About Me

One of my favorite Christmas presents was my mom's old manual typewriter and a "how to type" book - in third grade. I've been writing and typing ever since.

My Latest Work

Crisis Management: What Went Wrong -- and Right -- During Major Disasters

In every industry, disasters are often the result of human error, failure to follow established protocols, or neglect of critical safety measures. These tragic events can lead to loss of life, environmental damage, and economic devastation. However, history also reveals that well-prepared teams, solid training, and adherence to protocols have the power to prevent or mitigate the worst outcomes in crisis situations. In fact, many of the most catastrophic disasters could have been avoided—or at le...

Volunteer Training: Don’t Just Wing It—Do It Right!

Volunteering is like a delightful potluck dinner: everyone brings something to the table, but without proper organization, you might end up with five varieties of potato salad and no main course! Considering 60.7 million people performed formal volunteer work between September 2020 and 2021, serving an estimated 4.1 billion hours with an estimated economic value of $122.9 billion – well, that’s a LOT of potato salad! The key to a successful volunteer program lies in effective training. Whether y...

From Reflection to Action: Build Your Best Professional Year Yet!

As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the career journey you’ve taken and start laying the groundwork for what’s next. We often think of goal planning as jotting down some big aspirations, then creating a roadmap of tasks and timelines to achieve them. But before diving into all that, how often do we really pause to understand what our goals mean for us and our employers? Before you write down a single goal for 2025, take a minute to reflect on 2024 — your accomplishments,...

Celebrating Thanksgiving: Unique Traditions and Heartfelt Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a time to come together, share a meal, and celebrate gratitude in all its forms. But what makes this holiday truly special are the unique traditions and moments each person brings to the table. Whether incorporating flavors from a distant homeland, gathering around a backyard fire pit, or hosting a Friendsgiving feast, the stories of Thanksgiving are as varied as the people who celebrate it. We’re sharing the traditions and gratitude of our employees, each of whom brings somethin...

The Resurgence of Business Etiquette Training in a Post-Pandemic World

As organizations navigate the new normal of work after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of business etiquette has come back into focus. With the mass shift to remote work and the subsequent transition back to hybrid and in-person models, employees are finding themselves in unfamiliar social landscapes, necessitating a renewed emphasis on workplace etiquette. A 2023 ResumeBuilder.com survey revealed:Let’s look at the reasons behind this trend, its impact on employees, and the best practices...

The Roles of Instructional Design and L&D in Education and Corporate Settings

Both educational institutions and corporate organizations recognize the critical importance of effective instructional design (ID) and Learning and Development (L&D). However, their needs and approaches to these essential functions can differ significantly. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective training and educational programs tailored to specific audiences. Let’s look at the unique characteristics, challenges, and goals of instructional design and L&D in K-12 educ...

Finding the Perfect Fit: What to Look for in an Instructional Design Partner

Outsourcing instructional design (ID) can be a game-changer for both corporations and academic institutions. However, finding the right partner requires careful consideration. Let’s look at the key factors companies need to consider when selecting a third-party provider for ID, with insights tailored to corporate and academic settings.Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand why organizations opt to outsource ID. For corporations, outsourcing can save time, reduce costs, an...

15 Festive Tips for Rocking Remote Work During the Holidays

Ah, the holiday season! A time for jingle bells, festive lights, and the smell of cookies wafting through the air. But wait—you’re working remotely, and those deadlines aren’t going anywhere. Balancing holiday cheer and Zoom calls might sound like a juggling act, but fear not! With a sprinkle of planning and a dash of holiday spirit, you can ace remote work while still soaking up the festive magic. Here are 15 tips to help you sleigh your work-life balance this holiday season!The holidays can be...

Who will Host Your LMS? Cloud Convenience v. Self-Hosted Control

According to a report from Markets and Markets, the learning management system (LMS) market is expected to grow from $22.1 billion in 2023 to $51.9 billion by 2028. With the proliferation of digital learning platforms, organizations of all kinds, from K-12 schools and universities to corporations, are increasingly adopting LMS. However, the choice between a cloud-based and a self-hosted LMS is often complex and should be tailored to meet specific institutional needs. In this guide, we’ll explore...

Modern Training: The Key to Employee Engagement and Company Growth

Employee engagement is more than a buzzword; it’s the driving force behind a company’s success. Engaged employees are not just productive—they’re enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to contributing to a positive work environment. When companies cultivate engagement, they create a culture where employees show up excited to tackle challenges, collaborate, and innovate. But what’s the key to unlocking this kind of commitment? It starts with effective, relevant training that empowers employees to...

A Tale of Two Companies and Their Knowledge Management Fates

An effective knowledge management system (KMS) can mean the difference between a well-oiled machine and a chaotic carnival. Today, we’re diving into the world of two fictional companies—Nebula Novelties and Galactic Gizmos—to explore how their approaches to knowledge management (KM) affect their day-to-day operations, employee morale, and overall productivity. Buckle up as we take a humorous yet insightful look at how the state of KM can shape the fate of organizations.Nebula Novelties is a quir...

5 Haunting Mistakes Lurking in Your Courses (And How to Exorcise Them)

As the shadows grow longer and the air gets chillier, there are frights lurking in the world of instructional design (ID). No, it’s not the howling of the wind or the creak of an unseen door—it’s the chilling mistakes that can transform even the best-designed courses into a house of horrors! From ghastly gaps in learning to cursed content overload, these common ID blunders have been haunting learners for years.But don’t run for the hills just yet! Grab your lantern, clutch your silver bullet of...

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