I often get asked how e-learning is changing within the Building Materials sector and where is it all heading. One thing is for sure is that the hunger for online information and education is growing, and as the hunger grows the need for more closely customised solutions increases. Understanding how the market works is a key part of how we are able to create those custom solutions, for example we are currently working on three separate projects all of which are aimed at raising the skill and knowledge level of the critical Branch Manager Group within our merchant customers.

Embedding a deep understanding of margin control and working capital is at the centre of two online programmes we are currently working on and the third project is centred on building a learning network to enable the knowledge and experience of the best practitioners to be shared by newer, less experienced individuals. Of the 100+ hours of industry learning we now deliver the quantity of commercial (as opposed to technical) content is up to around 20% and continuing to rise as our customers realise the value we can add in promoting new or value adding products; again this is a sign that the online environment is maturing.