Brenda Brown Wraps Up 2010

I think for most individuals and companies, 2010 was a year that forced many of us to re-evaluate our situation. Times are changing and changing quickly. Increased efficiency is at the top of everyone list.

We too, started asking those questions in 2009. We spent most of 2010 creating a new business model. As with any change, we had our share of challenges and made a few mistakes along the way.

When we first announced our plans to create web-based training, we had more negative comments than positive. This was disturbing to us but it challenged us to do our homework . We reviewed existing online training and worked hard to find ways to make our training engaging and interesting. After much research we believe we have produced Web-based training that will serve the audio industry well during these challenging economical times.

It is common knowledge that there are fewer prospective projects and that those that exist are much more competitive. Customers have become ultra value-conscious, wanting more for less. Because of this, training is needed more than ever.

It is important to understand the principles of audio. These will enable you to choose products based on physics and not marketing jargon, do calculations based on meaningful numbers, and understand concepts so you will have several options to present to the customer. Training has also proven to reduce site time and call-backs.

Audio must compete for the technology budget. We frequently hear comments like, “Audio is the last thing in the budget.” A good question to ask is, “Would you rather look at close-captioned TV or listen to the radio?” None the less, audio seems to be getting a smaller piece of the technology pie.

Let’s look at SynAudCon Web-based training proportionally. At one time with the cost of an in-person 2-day seminar with travel and time off from work would cost the company about $1500 per employee. With the web-based training, a similar amount of information is presented at about one-fifth the price. It can be viewed several times and provides self-evaluation quizzes and a final exam. For business owners, there is a tracking feature that allows you to monitor your employees scores and progress.

In short, there has never been a better time to invest in training. The companies who take training seriously will be the winners.

Recently, I have been spending a good deal of time exposing our web-based training to folks who are familiar with and currently use online training. Everyone has commented that SynAudCon’s training is the best they have seen. Most are making our training a mandatory part of the training path for their employees.

Here is a list of our current and short-term future list of Web-based training.

• Level 100: Principles of Audio – It’s available!
• Level 200: Audio Applications 1 – It’s available!
• New Course Coming – Release date – Winter 2011. The course is geared toward those new to audio, which include many of your customers. We want them to better understand why they need you.
• Level 300: Sound Reinforcement for Designers – Release date Summer 2011.

Some topics are better taught with in-person. We will continue with In-person seminars and workshops, but will not be held as frequently as in the past.

I would like to end this letter by thanking our devoted sponsors and members who continued to believe in us and supported us during 2010. We needed it! It gave us the strength and desire to keep pushing forward. Words cannot begin to express our gratitude to you.

It is our hope that our training will serve you both now and in the future.

Brenda Brown
SynAudCon
bbrown@synaudcon.com
Ph: 812.923.0174