What is sponsorship and support?

Senior management support for e-Learning is a key requirement. It needs to be identified as a Board priority. As well as a dedicated e-Learning strategy it should be intertwined into other strategies within the organisation.

The support and sponsorship of e-Learning needs to be communicated to the organisation. This will ensure that all levels of the organisation are aware of e-Learning and the fact that it is being implemented into the organisation.

As well as Board level support it is also necessary to have supporters within different key areas of the organisation. You will need to identify strategically where these high profile supporters need to be within the organisation. They will range from director level through to operational level. You will need to identify individuals who have proven track records of moving initiatives forward within the organisation. They will also need to be individuals who have creditability with colleagues.

These people need to be willing to stand up and be counted in their support for e-Learning. They will always be looking for different ways and opportunities to show their support and to publicise e-Learning. So you need to ask:

• Do you have CEO support for e-Learning?
• What other key people need to support e-Learning?
• Do you have an e-Learning strategy which is linked to the organisation’s priorities?
• Has the e-Learning strategy been approved at Board level?
• Do you have an e-Learning champion on the organisation’s Board? Do they fully understand e-Learning and the implications?
• Are managers clear of the benefits of e-Learning and able to describe them to others?

How to convey in words and actions?

Engaging e-Learning champions within the organisation is a proven method of conveying the positive messages of e-Learning. e-Learning champions should be spread across all levels of the organisation. Champions are individuals who believe in e-Learning. They can see where it links into the organisation’s business plans and priorities. They attend meetings where they are able to ensure that the benefits of e-Learning are heard and included where appropriate into planned activities.

Look at the section in the Toolkit on e-Champions.

Regular updates in the internal newsletter are a good way of ensuring the ongoing promotion of e-Learning. Any early success stories of where e-Learning has been used within the organisation can be used to encourage support for e-Learning.

Positive learners who are willing to speak out about their experience of e-Learning are very effective at delivering the message. They also have the advantage of being aim to convince colleagues that e-Learning is nothing to fear.

• Who can you use as supporters of e-Learning?
• What messages do you want them to give?

See also statements on Benefits and Strategy