{"id":7400,"date":"2023-02-02T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/?p=7400"},"modified":"2023-03-09T14:33:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T14:33:17","slug":"7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/blogs\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Learning Partner Red Flags to Never Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"

How\u2019s your relationship with your partner in learning? Learning companies are often viewed as transactional vendors or production houses for L&D and HR groups. Right away, that mindset lowers the bar for what you should expect from your partners in learning.<\/p>\n

But in the current landscape, a quality learning partner has never been more important. L&D teams are being asked to do more with less\u2014they\u2019re tasked with helping close the skills gap<\/a>, retain top talent, and support growth tracks. Now\u2019s not the time to settle for a mediocre learning partner.<\/p>\n

There are great partners in learning out there<\/a>, and you should expect more from yours. Some red flags are easier to spot than others, but all of them can derail your learning efforts. It\u2019s a good time to check in with how your learning partnership is really going\u2014here\u2019s a roundup of seven red flags worth paying attention to.<\/p>\n

7 red flags that your current learning partner isn\u2019t a fit<\/h2>\n

1. They\u2019re often vague or confusing.<\/h3>\n

Does your vendor often talk in circles and use confusing jargon? Buzzwords, trends, and fluffy solutions are often a cover for lack of knowledge, substance, and strategy. Here\u2019s an easy test you can try\u2014confirm their credibility by asking for case studies or examples of how they\u2019ve solved similar problems with other clients. You\u2019ll learn pretty quickly whether it\u2019s a game of smoke and mirrors.<\/p>\n

2. They\u2019re too focused on engagement.<\/h3>\n

The easiest metrics to measure are often the least important. For example, learner completion rates or satisfaction scores are only one small piece of the measurement puzzle. If your partner in learning is overly focused on engagement metrics, they might slip into the habit of chasing flashy experiences over outcome-driven solutions. There are more important areas to focus on beyond learner engagement. Is the new knowledge being applied on the job? Is there data that indicates behavior change has occurred? How has the learning experience impacted business goals?<\/p>\n

An eLearning company that becomes too focused on providing \u201ccool\u201d experiences may overlook solutions that would prove more effective\u2014and they might deliver engagement metrics that tell a false story of success.<\/p>\n

3. You\u2019re experiencing operational messiness.<\/h3>\n

There are few things more frustrating than a learning partner that\u2019s disorganized, inflexible, or doesn\u2019t communicate well. But operational excellence doesn\u2019t come easily, and many vendors struggle to run a tight ship. A learning partner should help expand your bandwidth and capabilities, not create more work for you. You deserve better\u2014if your partner is unreliable, unresponsive, and\/or production is messy, it might be time to reevaluate the relationship.<\/p>\n

Great partners in learning set and manage clear expectations. There should be clarity and few surprises when it comes to process, timeframes, deliverables, and costs\u2014it should all be understood up front and stay consistent as the project progresses.<\/p>\n

Bumps in the road are normal and things change, but you should always understand the plan for how challenges and changes will be addressed. If you\u2019re often left wondering what happens next, you might be dealing with an unreliable learning partner that\u2019s not a fit.<\/p>\n

4. They\u2019re satisfied being a \u201cYes-man.\u201d<\/h3>\n

Do you have a partner in learning who\u2019s quick to jump into execution mode, without understanding the objective or strategy? No question asked isn\u2019t always a good thing. You might be dealing with an order-taker\u2014the kind of partner that cares more about checking a box than working with you to find the best solution.<\/p>\n

This is often the difference between vendors and partners in learning. A vendor can execute your predetermined ideas, but a strategic partner is in lockstep with you to drive impact. If your vendor isn\u2019t respectfully asking why, offering their thoughts, and coming to you with new ideas, you could be missing out on the best solution for your learners. Learning partners should be an extension of your business, know it well, and seek to collaborate with you to understand the problem and define the solution.<\/p>\n

5. They don\u2019t know your business.<\/h3>\n

Has your vendor done their research? Partners in learning should invest time and energy into getting to know your business, your needs and challenges<\/a>, and your learners. With our own clients, we\u2019re committed to coming prepared to meetings with deep product and business knowledge, every time. This approach informs the best solutions, so don\u2019t settle for a learning partner who doesn\u2019t understand the unique qualities and needs of your business.<\/p>\n

Related<\/h5>

How Learner Discovery Can Completely Change the Direction of a Project<\/p><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div>\n

6. They\u2019re constantly throwing you change orders.<\/h3>\n

Did yet another change order just hit your inbox? That\u2019s a sign of a vendor mindset, and one that may not have your best interest in mind. Are they seeing the project as a one-off assignment or a long-term partnership? Partners in learning will always prioritize efficient and effective use of your budget. They also understand that a change order is not just another administrative task\u2014it could affect the internal perception of the project, the vendor, or even you.<\/p>\n

Significant projects or scope shifts do warrant a change order, but overall, every minor change or adjustment shouldn\u2019t result in a change order. There are times when change orders are warranted, but overall, every minor change or adjustment shouldn\u2019t result in a change order.<\/p>\n

7. The vibe is off.<\/h3>\n

Call it vibes, call it values alignment\u2014you need to click with your partners in learning. It\u2019s not as mysterious as it may sound: good partners are collaborative, willing to lend their expertise, and serve as an extension of your team. Can you call them up to get their opinion when something comes up? Do they treat your problems as their own? If they\u2019re not willing to show up for you as a partner in learning, that\u2019s something to watch out for.<\/p>\n

Set yourself up for success<\/h2>\n

If you can feel the passion behind this article, you\u2019re not wrong\u2014this is a topic we really care about. We\u2019ve been in the learning industry for a long time<\/a>, and since the beginning, we\u2019ve taken the stance that learning is a positive force for change. We take our role as partners in learning seriously because we know that amazing outcomes come from collaborative, trusting, and innovative relationships. We even developed a set of Learning Principles<\/a> that codify our approach so that every experience is as high-quality as it is effective.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, your learning-partner selection comes down to you. Set yourself, your learners, and your business up for success by heeding any red flags and looking for a high-quality partner in learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How\u2019s your relationship with your partner in learning? Learning companies are often viewed as transactional vendors or production houses for L&D and HR groups. Right away, that mindset lowers the bar for what you should expect from your partners in learning. But in the current landscape, a quality learning partner has never been more important. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":7401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3868],"tags":[],"role":[3890],"class_list":["post-7400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy","role-learning-leader"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n7 Learning Partner Red Flags to Never Ignore | Maestro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Partners in learning that aren\u2019t a fit can derail your learning efforts. 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Here are seven red flags you should never ignore.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/blogs\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Maestro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MeetMaestro\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-02T08:00:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-09T14:33:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/maestrolearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Blog-Website-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"lengyel@maestrolearning.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TeamMaestro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TeamMaestro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"lengyel@maestrolearning.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"lengyel@maestrolearning.com\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e6b1904929f6edff36f10f44d31da1e7\"},\"headline\":\"7 Learning Partner Red Flags to Never Ignore\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-02T08:00:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-09T14:33:17+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1125,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/Blog-Website-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Strategy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/\",\"name\":\"7 Learning Partner Red Flags to Never Ignore | Maestro\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/blogs\\\/7-red-flags-in-a-learning-partner\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/Blog-Website-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-02T08:00:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-09T14:33:17+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/maestrolearning.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e6b1904929f6edff36f10f44d31da1e7\"},\"description\":\"Partners in learning that aren\u2019t a fit can derail your learning efforts. 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