Chapter Connections

How can immersive technology aid in the achievement of learning objectives? That's what the Training and Technology SIG asked in last month's meeting exploring extended reality.

The group met at the CraneMorley offices, where a team of instructional designers with experience creating mixed reality and virtual reality training interventions showed off the various projects they had worked on.

After a networking event that got everyone talking (once they translated what they had been prompted to talk about), participants were given a quick introduction to what extended reality covers and then split into two groups. 

One group experienced L&D content created using mixed reality tools within the Hololens 2.  The other group experienced L&D content in virtual reality via the Meta Quest 2. The groups swapped midway through the event.

As participants experienced the training courses in each of these mediums, they saw how both mixed reality and virtual reality take advantage of the ability to augment or completely change the environment in which the learner exists to provide more engaging and resonant learning opportunities.

TTSIG attendees discussing and experiencing how Mixed Reality applications can support L&D initiatives.

Learning Objectives achieved in the Mixed Reality content:

• Spatially locate HVAC components within a Porsche 911
• Connect and assemble a residential meter set assembly
• Locate the position of underground gas lines within two inches

Learning Objectives achieved in the Virtual Reality content:

• Explain and perform shoulder dystocia resolution maneuvers
• Reduce the associated risks when working on or near electrified propulsion vehicles

“We’ve heard a lot about XR, but this is the first time we’ve had the chance to see it in an L&D environment,” said one participant.

"It was really great to connect in person, and actually experience how these tools can work in person, rather than watching a video," shared another.  "It was cool."

What’s next for the Training and Technology SIG?

“Recently, KPMG published a report in which business leaders shared their opinion that the top three emerging technologies that will have the biggest impact on their business over the next year will be Generative AI, 5G, and Augmented Reality.  We’ve tackled augmented reality, so we figured next we’ll look at Generative AI,” said SIG Leader Paul Venderley. 

• April 30, 2024:  Impactful Learning: Transforming L&D with Generative AI

• May 30, 2024: Practicing Prompts: A Generative AI Sandbox

“However, at our heart, we’re focused on training solutions that can be applied to the bulk of the organizations with which we work.”

Linked in this post: AR Icebreaker used to kick off the event.

You can learn more about the Training and Technology SIG here.

Effective talent management involves planning for future leadership and other critical roles within the organization. Within ATD-Orange County, it also means identifying and matching our members to professional development opportunities available within our Chapter.

Our new VP of Talent Management, Taylor Dickey, loves helping people land their dream job, and is excited to collaborate with our members to connect them to invaluable roles within the Chapter that will help them grow and master their own skills. With years of experience as a recruiter through a wide variety of industries, Taylor brings with her the tools and experience(and the energy!) to help you make the most out of your involvement with ATD-OC. In this installment of Meet the Board, we invite you to meet Taylor Dickey and hear her perspectives on her role in our Chapter as Vice President of Talent Management.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?

I was introduced to ATD-OC by a dear friend named Susmitha Valvekar, who reached out to me about this exciting opportunity. The idea of being part of a board has always resonated with me, and ATD-OC appeared to be the perfect fit, with its shared values and promising beginnings.

What do you hope to get out of your role?

In this role, I hope to gain valuable experience and insights that will not only contribute to the success of this organization but also help me grow both professionally and personally. I'm eager to collaborate with talented individuals, learn from their expertise, and make meaningful contributions to our community.

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

Upon joining a new organization I led a project to revamp our recruitment process, implementing new strategies and tools that resulted in a remarkable reduction in time to hire. This improvement not only enabled us to secure top talent more swiftly but also contributed to cost savings and increased productivity within the organization.

Check out Taylor’s Membership Profile for more info.

The opening sentences of the BizSIG web page show an inclusive invitation to pretty much everyone in our Chapter. “The BizSIG serves the needs of internal and external organizational development practitioners. If you are a facilitator, trainer, instructional designer, organizational development specialist, manager, coach, consultant…the BizSIG is for YOU!”

But still, the abbreviation at the start of the SIG’s name — “Biz” — may throw some of those internal and external OD practitioners off.  We joined ATD-OC for Learning and Development skills, right? 

“When I joined ASTD in 1990 for business and skill development,” shared BizSIG leader Jeffrey Hansler. “I quickly realized the value of executive business and organizational skills alongside L&D expertise.”

While there are multiple roles in organizational development, all of them focus on skill development and growth of individuals improving the organizations they serve.  This requires not just L&D skills, but business skills — perhaps explaining why the ‘Impacting Organizational Capability’ component of the ATD Capability Model includes segments on: 

• Business Insight

• Consulting and Business Partnering

• Organization and Development Culture

“I proposed the BizSIG in 2014 to elevate L&D professionals through executive business and skill development,” recalls Jeffrey. “Economic pressures often lead organizations to cut L&D activities first, affecting compensation levels. BizSIG equips professionals with essential skills to advance economically and professionally, both independently and internally.”

The ATD Capability Model also contains a segment titled: “Future Readiness,” and perhaps it is here where the BizSIG shines. Jeffrey continually experiments with content, delivery, pricing, media, presenters, topics, and design of the group.

