Growth, product development, user groups and exhibitions… accessplanit looks ahead to 2012
Now that January is well under-way and the festive break feels like a distant memory, it’s important to concentrate on what is coming up, rather than what has already passed – though, when you’ve had an incredible year as we did in 2011, it’s sometimes tempting to occasionally glance back…
This year however is shaping up to be just as impressive, with growth and product development top of the list for the rest of the year.
Later this month accessplanit will have a large presence in both the exhibition hall and the conference rooms of the 2012 Learning Technology show in London. It will be the first real opportunity for the business to showcase its latest developments and discuss upcoming plans for the year with like-minded people within the training industry – make sure you visit the accessplanit stand (67) at the event (25 and 26 January), and also host a seminar on Day 1 of the event from 2.45pm (Theatre 3). The session will challenge how and why traditional LMS will simply not allowing training companies to market, sell and deliver their content effectively in 2012 – don’t miss it.
In 2011, accessplanit was voted the ‘One to Watch’ in the exit poll, so we’re hoping that this year our impact will be just as impressive.
In terms of growth, the company has already started as it means to continue, by securing new personnel expertise in the form of operations manager, Rob Gilmour. In order to continue developing the latest products for the training industry and to carry on servicing our clients at the highest level, the workforce at accessplanit will grow into the year. Customer support, for instance, is hugely important to us here at accessplanit, and while we have recently added to the support network, we have a plan to strengthen this division even more to be absolutely sure that each and every client has all the help and expertise they need to maximise return on the software we provide. To this end, we are also planning out first user group in 2012, which will allow all software users to come together and ask questions about the accessplanit software and also learn more about new developments and functionality.
As mentioned previously, development is key to maintaining a strong position in the market and 2012 will be the year for exciting product development as well. Working in the technology space means that it’s crucial to remain cutting edge, and we know that the only way to do this by having the usual expertise persistently testing new products and researching customer need and technological advances. As a software house, we have every intention of staying ahead of the game in 2012.
And, one of the key ways that you can stay in touch with the progress into 2012 is by signing up to our newsletter (just click here and we’ll get you registered), and by reading the blogs and news stories that we post onto our website on a weekly basis. If we’re not commenting on the latest technological trends in the training and course provider world, we will be updating our audience on product development – so click here and make sure you keep coming back.
This year promises to be the biggest yet for accessplanit, and we hope that you will be a part of it. Get in touch with the team today if you want to discuss the latest training management software that accessplanit has developed. If you’re a training company or course provider, find out how our solutions can dramatically cut administration time and costs in 2012, while boosting marketing and sales for the business.
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For some time annual conference and exhibition events have been delivering the ideal hunting ground for service providers looking to showcase their latest services and products to their target market, and for opportunistic business people to interact with like-minded individuals and buy into the latest ideas and concepts to support them in becoming more effective in their job. The Learning and Technologies Show is no different, and this year the hosts promise to put on another incredible event.
The conference and exhibition formula works, otherwise halls up and down the country wouldn’t be packed out each week with stalls, seminars and presentations filling up packed daily schedules. However, while these events are well-attended, that can’t be denied, how many visitors go to along equipped with a strategy that will ensure they get the most return for sacrificing a day or two out of the office?
From our experience, not very many. So, to ensure that you get the most from the next conference or event, follow accessplanit’s top tips on how to prepare for the next time you leave the exhibition hall you have more than just a bag full of branded pens, pencils and mousemats…
1. Prepare: Just because the event planner’s marketing team has told you that each and every seminar at the conference is a “must attend”, it’s crucial that you do some prep work yourself. Be clear on what the key issues are for your business right now, and align those objectives with the sessions you attend. Also, find out who is speaking and identify whether anyone is particularly ‘cutting edge’ in terms of where the market is going and how it will develop.
2. Benchmark: You’ll be inundated with representatives from stalls wanting to talk to you about their latest products and services, but have a strategy in place from the start as you will struggle to have good conversations with every single one. As an example, see this as a benchmarking opportunity, so look at all your current suppliers, find out who is in direct completion with them, and see if you could be getting a better deal somewhere else.
3. Smartphones: Unless you’re part of an anti-tech clan, you’ll have a mobile phone with decent camera functionality, and a busy conference is the ideal place to use it. Instead of frantically writing down notes on each and every new piece of tech that you think might be able to half your workload, take pics to remind yourself later.
4. Networking: Don’t be too selfless either, it’s good to seize the opportunity to find out more about how the latest providers can help your business, but also remember that you are surrounded by individuals working in the same industry as you, and the power of networking should never be ignored. Think about those who are a few rungs above you on the corporate ladder, and consider how they could help you to catch up. If you get a chance, find out who is attending and which company they are from, you can make a beeline for then during breaks.
5. Be ruthless: Exhibition and conferences are a crucial time for service and product providers, and it makes no sense to waste people’s time. So, by following step 1 and having a clear idea of what you want to get from the exhibition you will ensure that you don’t waste anyone’s time. Don’t stand around and let an exhibitor talk and talk if you have absolutely no interest in the product in question or it it’s totally irrelevant to your business. Of course, if there is a chance that you could invest or are keen to learn more about the company, stay and talk, but if not take a ruthless approach and move on to the next stand.
6. Visit accessplanit: Of course, the best way to get the most from the Learning and Technologies show 2012 is to visit the experts – accessplanit. We’re exhibiting at stand 67 over the two days and will be on hand to explain just how our revolutionary training management software can cut administration and costs, while helping businesses to market and sell their training courses in a far more effective way.