DLD Solutions - Delivering Learning and Development Solutions - Ian Woodward

Technology Based Solutions

Companies are making increasing use of technology when training or communicating with their people.

eLearning Programme

One of our clients wished to develop an eLearning programme so that people entering its electricity substations would do so safely and would then know how to avoid danger once inside. The new approach replaced a three to four day training and assessment process with an activity which could be completed in less than a day and which delivers a much higher and more consistent standard of learning.

Ian worked with subject matter experts to identify the programme’s key messages and then collaborated with the eLearning company to ensure that the client’s needs were met. Ian also wrote the assessments, along with all the supporting materials, including publicity leaflets and instructions. When faced with a shortage of suitable images, Ian’s pragmatic approach was to source additional photographs himself to ensure that the project remained on schedule.

A year later, Ian analysed the results of all the assessments and then, on behalf of the client, managed the updating process. Once again, he worked with both subject matter experts and with the eLearning production company to deliver the project ready for the client’s next round of training courses.

Intranet Catalogue

Our client wanted to commission an interactive on-line catalogue of its operational qualifications. The catalogue would also show which qualifications were best suited to specific jobs. Due to time constraints and resource challenges, the client was unable to produce the catalogue in time for the previously arranged launch. Already working as part of the project team, Ian stepped in and quickly produced an interim, interactive, mini website which could be exported directly to the client’s intranet. The mini website, which contains both operational and craft qualifications, contains almost 500 pages, over 5,000 hyperlinks, 50 course outlines and over 90 assessments, all of which were produced by Ian.

“Well done Ian, it’s a fabulous piece of work!”
Head of Training and Development

Ian has since worked with subject matter experts to launch the mini website at a series of roadshows with local stakeholders. The mini-website and the roadshows have significantly helped to increase people’s knowledge of these qualifications and how they should be used within the business. Ian has also collated feedback on the website, discussed this with subject matter experts, and amended the materials as and when required.

Training DVD

Another client wanted to transfer its existing training videos onto DVD. However, these videos were somewhat out-of-date and so needed to be edited before this could be done. Our client didn’t have the time or funds available to re-shoot the videos and so a pragmatic solution was required.

Using his knowledge of the client’s procedures, Ian determined how the existing videos could be edited, purely by removing out-of-date images, and so eliminated the need for the client to commission new filming. He even managed to manipulate the existing voice-over which saved the client even more money. Having worked out all the editing points of the various videos, Ian then liaised with a video production company to carry out some simple and straightforward editing to meet the client’s needs.

Training DVD
Community Websites

As part of supporting the local community, Ian has created and continues to manage two local community websites. One for St Margaret's Church, Streatley and the other for a Grandparents' Support Group. The church website is particularly popular and averages well over 20,000 hits each month. At the last count it had 650 pages. One of Ian's local newspapers reviewed this website and called Ian a "creative genius" for the way he had put it together.

"If Guinness World Records had a category for church websites,
St Margaret's would surely be in pole position."
Luton News

Community Websites

Commercial Website

To help our client launch her new cake-based catering business, Ian developed a simple, easy to navigate website, filled with tempting photographs of the client's products. The site links to the client's Facebook page which enables her to maintain a blog of current activities and so encourage customers to buy.

"Many thanks for the website; I love it!.
It's generating a significant amount of interest and already appears on the first page of Google."
Business Entrepreneur

Commercial Website