• In 2015 they experimented with hybrid meeting formats. Years before the pandemic you may have seen Jeffrey applying those formats to our Learning Events as well!

• For 2022, the BizSIG innovated again, with a mastermind format and Spotlight Program. 

• And in 2024, the BizSIG continues its innovation with the InsightXplore series, a series of meetings bringing together a select group of forward-thinking individuals for a transformative learning experience.

“BizSIG's programs, covering hybrid skills, communication, business development, finance, podcasting, marketing, AI, C-Suite insights, foster innovation and success.” says Jeffrey.  “Despite CEO surveys highlighting a gap between L&D efforts and organizational success, BizSIG alumni flourish by applying learned skills.”

Stay in touch with ATD-OC to see how Jeffrey continues to innovate with his BizSIG program.

If you’re ready to embark on a journey of growth and innovation, register for the inaugural InsightXplore meeting this Thursday, March 14.

Our membership is the heart of our community. Our Membership VP thrives in the midst of this community, seeking feedback on how the Board can enhance member value and promote opportunities for our members to connect, invest, and grow. This year’s VP of Membership is none other than Cyndi Nagel, who looks forward to leading and coordinating ATD-OC’s membership activities.

We asked Cyndi about her new Board role:

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?  

I find great pleasure in taking part in the ATD-OC events and have been eager to become a board member for some time. It's a personal commitment of mine to contribute annually to the L&D community. The ATD-OC community has supported me in various ways over the years, and I wish to extend that same support to fellow members. I genuinely believe our industry is inclusive and welcoming, and I'm excited about welcoming new members who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to our community.

What do you hope to get out of your role?

My goals are to establish new connections, introduce fresh ideas and individuals to the community, and build new friendships along the way.

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year? 

I am most proud of developing an in-house mentorship program within my organization, which we have named "Belkin Mentor Connect." Unlike conventional mentorship programs, our focus at Belkin is to focus skill development through mentorship from peers. This program is designed to be skill-centric, enabling us to establish micro-mentorships with specific objectives and shorter engagement periods throughout the year. As a result of this initiative, I am honored to announce that I will be speaking at the ATD International Conference & Exposition (ATD ICE) in May (2024), where I will proudly share my Mentor Program ideas with a global ATD audience.

Connect with Cyndi Nagel via her Member Profile!

Ask any business person, and they'll tell you the CFO plays a critical role in shaping a company's strategy and future. Beyond managing finances, they provide insights that influence decision-making, drive growth, and ensure long-term sustainability. Our CFO, Michele Bivens, is entering her third year in this position. Her experience, both as a Treasurer for PIHRA Long Beach and as a business owner, has honed her ability in financial stewardship and in fostering sustainable growth. This aligns perfectly with our company’s values and vision, positioning us for enduring success.

We asked Michele to share a bit more about her experience on ATD-Orange County’s Board:

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?

I joined the board to give back to the L&D community. I'm passionate about developing others and helping them be successful in their chosen field. I was also interested in networking with other learning leaders to share best practices, technology, and ideas.

What did you get out of your role?

All of that and more! I have mentored several people new to the field who are now working in L&D roles - so exciting! I am also giving back to our community, which is important to me in a 'service above self' capacity. I have met so many wonderful professionals at all levels, and it has enriched my life at many levels - as a mentor and as a mentee.

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

We know that it is critical to change with the times, thus we are working to ensure the chapter is impactful to members in this post-pandemic world. I have been working with the current President and President-elect to develop several focus groups where we might engage with members to learn what is most important to them in a professional organization. I'm very excited about what we will learn and the new ideas we can implement.

You can learn more about Michele by visiting her Member Profile. 

As Past-President of ATD-Orange County, Gillian Wilson offers invaluable guidance and support to the current President and President-Elect. We asked her, as she approaches the final year of serving in our “C-Level Suite” to reflect on her experience with the Chapter.

What did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?

I was serving on the Board as Vice President of Technology when Susmitha was President Elect. I think very highly of her. I had never planned to be President but was when Susmitha asked if I would be interested I was persuaded along that path to try and keep the Chapter going strong.

What do you get out of your role?

I get a chance to meet lots of different people. Meeting new people is always impactful personally and professionally. Susmitha and I have continued our friendship beyond ATDOC. Lynn Nissan and I work for the same company on different sites and have connected at work as well as at ATD-OC.

Additionally, I get a better appreciation for L&D. When I first joined ATD-OC I was more on the LMS side. The MLEs and other Chapter programs let me see what else there was related to L&D. Coaching, DISC, etc., to help you grown professionally and personally.

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

The introduction of different L&D tools in a GMP manufacturing environment. I have introduced Simpleshow for communications and micro-learnings and we've adopted Absorb LMS for instructor-led sign ups in place of ComplianceWire LMS. Simpleshow I have used before and like it. Absorb was already in place at Gilead, and although not a validated GMP system, it has some features that can be used that are more user friendly.

Want to know more about your Past President?

View Gillian Wilson's Member Profile.

Extended reality, also known as XR, is an industry term that encompasses a wide range of immersive reality design solutions. It includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and 360 video. While AR and VR are the most widely recognized immersive technologies, XR is often used to describe the broader spectrum of these innovative experiences.

