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6/09 - EffectPerformance was acquired by Performance Development Group on 6/30. |
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On 6/30/2009, EffectPerformance was acquired by Performance Development Group, LLC. Starting July 1st, Gus Prestera became a partner in PDG and assumed the new position of Executive Director of Client Services. Below is the press release: --------------o0o------------------ Performance Development Group Acquires effectPerformance, Inc., a Leading Provider of Custom Learning Solutions Chester Springs, PA-based PDG, already a leading provider of performance consulting, training and communication solutions, interactive marketing and staff augmentation services, becomes even larger following the acquisition of effectPerformance and a more scalable organization with the addition of EP’s capabilities. “In today’s competitive marketplace, our clients are increasingly outsourcing their workforce performance initiatives to increase quality, shorten time-to-value and reduce costs,“ said David A. Manning, Managing Partner and Founder of Performance Development Group,” effectPerformance has established a tremendous reputation in the marketplace that is distinguished by solid long-term relationships and superior quality. The addition of EP’s customers, people and systems will significantly expand our learning services capabilities, while also adding key Fortune 500 clients.” Gus Prestera will assume the newly created position of Executive Director of Client Services and will assume responsibility for all of PDG’s Client Services, including performance consulting, project management, solutions design & development, and quality assurance.
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6/09 - Gus Prestera to present at e-Learning Guild's Midwest Regional Instructional Design Symposium on June 9th. Topic: Simulation Swarms: Cognitive Flexibility Through Multiple Lower-Cost Sims. Register now! |
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When? Where? What’s it about? For more information or to register, visit:
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5/09 - Gus Prestera presented at ASTD e-Learning SIG on May 21st. He conducted a Blended Learning Strategy Workshop. |
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When? Where? What’s it about? For more information, visit:
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5/09 - Stacie Comolli and Gus Prestera to present at the e-Learning Guild's Online Forum on May 14th. Their forum topic will relate to Managing SMEs. Register now! |
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When? Where? What’s it about? For more information or to register, visit:
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3/09 - Need leadership, management, sales, or communciations skills training? Check out our Course Catalog! |
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Through our sister company--Bevenour Prestera and Associates--we are able to offer you ready-to-customize program. Our Course Catalog currently has 30 courses available for immediate delivery, and more on the way. You can also check out three of our newest courses, which are highlighted in this flyer. We have also begun redesigning our courses and making available blended versions of those courses. Our first blended program--Coaching for Performance--is currently available for purchase. Contact us to arrange a demonstration.
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2/09 - Gus Prestera presents at NYDLA about blended learning |
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Gus discussed his Learning as a Process model and his techniques for designing blended learning. From here, you can download Gus slides. Also, for additional reading, refer to the following resources:
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2/09 - eP agrees to partner with JTI to provide integrated localization services to clients. |
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As one element of a broader initiative to establish a global implementation capability, we are partnering with JTI to bring localization services to clients who need classroom or e-learning content translated into different languages. We have worked with other localization firms on individual projects with clients, but there is a learning curve that we need to work through in order for the localization vendor's team to deconstruct what our team has put together. Through this relationship with JTI, we hope to smoothen out the process for our clients, so that localization can be a smooth and painless process. In the next couple of months, we plan to launch a new service to our clients, the ability to deliver classroom facilitation globally using local facilitators who speak the language and know the culture. Combined with our localization and LMS hosting capabilities, we will be able to provide global implementation services for the courses we produce for organizations. |
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1/09 - Gus Prestera presents at PADLA about blended learning |
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Gus discussed his Learning as a Process model and his techniques for designing blended learning. From here, you can download Gus slides. Also, for additional reading, refer to the following resources:
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12/08 - eP completes a series of eight sales training e-learning courseware modules |
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In a six-month long process, our team produced a eight e-learning modules for Morgan Stanley, involving over 4 hours of content. The subject matter included prospecting, managing the pipeline of prospects, conducting appointments with prospects, and delivering recommendations. These interactive courses were produced using our Semi-Custom Courseware platform, a set of tools, processes, and standards that enables us to produce high quality e-learning rapidly. Amanda Gonzalez, Mae Prestera, and Gus Prestera wrote the content; Alicia Pfaff authored the courses and led the production and testing efforts; Allan Kobernick and Jeff McCary handled programming; Belen Bilgic-Schneider and Len Crockett handled graphics and Flash production. Congrats to the team on a job well done! |
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11/08 - eP partners with GeoLearning to provide LMS hosting |
