Transcription
Skillsoft Brand Book
TABLE OF CONTENTSWelcomeAbout UsBrand ArchitectureOur CultureOur VirtuesOur HistoryOur Brand34567815Our VoiceGrammar Style Guide1718Logo UsageLogo ColorLogo TreatmentClear SpaceUnacceptable Logo UsageLogo VariationsPartner Logos20212223242526Color PalettePrimary Brand ColorsSecondary Brand ColorsGraysAccessible Color Combinations2728293031TypographyMain FontBody Copy FontAlternate FontPrint Hierarchy3233343536IconographyIconographyAlternate Icon373839PhotographyHeadshot Photos4042Graphic Elements & TreatmentsShadow Element4344Branding In UseStationeryCollateralDigital CampaignsEvent GraphicsWebsiteVideosPPT4546474849505152Contact Us532
WELCOMEWelcome to the Skillsoft Brand Book, which tells you a little about our company, the brand and how touse it. A strong company needs a strong identity and this is it. In order feel confident and powerful in ourbrand, we need to communicate in a clear, consistent manner through all of our Pay-PerClick (PPC)3
ABOUT USSkillsoftFounded in 1998, Skillsoft is the global leader in corporate learning, training more professionals than any othercompany in the world. We are trusted by the world’s leading organizations, including 65% of the Fortune 500.Our mission is to build beautiful technology and engaging content that drives business impact for today’s modernlearner and enterprise.Our 500,000 multi-modal courses, videos, books and micro-learning modules are accessed more than 130million times every month, in 160 countries and 29 languages. At Skillsoft, we specialize across four key productlines, Business Skills (including Leadership), Technology and Developer, Productivity and Collaboration Toolsand Compliance.This brand book tells our story, through our history, our people, our products and our brands.Skillsoft by the numbers65%OF THE FORTUNE 500500k MULTI-MODAL COURSES,VIDEOS, BOOKS ANDMICRO-LEARNING MODULES160 29COUNTRIESLANGUAGES4
BRAND ARCHITECTUREParent CompanyOur Brandstechnology& developerleadershipbusiness complianceservicesbooksproductivity &collaboration tools5
OUR CULTUREWe have a casual, down to earth work environment. At our Corporate Headquarters, we have anopen, collaborative workspace. We talk to each other! We wear jeans, encourage camaraderie andcelebrate teamwork.We are COMMITTED TO OURCOLLECTIVE PURPOSEENTREPRENEURIAL WITHA LEARNER’S MINDSETAUTHENTIC &CUSTOMER CENTRICTeam members continuallypush towards achievingour collective purpose.They recognize that theirindividual efforts mustfundamentally connectthroughout the organizationto achieve a greaterimpact. They are adept atworking cross functionallyand acknowledge thecontributions of others.Team members are alwaysquestioning how it can bedone better – “that’s the wayit has always been done” isnever the right answer.They are passionate,resourceful and resilientto setbacks. They believein positively transformingpeople’s lives and careersthrough continuous learning.They inspire others togrow outside of theircomfort zone.Team members nevercompromise integrityto achieve results. Theysupport the customerand each other, and areconstantly mindful ofcreating a positive customerexperience both internallyand externally.ADAPTABLE & AGILETeam members areinnovative, creative andintellectually curious.They incorporate differentperspectives into theirthinking. They respondquickly and positively tochanging demands whileremaining keenly focused onhow people learn and thelearner experience.CONFIDENT &AUDACIOUS ACHIEVERSTeam members hold themselves accountable. Theytake a data driven approachto determining achievementeffectiveness. They are neversatisfied with the notion of“It’s good enough.”6
