We’re big fans of the Life Science Trainer and Educators Network (LTEN) annual conference. LTEN is the largest professional development organization for life science trainers, and they offer a wide range of educational programming to further the profession. We’ve attended the annual conference each year since 2014, and each year it seems the quality of the educational sessions and general programming gets better and better.

lten 2018

This year, we’ll be presenting two sessions and showing off our custom learning design and development capabilities in the expo hall. Several BLPers will be in attendance, and the list of sessions we hope to attend is long! Here are eight sessions we are especially excited for.

1. LifeCycle – A Comprehensive and Engaging Approach to Developing Learning Professionals

Presented by: Joy Dilenno & Carla Buono

Tuesday, 6/12: 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM

If your learning organization is in need of standardizing onboarding and exit processes then this session is a must! Formalized employee onboarding programs are a benefit to any organization. According to a 2011 study conducted by the Aberdeen Group, “organizations with a standard onboarding process experience 54 percent greater new hire productivity and 50 percent greater new hire retention.”

The Merck Global Human Health Learning and Development (GHH L&D) team will present an overview of their comprehensive LifeCycle curriculum that outlines a true end-to-end approach for onboarding, professional development, and exit /transitioning tasks for learning and development professionals.

Learn more

2. Creation, Development, Implementation & Evaluation of an eLearning Sales Simulation

Presented by: Brian Stahl

Tuesday, 6/12: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

This presentation will discuss four distinct but inter-related elements of creating a sales simulation training program. The first discussion will be how the process of changing a classroom role-play into an interactive simulation unfolded. Second, Stahl will cover the technological obstacles encountered when attempting to align the vision for online sales simulation using multi-branching sales scenarios ran up against the realities of the authoring tool. Third, he’ll discuss the overall reaction to the automated role-play, what was done to help push and encourage uptake, and the lessons learned from that process. And finally, he’ll discuss implementation and the goals that were achieved.

Learn more

3. Biogen’s Manager Development Curriculum: Driving Engagement and Organizational Change through Manager Effectiveness

Presented by: Nikki Wright

Tuesday, 6/12: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

In this interactive workshop, you will learn about Biogen’s People Manager Curriculum, including how it was designed and developed, how they have ensured it is part of the fabric of the company, how they are driving sustainment, and how their program graduates are impacting culture and business. Over 50% of their people managers have been through a manager development program to date and they are seeing significant outcomes including increased engagement, improved performance, improved perceived managerial effectiveness, and reduced risk.

Learn more

4. Digital Learning Basics: How and When to Use Mobile, Microlearning, and More

Presented by: Sharon & Steven Boller

Tuesday, 6/12: 4:15 PM – 5:45 PM

In this session, BLP President, Sharon Boller, and BLP Director of Marketing and Business Development, Steven Boller, will explore a variety of digital learning and performance support approaches. Through live polling, participants will compare their organization’s adoption of various digital learning strategies with other attendees and benchmark these results against recent industry research. Then, Sharon and Steve will share examples of digital learning tools designed to support a wide range of training needs and audiences. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will explore the optimal use of each tool and gain a clear understanding of how and when approaches such as mobile learning, microlearning, and gamification should be included in a training program.

Learn more

5. Translating the Patient Journey into an Immersive Learning Experience

Presented by: Lisa Lukawski, Katie Gibbs, & Sarah Pinson Ezanidis

Wednesday, 6/13: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

UCB is well established as a leader in the adult Epilepsy therapeutic area. With the addition of a pediatric indication, this organization saw a need to address the differences between selling in an adult space and the challenging dynamic of the pediatric space where families, caregivers, and physicians play roles in treatment decisions.

In an effort to marry their patient centricity with the highly specialized area of Epilepsy, UCB developed a unique and innovative way to fully immerse the commercial facing staff members in journey that a pediatric epilepsy patient, their family, and their caregivers go on from initial symptom presentation, diagnosis, disease management, and future goals thereby enabling sales representatives to not only have thoughtful clinical discussions but bring the patient to the forefront of each discussion with a provider.

Learn more

6. The Luminary Pathway: Lighting a Path to Sustainable, Self-Driven Field Professional Development

Presented by: Stephanie Bayt, Timothy Moore, & Tamara Williams

Wednesday, 6/13: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Learn about the Luminary Pathway launch program, the six-step process to become a Luminary, including the development of a four-part portfolio highlighting individual successes, organizational impact, alignment with organizational competencies & values, career goals, and a high-impact project idea, and the impact technology has had on driving adoption of the program. Take part in an active Q&A session on how you can successfully launch your own Luminary program. Participants will hear from actual EMD Serono Luminaries, discuss the measurable impact the program has had at EMD Serono, and will leave the session with a “big idea” and specific steps on how they can lead the Luminary transformation in their organizations.

Learn more

7. Practical, Innovative, Scenario-Based Development Tools for Self-Assessing Learning Needs

Presented by: Jennifer Gardella

Wednesday, 6/13: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

In this session, you will hear how Biogen designed and developed their Development Tool. You’ll discuss the relative merits of various learning needs assessment methodologies and share best practices. Gardella will share practical tips and tools for helping your organization understand the competency of its workforce and gain hands-on experience by interacting directly with Biogen’s tools.

Learn more

8. Diagnosis Learning: The Anatomy of Developing a Global Learning Strategy

Presented by: Jennifer Imerini, Judi Haberkorn, & Jon Martin

Wednesday, 6/13: 4:15 PM – 5:45 PM

Using case study examples from the thought leader panel, this team will explore how growing companies approach their expanding, global training needs. Understanding challenges with global learning strategy is key for effective learning that will resonate positively on the engagement and perception of the learner about the company. Learners today are faced with company changes and acquisitions that create more virtual environments and global work teams. These virtual work environments and culturally blended teams are shaping the design and delivery of learning. Participants will learn tips for planning internal and external training and practical suggestions for planning learning strategies.

Learn more


Bonus: 20-Minute Learning Labs

Tuesday, June 12

Learning by Doing: CHEST’s Novel Application of Simulation & Gamification

Presented by: Rod Taylor & Chad Jackson

Time: 11:15 AM – 11:35 AM

Global content and local audience: customization is a success factor

Presented by: Janis Shea

Time: 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM

Wednesday, June 13

Driving Field Leader Excellence

Presented by: Kristi Ciro-Bauman & Chris Walter

Time: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM

Forget the Forgetting Curve! Sharing New Trends and Impactful Ways to Increase Retention and Application

Presented by: Elissa Sternbergh Hoehn

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM

Chatbot as Field Sales Coach? 4 Use Cases to Pilot in 2018

Presented by: Steven Boller

Time: 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM

Moving from Tasks to Strategy: Building a Collaborative Partnership with Your Cross-Functional Training Customers

Presented by: Chris Platanos & Tamara Williams

Time: 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM


If you prefer a more intimate learning environment, you may be interested in eXLearn – BLP’s first annual conference for workplace learning professionals. Learn more and sign up to be notified when registration opens to receive an early bird discount.