How it all started…
CommsLearning’s journey began in October 2003 where it started as a technical training company in West Berkshire. We delivered technical IT and telecoms training in the classroom to engineers and technical specialists.
In 2006 Paul Service joined the team in Surrey as a technical trainer thanks to his varied background in IT and networking. As things got busier, Paul’s responsibilities grew and over the coming months he took over the running of the business.
By 2007 we had re-focused our efforts into eLearning, thus taking a major turn that transitioned CommsLearning into the digital learning business we are today.
The first course CommsLearning built (which was a great success might we add!) was for Vodafone UK which was developed in Articulate Storyline.
From then on we’ve seen a steady flow of everything from blue chip companies to small businesses turning to us to create custom digital learning programmes that keep their employee teams connected and engaged.
CommsLearning over the years has built a great team of designers and project managers, all priding themselves in understanding the learner experience, and are all skilled at the latest technologies.
Throughout our 19 years we’ve been lucky enough to base ourselves out of 5 different offices across the south east and even an office in Barcelona until last year. Today we’ve put our roots down to join the rest of our industry in the sunny coastal home of eLearning, Brighton, UK, where we feel the future looks bright for the CommsLearning team.
A quick Q&A with our director Paul Service
Q 1. What is CommsLearning’s biggest success to date?
I think it was probably re-inventing ourselves soon after I joined the business from a face to face technical training company to the digital learning agency we are today. One minute our world was all about 5 day classroom courses and the next everyone was asking us to deliver content via eLeanring. We had to react fast as our first request for eLearning was from one of our biggest customers at the time (Vodafone) who I am proud to say is with us to this day!
Q 2. What do you think makes CommsLearning stand out from other digital learning companies?
When I took over the business, I spent a lot of time listening to what other agencies did wrong and made sure that we did the opposite. I heard lots of tales about withholding source material - So we make sure we share all our working files. There was a fear about the talent getting outsourced - So we offer to work in close partnership with your existing team. People got frustrated with the lack of transparency in price - So we are open about our costs and how long it takes. In essence it boils down to our strap-line which has underpinned us for a few years now - Enabling, not just outsourcing.
Q 3. What can clients expect when working with CommsLearning in terms of their communication and project management?
Communication is key for any digital learning project as things change. It doesn’t seem to matter how much time is invested upfront, once the project starts and real stakeholders are being asked to review and sign off content - Things change - And that’s OK. We pride ourselves on flexibility and openness of communication - That’s the key for us.
Q 4. What type of projects do you LOVE working on?
I personally love the curveball ones - The ones where we have to think laterally, or use a few different technologies to get the desired results. I also like the ones where we need to think a bit more commercially, where the training we are producing is actually part of the client's product or service, as it gives it a different dimension and focus.