Encoretech Introduces Technology Training Program Audits as Core Training-as-a-Service Offering

Global News

14
Aug
2014

Editor

Training-as-a-Service audits focused on re-assessing and strengthening firm technology training programs and training delivery

Encoretech, a premiere learning & development organization delivering technology training and migration solutions to the legal and corporate communities, today introduced the Technology Training Program Audit, a Training-as-a-Service (TaaS) offering that helps law firms develop and align training objectives to their business objectives and strategic imperatives.

The audits will help legal IT and legal training leaders really know what’s working, what can be improved and how, and to what extent technology training goals and application use and overall adoption are in alignment.

Over the last few years, Encoretech’s clients have increasingly requested assistance in re-configuring and designing their in-house training programs. Encoretech’s technology training program audit is a result of this demand and reflects the challenge faced by law firms everywhere to align their technology training program with their users’ needs and modern technology requirements.

The purpose of the audit is to establish a benchmark of where the firm’s technology training program is today, its learning objectives, needs, and performance gaps impacting program effectiveness. Among many specifics, the audit process will uncover how the heightened level of scrutiny from clients regarding basic technology skills such as managing document creation and storage as well as email has a direct impact on anyone who is creating content. 

“I think a lot of us feel like there is a productivity gap among the various audiences at the firm, especially the lawyers,” remarked Jeffrey Roach, President and Partner, Encoretech. “And, that’s really frustrating because we have spent the last 20 years trying to teach people how to use technology. That’s one of the things I love about the audit. It gives us a chance to step back and rethink what we are doing. The truth is a lot of technology training programs in use at law firms today are still using training systems and practices last re-designed in the early years of the WordPerfect to Word conversion. With the current focus on re-training attorneys and other firm users based on existing workflows and how they can practically consume technology training, the time to audit and re-asses firm existing training ‘best practices’ is now.” 

Encoretech now offers law firms a more flexible, scalable and strategy-aligned outsourced training solution beginning with the technology training program audit that assesses existing firm training systems and learning efficiency. The program, which typically takes 30-90 days, includes the following core components: 

• Training department analysis: Which training systems are in place? Are they working and aligned with how firm attorneys and other users need to consume training? How does the lack of technology training skills impact the ability to deliver documents in a timely and secure manner?
• Training needs and GAP analysis:  The audit will identify key business drivers and align the technology training objectives. How can I ‘reboot’ my training program to align my current program with what business needs to be delivered in the future?
• Performance analysis:  Is overall training department performance keeping up with user and client demands? Are training program delivery, style and availability aligned with positive results?
• Skills and learner review: Assessing basic skills and benchmarking proficiency requirements provide a starting point for achieving efficiency and productivity gains. Do legal professionals understand the types of skills clients expect them to have?

“We’ve been providing training program audits as part of large program redesigns, but due to client demand and an evolving marketplace, we saw a need to offer this as an affordable standalone offering,” added Thomas Devine, Encoretech’s Chief Operating Officer. “The training audit will help enlighten …  the findings are often interesting and it’s not uncommon to see a mismatch between the firm’s training objectives and its broader business objectives. Aligning training to the business is the first step to ensure the training investment delivers a return.”

Encoretech’s Technology Training Program Audit is the first of several TaaS offerings to be introduced. As part of TaaS, Encoretech will work with law firms on ways to strategically redesign their legal technology training programs including new hire training and onboarding; online and distance learning; staff skill & proficiency development; learning management system (LMS) customizations; training content development; and utilization of new, innovative training delivery methods.

Encoretech will be exhibiting (booth 536) at the annual ILTA Education Conference (Nashville, August 17-21) and, led by Jeffrey Roach, will be teaching several educational sessions including a Solution Showcase on TaaS and technology training program audits.