Elearning! Magazine: Building Smarter Companies via Learning & Workplace Technologies.
Issue link: http://elmezine.epubxp.com/i/102793
Trendlines Learning executives' optimism and conÄdence about the outlook and expectations for the learning function continued to fall in the third quarter of 2012, according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The Learning Executive ConÄdence Index (LXCI) was 64.5, down from 65.6 in the second quarter of 2012, and the lowest since Q4 2010 (62.9). Despite the downward trend, scores still remain higher than they were in 2009 and 2010. Highlights: >> Learning as a key strategic component was the most positive LXCI indicator, with 69.3 percent believing that it will be moderately or substantially better in the next six months. >> 66.2 percent predict that workplace L&D; funding will stay the same or moderately decrease over the next six months. >> 56 percent believe the availability of resources needed to meet learning needs, would be the same or worse in the next six months. >> The economy continues to impact the optimism and funding for travel related to training expenses, with only 12.1 percent of learning executives feeling that there will be a substantial or moderate increase in this category. —Full report: http://www.astd. org/Professional-Resources/LXCI. aspx Mobile Messaging to Nearly Double A new report from analyst Ärm Juniper Research forecasts that global mobile messaging traɉc will reach 28.2 trillion annually by 2017, nearly double the 14.7 trillion messages that will be sent this year, 2012. ("Mobile messages" = SMS, MMS, IM, email, RCS/ RCS-e and social media messages.) Growth in total tra c will be primarily driven by the use of instant messaging services, which will comprise over a quarter of all tra c annually in Äve years' time, according to Juniper's analysts. So-called OTT (over-the-top) services such as eBuddy, iMessage, Nimbuzz and Whatsapp are already having an impact on mobile network operators' messaging businesses, as smartphone owners Änd instant messaging a cheaper alternative. Nevertheless, revenues from traditional operator services — SMS and MMS — will continue to dwarf those of instant messaging. Other key Ändings: >> RCS/RCS-e deployments face a number of challenges despite positive early movement. >> SMS tra c will remain the largest type of messaging tra c as mobile subscribers continue to embrace its ubiquity, reach and reliability. >> Social messaging and email will also add to the momentum toward IP messaging. —Download whitepaper: http://www.juniperresearch.com/ reports/mobile_messaging_markets Social Media and H.R. A new survey shows interesting concerns regarding threats from social media, corporate policies and e ects on productivity. The two biggest factors on why companies block access to social media websites were "security threats" (77 percent important) and "decreased productivity for employees" (67 percent important). While 76 percent expressed concern that employees are using social media to harm their reputation, only 38 percent block access at work to social media websites. And of the ones who aren't blocking access, two-thirds (66 percent) aren't even monitoring the time employees spend on them either. The vast majority (86 percent) do not have limits spelled out on the time employees can spend on social media, likely leading to confusion or soft enforcing of policies. More than 3 in 4 believe that social media hurts employee productivity, yet they have no way of knowing by how much; two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) don't have a way to measure employee productivity while on the computer. Yet more than half (54 percent) felt social media was useful for employees to perform their duties. The survey was conducted between June and October of 2012 by MySammy in conjunction with Holos Research. A total of 158 responses were gathered. —Survey results: www.mysammy.com/survey-social-media ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES THAT DRIVE PERFORMANCE Best-in-Class 60% Percentage of respondents, n-258 Learning Confidence Index Slips Again All Others 57% 52% 50% 42% 40% 38% 30% 20% 10% 0% Senior executives are bought in and fully support employee engagement efforts Managers are bought in and fully support employee engagement efforts – Source: Aberdeen Group, July 2012 Elearning! December 2012 / January 2013 9