Mindy Bogue

My Blog

MATC Group Inc •

Your Go-To Guide to the Top Technical Writing Authoring Tools

Technical writing requires precision, clarity, and effective communication. To achieve these goals, technical writers rely on a range of authoring tools to streamline their processes and enhance their productivity. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most popular and useful tools in the industry, including their standout features, best use cases, and the benefits and challenges associated with each.Microsoft Word is a staple in technical writing due to its widespread availability and robust fe...
MATC Group Inc •

Elevate Your Designs: Visual Principles Meet Modern Tech

The world of instructional design (ID) is evolving at a rapid rate. Due to ever-changing technology, today’s instructional designers (IDs) have an overwhelming number of tools and ideas at their disposal. It’s easy to get lost in the fun of new and shiny objects, forgetting their objective: creating engaging and effective learning experiences. No matter the technology, mastering visual design principles plays a critical role in developing trainings that are both visually appealing and facilitate...
MATC Group Inc •

Choosing the Right Knowledge Management System and Tools

This is the third post of a three-post series regarding Knowledge Management. The first post is Knowledge Management and Workplace Transitions, and the second post is Securing Buy-in and Building an Effective Process for your KMS.
Understanding what a Knowledge Management System (KMS) is and how it can benefit your organization is just the beginning. The next crucial step is selecting the KMS tool that best suits your needs. With a myriad of sophisticated tools available, each boasting an array...
MATC Group Inc •

National Day on Writing is Sunday: Let’s Talk About Writing for Different Audiences

Sunday is National Day on Writing. What better way to celebrate than by diving into the art of writing for different audiences? Whether you’re crafting a business report, a blog post, or a whimsical children’s book, tailoring your writing to your audience is key. Let’s explore why this is so important, how to do it, and the challenges you might face. And, of course, we’ll find out why the best writers master this skill.Imagine showing up to a formal dinner in your pajamas. It’s a bit of a mismat...
MATC Group Inc •

5 Microlearning Myths Debunked: It’s More Than Just Short Videos!

Let’s talk about microlearning—a training method that’s been making waves in the corporate world for a while now. It’s praised for being fast, efficient, and engaging. But, like any popular trend, it comes with its fair share of myths. These misconceptions often lead people to misunderstand its true potential. So, let’s dive into the top myths surrounding microlearning, why they persist, and the reality that’s backed by research and real-life examples.Thanks to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, an...
MATC Group Inc •

Relieving Teachers' Workloads and Improving Student Engagement: The Power of Outsourced Learning

Outsourcing instructional design (ID) and learning and development (L&D) has long been a common practice in corporate environments. Now, more schools (particularly middle and high schools) are outsourcing these functions to third-party experts. While educators may initially hesitate to adopt what seems like a business-driven approach, outsourcing can benefit both students and teachers in ways that go beyond merely saving time and money. A 2022 Gallup poll revealed that more than four in 10 K-12...
MATC Group Inc •

Visualize Success: How Process Mapping Enhances KM Systems

Keeping up with the changes in our modern business environment requires effective knowledge management systems (KMS) that capture, store, and disseminate knowledge across a company’s operations. One powerful technique that enhances the functionality of a KMS is process mapping. Process mapping visually represents business processes, making them easier to understand, analyze, and improve. Let’s learn how businesses can effectively incorporate process mapping into their KMS, examining different ma...
MATC Group Inc •

Save Time, Money, and Headaches: Outsource Your Training Design

It’s 2024, and your workforce is more spread out than ever. Some employees work hybrid schedules, while others are fully remote. Pre-2020, your training sessions were all in-person. But when COVID hit, you pressed pause, thinking the lockdowns wouldn’t last long. You planned to resume in-person sessions once everything calmed down.However, reality set in, and you realized that your team is scattered across various locations. So, what did you do? You sent out your old PowerPoint presentation as t...
MATC Group Inc •

From Passive to Active: How Flipped Learning Transforms Training

The flipped classroom model has gained significant traction in education and training over the past decade. Originally popularized in K-12 and higher education, this innovative approach is also used in corporate training. By reversing the traditional learning process, the flipped classroom model enhances engagement, facilitates deeper understanding, and can be particularly effective in a corporate environment where time and efficiency are crucial.The flipped classroom model turns the traditional...
MATC Group Inc •

Comic Relief: The Fun (and Functional) Side of Comics in Technical Writing and Instructional Design

Who says technical writing and instructional design have to be dry and dull? Enter comics—the superheroes of the communication world. Yes, comics, those colorful, action-packed strips that used to entertain you on Sunday mornings, are now swooping in to save the day. But how did comics make their way into such serious business? Let’s take a fun look at the history, application, and surprising benefits of using comics in these fields.Comics aren’t just for kids, and they haven’t been for quite so...
MATC Group Inc •

Master the Art of Editing Technical Documents: A Step-by-Step Guide

Technical documents are essential tools that communicate complex information clearly and effectively. Whether it’s a user manual, a research report, a technical specification, or a software guide, the quality of these documents can significantly impact the user’s understanding and experience. Editing technical documents is not just about correcting grammar and punctuation; it is a critical step that ensures accuracy, clarity, consistency, and usability. Let’s review why editing technical documen...
MATC Group Inc •

Securing Buy-In and Building an Effective Process for your KMS

This is the second post of a three-part series regarding Knowledge Management. The first post is KM and Workplace Transitions, and the third is Choosing a KMS Tool: Which Way to Go?
Deciding to implement a Knowledge Management System (KMS) in your office is a smart move—if done right, it can save your organization both time and money. Research shows that organizations with a properly-working KMS improve their overall productivity by 20 to 25 percent. However, before diving into the sea of availa...
MATC Group Inc •

