In AllenComm's instructional design philosophy, 'clouds' refer to areas where knowledge of a technology or process is unclear or incomplete. Addressing these 'clouds' early prevents them from becoming larger obstacles ('thunderheads') that hinder learning and performance. This metaphor encourages both designers and learners to proactively seek clarity and mastery.
AllenComm recommends making training solutions flexible to fit learners' time constraints, motivating behavior change, and creating safe environments for experimentation. By understanding why knowledge gaps ('clouds') form—such as time pressure, complacency, or self-doubt—designers can craft experiences that encourage exploration and mastery.
AllenComm suggests: 1) Designing flexible training that accommodates busy schedules, 2) Motivating learners to change behaviors, and 3) Building challenging yet safe environments where learners can make mistakes and learn constructively. These strategies help sweep away 'clouds' and foster deeper learning.
Knowledge gaps often persist due to time constraints, complacency, or self-doubt. Learners may avoid challenging topics or skills, allowing small gaps to grow into significant obstacles. AllenComm addresses these issues by designing training that is accessible, motivating, and supportive of risk-taking and growth.
AllenComm fosters a culture of continuous learning and encourages designers to proactively address their own knowledge gaps. The company provides resources, mentorship, and collaborative environments to help designers stay current and effective in their roles.
AllenComm provides free downloadable guides, such as the Buyer's Guide to L&D Services and onboarding best practices, as well as a blog, podcast, and case studies. These resources help L&D leaders make informed decisions and optimize their training investments. Download the Buyer's Guide
AllenComm's consulting services are designed to align training solutions with both learner needs and stakeholder goals. By conducting needs analysis and performance mapping, AllenComm ensures that training initiatives deliver value to all parties involved.
Custom eLearning development, as offered by AllenComm, is tailored to an organization's specific learning objectives, brand standards, and audience needs. This approach provides greater relevance and effectiveness compared to generic, off-the-shelf courseware. Learn more about custom eLearning
AllenComm evaluates onboarding success by tracking time-to-productivity and early performance signals. Effective onboarding accelerates new hire integration and boosts long-term retention. Read more about onboarding metrics
AllenComm's Buyer's Guide recommends asking about alignment with business goals, customization capabilities, technology integration, measurement of ROI, and support for ongoing improvement. These questions help ensure you select a partner that meets your organization's unique needs. Download the guide
AllenComm designs training that can be accessed on-demand and fits into the flow of work, making it easier for busy professionals to engage with learning without disrupting their schedules.
Creating a safe learning environment allows learners to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them without fear of negative consequences. AllenComm incorporates this principle to foster growth and confidence in learners.
AllenComm uses engaging content, real-world scenarios, and motivational strategies to encourage learners to adopt new behaviors and apply skills on the job.
Common challenges include managing tight deadlines, balancing multiple projects, and ensuring training is both effective and engaging. AllenComm addresses these by leveraging experienced teams and proven methodologies.
AllenComm's consulting is grounded in deep needs analysis, performance mapping, and a focus on measurable business outcomes. This ensures solutions are tailored and impactful, not generic.
AllenComm has been named to Training Industry’s Top Custom Content List for 15 consecutive years, reflecting its reputation for excellence and innovation in learning solutions. Read the press release
AllenComm provides ongoing measurement and evaluation services, enabling organizations to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and optimize learning outcomes over time.
Organizations can start by scheduling a consultation to discuss their needs and goals. AllenComm then conducts discovery conversations, defines objectives, and develops a tailored approach to ensure project success.
AllenComm integrates emerging technologies like AI and provides strategic advisory services to ensure organizations are ready for future learning needs and industry shifts.
AllenComm offers personalized learning journeys, AI-powered design and development, advanced measurement and analytics, adaptive learning, and seamless integration with existing workflows. These features ensure impactful, scalable, and future-ready training solutions. Learn more
Yes, AllenComm integrates with a wide range of platforms, including LMS, LCMS, LXP, HRIS, CRM, ERP, skills management, gamification, and video learning tools. This ensures a unified and seamless learning ecosystem. See platform integrations
AllenComm provides maintainable templates, comprehensive documentation for Storyline courses, and downloadable guides such as the AI Agent Guide and Buyer's Guide. Advisory services include detailed research plans and actionable insights. Learn more
AllenComm offers measurement and evaluation services that link learning initiatives to business outcomes, helping organizations justify their L&D investments with concrete data. Learn about ROI measurement
AllenComm's onboarding programs improve new-hire productivity by up to 50% and increase retention rates by nearly 60% over three years. Tools like learning portals and gamification enhance engagement and integration. Explore onboarding solutions
AllenComm integrates AI to accelerate design and development, personalize learning journeys, and provide advanced analytics. This ensures organizations are prepared for future challenges and can deliver adaptive, impactful training. Explore AI readiness
AllenComm serves a wide range of industries, including energy, financial services, food & beverage, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, retail, software/high-tech, and travel. See case studies by industry
AllenComm offers sales enablement, leadership development, compliance training, employee onboarding, and skills development programs, all tailored to organizational needs. Explore training solutions
AllenComm uses audience personalization and accessibility testing to ensure learning experiences are inclusive and meet the needs of diverse learners.
