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For as long as there have been channels and channel professionals, there has been informal learning. Informal learning is really the heart of most learning that has taken place through the years. It is two folks talking about what has worked for them and what hasn't as they stand by a water cooler or connect over the phone. It is the jewels of information that you pick up when you read an email from a colleague that shares his/her thoughts about how to proceed with a particular situation. Those informal learning moments account for up to eighty percent or more of what we learn according to most studies. So what then is the role of formal learning like that delivered in a classroom or eLearning? Simply stated, it provides structure. It provides a means by which people can have a common discussion, a framework on which to hang thoughts and ideas, if you will. Informal learning is therefore, effective when formal learning is done with it. It is the same concept as college. College classes often teach students little about the specific things they end up doing in their professional life. But college does provide a great resource for students to learn how to compartmentalize and rationalize ideas. That ability is critical for students to then start to and continue to learning through informal means. Why raise this topic here? Because it is a critical element to how we approach channels. Whether it is for the employees of the vendor, the VARs or anyone else that a vendor wants to help train, the vendor should look at what systems exist to facilitate and track informal learning and understand clearly what formal learning programs can complement and enable that informal learning to take root. The Trusted Business Advisor education and certification program provides an excellent case in point. The TBA education program provides a framework for a common language, thought process and understanding of some basic elements required of VARs. There is no way it is going to teach VARs everything they need to know to be successful. Eighty percent or more of that information will come through informal means: making mistakes, learning from peers, talking to partners, learning from customers, etc. But the formal learning component makes all the rest of that informal learning possible and accelerates it to a usable format. Have a comment, please post it on my blog http://www.integratedmar.com/home/communities/channel/comments.cfm?item=148 William Vanderbilt has over twenty years experience in learning and IT channels. William's corporate and IT education as well as channel industry experience stems from fulfilling numerous roles during his career including Vice President of Education and Training at CompTIA, Vice President of IT Partner Enablement at NIIT, Chief Operating Officer at Beacon Institute for Learning and Senior Director of Training at CompUSA. He has been applying his knowledge and experience in training and channels for years, growing the business in each of the roles he held. William is also a very active member and co-chair of the ChannelLine Advisory Council. He can be reached at 630-343-6261 or at WVanderbilt@InnovativeLearningChannels.com.
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