Why International Trade Compliance Training is so important

The Internet has made the world a smaller place, and as a result it is much easier to do business on an international level. But the society we live in today has made this trade more regulated, and without the proper training you could fall foul of rules you did not even know existed.

International trade is not as easy as it could be, partly because things change. You need to go to the correct source materials and get the right guidance each time you export goods.

With international trade compliance training you can ensure that you are ready to do business in this ever changing economy and that you are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow. You can not only ensure that you understand international trade and the fine details that come with it, but you can also prepare yourself for changes that are on the way and how they could affect the way you do business. It is becoming increasingly important for everyone in the business world to understand how shipping and trade policies work. If you do not take the time to receive international trade compliance training you could face some very serious implications, and even fines.

Some of the regulations and classifications (also know as tags) are straight forward whilst some are a little more unusual. You may need a licensee when taking your laptop abroad for example- and the same goes for your mobile phone. Do not worry though, once you know where to look and what to do it becomes easier to get the right classification.

You may be surprised that an average of 10 companies per month get fined for breaching international trade compliance regulations, and often they have no idea they have done anything wrong. This is why training is so important. Sometimes there is no fine or imprisonment, but your business may be put on hold while a license is sorted out ? this can take over a year in itself, so best make sure everything is okay now.

Without proper training these are the risks that you and your business could be taking. One minor miscalculation or mix up and you could be facing an international trade fine that could leave your business in shambles. Is that really a risk that you are willing to take with your business and your hard earned money?

If you are happy to risk your business without proper international trade compliance training then that is your business and we wish you well. Why would you not want to get help when its so readily available from a host of ITC companies?

International trade is an important part of doing business as the world gets smaller. The Internet is linking up more and more companies. Internet browsers can now translate a foreign page into your language, and online communication tools make international calling free. International trade compliance training is all you need to start tapping in to this lucrative market.

Purchasing vs. Building Training Platforms: Tips and Ideas for Decision-Making

Assume that you been assigned by your employer to suggest whether your company should buy or build a training platform from scratch. How would you state your case, for and against the decision that your company should make? Should you recommend buying an existing off-the-shelf software application or would you suggest that your company purchase existing software?

Custom-built software has the appeal of being designed to fit your particular training needs. One issue you should address early is whether or not it will save you any effort and time, rather than purchasing existing software. Also, you would have to determine the employees in the organization who need to have access to the training software. An additional point to note is that the data management, data processing, and data reporting functions and features should be planned on from the onset of the project to then be implemented and tried out during product testing. Remember also to focus on data quality as you develop the training software. So, if you are planning to incorporate e-learning tools, be sure that data tracking and management is accurate and efficient.

If you make a decision to purchase a learning management system, be sure that the features that you really need are already part of the system. You should not assume that the training platform will meet all your teaching and learning needs. As a matter of fact, it is not a good idea to assume that the training software;s data management and collection system is going to be automatic. Hence look to answer the following questions as you decide what is it that you want for your training needs:

Seek to answer the following questions: What user interface features are desired? What level of trouble shooting and debugging is needed during production and development? What levels of access will different users have? How will usability testing be approached? What database outputs are needed for training and records?

Typically, the above questions will generate different answers for each individual company or organization. Therefore a team should work together and have a project manager coordinate the entire process. Usability testing must also be part of the process throughout the design and implementation. Using a small group of learners and instructors, the training platform should be tested out to ensure that it suits both the instructional and training needs of the organization.

Sometimes it turns out that homegrown products are more expensive either to build or maintain. There is also a possibility that the people who build the systems are no longer with the organization and the technical support is thus interrupted. Because of these issues, companies end up looking for off-the-shelf product, with standard support, training, and continuous upgrades and improvements that they can buy rather than build themselves.

One disadvantage of pre-existing software is that it may not always meet your particular training and educational needs. Technical support can be expensive and not readily available when needed. The support features that include licensing and copyright requirements and software updates should be part of the project management teams discussion while the procurement process is ongoing. Whenever it is possible, looking into the customizable, flexible features of off-the-shelf applications is suggested. Most software vendors may have this as an option, so it is a good idea to investigate this further.

So, regardless of the option you or the company decides to go with, remember that you will likely incur additional costs in maintenance, updates, and user training. In the final event what it boils down to is the return on investment for the company. Even more important is the value added to the organization through the training and skill and knowledge advancement of the trainees (employees), instructors and learning management system team.

Working Parents Returning to School: Tips for Successfully Completing your Degree

You just never seem to have any spare time to do all the things that need to get done. Everything is a priority. You don’t know where the time does. Now, you are also thinking of going back to school!

Home expenses are an issue that most families deal with, and incorporating a new payment for tuition is not a likely option for the monthly budget. The United States Census Bureau notes that about one-fifth of families in the country are headed up by a single parent, who in most cases is the mother. Further, 95% of the single parents earn less than $75,000 a year in income. So, returning to school is a financial quagmire.

