Aaron delivered this presentation as the closing keynote session at the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) annual convention Thursday, July 19, 2012, in Muncie, IN. Following is a blog of the same name that provides an executive summary of the content shared during this presentation: http://bit.ly/LkvywH.

1. Return on Learning (ROL):
More Than a Boring Statistic
Thursday, July 19, 2012
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

2. Tweet! Tweet!
@AaronWolowiec of
#EventGarde is discussing
return on learning at the
2012 #ISAEConvention.
#gameon #awesome #rockstar

3. Fast Forward

4. Before the Conference
Learning Goals Relationship Goals
• Knowledge/skills • Needs/insights
• Agenda/program • Qualify contacts
• Distractions • Reciprocity

5. During the Conference
• Breakouts • Networking breaks
• Hallway • Meals/receptions
conversations • Keynotes
• Back of the Napkin• Special events
(see: DanRoam.com)
• Social media
Write down all potential action items.

6. After the Conference
• Review notes
• Categorize ideas
– Doable*
– Significant payoff**
• Refine ideas
• Implement ideas
• Accountability

7. Road Map
• ROI vs. ROL
• Case studies
• “What’s in it for me?”
• Learning organizations
• Discussion
• Wrap-up

8. Return on Investment (ROI)
• A performance measure used to evaluate
the efficiency of an investment.
Revenue – Investment
• ROI = X 100
Investment

9. Return on Learning (ROL)
• A derivative of ROI used to evaluate the
efficiency of an organization’s learning
investments.
Total Benefit – Total Cost
• ROL = X 100
Total Cost

10. Case Study: ISAE Convention
Training Costs Perceived/Actual Benefits
• Registration fees • Session content
• Training materials – Tools
• Transportation – Technologies
– Mileage – Processes
– Parking • Association contacts
• Lodging • Supplier contacts
• Meals • Best practices
• Opportunity costs • Skill development

11. Case Study: ISAE Convention
Short-term Value Long-term Value
• Contacts • Strategy
• Ideas • Tactics
• Goals • Products
• Objectives • Services
• Profit

12. Case Study: NSA Convention
Costs for attending the meeting = $ 2,000
Total benefits from ideas implemented = $ 10,000
• 3 bookings at $2,500 each • = $ 7,500
• 6 months of increased product sales • = $ 2,000
• Savings on printing with new vendor • = $ 500
$10,000 - $2,000
ROL = X 100 = 400%
$2,000

13. “What’s in it for me?”
• Volume of education programs
• Important to:
– Understand ROL
– Leverage ROL
• Outcomes:
– Perceived value
– Program attendance
– Bottom line

15. Examples Courtesy:
Preliminary Program
for the AHCA/NCAL
63rd Annual
Convention & Expo

16. Tips for Maximizing Staff ROL
1. Development plans:
– Individualized for each employee
– Specific leadership competencies
– Position, team, organization and profession
2. Management champions:
– Support employee learning
3. Application of learning:
– Classroom, workplace and relationships

17. Learning Organizations
• Improved decision-making skills
• Future cost savings
• Increased productivity
• Higher quality work
• Better efficiency

18. Staff Learning Investments
• The right thing to do.
• Effects on business performance are
cumulative.
• Financial return on investment.
• Multidimensional return:
– Culture
– Reputation
– Productivity

19. Deficient Learning Practices
• Poor quality
• Inefficiency
• Low staff morale
• Communication issues
• Turnover
• High recruitment costs

20. Food for Thought
1. How does your organization leverage
ROL when marketing programs and
events?
2. How does your organization support
the process of continuous learning?

21. Wrap-up
• Learning/aha moments
• Facebook or
business card:
– Slide deck
• Consulting coupons:
– Planner: $500
– Supplier: $250

22. Content Resources
• NSA, Learning Goals and ROA. (2012).
www.mynsa.org/portals/0/documents/
ROA.pdf
• Return on Learning (ROL): More Than a
Boring Statistic. (2012).
www.aaronwolowiec.com
• Case studies courtesy of:
ISAE, MSAE, MACPA, NSA, AHCA and
NCAL.

23. Contact Information
Aaron D. Wolowiec
MSA, CAE, CMP, CTA
Founder & President
Event Garde LLC
Phone: (616) 710-1891
Email: aaron@eventgarde.com
Web: www.eventgarde.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EventGardeLLC