Popcorn

How one online learning provider, Popcorn, has burst on to the UK scene from its base at Ocean Village Innovation Centre.

We all know it but may not act on it – many employees should be trained online continuously so as not to be left behind. If they are found wanting, market competitors will soon press home their advantage. Popcorn Learning Media, founded in March 2015 by Eric Gresswell, Learning and Development Director, and Mark Glanville, Online Learning Director, moved into OVIC a year later to enhance the experience for e-learners on behalf of respected companies. They include retailer Marks & Spencer, Dixons Carphone and Wolseley UK, a leading distributor of heating and plumbing products.

Popcorn typically works on up to 50 projects from its fourth-floor office with three work stations, a portable drawing board and a cut-out cartoon character designed by Mark. The firm has already hired three other staff, including digital learning designer Kath Jones, with plans to add to that number in the near future.  Increased emphasis on career development paths and training programmes for personnel within companies and organisations - often through the convenience of smartphones - means that Popcorn is well placed to evolve the e-learning sector, reportedly expected to reach in excess of £41 billion across the world in 2016.

Another attraction for Popcorn’s decision to set up operations at OVIC was the availability of office furniture – we supply desks, tables and chairs so that you don’t have to worry about buying and hauling furniture up the stairs or in the lift. Running a new business is hard enough without having to deal with these kinds of things. The team at Popcorn recognised that from the start – we freed them up to get on with what they do best. When the time comes for the firm to move into larger space at the innovation centre, we’ll be at Popcorn’s side to make the transition as easy as it was on the first time.