Driving Success in the Post-Pandemic Learning Landscape

Dan Lovekamp, Director of Training at Auffenberg Dealer Group

What are your key responsibilities at Auffenberg Dealer Group concerning the Learning Management System (LMS) space?

My role as the Auffenberg Dealer Group's director of training is to oversee the applicant tracking system and the onboarding process, as well as to ensure compliance while recruiting fresh talent and getting them started on a positive trajectory. I also ensure that these employees have a higher chance of achieving success in the long run within the company.

What in your opinion are the main challenges impacting the corporate learning management space?

Currently, one of the foremost challenges confronting the LMS industry is the identification of suitable individuals.Businesses in every industry have been dealing with a situation where there is a surplus of open positions over the course of the last three to four years. This has caused HR departments in every organization to reevaluate the hiring process that was traditionally followed.In addition, the pandemic has presented fundamental challenges to the LMS industry. Presently, hiring new staff is more of a concern than training in terms of quantity or type.

With all of these potential transformations and disruptions, how do you envision the future of the LMS sector?

Business fundamentals, along with priorities, are constantly changing from what they were about five years ago. With a new workforce in place, flexibility and adaptability are more crucial than ever before. The latest jargons are remote and hybrid work and remote learning and what I anticipate is that the future of the LMS sector will be dependent on these latest developments.The subsequent years will be built on corporate training and development solutions that can be easily adapted and modified.

Could you share some insights about any current projects you are working on at Auffenberg Dealer Group? What technological tools are you leveraging to ensure the project's success?

I am currently working on a project that involves applicant tracking systems. Though applicant tracking software does not require an extensive amount of expertise, it is critical to ensure that these systems are effective, user-friendly, and compatible with our current dealer management system.

What advice do you have for your peers working in the LMS sector?

The words flexibility, accountability, intentionality, and consistency have never been more important. The key ingredient to our success is our capacity to reach out to potential employees. In today's business environment, we do not have the advantage of having fresh talents reach out to us. According to Adam Robinson, CEO of Hireology, hiring today is like selling a product. Ensuring an end-to-end delivery experience requires a complete needs assessment and product presentation, and leaders must understand this.