Can we customize this?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from customers is "can we customize our courses?"  This is typically in reference to what we call our 'standard' courses.  These courses cover various BroadSoft applications, portals, and phones.

Over the years we have learned to respond to that question with "please explain what you mean by customize."  And then we dig deeper.  Here are some examples of the various degrees of "customization" that may apply:

1. Corporate branding:   This can include updating the course player (colos and fonts) and inserting a logo file using their approved style guide, branding guidelines and/or video guidelines.

2.  Corporate branding (beyond just the interface of the course):  This can include all on-screen text used throughout the course.

3.  Application branding:  This refers to branding on the application that we are covering in the course.  For example, if we are training on a customer's web portal but their logo is on every page and the color scheme of the interface is set to match their branding guidelines, this would be an additional layer of customization.  This can be the most challenging of all customization requirements as it can require an entire rework of the course in some instances.

4. Audio branding.  Some customers require a unique voice actor to be used for the production or perhaps localization.  A customer based out of Mobile, AL may want a 'southern sounding' voice that their customers can relate to, or a customer out of the UK may want voice over talent with a Brittish accent.

5.  Script customization:  Some customers want the freedom to tear apart the exisitng script that was designed for a standard course, while others are happy just having the introduciton to the course state their company name and the name of the product being covered in the training.

6.  Complete customization:  Some customers want to change the entire look and feel of the course.  The scope of this request is much different from #1-5 above.

In summary, if you are looking at a 'customizable' training video or course that covers how to use a specific application or portal  - be sure to ask your vendor for a checklist of customization options to ensure you know exactly what you will get and have these defined clearing in your scope of work.