The Difference Engine 
e-learning. workshops. blends. games. consulting.
                       

...but different

What we do:
innovate

We provide creative, novel solutions to a wide range of learning and performance challenges. In fact, we only take on work that offers scope for new thinking, that is challenging creatively, or that needs to be approached from a different angle.

So we get a lot of practice at being innovative, and we never produce mundane work.
We provide the widest possible range of learning services. We consult, run workshops, design, write, film, animate, build, train, advise, coach... and we recognise no distinction between technology and non-technology learning solutions. But everything we do is based on our creative instincts and our profound knowledge of learning and performance improvement. If we can't add value through new ideas we don't get involved. 

What we are:
a network

We're a networked organisation, consisting entirely of experienced experts in the fields of learning, design, development and technology.
As a networked organisation, we're as lean and responsive as it's possible to be. Our low overheads mean that we're superb value for money, and as we don't have to pay for costly infrastructures we can be selective about only taking on work that plays to our strengths.
Being a network means we're completely open about finding new experts when we need them, and making partnerships with others. If we don't have an expert you need within our network, we'll find them - and it's part of our expertise in being able to do this.

Who we are:
experts in learning and creativity

We're a network of experts, each of whom has a proven track record. We only use people who are great at what they do, and who are fully capable of getting on with sorting out your problems.
 
We only have people in our network who are independent-minded and intrinsically motivated; who have a challenging mindset; who are enthusiasts and who can communicate their enthusiasm.
 
As a network we don't employ interns, and we don't have generic project managers who push change requests around. We only use specialists and producers with a keen interest in learning and performance improvement.

How we work:
playfully, experimentally, honestly

Taking lessons from other creative industries, we make sure that experimentation, play and creative dialogue run through everything we do. Our process is challenging, energetic and non-linear, because with innovative projects, we know this gets better results.
Our process is driven by design, and led by experts who understand how people learn. As we don't do large content conversion projects, we generally don't use project managers.
And at our core is a concern for real people and creating experiences that will support them in performing better in the real world. So your learners will be at the heart of our process. We'll approach them without any baggage or preconceived ideas about what they may need and want, and we'll listen hard to what they tell us and show us. We'll be honest with them, and you, and communicate directly and openly - because we know that change relies on credibility.

What we use:
the latest, the most open, the best...

We are razor-sharp in monitoring trends in learning and technology. We are outward-facing, non-bureaucratic, fleet-of-foot and inquisitive. We have to be. As we sell ourselves on our ability to innovate, we have to find absolutely the most appropriate tools to support innovation.
So we use whatever industry-standard tools will deliver the most creative, flexible, powerful solution. We will never lock you into proprietary technologies or approaches, and have a strong orientation towards open, low cost tools. 

What we believe:
creativity is at the heart of learning

That's it. The heading (almost) says it all. But here's a bit more on our beliefs:

• We believe that our job is to create learning experiences, not learning content. 
• We believe that learners (people!) are savvy, sharp and perceptive, not uninform and compliant; that their knowledge and experience are a valuable resource that we build on to produce a better result.
• We believe that people are demanding and selective when it comes to online experiences, and that most e-learning produced to date has not met their demanding standards.

• We believe that people need to be engaged in learning if it's to make any difference. Dull learning isn't learning.
• We believe that the era of over-structured, creatocidal approaches to developing learning solutions is over. The kinds of learning challenges we now face demand a complex mix of creativity and analysis, logic and whimsy, structure and freedom.
• We believe that you can only produce genuinely innovative learning experiences if you develop an ideas culture. So that's what we do.

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