OUR VIRTUES3 VirtuesThese are rules that we live by, what we believe at the core of our brand and our company. Accessibility We know from research that people with learning challenges are more likely to experience adversesocio-economic outcomes. Access to learning is a key way to close this gap and provide access to aworld of equal opportunities. We believe that everyone has the right to access our content and ourlearning platforms, and we are committed to making our content and technology accessible to alllearners. Development of new content and platforms are built with ACCESSIBILITY in their DNA.Diversity With more than 140 million users and content that is accessed over 130 million times everymonth, in 160 countries and 29 languages, we support an incredibly diverse audience. Employing adiverse workforce that brings a variety of experiences, ideas and perspectives is very important tous. We are committed to actively increasing representation of underrepresented groups within ourcompany.Safe Place to Learn Skillsoft believes in a Safe Place to Learn – we believe a learner’s history is private. We believelearners are entitled to know that all data around their learning – from which courses they took,completed, assessments they failed and passed – is treated as private data within the learningenvironment and should be protected as such. Their historical data, such as fail rates, should neverbe shared with recruiters. Learners should never be targeted by recruiting companies or agenciesbased on their company mandated learning history. Their data should not become available to orpart of a social platform’s algorithms to determine a learner’s suitability for a role. Most importantly,learners’ data should not adversely impact their ability to find future employment.7
OUR HISTORYAugust 8, 1989 - CBT Group PLC incorporated in Ireland19891995May 31, 1996 - CBT acquired New Technology TrainingLtd., the Company’s exclusive distributor in Canada.April 13, 1995 – CBT Group PLC begins trading on NasdaqNovember 1995 - CBT completed a merger with PersonalTraining Systems1996May 31, 1996 - CBT acquired CLS Consult, Gesellschaftfur Beratung1997March 16, 1998 - CBT acquires The ForeFront Group, Inc.,a provider of high-quality, cost-effective, computerbased training products1998February 28, 1997 - CBT acquired Applied LearningLimited, an Australian distributor of interactiveeducation softwareFebruary 28, 1997 - CBT acquired CBT Systems BeneluxB.V.August 31, 1997 - CBT acquired Scholars.com, a providerof online IT certification training.October 15 1997 - CBT Corporation was incorporatedin DelawareDecember 1, 1997 - CBT completed the acquisition ofCBT Systems Middle East Limited1999March 2, 2000 - SmartForce acquiredAdvanced Educational Systems Limited,a provider of secure e-Testing solutions.April 10, 2000 - SmartForce acquired LearningProductions LLC, a developer of advanced, web-based2000June 18, 1999 – CBT acquired Knowledge Well, aprovider of business, management and professionaleducationOctober 1999 – CBT Group PLC changes its nameto Smartforce.8
1999March 2, 2000 - SmartForce acquiredAdvanced Educational Systems Limited,a provider of secure e-Testing solutions.2000April 10, 2000 - SmartForce acquired LearningProductions LLC, a developer of advanced, web-basedrole-play business simulations.2001January 14, 2002 - SkillSoft Releases 27 Business SkillsCourses Localized for Chinese MarketMarch 19, 2002 - SkillPort, SkillSoft's eLearning Platform,Now Accessible to Employees with DisabilitiesMay 30, 2002 - SkillSoft Earns ASTD InstituteCertification for eLearning CourseSeptember 6, 2002 – SmartForce andSkillsoft Corporation merge, withSmartForce changing its name toSkillSoft PLC. SkillSoft PLC moves itsUS headquarters to Nashua, New HampshireFebruary 5, 2004 - CIPD books available throughBooks24X7 for the first timeApril 27, 2004 - Books24x7 Launches ExecSummariesMay 17, 2004 - SkillSoft Achieves AICC and SCORM CertificationSeptember 1, 2004 - SkillSoft's launches New VirtualClassroom TechnologyNovember 22, 2004 - SkillSoft Releases Courseware to SupportThe PMBOK Guide – 3rd EditionJune 18, 1999 – CBT acquired Knowledge Well, aprovider of business, management and professionalOUR HISTORYeducationOctober 1999 – CBT Group PLC changes its nameto Smartforce.200220032004April 2, 2001 - SmartForce acquired icGlobal AcquisitionCorp., a provider of industry-acclaimed learningmanagement system (LMS) software.August 29, 2001 - SmartForce acquiredIMPAXselling.com, a sales performance company.October 11, 2001 - SmartForce acquired SkillScapeSolutions, Inc., a global provider of competencymanagement systems.December 28, 2001 - SkillSoftCorporation acquiredBooks24x7.com, a provider ofWeb-based digital technicaland business reference content.January 7, 2003 - SkillSoft Completes Integration ofBooks24x7 Content with MySmartForce eLearning PlatformJune 2003 - SkillSoft acquires GoTrain Corp,an eLearning business who focused on theCompliance market.September 8, 2003 - Books24x7 and IntelDeliver New Subscription-Based On-lineLibraryDecember 3, 2003 - SkillSoft eLearning Courseware Is Firstto Be Certified for Interoperability with SAP LearningOctober 29, 2003 - SkillSoft Enhances IT Skills andCertification Library to Meet Federal Requirements9
