Looking back on 2021 and plans for 2022
The time of year to look back has arrived. Jos Maassen and François Walgering talk about their lessons learned in 2021 and look ahead to the new year.
What lessons have you learned in developing L&D programs in 2021?
It's a bit of an open door, but one of the most important lessons of last year is that we learned to work with clients from a business case. We need to map out the context with our client before we start. And the noses need to be in the same direction. We often work with multiple parties on a project. To make that project successful, you want everyone to give the same answer to the question: What is the end goal? Seven different answers hinder success.
Another lesson is to build a team with the right expertise. Forming a multidisciplinary team is super important before you start. With the right people with the right expertise in a project, you will achieve goals faster.
In 2021, we reinvented ourselves. When we started eight years ago, we had a user-friendly Social Learning platform that we could sell well to our customers. Sometimes we had a deal after just an hour-long conversation. That is no longer the case. We are now competing at the highest level and are working daily on tenders for huge jobs; setting up a complete Learning Suite. Right now we are also working on learning solutions for very large companies such as Ministry of Defense, VodafoneZiggo and ABN AMRO. There we have really made a turnaround. We have invested a lot of time in these kinds of projects that require totally different competencies. Our focus has shifted.
What is your expertise?
Spotting trends within L&D. That never gets boring. In addition, we really enjoy engaging in the conversation about the impact that learning can have on organizations. Facilitating Social Learning, Personalized Learning and Data Driven Learning, that's where our strength lies. François: "Jos is also strong in networking and connecting people, I have a passion for technology. For a long time it was just the two of us but now we have gathered a good team around us that complements us incredibly well with their knowledge and expertise."
What are the major trends of 2021 that will continue in 2022?
Skills-based Learning, without a doubt. We continue to develop a platform within which people can develop towards the future. Personalized Learning is related to that and is also an important trend that we will definitely continue.
Learning Analytics. will have a bigger role in 2022. With data-driven learning, learners get recommendations based on data. We can analyze the behavior in the learning environment better and better, making the recommendations of learning experiences more and more appropriate for the learner. One step further is machine learning: the learning environment itself discovers patterns and makes those recommendations itself.
What is a must for 2022 to build a successful L&D program?
Get the right expertise on board and a good dose of boldness and guts. Just start, take small steps. During the path there are bound to be setbacks, but you'll solve them along the way. As long as you start, you will always be further ahead than those who haven't started yet. You have to dare to stick your neck out.
What are Next Learning Valley's plans for 2022?
We want to become more robust as an organization with more people and therefore more expertise in-house. We are now working on a number of large tenders and, of course, we hope a few will fall our way. Our goal is to continue to grow, set up a tender desk and strengthen our marketing and branding. We notice by everything that we are on the right side with our solutions. Those solutions need to get into the market.
Another desire is to start a franchise in Belgium. By strengthening our position and making Next Learning Valley more robust, we can continue to grow both nationally and internationally. The focus here is and remains helping our clients innovate.
Curious about the possibilities for your organization?
Don't hesitate to contact us.