Citation
(2008), "Whats on the web", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 22 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2008.08122fag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Whats on the web
Article Type: What’s on the web From: Development and Learning in Organizations, Volume 22, Issue 6
ECLO
European Consortium for the Learning Organisation (ECLO) sounded like something that should definitely have its web site reviewed. The start was not promising; under the heading “What is the ECLO?” we received: “Sorry, you’ve come to a page that has been linked incorrectly or has been deleted. We’ve made a note and will make sure it gets updated in due course. Redirecting you back to the front page in five seconds … ” Then (surprise) nothing happens – not in five seconds or even five minutes.
By a roundabout route we found that ECLO is a non-profit-making organisation that is funded primarily by membership fees. Additional funds come from grants and revenues generated by its activities. It is managed by an Executive Board elected by the membership. The remit is “tying training and development activities to business development in a real complementary partnership”.
There is some quite useful stuff on the site – and some good links, but overall the feel is very “academic” the language stilted and the design dull. Visit only if you must.
All at sea, or c?
3C Associates is a learning and development consultancy, offering training and training evaluation programmes, that wears its heart on its sleeve. The three “C’s stand for, “clarity”, “creativity” and “communication”, and are the bedrock of the company’s philosophy, to, “give skills and tools and win hearts and minds”. All good, but just how clear, creative and communicative is their web site? Well it is busy, crammed with information and links to further information: a bit too busy and crammed. It has text moving up and down and sideways, simultaneously, giving a sensation of a boat type momentum. Add in the blue, orange and green colour scheme and all too quickly this web site can have you feeling a little queasy.
Maximum minimalism
In the middle of the year known as 2008, is it important to be wary of any web site that offers a horizontal scroll bar to enable you to view all the contents of each page, and does not have a capital “H” for the “Home” link but all other links start with them? Over picky? What if there is way too much white background and the layout looks like it was assembled by a youngster wearing a blindfold? Do not judge a book by the cover. But you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and a management development specialist ought to know that. What about the content? Well the home page has the company promise and mission proudly displayed. The promise is that, “You can pay more, but you can’t buy better training.” The mission is “to deliver measurable value and the most effective training and development programs”. How do you prove the promise, or define the mission? They may be the best management developers in the world, but they need to rethink their web site style, content and layout before they can convince anyone of their merits.
Mast a must
Like a decent rock band, as opposed to a manufactured one, MaST (originally known as Management and Skills Training) have had over 35 years in their line of business, working their way up from humble beginnings and small “gigs” to their current standing as a leading management training provider with a global client base. They claim that what sets them apart is their, “commitment to practical learning that enables employees to apply what they have learnt immediately,” and they have a fully functioning and operational theatre and film unit to support their claims. With an easily manageable and navigable web site, more than enough information to convince you of what they do and why it works, MaST’s web site is worth spending some time on if you are also considering spending some money on management training.
Kamya believe it?
If you crave, “the tools, techniques and tips that can help you build a great career for yourself and achieve the kind of success and happiness in your life that you have always dreamt and wished for,” then this is the web site for you, as that is exactly what Kamyabology.com claim to provide. If, on the other hand, you are happy enough with your lot, but you are just having a bad day or week and could do with some light relief that will not flash up any warnings on the IT filter system, then this may also be the site for you. Aside from the serious side of what is on offer, this easy-to-use web site also has a range of free, fun tests that you can take in a few minutes. From self-confidence and relationship building, to communication and body language quotients, there are a series of non-intrusive personality tests that you can while away a few otherwise frustrating minutes on. They should make you laugh, and you might even learn something.
And finally
We liked this – managers should take note:
Nobel Laureate Ernest Rutherford, the famous New Zealand physicist, noticed one student in his Cambridge Cavendish laboratory was very hard-working. He asked one evening: “Do you work in the mornings too?”
“Yes,” answered the student, sure he would be commended.
“And in the afternoons?”
“Yes,” said the student proudly.
“But when do you think?” asked Rutherford.
Best of all
For a particularly interesting and useful site you could always try the Emerald one!
If you have any favorite (or otherwise) sites that you would like us to review on these pages, or wish us to consider your own site, please drop us an e-mail and we will ask our reviewers to check them out.