November 22, 2004 - SkillSoft Releases Courseware to SupportThe PMBOK Guide – 3rd EditionOUR HISTORY2005January 4, 2006 - Books24x7 Announces Partnershipwith CCH2006March 14, 2006 - SkillSoft Introduces SkillView, aCompetency Management Platform to Link Learning toHuman Capital ManagementOctober 2, 2006 - SkillSoft and it’s partner, SumTotalSystems, Integrate Open Learning Services Architecturewith TotalLMSTApril 29, 2008 - SkillSoft Unveils Live Learning onSkillPort LMS PlatformJune 18, 2008 - SkillSoft and EMC Collaborate to Deliver NewStorage Technology Foundation CurriculumSeptember 17, 2008 - SkillSoft's Books24x7 Surpasses20,000 TitlesSeptember 25, 2008 - SkillSoft Launches 3 GermanLanguage Online Book Collections as Part of Books24x7Product LineOctober 15, 2008 - SkillSoft Offers its Open Learning ServicesArchitecture (OLSA) to Talent Management VendorsNovember 12, 2008 - SkillSoft Becomes First eLearningProvider in Federal Acquisition Institute's Vendor ConsortiumMarch 8, 2005 - Books24x7 Launches ExecBlueprintsMarch 24, 2005 - More Than 700 SkillSoft CoursesApproved for Meeting NASBA Requirements forContinuing EducationApril 5, 2005 - Books24x7 Announces GovEssentials,a Centralized, Online Information Resource forFederal WorkersMay 3, 2005 - SkillSoft Launches Next-Generation OpenArchitecture InitiativeMay 4, 2005 - Plateau and SkillSoft Announce FirstIntegrated Content and LMSJune 1, 2005 - SkillSoft Releases Russian Business SkillsCoursesJune 16, 2005 - SkillSoft Announces Availability of LegalCompliance CoursesSeptember 29, 2005 - Premium module enhancesSkillPort LMS capabilities for reportingAugust 21, 2006 - NetDimensions Announces New Releaseof the Enterprise Knowledge PlatformNovember 6, 2006 - Books24x7 Addresses the ContentNeeds of the Mobile Workforce with Books24x7 On the GoDecember 8, 2006 - Books24x7's EngineeringProCollection Surpasses 1000 Titles and Announces FourNew Publishing PartnersFebruary 1, 2005 - SkillSoft Announces the Release of100th SkillSim200720082009February 9, 2007 - SkillSoft acquired Targeted LearningCorporation, an on-line video library business.May 1, 2007 - SkillsSoft Announces Availability ofOn-Demand Video Offering with Launch of LeadershipDevelopment ChannelMay 14, 2007 – SkillSoft acquiredNETg from The ThomsonCorporation.June 26, 2007 - SkillSoft'sBooks24x7 Launches ITIL CollectionJuly 11, 2007 - SkillSoft and Global Knowledge OfferBlended Learning SolutionsApril 13, 2009 - SkillSoft Launches Spanish BookCollection as Part of Books24x7 Product LineMay 5, 2009 - SkillSoft Unveils SkillPort 7.0 Learning10
November 6, 2006 - Books24x7 Addresses the ContentNeeds of the Mobile Workforce with Books24x7 On the GoDecember 8, 2006 - Books24x7's EngineeringProCollection Surpasses 1000 Titles and Announces FourNew Publishing PartnersApril 29, 2008 - SkillSoft Unveils Live Learning onSkillPort LMS Platform20072008June 18, 2008 - SkillSoft and EMC Collaborate to Deliver NewStorage Technology Foundation CurriculumSeptember 17, 2008 - SkillSoft's Books24x7 Surpasses20,000 TitlesSeptember 25, 2008 - SkillSoft Launches 3 GermanLanguage Online Book Collections as Part of Books24x7Product LineOctober 15, 2008 - SkillSoft Offers its Open Learning ServicesArchitecture (OLSA) to Talent Management VendorsNovember 12, 2008 - SkillSoft Becomes First eLearningProvider in Federal Acquisition Institute's Vendor Consortium2009June 23, 2010 – SkillSoft corporatename changed from SkillSoft PLC toSkillSoft Limited.June 29, 2010 - SkillSoft and PearsonPartner to Offer Cisco Press BooksSeptember 21, 2010 - SkillSoft Announces Availability ofHundreds of Business Skills Courses in 14 LanguagesOctober 26, 2010 - SkillSoft