http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/ The Nangle+Partners blog discusses topics related to our practice: education, strategy, and sales best practices. Visit the main Nangle+Partners site to learn more about our work. en Copyright 2011 2011-08-24T04:41:28+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/top_5_reasons_to_love_big_universe/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/top_5_reasons_to_love_big_universe/#When:04:41:28Z I’ve come across a web application that excites me.  The company is called Big Universe and they are really smart.  Here is why: 1.  Their timing is spectacular - as states, districts and schools contemplate and legislate the transition from print to digital, there are few solutions as robust as Big Universe.  2.  They are in the content aggregation business.  For why this is a good thing, read this. 3.  The product is of the absolute highest quality. 4.  The price point fits within the current economic and budget reality in K-12. 5.  The product is delivered over the internet and does not tax the technology infrastructure of the customer. I believe strongly in this company and their solutions.  So I am joining them full time to pursue sales success with reseller channels.  I am really, really excited for the opportunity.   2011-08-24T04:41:28+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/business_models_content_aggregtion_vs_content_production/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/business_models_content_aggregtion_vs_content_production/#When:18:05:41Z This is a very interesting read from The Atlantic: Why Content Isn’t King Thanks to Sean Sykes for forwarding. 2011-08-08T18:05:41+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ontarios_self-directed_learning_high_schools_compared/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ontarios_self-directed_learning_high_schools_compared/#When:13:29:54Z In my last blog post I promised to report back on how Canadian self-directed schools performed against the rest.  One of the fundamental beliefs in self-directed learning is that students learn best when they are provided with choice.  The idea of student choice in education challenges some of the underlying structures of modern schooling.  In particular, I was interested to see how Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School stacked up against other schools.  I learned about Mary Ward listening to Episode 2 of a podcast series called Teaching Out Loud from the Canadian Education Association that focused on innovation in Canadian schools.  Admittedly, I’ve taken the easy (but controversial) road by going straight to the Fraser Institute.  I normally don’t use the Fraser Institute’s stats to guide my judgement - but in this case I was curious to see how well these schools “tested” against other Ontario schools.  In other words, if a school turns everything upside down, challenges all assumptions and structures, how do they compare in the “standard” measures of performance?  Here is what I learned: You can see that Mary Ward performs very well compared to the average Ontario high school.  So does another self-directed high school in Hamilton called Westmount (though it doesn’t score as well as MW).  Their non-traditional approaches seem to serve them well on tradition measures.  So then - why are so few schools innovating in this regard?  Is our system too rigid for this kind of innovation?  Is it too difficult, energy sapping and political to implement the best practices honed through 15 years of implementation at Mary Ward?  I’d like to know way more - I’m going to reach out to some of the innovative staff at Mary Ward.  I’ll let you know what I learn if I get through.  I’ll also post what I know about Mary Ward and their structures separately in the near future. 2011-07-14T13:29:54+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/self_directed_learning_high_schools_in_canada_-_why_only_6/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/self_directed_learning_high_schools_in_canada_-_why_only_6/#When:21:24:26Z The idea of self directed learning is not new.  There is something about self directed learning that is new to me though.  Here is what is new to me - there are high schools in Canada that have entirely embraced self directed learning, they’ve been at it for a long time and they’ve even formed their own coalition.  If you check out this link you’ll see a list of fundamental practices and values.  They are the values and practices that we often here the likes of Sir Ken Robinson (you know the famous TED talk - right?  Of course you do.) espouse.  So, it seems there are a few (very few) schools that actually do what many ed reformers have been talking about.  Who knew?  Seems that at least half the 6 member schools of this coalition are from the Catholic school system.  Is there something about this system that fosters and accepts this kind of innovation?  Oh - and why only 6 schools?  6 implies that these schools don’t perform as well as the others - that their graduates aren’t as well prepared for the challenges of the real world - that their graduates don’t test as well as others.  I’m going to dig into whether that is actually the case and get back to you.  If that isn’t the case - then why only 6?  2011-07-08T21:24:26+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ed_tech_cluster_-_might_ottawa_have_one/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ed_tech_cluster_-_might_ottawa_have_one/#When:15:36:06Z I read a bunch of ed tech blogs regularly.  