This blog is inspired by a recent, even controversial essay, It’s Time To Build, from Silicon Valley stalwart, Marc Andreessen, recently published on the site of his venture firm, Andreessen Horowitz. Controversy and politics aside, it also holds a message for our Learning and Development sector. 

In terms of today's pandemic and our "New Normal," Andreessen advocates for building something — anything — that moves society forward from here. He stresses the importance of not throwing up one’s hands and feeling helpless. Instead, to “reboot the American dream,” he writes, "we’re all necessary, and we can all contribute, to building.”

Andreessen goes on to note that much of the relevant technology is in the world right now. He highlights education. He even asks why we haven’t used technology more, to reach more people, or even deploy the methodologies we know are effective based on the mountains of existing research to accomplish student success. As a whole, he observes “that many of the tools needed to massively accelerate each into a bright new future already exist, but that it’s easier to stick with the systems that once served us well...." Further, he believes it takes "will" and "desire" to innovate and to push the envelope.

These motivators – will and desire - have been the cornerstones of Scrimmage over the past decade. We were advocating for mobile learning with the dawn of the Apple iPad in 2010.  Our groundswell only continued with the improved capabilities and mass adoption of smartphones (Android and iOS) and laptops. We have been supporting mobile, remote learners for the past decade – and not just the past few weeks, as we shelter-in-place and work-from-home. 

Beyond the early adopters and enduring advocates, mobile learning has for a decade been almost too innovative. On many levels and for many reasons, it was probably “easier” to stick with the standard operating procedures of in-person trainings and learning technology, stopping at an LMS. Except, how does this strategy support learners today?   

Looking forward, Andreessen, among others, including the editors at TechCrunch, call on Silicon Valley to lead the way in “building” and supporting our talent.  After all, immense resources are available there, both knowledge-based and financial.  

However, the same idealism, innovation and tech entrepreneurship is found around the world, with similar drive and ability to lead. I even say it, as I hail from Silicon Valley and yet, I see it in Minneapolis with our own team. I see it with one of our partners in Paris, as another example, along with countless other innovators across the learning and development space – across the globe.     

It goes without question our collective goal is to always offer the best education, along with the best learning technologies to best fit our many learner communities. But, let’s continue to have the “will” and the “desire” to push the envelope, among all of our stakeholders.  From design to technology, let’s build learning that is continuous, easily accessible, encourages employee development and supports vast success. Let's realize it is not a one-size fits all. Let's use today's technology and innovation to tailor education, diversify learning, re/imagine training for further engagement and better outcomes.  It is proving more important, than ever.