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We inked a deal with GeoLearning that will enable us to host our own courses. Using GeoMaestro, we will be able to host courses that we produce for our clients, including those courses we produce for Bevenour Prestera and Associates clients. It will also enable us to test our SCORM packages on an actual LMS platform before we hand over courses to our clients to load onto their LMS platforms, which should smoothen out that process. |
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10/08 - Stacie Comolli publishes a case study about our experiences with a performance assessment project |
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We recently completed a project for a financial services client in which we helped the client develop a performance assessment to evaluate the readiness of their financial advisor trainees. After documenting the procedures and criteria for the assessment, we developed e-learning courses to teach the evaluators how to conduct the evaluation and how to score the observed performance. The training was designed by Gus Prestera, programmed by Jeff McCary, and managed by Stacie Comolli. Belen Bilgic-Schneider produced the graphics and animations, while Allan Kobernick handled photography. Check out the Case Study, normally located in the Resources section of the site. |
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9/08 - eP completes Five Conversations coaching course for Corning |
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A team led by Stacie Comolli recently completed a series of e-learning modules aimed at teaching Corning supervisors the Five Conversations coaching model. The courses will be used as prework for a hands-on instructor-led program. This is a great example of blended learning being leveraged as a strategy for reducing classroom "lecture" time and optimizing classroom interactivity. |
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9/08 - eP's Mobile Learning Demo completed |
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A team consisting of Gus Prestera, Alicia Pfaff, Allan Kobernick, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider developed an HTML-based mobile learning module. Designed for use with a BlackBerry, the demo highlights some of mobile learning's capabilities and applications. This particular module, Attending a Business Meeting in China, acts as a refresher for business travelers. Check it out! |
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8/08 - eP helps Morgan Stanley develop its Wealth Advisor Program |
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In a large curriculum design project, a team made up of Gus, Mae, Colleen, Belen, Jeff, and Diane will be helping Morgan Stanley develop a new training program for wealth advisors. The program will consist of web-based training components as well as instructor-led elements. |
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8/08 - Instructional Designer Mary Casey joins the eP Alliance |
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Mary Casey brings to eP a wealth of instructional design, client relations, and project management experience. She will initially be working with Stacie Comolli on a Rapid e-Learning project for Corning. Welcome aboard, Mary! |
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8/08 - effectPerformance moves to a new address...update your Rolodex, please! |
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Gus and Mae have packed up the wagon and moved to the mills, Glen Mills, that is. Glen Mills is close to the Delaware border, north of Wilmington, south of Philadelphia Airport, and east of West Chester. The new digs provide more office space for the growing business.
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7/08 - Graphic Artist Len Crockett joins the eP Alliance |
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Len Crocket, based in San Francisco, California, brings his web design and web development experience to eP. He will be working with Belen to meet the growing graphics needs of the team. Welcome to the team, Len! |
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7/08 - Gus is back after colon surgery |
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As many of you know, Gus was recently out of commission for a few weeks. On July 3rd, he had his colon removed to treat a worsening condition, ulcerative colitis. The surgery, performed by Dr. John Rombeau of Temple University Hospital, went very well. Gus lost over 30 pounds in the process. Once Gus finishes recovering, he will go back for a second, smaller procedure. Currently, that is scheduled for 8/28. Gus and Mae send out their thanks to all of those who sent flowers, goodies, prayers, and words of support. |
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6/08 - Instructional designer Colleen Bevenour joins eP Alliance...Colleen and Gus to form a new company, Bevenour Prestera and Associates |
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Colleen, a former partner at Brooks Consulting and at Circinus Consulting, now partners with eP's Gus Prestera to launch a new company, Bevenour Prestera and Associates. The new firm will focus on developing blended learning solutions that address professional development needs, such as leadership, communication, sales, and facilitation skills. More details to come, so stay tuned! |
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4/08 - Gus Prestera presents at ISPI Conference |
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Gus Prestera presents at this year's ISPI Conference in New York City. At his session, titled "Improving Performance Through Online Simulations," Gus discussed 10 design decision points that instructional designers need to address effectively when designing simulations, specifically, soft skills branching simulations. ===== Slides ==> |
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4/08 - eP develops new Flash Test Engine Demo |
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Alicia Pfaff, Gus Prestera, Jeff McCary, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider collaborated to design and produce a Flash Test Engine demo, which will act as a prototype for future test development. The eP Test Engine enables us our designers to produce online tests quickly and effectively. The test engine randomly selects questions from a test bank; tracks scoring by module and provides module-specific feedback; randomizes the order of multiple-choice options; and enables the designer to produce multiple-choice, multiple-select, scenario-based questions, and drag & drop matching matching items. The tool also enables us to produce Practice Tests in which we can provide feedback. Give it a try!
