Contents
A great subject matter expert (SME) combines profound understanding with hands-on
experience in their topic.
SMEs should excel in presenting complex information in an accessible, engaging, and
interactive way.
The best SMEs adapt to diverse learning styles and empathise with learners
challenges, fostering a supportive learning environment.
If you’re going to put a subject matter expert (SME) in front of your team, you want them
to live up to the title. Choosing the right SMEs for your workplace elearning program is a
lot like picking the perfect ingredients for your grandmother's legendary spaghetti
bolognaise – it requires a careful selection process, ensuring that each component
brings something unique to the table.
Read on for five key characteristics to consider when you’re looking for the perfect
content connoisseurs for your company’s successful elearning and development
program.
1. Knowledge as deep as a well
An SME without a profound understanding of their subject matter is like tomato sauce
without tomatoes. We’re not just talking textbook knowledge here, but also real-world,
hands-on experience that enriches the learning experience.
2. The gift of the gab
However, your SME also needs to have more than just encyclopaedic knowledge of
their subject. They need to plate up and present that information in an engaging and
accessible way. Remember, they are not just presenting to a room full of experts. There
can be beginners, intermediates, and even sceptics among your learners. The ability to
convert the complex into the comprehensible, and the mundane into the captivating is a
hallmark of an effective SME.
3. Communication skills that sparkle
This is the garnish that makes your dish pop. An SME must have the ability to connect
with employees and stimulate dialogue. They should be approachable, open to
questions, and have a knack for giving clear, concise responses. After all,
communication is not a monologue; it’s a dialogue!
4. A pinch of personality
Remember, everyone’s palate is different. The same holds true for learning styles. An
SME must be adaptable, catering to different tastes, personalities, and learning
preferences. They should have the ability to mix things up – combining lecture-style
teaching with interactive exercises, visual presentations, and hands-on activities,
thereby creating an all-encompassing learning environment.
5. Empathy, the secret ingredient
To be genuinely effective, an SME must understand the challenges that employees
might face in their learning journeys and in their roles. Such empathy allows them to
address potential issues before they become barriers, fostering a supportive and
inclusive learning environment.
The perfect recipe
The best SMEs are a fusion of these traits. Although each characteristic adds flavour,
it is their combination that creates a truly memorable learning experience.
At Kineo Courses, we craft our elearning content in close collaboration with true SMEs,
individuals and companies who are not only specialists, but also skilled at transmitting
their knowledge in ways that resonate with every learner.
Visit our homepage to get to know some of our go-to gurus:
