Mindy Bogue

My Blog

MATC Group Inc •

Save Time, Money, and Headaches: Outsource Your Training Design

It’s 2024, and your workforce is more spread out than ever. Some employees work hybrid schedules, while others are fully remote. Pre-2020, your training sessions were all in-person. But when COVID hit, you pressed pause, thinking the lockdowns wouldn’t last long. You planned to resume in-person sessions once everything calmed down.However, reality set in, and you realized that your team is scattered across various locations. So, what did you do? You sent out your old PowerPoint presentation as t...
MATC Group Inc •

From Passive to Active: How Flipped Learning Transforms Training

The flipped classroom model has gained significant traction in education and training over the past decade. Originally popularized in K-12 and higher education, this innovative approach is also used in corporate training. By reversing the traditional learning process, the flipped classroom model enhances engagement, facilitates deeper understanding, and can be particularly effective in a corporate environment where time and efficiency are crucial.The flipped classroom model turns the traditional...
MATC Group Inc •

Comic Relief: The Fun (and Functional) Side of Comics in Technical Writing and Instructional Design

Who says technical writing and instructional design have to be dry and dull? Enter comics—the superheroes of the communication world. Yes, comics, those colorful, action-packed strips that used to entertain you on Sunday mornings, are now swooping in to save the day. But how did comics make their way into such serious business? Let’s take a fun look at the history, application, and surprising benefits of using comics in these fields.Comics aren’t just for kids, and they haven’t been for quite so...
MATC Group Inc •

Master the Art of Editing Technical Documents: A Step-by-Step Guide

Technical documents are essential tools that communicate complex information clearly and effectively. Whether it’s a user manual, a research report, a technical specification, or a software guide, the quality of these documents can significantly impact the user’s understanding and experience. Editing technical documents is not just about correcting grammar and punctuation; it is a critical step that ensures accuracy, clarity, consistency, and usability. Let’s review why editing technical documen...
MATC Group Inc •

Securing Buy-In and Building an Effective Process for your KMS

This is the second post of a three-part series regarding Knowledge Management. The first post is KM and Workplace Transitions, and the third is Choosing a KMS Tool: Which Way to Go?
Deciding to implement a Knowledge Management System (KMS) in your office is a smart move—if done right, it can save your organization both time and money. Research shows that organizations with a properly-working KMS improve their overall productivity by 20 to 25 percent. However, before diving into the sea of availa...
MATC Group Inc •

Embracing Blended Learning: The Best of Both Worlds

Imagine a training approach that combines the best of both worlds—traditional face-to-face instruction and the flexibility of online learning. This is exactly what blended learning offers, bringing a fresh, dynamic, and highly effective method to education in the workplace. But blended learning isn’t just a fancy buzzword or the latest trend—it’s a game-changer that’s meeting the evolving needs of businesses and their employees alike. Let’s look at what blended learning is all about, why it’s so...
MATC Group Inc •

More Than Policies: Craft a Handbook That Engages and Protects

Creating an employee handbook is like laying the foundation for a successful business. When done right, it becomes a valuable resource that aligns your team, reinforces your company culture, and ensures legal compliance. Your handbook should go beyond just listing procedures and guidelines; it should also embody your company’s values, history, and mission. Crafting an effective handbook requires more than just a template and a few policies—it’s about creating a document that both informs and eng...
MATC Group Inc •

From Fear to Focus: Don’t Wait to Conquer Procrastination

Procrastination is a common challenge, where we often find ourselves engaging in “busy work” instead of tackling more demanding tasks. In fact, Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, found that 95 percent of us admit to procrastinating some of the time, with 20 percent considering it chronic and a defining characteristic of their personalities. Another survey reveals the average person spends over two hours each day procrastinating, costing businesses over $27 billion annually. Let...
MATC Group Inc •

A Journey Through the Ages: Celebrating World Distance Learning Day

We just celebrated World Distance Learning Day—a day dedicated to the fine art of learning from the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas, possibly with a cup of coffee that’s more foam than actual caffeine. Before we revel in today’s digital marvels, let’s hop into our time machine and take a jaunt down memory lane to see how distance learning evolved from quill and ink to clicking “Join Meeting” on Zoom.

The Birth of Distance Learning: When Snail Mail Was Cutting-Edge
Our story begins in...
MATC Group Inc •

How a Disaster Recovery Plan Can Save Your Documents—and Your Company

Every day, businesses large and small face a multitude of threats that can disrupt their operations. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or your hardware decides to quit on you unexpectedly, these events can cause real headaches if you’re not prepared. One key to managing and mitigating these threats is having a disaster recovery plan (DRP) in place, especially when it comes to your documentation. Sure, putting together a DRP might seem like a daunting task, but trust me, when disast...
MATC Group Inc •

Why Green is the New Gold Standard in Employee Training

Incorporating sustainability into training programs is no longer just a trend — it’s becoming a must for organizations looking to stay on the right side of history and business. In fact, 80 percent of workers around the world want to help their company operate sustainably. As global environmental goals get stricter and corporate responsibility becomes more than just a buzzword, companies are feeling the heat. And while it might seem like a daunting task, integrating sustainability into employee...
MATC Group Inc •

Knowledge Management and Workplace Transitions

This is the first post of a three-part series regarding Knowledge Management. The second post is Knowledge Management: The Process and Getting Buy-In, and the third is Choosing a KMS Tool: Which Way to Go?Knowledge Management. You’ve heard this term in meetings, in TED Talks, or when networking, but perhaps you really don’t understand what it means. Well, it’s time to learn because knowledge management (KM) significantly affects how companies operate, especially now that so many have transitione...
MATC Group Inc •

