Internal vs. External Training
When I worked as an instructional designer in finance, I created training programs for an internal audience of employees in the client services department.
That changed when I took a role as a technical ID at a software company. I am now a member of a Customer Education team, delivering learning solutions for external audiences of clients (although internal audiences use our resources as well).
Customer Education relates less to talent management/HR and more to customer success, sales, and marketing. I consult regularly with product teams to make sure my learning solutions are in alignment with the bigger strategy for that product.
For a deeper understanding of the difference between internal and external training, I highly recommend the IDIODC podcast episode “Shifting from Internal to External Customer Training” featuring B.J. Schone.
Some L&D people prefer one over the other. I am currently settled into a customer education role and loving the challenge.