Embracing Blended Learning: The Best of Both Worlds

Imagine a training approach that combines the best of both worlds—traditional face-to-face instruction and the flexibility of online learning. This is exactly what blended learning offers, bringing a fresh, dynamic, and highly effective method to education in the workplace. But blended learning isn’t just a fancy buzzword or the latest trend—it’s a game-changer that’s meeting the evolving needs of businesses and their employees alike. Let’s look at what blended learning is all about, why it’s so...
MATC Group Inc •

More Than Policies: Craft a Handbook That Engages and Protects

Creating an employee handbook is like laying the foundation for a successful business. When done right, it becomes a valuable resource that aligns your team, reinforces your company culture, and ensures legal compliance. Your handbook should go beyond just listing procedures and guidelines; it should also embody your company’s values, history, and mission. Crafting an effective handbook requires more than just a template and a few policies—it’s about creating a document that both informs and eng...
MATC Group Inc •

From Fear to Focus: Don’t Wait to Conquer Procrastination

Procrastination is a common challenge, where we often find ourselves engaging in “busy work” instead of tackling more demanding tasks. In fact, Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, found that 95 percent of us admit to procrastinating some of the time, with 20 percent considering it chronic and a defining characteristic of their personalities. Another survey reveals the average person spends over two hours each day procrastinating, costing businesses over $27 billion annually. Let...
MATC Group Inc •

A Journey Through the Ages: Celebrating World Distance Learning Day

We just celebrated World Distance Learning Day—a day dedicated to the fine art of learning from the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas, possibly with a cup of coffee that’s more foam than actual caffeine. Before we revel in today’s digital marvels, let’s hop into our time machine and take a jaunt down memory lane to see how distance learning evolved from quill and ink to clicking “Join Meeting” on Zoom.

The Birth of Distance Learning: When Snail Mail Was Cutting-Edge
Our story begins in...
MATC Group Inc •

How a Disaster Recovery Plan Can Save Your Documents—and Your Company

Every day, businesses large and small face a multitude of threats that can disrupt their operations. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or your hardware decides to quit on you unexpectedly, these events can cause real headaches if you’re not prepared. One key to managing and mitigating these threats is having a disaster recovery plan (DRP) in place, especially when it comes to your documentation. Sure, putting together a DRP might seem like a daunting task, but trust me, when disast...
MATC Group Inc •

Why Green is the New Gold Standard in Employee Training

Incorporating sustainability into training programs is no longer just a trend — it’s becoming a must for organizations looking to stay on the right side of history and business. In fact, 80 percent of workers around the world want to help their company operate sustainably. As global environmental goals get stricter and corporate responsibility becomes more than just a buzzword, companies are feeling the heat. And while it might seem like a daunting task, integrating sustainability into employee...
MATC Group Inc •

Knowledge Management and Workplace Transitions

This is the first post of a three-part series regarding Knowledge Management. The second post is Knowledge Management: The Process and Getting Buy-In, and the third is Choosing a KMS Tool: Which Way to Go?Knowledge Management. You’ve heard this term in meetings, in TED Talks, or when networking, but perhaps you really don’t understand what it means. Well, it’s time to learn because knowledge management (KM) significantly affects how companies operate, especially now that so many have transitione...
MATC Group Inc •

Why eLearning is the Future of Employee Development: Key Stats and Trends

The world of eLearning is rapidly transforming, offering unprecedented opportunities for organizations to improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention. As the eLearning market is projected to reach $319 billion by 20291, businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of personalized, flexible, and innovative learning solutions. Employees are eager to develop new skills, viewing training as a critical part of their career development. Let’s look at some key statistics that undersco...
MATC Group Inc •

Maximize Your Competitive Edge: Switch from Shared Drives to a KMS

Efficient knowledge sharing is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in business. For decades, shared drives have been a go-to solution for storing and sharing files within organizations. However, as businesses grow and the complexity of information management increases, shared drives reveal significant limitations. Let’s discuss why businesses should consider transitioning from shared drives to a knowledge management system (KMS).

Limitations of Shared Drives
Shared drives, often organize...
MATC Group Inc •

Transform Your Training Programs with an AI-Enhanced LMS

The success of any organization hinges on effective training and development. A learning management system (LMS) centralizes and delivers educational content, ensuring employees have the resources they need for continuous growth. By enhancing onboarding, engagement, personalized learning, and compliance, an LMS addresses modern business challenges head-on. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), these platforms are becoming indispensable tools for cultivating a knowledgeable and sk...
MATC Group Inc •

10 Tips to Ensure No One Uses Your Employee Handbook

The employee handbook: that sacred document designed to guide and inform your employees, creating a cohesive, knowledgeable, and harmonious workplace. But what if you don’t want that? What if your goal is to make sure your employee handbook is as useless as a screen door on a submarine? Look no further! Here’s your ultimate guide to creating an employee handbook that no one will ever use.

1. Make It Longer Than a Russian Novel
Tolstoy’s got nothin’ on your handbook! If War and Peace can fit int...
MATC Group Inc •

20 Expert and Inspirational Quotes about eLearning

As technology continues to transform our lives, eLearning emerges as a beacon of continuous growth and empowerment. In this collection, you’ll find insights and inspirations from leading experts who have shaped the landscape of digital education. Whether you’re an educator, learner, or simply curious about the future of learning, these quotes offer a glimpse into the constantly evolving world of eLearning.

“I see microlearning as being an approach to almost every part of continuous learning.” —...
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