On the surface, calculating and controlling return on investment would seem a logical move for business leaders like yourself. Enterprise education isn’t an inexpensive function, and corporations have both a need and a duty to wisely manage costs, which o
by David Vance
June 2, 2004
On the surface, calculating and controlling return on investment would seem a logical move for business leaders like yourself. Enterprise education isn’t an inexpensive function, and corporations have both a need and a duty to wisely manage costs, which often puts pressure on chief learning officers to monitor and report on the value of their efforts.
But the reality is, ROI isn’t an open-and-shut case in any organization. Not only do the methods of measurement differ, but the debate exists on whether to measure. Among the arguments against ROI tracking, of course, is the difficulty of quantifying education’s true value when strategically linked to the organization’s missions.
It’s amazing, really, that something many people see as an answer actually generates so many questions.
Is it possible to isolate the effects of learning?
Is ROI future-oriented, or does it just reflect past performance?
Is ROI really about measurement, or is it truly a tool for process improvement?
What do you measure?
When do you measure?
Do you measure?
Indeed, ROI is rife with myths and mysteries. But in this case, it’s not a detective you need, but an expert or two. Like Jack and Patti Phillips.
As thousands of you have experienced, Chief Learning Officer magazine offers a regular series of e-seminars, online panel discussions designed to provide learning executives live access to industry resources and thought leaders. This summer, we’re using this powerful platform to focus on the divisive ROI issue and connect you with the industry’s leading experts.
Jack Phillips, Ph.D., and Patti Phillips, Ph.D., head The ROI Institute, consultants to Fortune 500 industries on measurement and evaluation issues. Jack also authors CLO’s Business Intelligence column in alternating issues (page 50).
We’ve asked Jack and Patti to host four upcoming e-seminars, designed to dig deep into ROI. The e-seminars, powered by Interwise, will give you the opportunity to interact with this dynamic duo and learn more about how to apply ROI principles to your learning efforts.
Here’s a rundown of the four-part series:
June 2 – Jack will join us to present on “The Myths and Mysteries of ROI,” setting the stage for the series in a discussion focused on the development and application of ROI as a measurement tool and showing how it’s used in leading organizations.
Aug. 4 – Jack returns to dig a little deeper with “Linking Programs to Results: Data Collection and Isolation.” Discussing these two challenging ROI elements, Jack will help attendees determine the appropriate techniques, identify approaches and develop a discipline to address the issues.
Sept. 1 – Patti takes center stage for this segment, “Moving From Impact to ROI.” Patti will present best practices for calculating ROI and moving from Level 4 Impact on the Kirkpatrick scale to Level 5 ROI by converting benefits to monetary value.
Oct. 6 – In the final installment, “Implementing and Sustaining ROI,” Patti wraps up with a presentation on integrating the ROI methodology to ensure sustained long-term value. The segment will offer ideas, suggestions and tools to make ROI work for you.
Each of the four e-seminars is presented at 2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific. You can register for each segment now at www.clomedia.com/eseminars.
Determining ROI isn’t a simple journey, but it’s a path that sooner or later you’ll have to take. With Jack and Patti helping guide you along, the sailing will be smoother.
Norm Kamikow
Editor in Chief
norm@CLOmedia.com