Advantage launched to meet demand for CD-ROM and web-based training
Research conducted by Sesame among advisers has highlighted a shift in preferences for how people receive training and while face-to-face workshops continue to be the preferred option, the demand for CD-ROM and web-based training has risen by 50% over the last 18 months, while interest in learning over the web has more than doubled.
Commenting on this changing trend, Andrew Oliver is urging the industry to take a more flexible approach: “Advisers have to use their time efficiently and enhance productivity in the face of increased regulatory pressures and lower margins. Balancing the day-to-day demands of looking after clients while still allowing time for ongoing professional development is a key reason why advisers are looking to alter their mix of training support. Furthermore, the advent of new interactive technology and broadband is likely to accelerate the trend towards web-based learning as advisers become more tech savvy.”
In response to this shift Sesame has launched Advantage, which will build to become a library providing information and training on the key issues facing advisers today and delivered in an electronic magazine-style format. Advantage will be provided free of charge to all Sesame Members and a series of CD-ROMs will be rolled-out over the coming months and placed online for quick and convenient access.
Advantage will provide advisers with information and analysis about the evolving financial services marketplace and contains a variety of features including interviews, client-facing materials and sales opportunities.
Andrew Oliver says: “This is a big step forward in terms of the professional development support we offer advisers and is a stepping-stone to full web-based learning. It will form a key part of our comprehensive training and development programme and has been created in response to the core issues and commercial pressures facing advisers today. This is precisely what professional development should look like. Our learning programme recognises the different ways that advisers want to learn, while our themed approach focuses on topical issues.
“The impact of the web in the retail sector has been phenomenal and the appetite among advisers for business and training support delivered electronically is also on the increase. Advisers prefer a variety of media for their professional development with CD-ROMS and websites playing an increasing role as a complement to more traditional face-to-face training, which continues to be the most popular choice. However, there is a definite shift taking place and although it is still early days in terms of web-based learning, as the quantity of material builds, the entire library of titles will be placed online allowing advisers to access learning materials when they want, where they want.”
Simon Chaplin, a Sesame Member from Chaplin & Company in Derby comments:
“In this day and age it is vitally important for advisers to continually upgrade their knowledge. Using a variety of new media provides advisers with greater flexibility to integrate professional development into their working routine. It is good to see that Sesame is making use of the latest advances in technology and this is a valuable addition to the range of services on offer.”
Each edition of Sesame Advantage will be themed around a particular issue affecting advisers and their clients. The first edition of Sesame Advantage, produced in conjunction with Norwich Union, looks at investment in a low inflation environment and considers the investment outlook for 2005 and beyond. It discusses current and future economic challenges facing the UK and considers the types of investments that are appropriate in the current climate.
Advantage also includes a consumer education section. The investment edition looks at interest rates, a range of asset classes and has an introduction to investment funds. This is designed for advisers to use with their clients either in advance of a meeting or as part of face-to-face advice. Sesame has lined up future titles examining key issues in a range of areas including investments to mortgages, pensions and protection.
Financial advisers who would like further information about Sesame Advantage can visit www.sesame-advantage.co.uk