What makes each of these technologies unique?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances the real world by overlaying digital data onto it. With a smartphone, tablet, or pair of smart glasses, AR allows users to interact with virtual elements in real-time while still being aware of their physical surroundings.

Virtual reality (VR) creates a completely immersive digital environment that transports users into a simulated world. Users wear headsets or goggles that block out their view of the real world and replace it with a computer-generated one. 

Mixed reality (MR) combines elements of both AR and VR, integrating virtual objects into the real world, allowing users to interact with them as if they were physically present. MR enables users to see and manipulate virtual entities within their actual surroundings in an interactive and engaging manner.

Each of these technologies has its own unique capabilities and applications. AR enhances our perception of reality by adding digital information to our physical environment, VR provides fully immersive experiences in virtual environments, while MR merges these technologies to create interactive experiences that blend the virtual and real worlds together. 

Where can I experience XR applications?

XR applications may seem like something best suited for entertainment purposes.  Perhaps the most familiar of augmented reality applications has been Pokemon Go (Pikmin Bloom was a good follow-up game in a similar vein).  The newly released Microsoft Mesh world is an immersive virtual reality world, albeit one that is accessible on the desktop via a Teams viewer, that appears to be more frivolous than practical at this time. 

But there are practical, realistic learning applications for these technologies.

The most readily available may be on your smartphone, which may have an Augmented Reality translation app that can take an image of text and translate it into a different language.

What’s neat is that companies like Microsoft and Meta are making Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality L&D applications nearly as attainable as a translation app. 

That’s what we’ll be showcasing this Leap Day at CraneMorley.  You’ll get a chance to experience multiple use cases in which either Mixed Reality or Virtual Reality addressed a training need in a unique and innovative way that enhanced the learners’ ability to achieve learning objectives. You’ll find that these applications can be well suited for a variety of industries, from automotive to manufacturing, from healthcare to utilities.

Want to see this for yourself?  Don't miss your chance to experience virtual and mixed reality learning applications!

Experience eXtended Reality (XR) Applications in Learning and Development ~ Training & Technology SIG

Since servicing as ATD-OC's Chapter President in 2009, Anthony Harmetz has founded the Training Manager’s Special Interest Group, was highly involved in the Total Training program for many years and has led countless other Chapter projects. Ask Anthony about the halcyon days of our Chapter and he’ll probably describe the day prior, because “It’s a great time to be part of ATD-OC!”

We asked Anthony about his new Board role as Vice President of Professional Development — Workshops.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County board?

I've been a member and a volunteer a long time and see ATD-OC as my professional home, so I was happy to help out when solicited.

What do you get out of your role?

As a board member, I get a chance to regularly connect with a bunch of my peers as we work together--and to try out new ideas I don't get to experiment with during my regular work. 

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year?

It's hard to pick the accomplishment I'm proudest of last year, but one of the contenders would be making time in the morning to work for 30 minutes every day on a personal project before doing anything else--it may not sound like a big deal, but it's really helpful to me.

Want to know more about your Vice President of Professional Development — Workshop?

View Anthony Harmetz's Member Profile.  

In a recent ATD webinar, a panelist cited a surprising benefit to CPTD certification. The opportunities within the talent development field are vast, she stated. Completing the CPTD certification allowed her to determine where she wanted to focus her career.

Other panelists echoed that sentiment.  One shared that just by beginning her CPTD certification process, she learned where she needed to develop in order to achieve her career goals.

There were other ways the CPTD certification impacted the panelist careers:

• Expanded network of skilled L&D professionals

• Credibility in the field

• Credibility with other professionals for whom certification is an important element in their field

But of all the benefits, the idea that the CPTD provides guidance and structure for one’s career progression is appealing.  It’s easy for someone with a career in talent development to become a jack of all trades, master of none. Maybe such career focus is something that appeals to you?

You can review the varied ways in which a CPTD or APTD certification can impact your career here, or learn more about the opportunities to invest and grow as an L&D professional by attending our multi-chapter CPTD Study Group information session.

Kim-Khue Chieffo has been a mainstay of ATD-OC’s Talent Development team for years, starting as the Change Management SIG co-leader and progressing to the VP of Talent Development in 2018.  She’ll be applying her Change Management expertise as she assumes the President-Elect role for a second term, then later the Chapter Presidency.  We asked a few questions to get to know Kim better.

Why did you join the ATD-Orange County Board?  

I wanted to give back to the community and continue our tradition of life-long learning, sharing knowledge, and supporting other professionals to grow in their personal and professional lives.

What did you get out of your role?  

I've learned to balance life, work, and volunteering; and managing and leading a nonprofit volunteer-based organization has taught me some great skills that I will carry on to my for-profit work.  

What is your proudest accomplishment of the past year? 

Resilience! I've remained resilient, continuing to serve on the Board, contributing to the Chapter's success, and keeping the positive energy going. Thank you to our awesome Board members!

You can learn more about your President-Elect on her Member Profile, or by introducing yourself to her at any of our Monthly Learning Events.