The need for greater collaboration within the industry was a key point to come out of the European eLearning Summit - which Baker attended, as one of Europe's top eLearning strategists, developers and providers. Baker said: "I think that collaboration will be the buzz word of the next decade, not just in learning and development, but in the business world as a whole. I'm delighted to see more cooperation in the eLearning industry - in the current economic climate, collaboration becomes critical to business success."

Within weeks of the European eLearning Summit taking place, the world's first standard for collaborative business relationships - known as BS 11000 - was launched at an event at the House of Lords, in London. The standard, developed by BSI with Partnership Sourcing Ltd (PSL) along with government and procurement professionals, is helping organisations to establish, manage and improve strategic partnering both within and across the public and private sectors.


Already, the new standard has made an impact on the eLearning sector, with eLearning content specialist Xor Ltd showing an interest in being the first from this sector to achieve the standard.


BS 11000 provides a consistent framework for collaborative partnerships in business which can be scaled and adapted to meet particular business needs. In particular, the standard aims to address business sectors and elements of partnering relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Congratulating PSL for its work in taking collaborative concepts and driving their practical application to place the UK at the forefront on innovative thinking, Lord Strathclyde, the leader of the House of Lords and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, commented: "The significant challenges faced by both government and industry today require innovative approaches in all sectors as we strive to reduce the budget deficit and stimulate growth for the UK. This will require strong cooperation - collaboration even - between industry and Government."


"I understand that other countries, notably the USA, are interested in learning more about this new standard - in an area where, once again, Britain leads the world," he added.

BSI's CEO, Howard Kerr confirmed that, in January, a team from BSI and PSl is visiting the Pentagon to outline BS 11000 to American Department of Defense officials. Mr Kerr also mentioned that the British Government, along with the Ministry of Defence, agree that a collaborative approach delivers better value for all and so endorse the standard.

The key to getting this new standard accepted will be promoting it as a sine qua non for all contracts awarded to collaborative frameworks and consortia. However, the key to embedding the principles behind BS 11000 is finding ways to teach new managers how to manage via the principles and practice of collaboration, rather than by the old 'command and control' approach that has been taught up to now.

For over 20 years, Bob Little has specialised in writing about, and commentating on, corporate learning - especially elearning - and technology-related subjects. His work has been published in the UK, Continental Europe, the USA and Australia.
You can contact Bob.