Viacheslav Yurchenkov has been a member of ATD since 2016 from Russia. Here's his story in his own words.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am head of the Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies at Sberbank Corporate University in Russia. My team and I research the best instructional strategies and technologies to implement in our in-class, distance, and blended-learning programs. We host monthly EduTech seminars for L&D professionals, universities, business schools, and training providers to share the best practices in the field. Based on these events, we develop the monthly EduTech magazine with the tips, cases, and additional research content on the specific educational technology. I am also responsible for developing the EduTech digests with the latest trends, news, startups, and events. Additionally, my department consults our program development staff about methodology and instructional technology-related questions regarding how to create the best learning experiences. Prior to working at Sberbank Corporate University, I completed my master’s degree in learning, media, and technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and also worked as an instructional design intern at Volvo Group in Greensboro, North Carolina.
What are your professional goals?
My main goal is to develop, for all interested, the educational technologies and instructional design content, research evidence, and tips that will help to provide the best learning experience for their audience and to show return on investment—how learning and development add value to the business.
What challenges have you overcome in your career?
The biggest challenge was to develop the fire-prevention e-learning program for more than 100,000 Sberbank managers. I was under pressure because I had to deal with SMEs who wanted everything to be included in the program. Additionally, I felt a high responsibility for writing clear instructions as they may have saved thousands of lives. This project helped me understand how to deal with project stakeholders, external providers, and the e-learning program audience.
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve gained or experienced during your membership with ATD?
I am taking advantage of the many ATD resources with membership. TD magazine helps me find cool tools and instructional design strategies that I can share with my colleagues at Sberbank Corporate University. ATD Research helps me prove why learning technologies improve employees’ knowledge retention. Additionally, the Ask a Trainer section helps me to understand opinions on solving training development challenges.
Could you share any professional tips, specific to talent development, that you have picked up along the way?
My greatest tip is to continue constantly exploring and learning new information. We have a lot of resources available. They might be helpful when working on your latest project. For example, I learned a lot from Tim Slade’s about how to use animation, design storyboards, and prototypes from Tim Slade’s webcasts. Additionally, talk to people because they have different opinions. You develop learning for people, not yourself, so their advice might help you to create something relevant for them.
What’s a common misconception you see when it comes to talent development?
A misconception is that educational programs can solve every issue. It is certainly not true. We first need to diagnose a performance issue to find a problem then provide an appropriate instructional strategy and format. However, it may be something more serious that training won’t fix and may need leadership’s attention. We cannot, nor should we, develop training just because “it is your job to fix problems.”
Do you have any advice for people looking to further their careers?
Search for projects that require you to share the best practices and building TD knowledge, skills, and confidence in what you are doing.
What is your personal definition of talent development?
For me, talent development is about helping people to gain relevant knowledge and use it right away. When they can demonstrate what they have learned, it is a signal you are doing your job correctly.
How do you stay motivated?
I love what I am doing. I focus on the audience and the project. I am happy when people recommend our EduTech project (seminars, workshops, issues) to their colleagues and friends.
How do you find meaning in your work?
The target audience feedback is key and my manager’s support keeps me motivated.
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