONAL RESOURCES!
• #15: Remember – make certain that your LMS “partner” has the ability to all these type of things. Another point on automating your existing manual processes is – You going to give your members a better experience!
• #16: Use your LMS to empower your chapters! Collaborate and make certain you give your members a reason to visit the LMS. Use your LMS as a portal or destination for up to date information. On the next slide I’d like to show you an example of what you might want this to look like and some other MUST HAVE features!
• #17: MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE LMS SOLUTION YOU CHOOSE HAS THE FOLLOWING FEATURES: (Start at the top go clockwise and speak on features with benefits.) Languages – Go global or go home. News and Notice Board – fine tune to your specific members, by location, employment, and their areas of interest. Discounts for incentives – Member recruitment. Promote your chapters! … Forums – Solidify your members’ learning by offering online social forums….
• #18: Let’s take a quick look at what you should expect from reports. You should have all information broken down any which way you require is the bottom line!
• #19: Lastly, I would like to present a few virtual no cost ways for you to Create New Revenue Streams for your Association! Wait five seconds, go to next slide.
• #20: Think of your LMS as a money tree! Next slide…
• #21: Why not consider using third party content as a stand-alone sale to your members? Third party content is high quality courses that have been pre-developed that address the problem that Associations are facing with offering general and specific business or technology training. There are tens of thousands of titles available. Your members are searching for professional development content; YOU WANT TO BE THE SOURCE! Negotiate a deal with your LMS partner whereas you can purchase this type of content at a wholesale level and resell below normal retail which gives perceived value to your members!
• #22: Make certain you choose an LMS partner who has the ability to offer an integrated online and/or proctored secure testing solution! Not only does this solve your issues on an assessment level, but also opens the doors for you to leverage the LMS providers reseller agreement and create yet another new revenue source!
• #23: As I’m about to turn this back over to Jay, please be certain to spend the time up-front working with an LMS provider that knows the road.