Berlin (GER), November 2012 - The advent of the economic crisis coupled with innovative technological developments are forcing businesses to navigate their way through uncertain territory. Technology has enabled us to connect, to create new models for business, and to exchange knowledge instantly. However, it has also created new challenges: We are increasingly vulnerable to sudden incidents outside of our direct control. How can businesses deliver competitive advantage in a world characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity - a "VUCA" world?
What strategies should businesses employ to ensure the effectiveness of their workplace-learning strategy? And could the field of behavioural science hold the key?
These are some of the key questions that will form the focus of this year's Business EDUCA sessions at ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN (OEB) 2012, the largest global eLearning conference for the corporate, education, and public-service sectors, with over 2000 participants from 100+ countries.
Behavioural influence expert Steve Martin will share the secrets of how the science of influence and persuasion can help prepare businesses for the future and improve the effectiveness of learning in a wide variety of organisations. According to Martin, "Some of the messages from the science of social influence are quite counterintuitive. This means we should have a really interesting debate at OEB. Prepare to be surprised!"
Co-author of the international best-selling book "Yes! 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion", Martin was responsible for a £5.6 billion boost to HM Revenue & Customs' revenue by amending the style of letters sent to those behind on their tax payments. He is currently working with the UK Civil Service on training, as well as pioneering new forms of technology-based patient communications.
Martin explains, "Our work is all about communicating with people in the most effective and proven way. This, of course, is at the heart of all learning, so I believe the opportunities are huge. We already do a lot of work in the business-training sector with clients all over the world, and we are building up a strong body of evidence that proves the benefits of behavioural insight in the training sector."
Martin will be joined by expert speakers from three continents and three very different industries: Jens Hilgers, Dr Terry Moss, and Ahmed El-Sobky.
Dr Terry Moss, General Manager of Eskom Holdings and Vice President of the International Hydropower Association, South Africa, will outline how learning has had to change in South Africa's largest energy provider to secure success in a VUCA world. Jens Hilgers is CEO of Geewa Games, one of Facebook's top ten game developers and publishers. He and Ahmed El-Sobky, who works with Egypt's Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), will share their experiences in workplace-learning innovation.
With such a diverse range of world-class speakers and perspectives, the stage is set for a dynamic discussion.
