Mindy Bogue

My Blog

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Mastering Kirkpatrick: Unleashing Training Excellence

When Dr. Donald L. Kirkpatrick wrote his Ph.D. dissertation, “Evaluating Human Relations Programs for Industrial Foreman and Supervisors,” he created the Kirkpatrick Model for evaluating training. He learned the information from industrial-organizational psychologist Dr. Raymond Katzell, then applied it to his supervisory training program in the 1950s.

Trainers around the world use the Kirkpatrick Model, which is the standard for demonstrating the effectiveness of training programs. The latest
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Retaining Wisdom: The Value of Investing in Older Employees

Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important considerations for corporations fostering innovation and driving growth. However, one area where discrimination persists is in the perception and treatment of older workers. Despite the wealth of experience and expertise they bring to the table, older employees often face challenges in accessing training opportunities and advancing their careers within corporate settings. How can employers overcome ageism and invest in training older workers, an
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The Learning Styles Myth: The Truth Behind Customized Training

Learning styles are all the rage these days. You’ve heard someone say, or may have said yourself, “I’m a visual learner.” That is an example of a learning style. The idea is appealing. Some companies claim they can use learning styles to create a custom curriculum for each of your employees, which usually requires you spending valuable resources on their expensive tests to learn your employees’ learning styles. Unfortunately, these claims don’t stand up to scientific research on the subject, whi
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From Bits to Bolts: Write User Manuals for Hardware and Software

User guides and manuals play a crucial role in helping operators navigate and make the most of products, whether they are physical equipment or software applications. While both serve the purpose of providing instructions and guidance, the best practices for creating hardware and software user manuals can vary significantly. Let’s look at the key differences in best practices for crafting user guides for hardware and software, highlighting the similarities and unique challenges and considerations that come with each.
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Remote Work: Training for Tomorrow's Workforce

Out of necessity since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, there has been a steep upward trend in remote and hybrid work. According to Gallup, approximately 40 percent of remote-capable employees have shifted from working entirely onsite to either a hybrid or remote-only work environment. Even more telling, leaders of large companies confirm that hybrid work is here to stay: 80 percent of chief human resource officers from Fortune 500 companies report they do not plan to decrease r
MATC Group Inc •

Technical Writing: Principles and Characteristics

Back when technical writers were often limited to writing user manuals, the definition of technical writing was “the practice of documenting processes, such as software manuals or instructional materials.”

That was then. Today, a technical writer (TW) creates a variety of writing, including reports, executive summary statements, white papers, even blogs. They may write instruction manuals, product descriptions, guidebooks, research reports, important policies, and press releases. Their writing
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Using Simplified Technical English (STE) to Create Clear, Consistent Documentation

English is the international language of science and technology. Those who do not speak English as their native language, however, may have enough English to get by in conversations but not understand subtle differences with synonyms, homophones, and complex sentence structures. This is where Simplified Technical English (STE) shines.

In the late 1970s, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) asked the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA, now ASD) and the Aerospace Industries
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The Role of AI in Instructional Design: Collaborator, not Competitor

As technology rapidly evolves, education and training are undergoing a significant transformation. One of the most notable advancements is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into instructional design (ID) processes. Josh Bersin, founder of Bersin & Associates, says, “Of all the domains to be impacted by AI, perhaps the biggest transformation is taking place in corporate learning. After a year of experimentation, it’s now clear that AI will revolutionize this space.” A 2023 study fou
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Editing & Proofreading Made Easy: The Power of Polished Content

Have you ever written something, only to see an error after it has been published online — or worse, in print? I’m betting that has happened to everyone at least once — a quickly written paper for school, a magazine article with a strict deadline so you only used spell check, or perhaps a blog post where you used both present tense and past tense interchangeably. While you can easily fix these things in online environment, you miss the chance to make a great first impression if it’s not correcte
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From Concept to Completion: Microlearning Design Best Practices

This is the eighth and final post in our series about microlearning.


In today’s fast-paced corporate landscape, traditional training methods are being reshaped by the rise of microlearning. Microlearning delivers bite-sized learning units that focus on specific learning objectives, making it an ideal solution for busy professionals seeking to efficiently enhance their skills. In fact, organizations relying on microlearning for mobile devices, how most microlearning is accessed, saw a 16 perc
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The Great Oxford Comma Debate: Should You Use It or Not?

In a nutshell, the $10 million lawsuit (judgment was for $5 million) involved an overtime dispute between Oakhurst Dairy company and its drivers. Oakhurst settled for $5 million. The crux of the judgment was the interpretation of a sentence in Maine’s overtime law — a sentence that did not use the Oxford comma. Judge David Barron said that the law’s punctuation was not clear, as “packing for shipping or distribution” could be seen as one activity or two separate activities.

This Maine law has s

What is the Johnson Amendment, and why is it controversial?

Note: This is from an article I wrote in 2018.

The Johnson Amendment has been in the news again this week and has been for the last few years. One of President Trump's campaign promises was to repeal it, specifically for churches. However, it is still in effect. What exactly is this law that so few have heard of, and why have people been deabing it for decades?

