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Netcheck

By Garry Platt (June 2008 Issue)
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http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ROInet

I think it’s apparent to those who know me that I’m all for undertaking return on investment (ROI) analysis of training. The concept that some training has ‘intangible benefits’ or that the financial impacts cannot be measured is in some instances the pleading of the ignorant and in others a misconception of what the process is.

From time to time ‘learned’ articles appear, damning the process of ROI analysis or, worse still, making a series of ridiculous assertions ‘proving’ how it cannot be undertaken, despite the fact that an increasing number of HR departments do it highly successfully. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development finally made its position clear in relation to this subject last year, when, frankly, it should have been championing this approach at the beginning of this century, and even now it has some obtuse ideas around this issue.

For anyone genuinely interested in learning about this process, Yahoo! hosts an ROI training discussion group which has flurries of activity and some useful file resources. It is populated by people who are actively engaged in the process of ROI, and also people who question the whole process. The discussions reflect real knowledge and experience,
coupled with pragmatic and common sense ideas.

As an example, in September last year, an interesting observation appeared in response to the criticism that ROI could not be decoupled from all other variables: “It is obviously impossible to evaluate the effect based on laboratory and test tube precision. Just like any other business decision-making model, we have to live with the attached assumptions. If we could accept ROI in the general business, how could we not accept ROI in training?” Good question!

http://tinyurl.com/566w5q

Well, this website certainly has more training-related articles than you can shake a stick at. The format of the layout is as exciting as a wet day in Southport and about the only way to search the content is to left-click the ‘EDIT’ option on the Explorer tool bar, and then left-click ‘Find on this Page’. Alternatively, press Ctrl+F and a search option will come up.

http://ubuntu.com

The virtual world domination of personal computer operating systems, and the associated software programmes, by Microsoft looks like it might not have such a secure future ahead. And the good news is this new challenger comes in the form of an open source operating system and software. In plain English, it’s free! Linux is coming of age: A totally free software system, with all the versatility and ease of use of any of the commercial products available. I’ve started dabbling with this area of computing and I’m astounded by what I find. If I was an independent,
the ability of this software to interchange with Microsoft files means I’d be giving it serious consideration.

Garry Platt is a senior consultant at Woodland Grange, specialising in management development and trainer training. He can be contacted on +44 (0)1926 336621 or at garry.platt@wgrange.com

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