Citation
(2007), "Whats on the web", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 21 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2007.08121aag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Whats on the web
The European Consortium (ECLO) is dedicated to the promotion and development of It was established in 1993 as a not-for-profit organisation based in Belgium. One of the key aspects of the network is its European nature – the transnational nature of the membership that gives it an extra dimension in the learning that takes place. In addition the consortium explicitly seeks to provide opportunities for corporations, researchers and consultants to come together in a community of practice. The web site is a little confusing as it jumps around a bit and the links could be more obvious and pertinent. However there is some very interesting material on the site so it is worth persevering.
Clear as mud
The Learning and Skills Network (LSN) is an independent not-for-profit organisation committed to making a difference to education and training. They are one of the two successor organisations of the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) whose site we reviewed last year, “taking forward LSDA’s delivery work as its policy and strategic role becomes the new Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA).”
If that sounds like a bit of a mouthful then we are not surprised. The site itself seems clear enough and the design is fine, but you find yourself reading the text two or three times and being none the wiser. Ah well.
Puzzling
Breathing space designs and delivers high quality training programmes which meet a wide spectrum of needs, drawing on the latest commercial techniques and management styles and capitalising on the component strengths of commercial, military and sporting leadership training.
At first glance this site looks incredibly appealing, with a clear and colourful homepage, and the layout is well structured and easy to navigate. The three main components of the site are:
- 1.
corporate training and team development;
- 2.
corporate events, activities and hospitality; and
- 3.
outdoor activities and breaks.
Each of these three contains clear and useful information about the service the company provides, and quotes from their previous clients. Their main area of expertise seems to lie in event management and team development through activities (they also organise stag and hen trips which we found a bit obscure!). Some very large and high profile corporations such as Coca Cola and Microsoft have used their services, as well as many smaller businesses.
However, nowhere on the site can you actually access training information or tips, and they have provided no information about the cost of their services. Saying this, the site is well worth a look if you are planning a team development or training event.
Training for entrepreneurs
The Communications Strategy Center (a US site as the spelling suggests) is the training department of the Inc.com web site (which has the not-so-catchy slogan “The Daily Resource for Entrepreneurs”). It contains “the latest strategies and tools for making your interactions with employees and clients effective, productive and successful”. The site has an excellent daily tips section (although some of them may be stating the obvious just a little) and some nice articles, which are produced monthly. The featured topics page is informative and provides some good ideas. The topic changes every month, and previous ones have included “Making Meetings Matter”, “Fostering teamwork”, and “Finding Sales Leads”. This site is geared towards people in managerial positions, so if you are, then give it a go.
Keep in mind
Mindtools.com claims to be “the Internet’s most visited career skills and management training resource”. The homepage of this site looks quite daunting due to the volume of links and information it has. However this site is packed with interesting articles, tips and quotes, most of which are well written and easy to understand. Each of the site headings has an introductory paragraph outlining the contents of that particular page, and a pull down list of contents that you can view without actually having to open each page. This makes sorting the relevant information from the rest hassle free and fairly painless. They provide a free fortnightly newsletter with no registration obligation other than giving them an e-mail address. This is accessed through a double opt system whereby you have to follow the confirmation link they send you (in order to prevent other people subscribing you against your wishes). They also offer self-study training programs, along with free help with time management, stress management, memory improvement, information skills, problem solving, decision-making, project planning and management, and communication skills. Overall this is an excellent American site, the only rather irritating downside being the flash intro, which seemed to be completely pointless.
And finally
Some genuine business adverts (from people who could have used a little training):
Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you’ll never go anywhere again.
We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand.
Tired of cleaning yourself. Let me do it.
Man, honest. Will take anything.
Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated. Come here first.
Our bikinis are exciting. They are simply the tops.
We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for $1.00.
Contact us
For a particularly interesting and useful site you could always try the Emerald one! And if you have any favourite (or otherwise) sites that you would like us to review on these pages, please drop us an e-mail and we will submit them to our reviewers’ usual rigorous analysis.