The Johnson Amendment is named after Lyndon Johnson, who introduced it to the Senate during his 1954 re-election campaign for senator.
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Measuring Microlearning Mastery: Metrics that Matter

This is the seventh post in our series about microlearning.

Training methods in business are rapidly evolving, and microlearning has emerged as a powerful tool for keeping up with the changes. With attention spans dwindling and the need for on-the-go learning increasing, microlearning offers a solution that is both convenient and effective. Like any training method, its success hinges on the ability to accurately measure its impact. Let’s dive into the intricacies of measuring the effectiveness
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Help! My Goals Already Seem Overwhelming!

This is a guest post from UDLAB Products, a designer of unique and innovative productivity products for the home and office.


It’s nearly the end of February. How are you feeling about your 2024 goals? It’s not uncommon for people to set ambitious goals at the beginning of the year and then feel overwhelmed as they try to achieve them. Here are some suggestions to help you manage them and get back on track.

Are your goals realistic and achievable in the time frame you’ve set? Do you have clea
MATC Group Inc •

Transforming Life Sciences Training: The Microlearning Advantage

This is the sixth post in our series about microlearning.

The life sciences industry has been growing rapidly over the past decade. For example, even before the Covid-19 pandemic started in late 2019, the pharmaceutical market grew 225 percent between 2001 and 2020. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) now approves therapeutics faster than ever, and the industry is facing a skills gap as employees need to be trained on updated regulations, supply chains, and specialty drugs. The traditional me
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Embracing the Heartfelt Joys of Our Profession

As Valentine’s Day dawns upon us, it’s not just chocolates and flowers that fill the air with sweetness — it’s the genuine love and passion we have for the work we do each day.

In a world where career paths often feel like a tumultuous dating scene, filled with uncertainty and fleeting romances, our team has found its forever match in our profession. From the first flirtatious encounter with a challenging project to the deep, enduring bond formed over countless victories and setbacks, our love
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Revolutionizing Tech Training: The Advantages of Microlearning

This is the fifth post in our series about microlearning.


In the fast-paced world of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), staying ahead of the curve is not just an aspiration but a necessity. In fact, a 2020 McKinsey Global Institute survey shows that the collective response to the Covid-19 pandemic sped up the adoption of digital technologies by six to seven years worldwide – 10 years in the Asia-Pacific region. As companies implement more digital technologies, their biggest chal
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Navigating the Future: Knowledge Management Trends in 2024

Businesses are constantly seeking new and innovative solutions to acquire and manage knowledge effectively in our rapidly evolving world of technology and information. In early 2024, knowledge management is transforming: innovative trends promise to redefine the way organizations capture, organize, and use information. Today, we’ll delve into some of the most prominent knowledge management (KM) trends shaping the business landscape.

The number of organizations investing in KM continues to grow,
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Write Now: Stay Ahead with the Latest Technical Writing Trends

In the ever-evolving world of technical writing, the quote by author William H. Gass rings true: “The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” The perception of technical writers (TWs) as creators of confusing computer software manuals is outdated. Modern TWs are navigating new challenges, embracing emerging trends, and transforming the way information is conveyed to individuals. In this blog post, we delve into the latest trends in technical writing that
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Tiny Lessons, Big Impact: The Rise of Microlearning in Construction

This is the fourth post in our series about microlearning.

Workers in the building trades often work in hazardous conditions where they need to know how to complete specific and often difficult tasks, maintain compliance with local regulations, and quickly assess and address potentially dangerous situations. However, training can be extremely difficult, given their constantly changing environments where there are few spaces available for traditional types of training. Don’t despair! Microlearni
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Revolutionize Your eLearning: 2024 Trends

This year promises to feature notable trends in eLearning that will reshape how organizations approach employee training. As technology continues to advance, businesses are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role of eLearning in continuous skill development and adapting to evolving industry demands. From immersive learning experiences and personalized content delivery to the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI), this year will witness a transformative shift in the world of le
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From Novice to Ninja: Expert Insights for Aspiring Instructional Designers

You’re a new Instructional designer (ID) In the ever-changing world of learning and development. Welcome! Our L&D world has evolved beyond traditional boundaries, and technological advancements and diverse learning needs have created an intense need for our skills. We’re here to offer you some insights to help you become a successful ID who understands how to create trainings that make both organizations and learners happy. Today’s successful IDs understand how to create eLearns that tie outcome
MATC Group Inc •

Elevate Sales Excellence with Microlearning: 7 Best Practices

This is the third post in our series about microlearning.

Your sales team is working harder than ever. With so many methods of contacting potential clients (email, text, social media) and tight competition, making a sale can be extremely daunting, especially for new hires. You want them to know their stuff, but you don’t want them to be in training mode too long because you need them to start bringing in customers and revenue. It’s a conundrum, but there is an answer: microlearning!

First, let
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Unleashing the Power of Templates for Microlearning Modules

This is the second post in our series about microlearning. According to Gloria Mark, a digital distraction expert and professor at the University of California, Irvine, the average office worker averages 11 minutes of work between interruptions. Trainings that last longer than 11 minutes have a smaller chance of effectiveness than shorter microlearning modules.

In our first post about microlearning, we discussed its advantages: accessibility, flexibility, engagement, cost, and efficiency. The e
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