SkillSoft Presents Perspectives 2009 User Conference "Learning: Re-Imagined"

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Annual Conference Kicks Off in Chicago

CHICAGO & NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, today kicked off its annual user conference, Perspectives 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. SkillSoft made several announcements during this morning's opening session that set the tone for the exciting week ahead. The event brings together industry professionals, thought leaders customers and prospective customers to discuss market trends and best practices in e-learning and to share innovative approaches to implementing learning programs that are aligned with corporate strategy.

"Perspectives is a great venue for us to interact with our customers and partners, and share our thoughts on the future direction of technology-based learning," said Jerry Nine, COO, SkillSoft. "This year's theme, "Learning: Re-Imagined," reflects our customers' commitment to innovation as well as what we are seeing in terms of new technology and advancements in learning."

In addition to launching SkillPort 7.0, SkillSoft's award winning learning management system (LMS), the company also unveiled its vision for how social networking can be leveraged within corporate learning solutions to capture and share knowledge as well as discover hidden experts within an organization.

"We believe that exploring how social networking can complement corporate learning programs is a natural next step for SkillSoft," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft. "We believe social networking technologies can be leveraged to provide organizations with another way to combine expert learning content with the expertise of their employees."

SkillSoft formally introduced Learning Sparks(TM), an exciting new content type now available in SkillSoft's popular KnowledgeCenters(TM) product line. Learning Sparks are short instructional units that engage learners in dynamic, highly interactive scenarios. Utilizing learning techniques such as first-person video narration, drag-and-drop network simulations, and multiple-choice questions with feedback, Learning Sparks provide a concise new learning mode that offers additional opportunities for practice and reinforcement of targeted IT skills.

SkillSoft also announced during the opening session that it is developing the SkillSoft Leadership Advantage(TM), a targeted, concise, rich-media treatment of key leadership competencies that includes compelling content from thought leaders. Components include QuickTalks, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Business Impact & Challenge Series, Learning Sparks, Key Concepts, Job Aids, and Self-Assessments, and can be used as a performance support and reference tool as well as part of formal leadership development programs. SkillSoft plans to release this product later this year.

More than 400 people were in attendance at the annual user conference, which has grown in popularity since its inception. The conference is open to all SkillSoft customers, and attendees have access to keynote speeches, breakout presentations and workshops on a wide variety of topics. The agenda is highlighted by two keynotes and many informative breakout sessions led by SkillSoft customers. Today's opening keynote speech is part of the Leadership Development Channel's Series of Live Events, and features Don Tapscott, author of Grown Up Digital and Wikinomic: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything. The opening day concludes with a speech by Dr. Jay Conger, author of 12 books and more than 70 articles on leadership, organizational change and executive coaching.

For more information Perspectives http://perspectives.skillsoft.com/2009/

About SkillSoft

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize business performance through a combination of comprehensive e-learning content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services.

Content offerings include business, IT, desktop, and compliance courseware collections, as well as complementary content assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products, KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services and online mentoring services. SkillSoft's Books24x7(R) product offering includes access to more than 20,000 digitized IT and business books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system, Search & Learn(R), and SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) virtual classroom.

SkillSoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. SkillSoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.

SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide and Dialogue are trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft PLC in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, countries. 


    Source: SkillSoft PLC

Released May 5, 2009