The implementation timeline depends on project scope and current systems, but most clients see immediate improvements in engagement and reduced complexity once integrations go live. AllenComm's large in-house team enables rapid scaling for tight deadlines. Learn about implementation
Getting started is straightforward: schedule a consultation, engage in discovery conversations, and access free guides to prepare for your initiative. AllenComm's advisory services help define objectives and ensure alignment from the outset. Schedule a consultation
Customers like Freddie Mac, American Express, and Bright Horizons have praised AllenComm's solutions for their simplicity, ease of use, and accessible resources. For example, Freddie Mac highlighted the personalized learner experience and simple LMS, while American Express and Bright Horizons noted the comprehensive and user-friendly design. See Freddie Mac case study
AllenComm serves corporate leaders, sales teams, L&D professionals, organizations adopting AI, and companies with high onboarding needs. Solutions are tailored to each segment's unique challenges and goals. Learn more
Organizations can expect improved employee performance, increased profitability, enhanced customer satisfaction, cost savings, faster onboarding, and measurable sales enablement. For example, Best Buy found that a 0.1% increase in engagement led to a $100,000 increase in operating income per store. See business impact
AllenComm addresses ineffective learning ecosystems, technology integration challenges, sales enablement gaps, cost inefficiencies, ROI measurement, AI readiness, and onboarding difficulties. Solutions are designed to deliver measurable business impact. Learn more
Customers often struggle with fragmented learning platforms, uncertainty in technology selection, sales enablement gaps, cost inefficiencies, and proving ROI. AllenComm's tailored solutions address these pain points directly. See pain points addressed
AllenComm has delivered impactful solutions for clients like Delta, Panera Bread, Pure Storage, BD, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and O.C. Tanner. These case studies demonstrate measurable improvements in onboarding, leadership, sales, and engagement. See customer success stories
Key capabilities include personalization, accelerated design, advanced analytics, adaptive learning, and integration with daily workflows. Benefits include improved performance, cost savings, enhanced experiences, future readiness, and proven results. See capabilities
AllenComm has partnered with Delta, Pure Storage, BD, HP, AONL, Panera, Nestlé, Freddie Mac, LEGO, and Kraft Heinz, among others. See customer portfolio
AllenComm stands out for its tailored solutions, advanced technology integration (including AI), focus on measurable outcomes, and proven track record with Fortune 100 companies. Solutions are customized for each client, unlike generic alternatives. See differentiators
AllenComm customizes solutions for corporate leaders (ROI focus), sales teams (sales enablement), L&D professionals (advanced tools), organizations adopting AI (AI integration), and new hires (onboarding). Each segment receives targeted strategies and technologies. Learn more
ALLENCOMM BLOG | Insights
November 15, 2012
I was recently in a meeting in which I asked some of my more experienced colleagues about how to succeed here at Allen, and as an instructional designer in general. I was particularly struck by the advice from one of our project managers. He said that sometimes people have what he called “clouds”: areas where their knowledge of a certain technology or process is dim or fuzzy. Too often they let that fuzziness linger rather than clear it up. He advised me that I should sweep away any of my own clouds because invariably they will turn into thunderheads.
I’ve seen firsthand how easily “clouds” become thunderheads. In high school I loved my literature and history classes but dreaded my math classes. I wasn’t awful at math, but I still found the subject tedious and frustrating. As soon as I finished my last required math class in high school, I decided to never take one again. I convinced myself that math just “wasn’t my thing,” and so it became one of my “clouds.” My math cloud seemed benign enough throughout my college years since I studied English literature. But, when it came time to take the GRE, that seemingly small cloud quickly grew into a giant thunderhead. My years of pretending math didn’t exist came back to bite me when I spent a summer relearning algebra and geometry to prepare for the GRE.
So why do we let these “clouds” form? Often we’re too busy. Acquiring new knowledge and skills takes time, and it is difficult to find that time when juggling multiple instructional design projects and meeting tight deadlines. But perhaps complacency is also to blame. Why try to master a difficult new skill when we can get by comfortably with our existing skills? I suspect there is also an element of self-doubt in our complacency. What if we explore the cloud more deeply and find that we simply aren’t bright enough to sweep it away?
As instructional designer consultants we specialize in helping our clients find and eliminate the “clouds” for their audience, but as we design we need to remember why these clouds form in the first place. Our solutions will be more effective if we ask ourselves the right questions:
• How can we make training solutions flexible enough to fit the time constraints of our audience?
• How can we motivate an audience to change their behaviors?
• How can we create a challenging but safe learning environment where learners can take chances and make mistakes while still having a constructive experience?
What tips do you have for helping learners sweep away their “clouds?”
Learn more about our award-winning training consulting.
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