Providing Skill Development Opportunities

🎧 #Storylistening for Instructional Designers (or how to get real stories from your SME instead of dry facts) 🗣️ Everyone talks about storytelling – and rightly so. Stories work! 💡 But what if your subject matter expert (SME) isn't naturally a storyteller? 🤔 Just listening to them recite a pile of facts? Not that helpful. 😐 You could find the same in Wikipedia. Or ask ChatGPT. 🤖 👉 So what should you do? Learn storylistening – the skill of not telling stories, but hearing them. 👂✨ 📌 The rules are simple: 1️⃣ Study the topic in advance – don't come in as an empty glass. 📚 2️⃣ Prepare questions – not as a checklist, but as a guide. 🧭 3️⃣ Listen carefully. And with curiosity. Yes, curiosity! 🧐 People tell better stories when they feel respected and heard. ❤️ 💬 Here’s a list of questions that truly encourage storytelling – the kind that brings examples, emotions, and turning points: 🎯 How did this process or approach first come into play in your work? 🛠️ Can you walk me through a specific situation where it worked especially well? 🌟 Tell me about a time when things didn’t go as planned – what happened? ⚠️ What’s the most surprising or unexpected thing you’ve encountered with this? 😲 Was there a turning point that changed how you see or use this? 🔄 What’s an example that you often use to explain this to others? 📖 Describe a situation where someone learned this the hard way. 🧠💥 Can you recall a moment when you or someone else had a breakthrough? 💡🎉 Tell me about a challenge you faced with this and how you overcame it. 🧗♀️ What real-life story do you think best illustrates the value of this process? 🏆 If I were watching this unfold in real time, what would I see? 🌈 And when the story starts flowing – don’t hold back: ✨ Really? Tell me more! ✨ Wow! That’s so unexpected. ✨ No way – what happened next? ✨ What were you thinking in that moment? ✨ And then? ✨ That’s brilliant – how did you come up with it? These questions aren't magic… But they create the space where real stories emerge. 🪄 And it's from these stories that strong, effective learning solutions are built. 🚀 #storylistening #LandD

Most reps bring technical experts on calls and hope for the best. Then they wonder why their champion zones out and the deal stalls. Here's what I learned managing 110 reps. Your subject matter experts can either close deals or kill them. The difference is how you prep them. I just worked with an AE who was nervous about bringing payroll managers on a client call. She said Marcus “I'm not a payroll expert. What if they start talking in jargon I don't understand? What if there are disagreements on the call?” Here's what I told her. You can't control what you can't control. But you can control the prep call. Before you ever get on that customer call you need a 15 minute prep with your SME. Walk them through who's on the call. What the pain points are. And most importantly the exact flow you're going to run. On the actual call you act as the quarterback. You set the agenda. You reiterate the problem. You let the champion talk. Then you summarize before your SME jumps in. You become the translator between technical expertise and business impact. ”Cool if I understand correctly this is your problem. Hey Joseph can you speak specifically on how we solve this?” When your SME goes off on a tangent you bring it back. Just to make sure we're aligned. This is what Joseph just showed you. Does that solve the problem you described? At the end you set next steps. You control the entire conversation. This is how you turn subject matter experts from deal killers into deal closers. — I go even deeper on how to coach your champion as well as other ways to get the deal done faster, here: https://lnkd.in/gGSxexBU

Don’t blow your AI adoption plans with poor online training or boring one way videos. If you’re rolling out AI training virtually, your facilitators need more than subject expertise. They need to actually know how to train well online. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: - Being great in a room doesn’t mean you’re great on Zoom or Teams. - Virtual delivery is a different skillset, a different rhythm, a different way of skill building. - And nothing kills AI confidence faster than a dull, passive virtual session. Strong virtual AI training needs: - Clear structure and tight pacing - High energy facilitation (without being cheesy) - Real interaction, not just breakout rooms or ‘any questions?’ - Smart use of tools, polls and getting tye group to share - A mindset shift from ‘I’m presenting’ to ‘I’m orchestrating’ If you want people to take AI seriously, make sure your trainers can deliver in the environment you’re asking people to learn in. Don’t teach the future with yesterday’s methods. Want to learn more? Click on the link in the comments to access our virtual trainer upskill programmes.

Your SME isn’t ghosting you. They’re drowning. You’ve sent the reminders. You’ve followed up with cheerful nudges. You’ve even rewritten the same questions three times to make it “easier.” Still… crickets. Before you write them off as unprofessional, let’s zoom out. Most subject matter experts (SMEs) aren’t instructional design experts — they’re operational leaders, field specialists, or mid-level managers with a hundred other priorities. They’re not ignoring you on purpose — they’re simply overwhelmed. Here’s what I’ve found works when SME silence sets in: ✅ Give them fewer, better questions. Cut the fluff. ✅ Try asynchronous methods — record a Loom with your questions. ✅ Make the next step easy — give them a simple task, not a blank page. ✅ Don’t assume malice. Assume capacity. And if all else fails… ☕ A little empathy + a calendar invite labeled “10-min sanity check” can work wonders. The SME relationship is the heart of a successful instructional design project. When we support them, we create space for better collaboration — and better learning. 💬 What’s your go-to strategy when a SME disappears? #InstructionalDesign #SMECollaboration #LearningDesign #LXD #IDTips #CorporateTraining