Why eLearning is the Future of Employee Development: Key Stats and Trends

The world of eLearning is rapidly transforming, offering unprecedented opportunities for organizations to improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention. As the eLearning market is projected to reach $319 billion by 20291, businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of personalized, flexible, and innovative learning solutions. Employees are eager to develop new skills, viewing training as a critical part of their career development. Let’s look at some key statistics that undersco...
MATC Group Inc •

Maximize Your Competitive Edge: Switch from Shared Drives to a KMS

Efficient knowledge sharing is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in business. For decades, shared drives have been a go-to solution for storing and sharing files within organizations. However, as businesses grow and the complexity of information management increases, shared drives reveal significant limitations. Let’s discuss why businesses should consider transitioning from shared drives to a knowledge management system (KMS).

Limitations of Shared Drives
Shared drives, often organize...
MATC Group Inc •

Transform Your Training Programs with an AI-Enhanced LMS

The success of any organization hinges on effective training and development. A learning management system (LMS) centralizes and delivers educational content, ensuring employees have the resources they need for continuous growth. By enhancing onboarding, engagement, personalized learning, and compliance, an LMS addresses modern business challenges head-on. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), these platforms are becoming indispensable tools for cultivating a knowledgeable and sk...
MATC Group Inc •

10 Tips to Ensure No One Uses Your Employee Handbook

The employee handbook: that sacred document designed to guide and inform your employees, creating a cohesive, knowledgeable, and harmonious workplace. But what if you don’t want that? What if your goal is to make sure your employee handbook is as useless as a screen door on a submarine? Look no further! Here’s your ultimate guide to creating an employee handbook that no one will ever use.

1. Make It Longer Than a Russian Novel
Tolstoy’s got nothin’ on your handbook! If War and Peace can fit int...
MATC Group Inc •

20 Expert and Inspirational Quotes about eLearning

As technology continues to transform our lives, eLearning emerges as a beacon of continuous growth and empowerment. In this collection, you’ll find insights and inspirations from leading experts who have shaped the landscape of digital education. Whether you’re an educator, learner, or simply curious about the future of learning, these quotes offer a glimpse into the constantly evolving world of eLearning.

“I see microlearning as being an approach to almost every part of continuous learning.” —...
MATC Group Inc •

How CrowdStrike’s Faulty Update Became a Worldwide Wake-Up Call

Imagine this: You’re having a peaceful day working at a global cybersecurity outfit. It’s Friday, after all, and the weekend is only a few hours away. Then, complaints start coming in from your partner businesses that important systems at airports, hospitals, and media outlets are down…and the complaints keep coming in. Suddenly, bam! That new update your company pushed this morning seems to be the cause of systems going down across the United States and in other countries.
This scenario recentl...
MATC Group Inc •

The Critical Role of Policies and Procedures in Thriving Companies

Thriving companies in our fast-paced business world know that success isn’t just about innovative products or stellar customer service — it’s also about having a solid foundation of well-crafted policies and procedures. These essential frameworks aren’t merely administrative formalities; they are the pillars supporting operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, risk management, and a cohesive organizational culture. Employing policies and procedures offers workers a well-rounded view of thei...
MATC Group Inc •

10 Worst Training Practices: Ensuring Nobody Learns Anything

Training is a cornerstone of corporate success, but why aim for success when you can aim for spectacular failure? Here are some of the absolute worst corporate practices — the ones that guarantee your employees will leave more confused than when they arrived.
Nothing screams “learning opportunity” like a 200-slide PowerPoint presentation read word-for-word. Pack each slide with tiny text and unrelated clip art. The presenter should speak in a monotonous voice that could lull a caffeinated squirr...
MATC Group Inc •

From Newbie to Pro: Top Knowledge Management Practices

Joining a knowledge management team can be both exciting and challenging. Knowledge management (KM) is crucial for leveraging organizational knowledge to enhance performance, innovation, and competitive advantage. As a new member of a KM team, understanding best practices and tips can help you contribute effectively and integrate seamlessly into your role. Here are some key guidelines to help you get started.Before diving into your tasks, you must have a solid grasp of what KM entails. Familiari...
MATC Group Inc •

Instructional Design and ADDIE: An Overview

The ADDIE model is one of the first things that comes up when you search the words “instructional design models.” But what is it and where did it come from?ADDIE stands for Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate Each word refers to a phase of instructional design (the process of creating instructional materials to change behaviors, improve performance, and increase knowledge). The method was invented in 1975 at Florida State University as a better way to train the US military. Today,...
MATC Group Inc •

The Technical Writing Legacy of the Founding Fathers

The American Revolution was not only a war of weapons, but also a battle of ideas and communication. Among the founding fathers, several stood out for their ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, functioning in many ways as technical writers. They played a crucial role in shaping the ideological foundation of the United States and mobilizing public support for independence. Let’s explore the contributions of founding fathers who can be considered technical writers, examini...
MATC Group Inc •

Your Brain’s Best Friend: The Benefits of Personal Knowledge Management

The wealth of knowledge we can quickly – almost immediately – access today is astounding. I don’t know about you, but I’m a Gen Xer who grew up without cable TV and had to cross the vast shag carpeting to turn the knob if I wanted to watch something else on the one TV in the house. We had a set of encyclopedias that was probably outdated the second it was printed. Today, all we need to do is use a phone that fits in our back pocket to find information.However, that abundance of information comes...
Load More