This is one I never miss - edReformer.  Excellent reading, always.  This particular post got me thinking about Ottawa as an ed tech cluster: edReformer on edTech clusters Does Ottawa have the right mix of ed tech assets (institutions / associations / established corp players and start-ups) to provide the seeds of a cluster?  Something worthy of discussing at the first Ottawa Ed Tech Network Meet-up? 2011-06-29T15:36:06+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/independent_sales_reps_needed/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/independent_sales_reps_needed/#When:12:51:24Z Are you currently selling into public schools in Canada?  Have you always wanted to be independent of the daily administrative requirements that come with being a fully employed sales rep?  Let Nangle+Partners ease your transition to an independent sales environment. Primary Responsibilities The Independent Sales Representatives will be responsible for the sale of education technology solutions in a geographical territory or for a specific product line. Specific Responsibilities • Acts professionally and ethically at all times. • Executes selling opportunities using the appropriate sales process. • Understands and leverages sales milestones to advance sales opportunities. • Continually develops a healthy and balanced opportunity pipeline. • Presents and demonstrates • Continually develops industry contacts. • Acts as the internal customer advocate. • Writes quality sales quotes and proposals. • Closes sales. • Extensive travel within the assigned territory may be required from time to time. We Want People With: • A passion for education and education technology • A proven track record selling into Canadian school districts • A deep understanding of the Canadian K-12 market • Strong relationships within the territory • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Excellent time management and organizational skills • The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with complete independence • A clear customer focus • A driver’s license and vehicle About Us Nangle+Partners is launching a Canadian education technology reseller business this summer!  This business is designed to complement our consulting services and provide a viable sales channel for the many great new companies looking to Canada’s public schools as a market with opportunity. • We are looking for experienced K-12 independent sales representatives from all over Canada to sell the best new ed tech software products available in the market today. Apply here - Independent Sales Representatives     2011-06-23T12:51:24+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/what_does_diana_rhotens_departure_mean_for_startl/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/what_does_diana_rhotens_departure_mean_for_startl/#When:12:07:57Z According to the good people at Edsurge, Diana Rhoten’s departure signals a new phase for Startl.  What this phase is has yet to be announced.  Question: is the accelerator business model well suited to K-12 where institutional decision making is slow in adopting new ideas / concepts / technologies? News Corporation’s Education Division Names Diana Rhoten Senior Vice President, Strategy 2011-06-23T12:07:57+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/an_interesting_look_at_blended_learning/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/an_interesting_look_at_blended_learning/#When:20:37:54Z 2011-06-22T20:37:54+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ottawa_ed_tech_network/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/ottawa_ed_tech_network/#When:18:50:52Z There are a good number of Ottawa based education technology companies.  They are all surviving / thriving completely independently of one another.  We are kick-starting a “meetup” for people involved with such enterprise.  Ottawa has a few larger ed tech companies with substantial roots here.  SMART Technologies has product mgt, software dev and production facilities here.  Cognos (I mean IBM) sells BI to K-12.  Learning Tree International (a large-ish education company that leverages tech for course delivery) is based here in Ottawa.  School Specialty has deep roots here after their acquisition of AutoSkill a few years ago.  The rest of the Ottawa ed tech companies fall into the start-up / very small / SME categories (see Zeebu Mobile / Andy Camper / Rullingnet Corp / Ascentify Learning Media and others I don’t know about).  These are super cool companies.  The local Ottawa ed tech community has some real expertise and assets.  The problem is that it isn’t a community - yet. It doesn’t matter if you are selling education technology solutions to consumers, public education institutions or to corporations - please come join us for our 1st connection on Tues, Aug 23rd at the Royal Oak @ 1217 Wellington Street.  Also check out this “meetup” site for updated details - Ottawa Ed Tech Network 2011-06-22T18:50:52+00:00 http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/looking_for_independent_sales_reps/ http://www.nanglepartners.com/index.php/blog/item/looking_for_independent_sales_reps/#When:18:44:24Z I am looking for independent sales reps who have had success selling into the Canadian K-12 school districts.  I have opportunities for them to represent several great products.  Please send them my coordinates (Toby Nangle - tnangle@nanglepartners.com | 613.866.5554) if you know anyone. Toby Nangle Thanks, Toby 2011-06-22T18:44:24+00:00