Facebook taps MindLeaders to deliver online training for small- and medium-size businesses

Columbus, Ohio (12/5/2011)

As part of Facebook’s strategy to continue its unprecedented growth and fend off increased competition, it intends to release a series of elearning guides showing businesses how to succeed in building brand awareness through marketing and advertising on Facebook. The training shows business owners and managers how Facebook’s features can be harnessed to get a growing community of users talking about their products and services.

The self-paced, interactive training is due to be released by the end of the year.

“It is great that Facebook has decided to use online training to reach a global market with a consistent message, and equally we are delighted to be cooperating with them on the project,” said Janet Garcia, director of MindLeaders International.

After looking at a number of elearning providers, the global elearning and talent management provider was selected to work with Facebook on the project. MindLeaders’ instructional design team has been working in cooperation with Facebook to create the e-content. The product will consist of seven modules covering all key aspects of how to advertise via Facebook. Users who purchase the app, which will only be available through the Facebook platform itself, will have access to frequently updated, interactive training on how to use Facebook to find new customers and grow their business. Following an initial global release in English, it’s anticipated to be offered in additional languages.

In the early years, the social media giant shunned the idea of advertising through fear of creating a negative impact on the overall user experience. Now it appears the decision-makers at Facebook, which include one of the world’s youngest billionaires and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, are looking to MindLeaders to help them maximize the site’s advertising potential.

“SME’s are all wanting to use social media to promote their businesses,” said Garcia, “and this training will effectively give them the education they are looking for.”

This story was originally published by the Learning & Performance Institute in November 2011.