In our current work environment, organizations are looking to streamline resources and increase productivity. Often, departments such as training feel the pinch of budget cuts, while at the same time experience the pressure of educating an entire workforce on a slim budget. Such was the case with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). E-volve is contracted to support DIA's Human Resource Management (HRM) system. In addition to software, systems and management support, E-volve is responsible for online systems training. Six years ago, E-volve implemented DIA's Training OnDemand, an online tutorial tool that provides training on various tasks performed in the agency's human resource management system. The tool currently houses over 300 lessons which cover user specific functions to include benefits and self service functionality.
In January 2010, the agency decided to embark upon a major upgrade to its HRM system. This upgrade will affect the entire DIA community. Training will have to cover numerous functionalities and extend beyond classroom sessions. Thus, the need for OnDemand training arose. OnDemand training modules would need to be developed to supplement all other formal training. In addition to developing the lessons, a marketing campaign would be needed to advertise the tool's availability. Our solution......an OnDemand Marketing Campaign!
The campaign was designed to stimulate awareness and interest in the tool, as well as educate the DIA community on its use and convenience. Central to its attractiveness is the benefit of using an online tool which provides training in a simulated environment, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, from the convenience of the user's desktop. Over the course of 4 months the tool will be marketed in various formats to include:
- Newsletters - Articles describing the tool's functionality and user friendliness will be included in all of the agency's electronic newsletters on a monthly basis.
- Poster Boards - Poster boards will be placed in heavy traffic areas throughout agency offices in the D.C. metropolitan region. The boards will advertise forums and newly created lessons related to OnDemand.
- Brown Bags - Brown Bag discussions will be scheduled during the lunch hour to allow users to see a demo of the tool as well as provide an opportunity for questions and answers.
- Flyers - As new training modules are developed, flyers advertising the lessons will be placed throughout the agency.
- Table Tents - Table tents will be placed on tables in the cafeteria. The tents will advertise the tool as a convenient resource and encourage its use for training on the new functionality being introduced with the software upgrade.
- Internal Splash Page - OnDemand informational sessions will be advertised monthly on DIA's internal communication page.
- Flat Panel - OnDemand updates will be placed on the flat panel monitors located throughout the DIAC.
Early feedback on the campaign has been promising. Establishing familiarity with the OnDemand tool will not only prove beneficial to launching training related to the software upgrade, but it will also establish a platform to build upon in support of the organization's change management plan.