Forging New Partnerships
Other public/private info-education sources, professional societies, and
unique audience segments
By: Terry Gibson, University of Wisconsin
New Realities:
The Private sector has recognized that much of their training or
continuing professional development within their corporations is
generic to a large segment of the industry and that a relatively
small amount of their training is truly proprietary.
The private sector has recognized that much of their training or
continuing professional development can become a profit center within
their corporate sector. Other corporations are willing to buy their
training rather than create it in-house.
The private sector is willing to invest money to make money.
They are willing to loose money the first two years to make money
the following years.
The private sector is willing to do the market research, to
invest in instructional design and media professionals, to pilot
test their materials, and to produce quality learning materials.
Individual learners and the organizations they represent are
willing to pay what it costs to receive quality education that is
provided "my time," "my way," and at "my home or worksite." Price
is not the selling point. Quality and convenience make the sale.
The private sector has recognized that training like any other
product must be delivered on time and on budget. The best
educational product delivered a year late may be worthless. Just
in time training is the key to corporate education.
The private sector is willing to pay large consulting fees to
university faculty members who can work effectively with an
instructional design team and that can meet contractual deadlines.
They have NO patience for faculty who are well intentioned "Long
Rangers".
Higher education accrediation is only one measure of quality.
The private sector, nonprofit organizations, and professional associations
are actively looking for new partners that can help them achieve their
financial and educational goals.
Potential of New Partnerships - Examples:
Learning Institute for Nonprofit Organizations - Univ. of
Wisconsin, Society for Nonprofit Organizations, and Murphy
Communications a for profit communications corporation.
Agri-Bank Farm Financial Management Series - Produced in
cooperation with faculty from many land-grant universities has just
surpassed a million dollars in sales.
Western Governors University - Emerging collaboration between states
and many corporate partners.
Action Steps - New Way of Doing Business:
- Business Plan for a multi-year effort and front end funding
for development
- Team effort and product deadlines
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