LEARNING AND TRAINING ARE CHANGING. ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
Sheri Dougherty
 Dr. Sherilyne Dougherty, CEO

Technology is affecting all aspects of our daily lives, especially how we share and receive information. Because technology is having such a large impact on information sharing, it can be a critical tool for learning. Gone are the days when training was limited to classrooms and books. In this issue of the Advisor, we highlight five trends that will shape learning and development for 2017 and beyond.
 
With so many new learning opportunities brought by technology, it is critical that we measure the effectiveness of training. While most of us have been exposed to basic evaluations, there are more effective measures of how well we retain and put to use the training we receive. Read about advanced evaluation methods in this issue of the Advisor.
 
Finally, we recap my participation at the Florida Small Business Development Center's 30th Annual Small Business Conference in Tampa, Florida, on May 5. As a featured speaker, I presented on the infrastructure needed by small business to compete in the federal market space, providing highlights from DAI Solutions' white paper, Ten Steps to Becoming a Federal Contracting One Percenter.
 
I hope you will find this month's DAI Solutions Advisor interesting and informative.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS FOR 2017 AND BEYOND

Rapid changes in technology, a significant increase in the use of smartphones and mobile devices, and constantly evolving social media have changed the way people learn. Learning and development strategies must change to address these emerging challenges. Organizations need to adopt modern tools and techniques that enable people to learn in the most efficient manner. Experts agree that there are several learning and development trends for 2017 and beyond that we must embrace in order to get the maximum return on investment. Several sources, including the Association for Talent Development (ATD, formerly ASTD), and trainingindustry.com have cited five trends that will shape the future of learning
EVALUATING LONG-TERM TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS

At some point in our careers, most of us have participated in a professional development training program. Your courses may have been face-to-face instructor-led, virtual instructor-led, web-based training or a blended training program. Whatever the format, it's very likely you completed one of the several types of evaluations based on the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model.

Kir kpatrick Model  Level 1: Reaction evaluations provide high-level feedback on training, including opinions and reactions to course content, instructional strategies and course materials. Level 2: Learning evaluations test knowledge before, during and immediately after training in the form of knowledge checks and pre- and post-assessments. You have probably experienced these during your career, but have you ever participated in Level 3 or 4 evaluations? Level 3 and 4 evaluations, while not necessary for every training program or course, provide evidence of effectiveness and business value by measuring long-term, on-the-job behaviors and business results.

Learn how Kirkpatrick Level 3 and 4 can benefit your organization.
DAI SOLUTIONS COUNSELS FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESSES

On May 5, DAI Solutions founder and CEO Dr. Sherilyne Dougherty was a featured presenter at the Florida Small Business Development Center's 30th Annual Small Business Conference in Tampa, FL. The conference, subtitled "Game Plan for Federal Contracting," was designed to teach small businesses how to optimize opportunities with the federal government.

The event's keynote addresses, workshops and panels included discussions of cybersecurity requirements, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) resources, the Small Business Administration (SBA) mentor-protégé program, doing business with the Department of Defense and more.

Sheri was a featured speaker and presented a primer for the infrastructure needed by small businesses to compete in the federal market space. Her discussion was based on a DAI Solutions white paper, Ten Steps to Becoming a Federal Contracting One Percenter, and also included an examination of marketing and business development needs for small businesses.

" Over the last two months, I have presented at two small business events in Florida," Sheri said. "I continue to be impressed with the enthusiasm and sophistication of the participants, and I look forward to working with many of them as they build their federal contracting presence." 
COME WORK FOR US OR REFER SOMEONE!

Working at DAI Solutions is more than punching a clock; it's pushing every day to reach beyond what you thought possible. 

We are executives, project managers, communicators, artists, analysts, teachers and techies. In our diversity, we share a passion for people and the people part of transformation. If you want to be challenged and stand apart from the crowd, we want to hear from you.

We are currently seeking:
DAI Solutions is a boutique management consulting firm headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Purposefully small and client-centered, we focus on the people part of transformation. 
 
Learn more about working for DAI Solutions.  
Ready to focus on the people part of transformation?