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3/08 - Graphic artist Wes Paskewich joins eP Alliance |
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Wes Paskewich joins the eP Alliance. With a background in photography, fine arts, illustration, and print graphics, Wes brings a variety of graphic design skills to the team. Welcome aboard! |
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2/08 - eP to develop coaching WBT for Corning |
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eP's Stacie Comolli will lead a team of developers (Allan Kobernick, Belen Bilgic-Schneider, and Wes Paskewich) to design a coaching course called the Five Conversations. The course will be based on content licensed by Corning from Sibson Consulting. The course will be developed using eP's Semi-Custom Courseware platform. |
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1/08 - eP to work with New York-Presbyterian Hospital |
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eP's Gus Prestera and Nora Arant Brennan will work with New York-Presbyterian Hospital to assist them in designing a training program for their non-clinical workers. |
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10/07 - eP develops new Flash Game Show Demo |
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Alicia Pfaff, Gus Prestera, Jeff McCary, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider collaborated to design and produce a Flash Game Show, which will act as a prototype, or shell, for future game development. Give it a try!
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10/07 - Gus Prestera to teach elearning courses at Penn State |
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Gus Prestera will be teaching INSYS 441 (Design, Development, and Evaluation of Internet-Based Resources) and INSYS 587 (Special Topics) at Penn State Great Valley. These courses are part of the new Instructional Design for E-Learning Graduate Certificate Program. For more information, contact Suzanne Cruit at 610-648-3219, www.gv.psu.edu. |
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9/07 - eP develops new Flash Board Game Demo |
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Alicia Pfaff, Gus Prestera, Jeff McCary, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider collaborated to design and produce a Flash Board Game, which will act as a prototype for future game development. Check it out!
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8/07 - Cathie Harvey and Noelle Archambeau join eP Alliance |
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Cathie Harvey, MSW, and Noelle Archambeau, MEd, join the eP Alliance, providing support for the Solutions Symposium initiative. Cathie is working in the role of project manager, coordinating the work of three committees. Noelle is supporting the various committees with instructional design and development expertise. |
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7/07 - eP develops new Flash Motion Game Demo |
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Alicia Pfaff, Gus Prestera, Jeff McCary, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider collaborated to design and produce a Flash Motion Game, which will act as a prototype for future game development. Play Balloon Fest and come back soon to check out the board game and game show demos.
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7/07 - eP to develop Solutions Symposium for Morgan Stanley |
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Michelle Kirschner and a team of eP designers and developers will begin assisting Morgan Stanley to design, develop, and implement a product training conference for Financial Advisors. The team is also working on several new pilot programs to support Morgan Stanley's sales training efforts. |
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7/07 - eP finishes Dashboard simulation and Lending e-Learning course for Morgan Stanley |
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Mae Prestera, Jeff McCary, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider completed the Dashboard simulation, a decision-making simulation for Morgan Stanley Branch Managers. The sim teaches managers how to make more informed decisions using their financial dashboard database, which Jeff was able to simulate. Also, Gus PRestera, Allan Kobernick, and Belen Bilgic-Schneider completed an online tutorial that teaches Financial Advisors about Morgan Stanley's securities-based lending products. |
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6/07 - eP to develop Measurement course for Corning |
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Stacie Comolli, Gus Prestera, and Ryan Goldman kick off a project with Corning to develop a rapid e-learning course that teaches training managers how to measure the effectiveness of their training initiatives. |
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5/07 - Gus Prestera speaks at PADLA event at Penn State Great Valley |
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On Thursday, May 24th, Dr. Prestera discussed Key Elements of Online Simulations at an event co-hosted by Penn State Great Valley and the Pennsylvania Distance Learning Association (PADLA). You can download the handouts. |
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4/07 – Michelle Kirschner and Amanda Gonzalez join eP Alliance |
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Michelle Kirschner and Amanda Gonzalez recently left Vanguard University to join the eP Alliance team. Both are currently working projects with Morgan Stanley. Michelle is overseeing the development and implementation of a curriculum for Morgan Stanley's Client Service Associates. Amanda is designing an experimental pilot program to be used to train new hire Financial Advisors. |
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3/07 – Gus Prestera speaks at GVISPI event at Penn State Great Valley |
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On Thursday, March 22nd, Dr. Prestera discussed A Performance-Based Approach to Blended Learning for at an event co-hosted by Penn State Great Valley and the Great Valley Chapter of the International Society for Performance Improvement (GVISPI). You can download the slides and/or the handouts. Additional information is available through two white papers co-authored by Dr. Prestera: Five Approaches to Blended Learning and A Phased, Blended Solutions: A Performance-Based Approach. |