The US Department of Labor reports that most mother who work have full time jobs. When they get home they spend another ten hours cooking, cleaning, running errands, running car poolings, playing with the kids, washing and doing laundry in addition to their other responsibilities.

The good news is that there are many programs available for working parents (both moms and dads) through accredited distance learning programs as well as financial resources such as scholarships and grants to support working parents. Government and private foundation programs are available specifically for single parents and working mothers.

The first step is to figure what you want to go back to school for. Then, find out the available financial options from the prospective college. This information can be obtained from the college’s financial aid office. In-depth Internet research will also yield you various results. In addition, going to the local library and looking through the annual scholarship books is always a good recommendation. One thing to remember though – watch for the deadlines and make sure you submit your application on time. Also determine the application materials that should be submitted such as letters of recommendation or essays and prepare those ahead of time. In addition, be sure to apply for the right scholarships. Some are quite specific in their criteria. For example some scholarships are only available for student in certain areas such as engineering or science.

The next thing is time management. With all your other responsibilities and tasks, adding school to your to-do list be daunting. So, developing and sticking to a routine will help give you and the family some structure. For example you can establish the children’s bedtime and stick to it so that after they go to bed you can study without interruptions. You can also get into the habit of getting lunches ready in the evening to save you time in the morning and avoid the rushed feeling. Delegate responsibilities for your family members so that you don’t have to feel like you have to do it all alone. This will help you in reducing the stress level and this means more focus in your studying. Keep a calendar or daily planner and use it to monitor events at home, work, and school.

As far as succeeding in your classes, there are a few strategies that you can employ. First, find out what each of your instructors expects from you early in the course. Then, ensure you read the syllabus thoroughly and ask any questions sooner than later. Write down due dates for assignments and exam dates and study ahead of time.

Dont wait until the last minute to start working on your big class project or term paper. Creating self-deadlines is a good strategy get this going. Be sure to prioritize your assignments and your work or home activities ensuring nothing gets pushed back. Pace yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is also very important to be self confident and to tell yourself you can do it.

Instructional Design Careers: Locating the Best Graduate Program for You

So, you are contemplating a degree in instructional design. The first thing to know is that there are various instructional design degrees and instructional technology degrees available, but the specific preparation and concentrations may be different depending on what you want to do when you graduate. At present, most colleges and universities only offer instructional design degrees at the graduate level. These are ” MS, MA, MEd, EDS, and PhD programs.

The second thing to keep in mind is that instructional designers develop content to be used by trainers, instructors, teachers, or other designers, with the purpose of enhancing instructional effectiveness and outcomes. They decide on the most effective instructional delivery methods for a given set of skills and knowledge. Hence, this requires an in-depth knowledge of educational psychology, understanding the learner, and determining the best instructional media to incorporate.

As a future student, you ought to consider several issues when selecting your ideal program or university. It is important to think about your future professional goals, your expertise and interests, distance learning options, and the cost of the program.

Something else to look for when doing your search is the name that the programs might be listed as. Common program titles are: Computer Education, Educational Technology, Instructional Design and Development, Instructional Technology, Instructional Systems Technology, Learning Technologies, Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation, Instructional Design and Technology and Instructional and Performance Technology. It is important to know this as this may be an indication of the types of courses you would be taking.

Another important consideration is whether your prospective graduate program is accredited. Being accredited mean that the program has undergone self-evaluation, it has been reviewed by peers and peer institutions, and accreditation bodies. Accreditation bodies are tasked with evaluating program to ensure that they conform to established standards that address the goals, mission, objectives, curriculum, students, faculty, administration, finances, and physical facilities and resources. Most employers will require you to have a degree attained from an accredited program. In addition, if you ever need to transfer or join another program, your new institution will evaluate whether your degree is worthwhile.

Instructional design programs offer different areas of specialization to prepare their students. Instructional designers, instructional technologist, or e-learning specialists work in a variety of different settings in corporations, K-12 schools, universities, government, the military, and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).

Whenever possible try and schedule a visit to the institution that you are interested in and talk to the instructors and students. Ask them questions about internships, jobs, employment, the kinds of courses you will be taking and the general structure of the programs. Check out the classrooms, library resources, and computer labs to see what is available to the students. This information will help you in making final decisions.

You will generally have an academic advisor assigned to you to help you develop a good program of study. Various institutions have different course requirements and some departments do offer special tracks such as multimedia or evaluation specializations. This however is dependent on the overall structure of the program and the available electives.

Instructional design is a growing field for people who enjoy training, working with learners, developing multimedia, and designing instructional content. The profession has established a broad knowledge base in learning psychology, cultural studies, and media studies. The profession continues to expand as more organizations move toward e-learning, human performance technology, and other instructional modes.