Expands Learning Solutionsfor Cisco Network ProfessionalsDecember 13, 2010 - SkillSoft Expands Books24x7 withAddition of Thomas Nelson TitlesApril 13, 2009 - SkillSoft Launches Spanish BookCollection as Part of Books24x7 Product LineMay 5, 2009 - SkillSoft Unveils SkillPort 7.0 LearningManagement SystemDecember 10, 2008 - SkillSoft Partners with SunMicrosystems to Deliver Sun-Authorized eLearningCoursewareFebruary 9, 2010 - SkillSoft Introduces SkillsoftLeadership Advantage for Busy ExecutivesSKILLSOFT GLOBAL IT HELPMay 26, 2010 - Berkshire Partners, Bain Capital and AdventInternational completed their acquisitionTICKETINGof SkillSoft SYSTEMOUR HISTORYFebruary 9, 2007 - SkillSoft acquired TargetedLearningCorporation, an on-line video library business.May 1, 2007 - SkillsSoft Announces Availability ofOn-Demand Video Offering with Launch of LeadershipDevelopment ChannelMay 14, 2007 – SkillSoft acquiredNETg from The ThomsonCorporation.June 26, 2007 - SkillSoft'sBooks24x7 Launches ITIL CollectionJuly 11, 2007 - SkillSoft and Global Knowledge OfferBlended Learning SolutionsMay 11, 2009 - SkillSoft Provides Free Access to Course onPandemic Flu2010DESK2011June 29, 2009 - Halogen and SkillSoft Team to DeliverSeamless Performance Based Learning ExperienceSeptember 29, 2009 - SkillSoft Launches All-New IndianEnglish Course ContentOctober 19, 2009 (Asia Pacific) - Skillsoft BringsLeadership Lessons to Asia Pacific Through Associationwith Deloitte AustraliaNovember 10, 2009 - University of Phoenix Partners withSkillSoft; Hundreds of New Courses Now Eligible forCollege CreditDecember 9, 2009 - SkillSoft Ranks Number One inCustomer Loyalty for Third Consecutive Year in Surveyof Global Software and IT CompaniesFebruary 15, 2011 - SkillSoftacquired 50Lessons Limited,a provider of leadership video content.May 23, 2011 - SkillSoft Announces New Audio BusinessBooks from Franklin Covey and McGraw-Hill ProfessionalSeptember 12, 2011 - SkillSoft Announces SkillSoftLeadership Advantage 2.0October 14, 2011 – SkillSoftacquired Element K fromNIIT Ventures, Inc.
Leadership Advantage for Busy ExecutivesSKILLSOFT GLOBAL IT HELPMay 26, 2010 - Berkshire Partners, Bain Capital and AdventInternational completed their acquisitionTICKETINGof SkillSoft SYSTEMJune 23, 2010 – SkillSoft corporatename changed from SkillSoft PLC toSkillSoft Limited.June 29, 2010 - SkillSoft and PearsonPartner to Offer Cisco Press BooksSeptember 21, 2010 - SkillSoft Announces Availability ofHundreds of Business Skills Courses in 14 LanguagesOctober 26, 2010 - SkillSoft Expands Learning Solutionsfor Cisco Network ProfessionalsDecember 13, 2010 - SkillSoft Expands Books24x7 withAddition of Thomas Nelson TitlesDESKwith Deloitte AustraliaNovember 10, 2009 - University of PhoenixPartnerswithOURHISTORYSkillSoft; Hundreds of New Courses Now Eligible forCollege CreditDecember 9, 2009 - SkillSoft Ranks Number One inCustomer Loyalty for Third Consecutive Year in Surveyof Global Software and IT Companies2011February 15, 2011 - SkillSoftacquired 50Lessons Limited,a provider of leadership video content.May 23, 2011 - SkillSoft Announces New Audio BusinessBooks from Franklin Covey and McGraw-Hill ProfessionalSeptember 12, 2011 - SkillSoft Announces SkillSoftLeadership Advantage 2.0October 14, 2011 – SkillSoftacquired Element K fromNIIT Ventures, Inc.October 17, 2011 - SkillSoft Announces SkillSoftGovernment Leadership AdvantageJanuary 31, 2012 - SkillSoft IntroducesProfessional AdvantageMay 1, 2012 - SkillSoft IntroducesSkillPort 8 - A Revolutionary Learning ExperienceJuly 25, 2012 – SkillSoft Expands International Contentwith New Leadership Advantage Solution in GermanSeptember 25, 2012 – SkillSoftacquired Mindleaders/Thirdforce.October 9, 2012 - SkillSoft Expands Books24x7 Offeringwith HarperCollins Partnership9 October 2012 - SkillSoft Introduces Innovative IT and DesktopVideo CollectionsApril 28, 2014 - Skillsoft announced that it had completedthe sale of the business to an entity indirectly owned byfunds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP.May 19, 2014 - Major investment from Skillsoft seeslaunch of tablet ready elearning courses for care industrySeptember 23, 2014 - Skillsoft Introduces TrainingCourseware For Prevention Of Sexual HarassmentAt The Workplace In IndiaOctober 1, 2014 - Skillsoft Completes2012201320142015March 27, 2013 - Skillsoft Introduces Sales Advantage – AFlexible, Engaging Competency Based Learning SolutionApril 24, 2013 - Skillsoft and CompTIA Partner to PrepareIT Professionals for Certification ExamsJune 12, 2013 - Skillsoft Introduces Virtual Practice-Labsfor Hands-On, Secure IT TrainingJune 25, 2013 - Skillsoft Announces Courseware forCompliance & Risk Mitigation TrainingMay 19, 2015 - Skillsoft and IBM Research UnveilNew Applications for Big Data in Learning andTalent Development12