The best training room is where the work actually happens. That's the logic behind VR passthrough in SynergyXR 3.5 released yesterday. Put on a headset and your real surroundings stay visible - the actual machine, the actual workspace. Virtual content is layered on top: step-by-step instructions, 3D models, interactive procedures. You train in context, on real equipment, without leaving the floor. For industries where procedures are complex and equipment is expensive, this isn't just "more immersive training." It's the ability to run a procedure on the actual asset, in the actual space, before ever touching it unsupervised. There's a forward-looking angle I keep coming back to. Every serious AR glasses roadmap - Meta, Apple, Google and others - is converging on exactly this modality: lightweight, spatially anchored content layered over the physical world. Companies building physical space procedures in SynergyXR today are already working in that paradigm. The content model maps directly to where the hardware is heading. The video shows it better than I can describe. What use cases would you test first? #EnterpriseXR #MixedReality #XRTraining #SynergyXR

When I first started exploring medical simulation, I was shocked by how outdated and expensive traditional training methods were. The average high-fidelity sim manikin runs about $65K, still requires a professional to operate, and only allows 1-2 students to be hands-on at a time! After 4+years of studying, many students enter the field having only performed a handful of simulations and don’t have enough real-world experience to be a confident bedside provider. But that’s changing fast. VR and AI are transforming healthcare training, making it more accessible, scalable, and hands-on. Instead of relying on costly manikins and limited lab time, VR provides realistic patient simulations at a fraction of the cost. A VR headset costs $400, does not require a proctor, and can house innumerable clinical simulations. AI-driven training means the patient avatars can adapt to student decisions in real time, preparing them for high-pressure situations without risk to real patients. With on-demand access, learners can practice anytime, anywhere, ensuring higher retention and stronger clinical skills; not to mention providing accessibility to educational deserts around the country. AI also tracks progress, and offers in-the-moment assessments so educators can personalize training and ensure competency before students step into a hospital. The future of healthcare education isn’t just about studying—it’s about experiencing patient care before it happens. #VRinHealthcare #AIMedTech #MedicalTraining #FutureofEducation #HealthcareInnovation #VRpatients VRpatients

6 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 Want proof that #VR, #MR, and #AI are transforming education and training? Here’s how global organisations are creating measurable impact with extended reality: 1️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 (𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Addressing nursing shortages and training working adults. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: VR training with Meta Quest for clinical and soft skills, in partnership with PCS Spark and Oxford Medical Simulation. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 10–15% increase in national nursing exam pass rates. 4,000+ nurses trained. Marked improvements in student confidence and real-world preparedness. 2️⃣ 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗴𝗼𝘄 ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Physical constraints in teaching 3D subjects and remote learning accessibility. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mixed reality lab with Meta Quest headsets and 12 custom MR apps, developed with Edify. VR labs created in partnership with leading immersive tech companies, allowing teachers to lead 3D classes remotely. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Thousands of students taught per semester. £3.7M UK government investment. Recognized in The Times Higher Education Awards 2021. Students reported increased confidence and deeper understanding of material, even in remote settings. 3️⃣ 𝗡𝗬𝗨 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Risky, limited traditional anesthetic training. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: VR simulation for oral anesthesia using Meta Quest. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 1,200+ dental students trained. Greater student confidence. VR program licensed to other schools. 4️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Making science practical for online and in-person learners. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mixed reality classes with Meta Quest, immersive views, and AI avatars. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 100% of teachers reported improved student confidence. 85% improvement in content recall. 94% of students learned better in VR. 5️⃣ 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗧𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹) ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Training efficiency and safety in healthcare settings. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: VR modules for Lean principles with Meta Quest 2. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: 100% of participants said VR deepened their understanding. Plans to expand VR training hospital-wide. 6️⃣ 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 ✦ 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: Scaling auto-mechanic training for formerly incarcerated people. ✦ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: VR training with Meta Quest 2 and the EMPACT Immersive Training Platform. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Early graduates securing jobs quickly. Reduced recidivism rates. Major potential for broader socio-economic impact. #ExtendedReality #MetaForWork #EdTech #VRTraining #MixedReality #Impact

Everyone loves flashy VR demos. Few talk about what it actually does for the bottom line. The most effective VR platforms aren’t designed to impress at conferences. They’re built to solve real problems: ⮕ Reducing staff turnover by giving clinicians the confidence and practice they need before they ever touch a patient ⮕ Improving first-time pass rates and clinical competencies, helping schools and hospitals meet accreditation standards faster ⮕Cutting hidden spend—fewer repeat manikin purchases and warranty renewals,less travel for OSCEs, and shorter retraining cycles Every tool has its lane—physical simulators drill psychomotor skills, while VR lifts knowledge retention and clinical‑reasoning performance by ≈ 20 %. If your immersive tech isn’t cutting turnover, boosting first‑time pass rates, and freeing budgets once tied up in replacing manikins and warranty renewals, it isn’t innovation—it’s overhead. The platforms that endure are the ones CFOs can defend and educators refuse to teach without. #HealthcareSimulation #VRTraining #ClinicalCompetency #WorkforceUpskilling #HealthcareROI #HealthTechInnovation VRpatients #VRpatients

Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality, and three-dimensional tools are applied to improve training and troubleshooting at GE Aerospace. Looking ahead, AR eyeglasses, remote support, and agentic #AI could work together to provide real-time, contextual guidance. At the Customer Technical Education Center, GE Aerospace has used 3D tools and AR to transform training for service bulletins on the CFM #LEAP reverse bleed system retrofit. By converting a 600-page field manual into visual AR instructions that show where parts are located, how to remove and install them, training time has been reduced from five days to about three. Three-dimensional visual work instructions also helped trainees work nearly seven times faster. Teams using AR removed 35 parts in the first three hours, compared with five parts using a traditional text-based manual. GE Aerospace has used this technology to train customers. At the Pune, India facility, AR weld simulators are helping train apprentice welders in a risk-free environment without using raw materials. Compared with traditional classroom instruction, training time has been reduced by 20%, while precision has improved, errors have decreased, and operational readiness has accelerated. Digital visualization technologies can improve productivity, enhance quality, and accelerate training by combining contextual information with interactive learning for operators and customers.