Using Simon, you can quickly create courses in 70 different languages  and import and update in your LMS in seconds.

Cobb EMC: A workforce-focused vision for growth 

Cobb EMC is a member-owned cooperative, which means their commitment to members goes beyond service—it’s about being exceptional stewards of their resources. This dedication extends to their workforce as well. With an average tenure of 14 years, Cobb EMC’s team blends the wisdom of experienced staff with the energy and ambition of employees eager to grow—often during brief moments of downtime. As Ross Dicken, Director, Learning and Development, notes,  employees frequently seize “15 minutes of downtime during the day”  for learning.  

Catering to a majority field-based workforce, Cobb EMC prioritized accessible,  flexible learning solutions. Whether in the office or out in the field, learners needed  training they could easily access on their schedules. As Dicken explains, their  approach is to “make the trainings simple, concise, and credible.” This meant  breaking down longer videos into digestible segments and incorporating engaging  elements like slides and narration. These enhancements ensure employees make  the most of their limited learning time, wherever they are.

Objectives: An L&D team committed to their people  

Cobb EMC’s L&D team has always understood that no two learners are the same.  Developing courses tailored to their unique team is at the heart of their approach.  Previously, it meant relying on cumbersome course authoring tools, which required  reworking and reformatting content to serve their mobile-based field teams.  

In updating their L&D goals, Cobb EMC focused on:  

• Enabling their workforce—two-thirds of whom are field personnel relying on  mobile devices for training.  
• Producing training that feels fundamentally human and engaging. 
• Providing quick, tailored learning experiences for their diverse team, including new and tenured employees. 

Solution: Learning that feels human, powered by AI 

In early 2024, Cobb EMC expanded its 5-year partnership with OpenSesame to address these objectives by adopting the Simon course creation platform. This decision marked a turning point in their learning journey. With Simon, Cobb EMC could seamlessly convert invaluable in-house knowledge into engaging, shareable courses. 

Simon empowered Cobb EMC to streamline their course creation process while keeping learning personal and engaging. They can now turn any existing document—from safety protocols for their specific environment to notes from expert trainings—into a shareable course in minutes. Simon’s AI narration adds a conversational touch, with natural pauses and human voice pacing, making it easy for learners to absorb information.

The results were immediate and impactful. As Ross Dicken explained, “creating a single 30 minute course used to take us 3 hours just to build it for desktop. But with Simon, it’s closer to 45 minutes–and we get desktop, mobile and iPad versions all in one go.” By investing in customizable, on-demand training, Cobb EMC empowered its workforce and continues to foster a culture of growth and innovation across the organization.

Faster course creation with the Learning Council  

One of the most unique and impactful elements of the learning culture at Cobb EMC  is their investment in a learning council, which brings stakeholders from across the  organization together to curate and create courses that will impact the whole  organization.  

This organization-wide investment means that experts within each area of the  business are driving the content for their department, ensuring their learning feels  personal and relevant to each learner. Adam Simmons, HR Analyst at Cobb EMC  explains, “it helps the whole team be invested and understand that we’re really  listening to their needs.”  And with Simon, they can respond to learners’ needs in real time. Once subject  matter experts are onboarded into Simon (a short and simple process), creating  content is faster than ever, enabling the council to crank out content that is really  going to matter to their workforce.

More impactful blended training, enabled by Simon  

A course’s value lies in the impact it delivers. Cobb EMC needed creative ways to  engage its workforce—people with limited time. For leadership skills training, Cobb  EMC adopted a blended approach. In-person workshops, often running up to six  hours, were an intimidating stretch for even the most engaged learners.  

To solve this, Cobb EMC uses Simon to create short, prerequisite courses that provide  essential context and background before the workshop. These laser-focused,  30-minute courses cover the “whys” behind the material, saving nearly two hours of  in-person time. The results speak for themselves: a 99.2% completion rate. 

Simon’s AI-powered narration adds a human touch, with natural pacing and conversational tones that make it easy for learners to absorb information. To keep things engaging, the team integrates slides and narration while breaking down longer videos into bite-sized segments. This ensures learners make the most of small, focused pockets of time—even when working in the field. 

Mobile accessibility is another game-changer for Cobb EMC’s field-based workforce. Traditional authoring tools required cumbersome reformatting for mobile delivery, creating barriers for teams on the go. With Simon, courses are mobile-ready from the start, requiring no additional work. Employees now access customized training seamlessly—whether at the office, on their phones, or using iPads in the field. 

Future-ready: How feedback and adaption drives growth at Cobb EMC 

Cobb EMC thrives on collaboration, fostering a culture where feedback fuels adaptability. Employees regularly share insights, and the learning council responds promptly to address their needs. Among their standout contributors is Harriet Williams, Quality Control & Training Specialist, who’s been pivotal in creating a dynamic and relevant content library. Described as “a powerhouse in creating content,” Williams leverages Simon to develop training materials that consistently receive top ratings—averaging an impressive 4.8 stars. 

Looking to the future, Cobb EMC remains committed to workforce empowerment. Simon’s versatility enables the team to refine courses quickly, ensuring their training evolves with industry advancements. By blending Simon’s tools with their creativity and dedication, Cobb EMC embodies a culture of putting people first, staying safe, owning it, and innovation, driving success for years to come.