Learning Light
Second Floor, Gladstone Building,
1 St James Row, Sheffield, S1 2EU
Tel +44 (0)114 223 2442; Web www.learninglight.com
21st January 2008
Learning Light creates the UK's first learning (e-learning)
solutions Virtual Enterprise Network (VEN)
Learning Light, a non-profit organisation which focuses on integrating
systems and aligning learning and people development programmes to meet
strategic business goals, has created the UK's first Virtual Enterprise
Network (VEN) - a consortium of companies to sell learning-related
products and services.
The Learning Light (LL)-led Virtual Enterprise Network (VEN) comprises
a consortium of companies and tenders for large private and public
sector contracts.
LL's CEO, Mark Pittaway, explained: "The VEN brings together businesses
to meet customer requirements. It allows innovative and creative
companies which are unlikely to have the resources to win - and supply
- large contracts on their own to combine, within a proper legal and
project management framework, to win and deliver these contracts.
"This has benefits for both the customers and suppliers.
"For example, through the VEN, public sector organisations can
establish a framework agreement which provides them with one point of
access to a wide range of innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
that can be called upon as required to meet their changing learning
solution needs and at the same time hit Government targets for
procuring from SMEs - but it all happens within a less risky
environment,” Pittaway continued. "This is because each member of the
VEN is ‘vetted' before joining and, once a contract is awarded, the VEN
members collectively guarantee to complete the contract and agree to
work to a common project management methodology to ensure customers
receive a consistent approach
"Not least, it also saves procurement departments a lot of work in
negotiating separate agreements with each SME when an overarching
agreement can be used to access a wider range of innovative learning
products and solutions than would normally be feasible.”
In forming and leading the consortium, LL is working with VEN
Operations Ltd - a Yorkshire Forward project. The only other example of
a VEN is currently operating in the USA.
LL's VEN member organisations offer a range of complementary
capabilities which are continually being grown with the addition of new
members. The current organisations include Andymayer.net, BiBC,
Futurate, Hocapito, Pixelearning, TechnoPhobia and Soundhouse.
"Each of these companies bringing a unique skill set to offer leading
edge solutions, innovation and agile thinking so characteristic to
small companies,” said David Patterson, LL's head of partnership.
"An on-going frustration to many small and medium enterprises is the
cost and complexity of public sector procurement but, with companies
working together in this manner using the VEN model of ready made
contractual agreements, governance and collaboration toolsets, LL and
its group of enterprising companies have demonstrated that large
contracts are not beyond small and medium enterprises,” he added.
End
Notes for Editors
About Learning Light Ltd
Learning Light is a non-profit organisation that builds relationships
between learning technology researchers, suppliers, buyers and learners
providing learner-centric information to encourage the growth of
learning technologies. By sharing comprehensive research, highlighting
successes and failures, Learning Light helps to promote the learning
technologies community.
Learning Light provides bespoke and individual services to help both
buyers and suppliers of learning technologies (e-Learning). Its current
services include:
Research Services
Providing access to expert insights, advice and guidance built on
indepth research. Helping organisations to effectively implement
learning technologies (e-Learning) and integrate them within their
workflow processes.
Membership Services
Partnering with leading thinkers in the industry and providing a
network for all interested in the field to share information,
knowledge, insight, experience and expertise, through utilising online
community tools, networking events, conferences and guru seminars.
Professional Services
Our highly experienced team offers organisations access to range of
competitively priced consultancy services supporting buyers with the
effective implementation of their learning technology (e-Learning)
requirements. And, for suppliers, helping to provide a range of
services to assist market awareness and generate growth.
In addition, Learning Light provides a comprehensive Professional
Development programme to help Learning & Development professionals
understand the significance of learning technologies in the workplace
today and how to effectively implement them within the workflow
processes of their organisation.
Sheffield-based Learning Light is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the
regional development agency for Yorkshire, and the Humber and Objective
1 South Yorkshire.
Further information from:
Mark
Pittaway/ Kay Simpson, Learning Light, 0114 201 5703
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405
www.learninglight.com