July 25, 2012 – SkillSoft Expands International Contentwith New Leadership Advantage Solution in GermanOUR HISTORYSeptember 25, 2012 – SkillSoftacquired Mindleaders/Thirdforce.October 9, 2012 - SkillSoft Expands Books24x7 Offeringwith HarperCollins Partnership9 October 2012 - SkillSoft Introduces Innovative IT and DesktopVideo Collections2013April 28, 2014 - Skillsoft announced that it had completedthe sale of the business to an entity indirectly owned byfunds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP.May 19, 2014 - Major investment from Skillsoft seeslaunch of tablet ready elearning courses for care industrySeptember 23, 2014 - Skillsoft Introduces TrainingCourseware For Prevention Of Sexual HarassmentAt The Workplace In IndiaOctober 1, 2014 - Skillsoft CompletesAcquisition of SumTotal SystemsNovember 18, 2014 - Skillsoft’s Big Data Initiative DeliversImproved Learning Engagement and Outcomes2014May 10, 2016 - Skillsoft Unveils New Mission –Creating Beautiful Technology and Engaging Content20162015June 12, 2013 - Skillsoft Introduces Virtual Practice-Labsfor Hands-On, Secure IT TrainingJune 25, 2013 - Skillsoft Announces Courseware forCompliance & Risk Mitigation TrainingMay 19, 2015 - Skillsoft and IBM Research UnveilNew Applications for Big Data in Learning andTalent DevelopmentMay 7, 2015 – Skillsoft acquiresFrench company Vodeclic SAS,a leading provider of newgeneration video courses.2017January 10, 2018 - Percipio Opens Up to ContentAggregation and CustomizationJanuary 22, 2018 - Audiobooks Play a Significant Rolein Skillsoft’s Multi-Modal Content StrategyJanuary 31, 2018 - Percipio Provides Just-in-Time,Contextual Learning with Embedded LearningSynchronized Assistant (ELSA)February 1, 2018 - Skillsoft’s Digital TransformationFundamentals for the Business Courses are Now AvailableMarch 27, 2013 - Skillsoft Introduces Sales Advantage – AFlexible, Engaging Competency Based Learning SolutionApril 24, 2013 - Skillsoft and CompTIA Partner to PrepareIT Professionals for Certification Exams2018January 24, 2017 - Skillsoft Announces Brand NewConcept for LearningJanuary 24, 2017 - SkillsoftAnnounces Brand NewState-of-the-Art LearningPlatform, PercipioJanuary 30, 2017 - Skillsoft Partners with IBMdeveloperWorksMay 30, 2017 - Skillsoft First to Achieve FedRAMPCertificationJune 14, 2017 - Skillsoft Reaffirms its Position as theWorld’s No.1 Corporate Learning CompanyAugust 7, 2017 - Skillsoft and MIT Sloan ManagementReview Partner13
OUR HISTORYMay 10, 2016 - Skillsoft Unveils New Mission –Creating Beautiful Technology and Engaging Content20162017January 10, 2018 - Percipio Opens Up to ContentAggregation and CustomizationJanuary 22, 2018 - Audiobooks Play a Significant Rolein Skillsoft’s Multi-Modal Content StrategyJanuary 31, 2018 - Percipio Provides Just-in-Time,Contextual Learning with Embedded LearningSynchronized Assistant (ELSA)February 1, 2018 - Skillsoft’s Digital TransformationFundamentals for the Business Courses are Now AvailableMarch 12, 2018 - Skillsoft Donates Platform and Content toHire Our Heroes to Empower VeteransApril 12, 2018 - Skillsoft Unveils Leadership DevelopmentProgram for Transforming Leaders for the Digital AgeApril 12, 2018 - Skillsoft to Offer Compliance Trainingon PercipioJune 26, 2018 - Percipio Surpasses 1,000 Customers in itsFirst YearSeptember 11, 2018 - Skillsoft Launches Percipio ExperienceServices, the First Content-as-a-Service Offering to Supporta Pervasive Learning ExperienceOctober 2, 2018 - Skillsoft’s Complete Technology andDeveloper Learning Content is Now Available on PercipioOctober 4, 2018 - