Boutique Philosophy

What does the "boutique" philosophy mean?  Besides the fact that we are a small company,  it means that we provide custom solutions that are tailored to your needs.  We do not provide mass market learning products and services. Our solutions are unique and specialized. They are high-end in design, but not high-end in cost.  We don't support the idea that bigger is better, nor do we support the notion that if something is highly engaging and interactive it has to come at a premium price.

We do, however, enjoy being able to provide premium service to our clients.  You and your project have our undivided attention.  You're working with the same ABL Solutions resource the entire way through the process. We don't pass you off from one person to the next.  This means that we are very selective in the projects that come our way.  If taking on a new project means that we would have to compromise the service we are providing to an existing client, then we pass on the project. We don't do everything for everyone, and we don't want to.

Our Approach

Learner-Centric

At ABL Solutions, learners and learning come first.  Our solutions are learner-centric and performance-oriented.  We strive to give learners an "experience" by incorporating:

• visual storytelling
• meaningful real-world business process simulations
• challenging interactions
• opportunities to practice performance
• opportunities to make choices that allow learners to choose their learning path

To further support the learner, we strive to develop learning solutions that are short and focused, otherwise known as "microlearning."  Through microlearning, the learner is able to complete chunks of content while they are on the go - on the train or bus; in a doctor's waiting room; during lunch breaks, etc.  This visually stimulating learning can be in the form of a short video or a simple interactive simulation or even a mash-up of resources and interactions. Through microlearning chunks, learners are able to focus on a specific skill or sub-competency.

ABL Solutions will also work with your learning management system (LMS) team to integrate these learning events into your LMS and/or your Learning Record Store (LRS).

Learning Solutions

Through close collaboration, the core learning solutions we provide include:

• Serious e-Learning
• Mobile Learning (m-Learning)
• Performance Support
• Converting Instructor-Led Training (ILT) to Online Learning
• Instructional Systems Design
• LCMS Implementation Consultation

"Boutique" Services

ABL Solutions also provides "boutique" learning services that compliment our core products, but also stand-alone to serve other business needs. This set of services includes:

• Graphic Recording/Facilitation
• User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Design
• Graphic Design
• Organizational Change Management (OCM) Support

The Workforce Learner

Our learning solutions target adult learners in the workforce. We recognize that adult learners have busy lives. They have full-time jobs, families, hobbies, and other responsibilities. There isn't much "free time" available to devote to learning. Therefore, ABL Solutions delivers online learning experiences that fit into these hectic lifestyles.  In order to do that effectively, our solutions are accessible through multiple channels that are readily accessible to the learner - whether that be through the learning management system (LMS); from an internet or intranet site; or through a mobile device such as a smartphone or digital tablet.

"Go Helium"

ABL Solutions epitomizes the Go Helium philosophy (Peter Arnell, "Shift", 2010).  Helium is lighter than air and pushes us up.  Going "helium" is not about reaching the status quo.  Instead, it's about going higher and farther than we thought we could and going beyond the obvious.  ABL Solutions strives to develop these types of learning experiences.  Our approach will often take our clients "out of the box" by exploring creative thoughts and ideas from unconventional sources.  Our inspirations come from everywhere and everything.  As a result, we are able to Go Helium and develop solutions that are often new and unexpected, but are also operational and effective.

Going helium is not all we are and do.  ABL Solutions is also pragmatic. Because we are a bespoke learning development shop, we are able to tailor our solutions to not only meet your learning and learner requirements but also your bottom line. While our solutions are creative and engaging, they are also "practically" built.  We want them to be sustainable over the long-haul with minimal investment.  Therefore, our learning solutions are not going to take you beyond what you can afford and maintain.

Perspectives