Posts tagged with "AccessPlanit"

Shortly after they have got themselves settled in to their new surroundings, new recruits to accessplanit are being tasked with some pretty tough questions to answer. In this short Q and A, you can get to know our latest addition, Jenna Culshaw, who has joined the support team. Jenna talks about music that sounds like ‘RAWRR’, getting stuck in at accessplanit and futile efforts to resist the iPhone’s brilliance… 

1.   Can you tell us some more about your new role at accessplanit? 

I’m based in support but will be branching out into implementation soon! Currently I try to help any problems which come through to support while producing help booklets and e-learning tutorials. 

2.   Where will your main areas of responsibility lie?

My main responsibilities are customer based, taking telephone calls and helping users with the software. In a few months I’ll be occasionally out of the office training new users, which I’m very much looking forward to. 

3.   Have you always worked in the software and technology industry?

No, I’m a recent graduate. I actually started my student life studying psychology, before I realised it wasn’t my calling and quickly switched to computer science, I’ve never looked back. 

4.   What are your goals and ambitions at accessplanit for the short-term?

At the moment it’s to get as stuck-in as possible, trying to pick everything up quickly and properly. 

5.   Away from work, what gets you out of bed on a Saturday morning? 

I’d like to say running, which half the time is true, the other half of the time it’s the thing that puts me off getting up. 

6.   Where is the furthest place from the UK you have travelled to?

Florida when I was 14, discovered IHOP and now no other restaurant will ever match up.

 7.   So, when you’re not at accessplanit Towers delivering new software to clients, what do you get up to?

I’m quite housewifey… surprisingly, so tidying, cooking and baking. Also running and reading Chuck Palahniuk has taken up quite a lot of my life. 

8.   Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or none of the above, thanks?

Facebook from time-to-time.

9.   What interesting fact do you think everyone at accessplanit will find out about you very soon?

You have to be interesting to have interesting facts! Well, nothing spectacular, I have OCD about plug-sockets if that counts? Or maybe that I like music that sounds like ‘RAWRR’, no one ever expects that.

10. What do you think has been the greatest invention of the past decade, and why?

As much as this would have killed me to say this a year or so ago, it has to be the iPhone. Ignoring all advances in molecular physics and animal cloning! This device has upped the game in day-to-day technology, wowed millions and become a dependant item for so many. 

Jenna will be working in the support team at accessplanit, where the team ensure that all clients have the right level of knowledge and understanding around usage and functionality of the accessplanit training management software. If you would like to hear more about the support we could offer your training or course provider business, should you use our cutting-edge software, just get in touch with the team on 0845 543 0229 or enquiries@accessplanit.com. 

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.

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.

Composica, accessplanit's rapid elearning authoring tool has won an elearning 24/7 award in the category 'I didn't know it was possible'.

Composica was selected as the winner for its unique functionality set which includes:

• Social Learning Content Authoring Tool
• Project blog, comments, & RSS feeds keeping authors connected
• RLOs
• Game based learning
• Dynamic
• Task lists, task reports and audit trails
• Assessment tool built in
• SCORM 2004/1.2 compliant
• Blogs can be embedded into courses/content
• Ratings
• Mashups, Google charts
• Bookmarking, state restoration

Composica is a full-featured, collaborative rapid elearning authoring tool that enables organisations to create high-quality, interactive e-learning – without the need for programming or design skills.

Composica is web based application available on a hosted or SaaS basis.