Expertus and Training Industry, Inc. Publish Learning Industry Research Compendium

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire - November 24, 2009) - Expertus (www.expertus.com), a global provider of services that optimize the business impact of learning, and Training Industry, Inc. (www.trainingindustry.com), an objective and trusted expert on the marketplace for learning, today released a report that outlines the findings of six research studies conducted in 2008-2009 as part of the Training Efficiency Masters Series. Available on the Expertus corporate website at: http://bit.ly/3yqhKA, the report discusses the findings of research targeted to corporate learning organizations. (Note: media and analysts may prefer to contact Alicia Hassinger at ahassinger@csg-pr.com for a copy.)

The "Training Efficiency Masters Series" produced surveys which focused on ways to overcome training and development issues. The survey findings identify best practices and workable methods of making the most of training initiatives. This report compiles those findings, offering a deep look into corporate training organizations' point of view on many applicable topics.

The surveys reviewed in the report include ways to optimize effectiveness or efficiency in cost reduction, measuring learning, customer training, learning technologies and internal marketing.

"The Masters Series was quite successful at delving into current issues that learning leaders face to address what they are thinking, doing and planning," said Ramesh Ramani, Founder and CEO of Expertus. "We aim to provide opportunities to discuss challenges while also seeking and sharing solutions."

Some key findings over the series include:

-- In the study "Training Efficiency: Optimizing Costs," over 90% of training executives surveyed felt some pressure to reduce costs, and more than 50% indicated that they felt "significant" or "intense" cost reduction pressure. According to those surveyed, the single greatest opportunity for cost reduction and improved efficiency is in administration.

-- In the study "Training Efficiency: Optimizing Learning Technology," LMS managers and administrators most frequently cited two obstacles in using LMS' functionalities to increase efficiency: lack of integration with other technology systems and inflexible reporting capabilities.

-- In "Optimizing Customer Training," nearly one half of corporate training leaders who lead or are involved with customer training felt their customer training budgets would go up, with 41% believing it would increase by over 10%. By contrast, only one-third thought their employee training budgets would increase.

-- In "Measuring Learning as Budgets Tighten," the important relationship between metrics and budgets was addressed. This study found that more than twice as many respondents (48%) expect budget decreases rather than increases (17%) in 2009. Despite the need for better outcome metrics, less than one in four respondents reported using business outcome or return on investment metrics; instead, the vast majority collected metrics on course completion, registration and course participants' reactions.

-- "Internal Marketing for Corporate Training Programs" focused on identifying tools that are widely used to market internal training programs, the main reasons for marketing these programs, and determining what actually works and how they measure success. Respondents indicated that e-mail blasts are the most effective marketing activity, followed closely by phone calls and management recommendations.

-- "Learning Portals & Informal Learning Technologies" uncovered how learning executives' use of learning portals has gained widespread momentum as a learning technology platform (over 93% of respondents report having one). The research also reveals how learning leaders use technology to enable or measure informal learning, as well as the importance of including informal learning technologies in training programs.

"The research results were widely embraced by learning leaders, service providers and the media because they are timely snapshots of industry themes," added Doug Harward, CEO of Training Industry, Inc. "This compendium document ought to be a reference guide on a variety of topics; offering insights into where corporate training organizations are today."

To download the compendium report, visit http://bit.ly/3yqhKA or contact Alicia Hassinger at ahassinger@csg-pr.com.

To see full results of the individual studies and additional information resources visit Expertus' TrainingEfficiency.com website: http://www.trainingefficiency.com/explore-resources.

About Expertus

Expertus is the leading global provider of services that optimize the business impact of learning. For more than a decade, the firm's 500+ learning management professionals have defined and implemented plans, processes and technologies that transform training organizations -- creating measurable value for the world's most successful corporations. Clients include ADP, Cisco, ConocoPhillips, EMC, Honeywell and Lockheed Martin. Every day at these and other companies, more than a million employees, customers and business partners are educated as a result of Expertus' innovative business strategies, outsourcing services and technology-rich solutions.

Based in Silicon Valley, Expertus serves its clients from offices in the US, UK and India. For more information, visit www.expertus.com, or call toll-free (877) 827-8160.

About Training Industry, Inc.

Training Industry, Inc. is an objective and trusted expert on the marketplace for learning. Its mission is to make the marketplace more efficient through the world's largest online community of training communities and through services such as Training Industry Conferences, Training Industry Quarterly Ezine, Training Industry Webinars and Training Industry Research. For more information, go to www.trainingindustry.com or call (919) 653-4990.