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2/07 – EP unveils its new Simulation DEMO, titled Analyzing Performance Problems |
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EP has developed a rapid development tool and process for creating small soft skills simulations. This platform enables us to create simulations much more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional simulations. To demonstrate the tool's capacity, EP has developed a DEMO. In this simulation, learners apply the Performance Analysis Process to address a workplace performance challenge. To view it, go to the Simulations page and click the link for the DEMO. |
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2/07 – e-Learning Guild's Learning Solution publishes article by EP's Stacie Comolli and Gus Prestera, titled Managing the Unmanageable SME |
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Do you find working with subject matter experts (SMEs) challenging? In this article, Stacie Comolli and Gus Prestera provide concrete suggestions that will help you with SME selection and SME management. The article draws on interviews with colleagues who in a variety of roles that involve working with SMEs. To view the article, go to the e-Learning Guild site or click here to download it. |
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1/07 – EP Case Studies now produced in Articulate |
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Going forward, when we publish a case study, it will be in the form of an Articulate presentation, narrated by the lead designer on the project. Check out the first of these in the Case Study section of this site. |
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1/07 – New effectPerformance Web Site |
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If you’re reading this note, it’s because you’re on EP’s new web site. Ryan Goldman, Belen Bilgic-Schneider, Gus Prestera, and Karen Marker teamed up to design and produce it. The site features a new look, a new navigation structure, and lots of new content. Over the coming months, EP will be adding new features to the site, including Zone eP, a hub of internal and external resources for training professionals. |
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12/06 – EP produces Coaching Playbook for Morgan Stanley |
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| EP’s Gus Prestera has worked closely with Morgan Stanley since 1996. Recently, he helped Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Group produce a series of playbooks for trainees, coaches, and managers to use in conjunction with the firm’s financial advisor training program. | |
1/07 – Gus Prestera to teach course at Penn State |
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| EP’s Gus Prestera was asked to teach INSYS 441: Design, Develop, and Evaluate Internet Resources this semester at the Great Valley campus of Penn State University. The class runs from January to March. | |
12/06 – EP partners with Thomson/NETg on Alliance Data project |
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EP’s Stacie Comolli and Gus Prestera recently completed a project for Alliance Data (www.alliancedata.com) in which they designed and developed two full-day instructor-led courses focused on presentation skills. These courses were part of a larger suite of courses being produced by Thomson/NETg. |
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11/06 – EP produces troubleshooting training for Comcast’s help desk |
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EP’s Mae Prestera, Diane Darling, and Alicia Pfaff recently completed a project for Comcast in which they designed 18 hours of instructor-led training for Comcast’s help desk and technical support teams. The training focused on advanced troubleshooting techniques. |
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10/06 – EP produces a Training Needs Database for Corning |
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EP’s Mae Prestera, with help from Belen Bilgic-Schneider, developed an Access database that enables Corning’s training administrators to catalog and prioritize training needs and to assign solutions to each of those needs. The database outputs training plans that can be sorted in a variety of ways. In support of this tool, Gus Prestera designed a process and a set of training materials to teach end users how to conduct a training needs assessment using this tool. |
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10/06 – Three New CLIPs: Consulting Services and Instructor-led Training |
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EP publishes three new Client Information Packs: one detailing EP’s consulting services; one describing EP’s instructor-led training capabilities; and one describing Rapid e-Learning technologies (e.g., Breeze and Articulate). Client information packs are informational materials intended to educate our clients about specific services or technology platforms. |
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9/06 – EP partners with Corning to develop a coaching simulation |
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EP’s Stacie Comolli, Allan Kobernick, Josh Strauss, Belen Bligic-Schneider, and Ryan Goldman team up with Corning’s (www.corning.com) Worforce Development and Learning group to design and produce a coaching skills simulation. This simulation acts as the initial prototype for our Simulation Express platform, a low-cost, rapid development simulation engine that will enable EP to produce soft-skills branching simulations more quickly and cost effectively than can be accomplished with traditional approaches. EP is currently making enhancements to this platform and will be releasing a demo soon. |
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| 9/06 – Gus Prestera is a panelist at DVHR Partnership’s 2007 Summit | |
EP’s Gus Prestera joins Comcast’s Dan Gallagher, Comcast’s Director of Leadership and Organizational Development, and Rhonda Costello, Dean of Commerce University, for a panel discussion about blended learning and today’s corporate universities (http://www.dvhrpsummit.com/). |
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