'E-learning cuts training time by 50%'

Nick van Dam, Global chief learning officer for Deloitte’s consulting

practice and the author of ‘The e-Learning Fieldbook’ has joined the

advisory board of Pune-based Maximize Learning–a knowledge creation company

that develops courses in both instructor-led and e-learning formats. Recently,

he was responsible for the transformation of Deloitte’s classroom-based global

education function to a highly e-enabled environment. He strongly believes that

India is at the threshold of a major opportunity in the e-learning market and

therefore should make all efforts to exploit the market. During his visit to the

company, he spoke to Nanda Kasabe of CyberMedia News Service on the current

trends in the e-learning market and Deloitte’s plans for India.

How

do you read the current e-learning market?



Although the enterprise market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4%

through 2007 (according to Fairfield), the good news is that e-learning is

projected to grow by at least 160% from 2003 to 2007. Companies are also keen on

e-learning and by 2007, e-learning will comprise at least 43% of the total

corporate learning. Worldwide, the e-learning practice is a $24 billion

industry.

Can e-learning be as effective as classroom training?



About 355 research reports and studies have found no meaningful difference

in grades, satisfaction or effectiveness. E-learning teaches faster. It reduces

training time by 50%. Reports have indicated that there has been 15% to 25%

improvement in learning; 25% to 50% higher retention of knowledge; and 60%

better consistency.

What is the business impact of e-learning?



It has become increasingly important for organizations to align their

e-learning initiatives with their business processes. This helps in bringing

about shorter time-to-market with revamped products and services and increase in

revenue producing time for the sales staff. E-learning not only reduces training

time by 50% for the same subject but also minimizes the travel cost by 40%. For

instance, we had to train about 5,000 people in SAP some time ago. It was

expensive to send the people to the company for individual training and

therefore Deloitte designed an e-learning program that was simultaneously run in

34 countries, saving the company costs to the tune of 80%.

What is in it for India?



India has an enormous resource base of a highly educated and English

speaking workforce. Indian vendors offer competitive rates with quick turnover

time, thus making it profitable and attractive for the global corporate. The

enduring relationship with global software companies with global software majors

gives Indian vendors an edge in the e-learning business. However, India is still

at an early stage and should exploit the available opportunities.

What are Deloitte’s plans for India?



Deloitte has signed up with Maximize Learning as a long-term development

partner. I have also been invited to join the company’s advisory board. We are

currently catering to the needs of 15 big clients through our Indian partner.

Deloitte has a facility at Hyderabad offering growing support for e-learning. We

have a large e-learning practice, offering 4,000 courses globally. The

time-to-market for new courses on an average is one to three months due to the

high e-learning penetration–to the tune of 83% in the Americas; 86% in Europe;

and 83% in Asia-Pacific. About 75% of the curriculum has been prepared in the

e-learning format. In India, we have plans to double our number to 900 by the

next year at Hyderabad.

NANDA KASABE/CNS in Pune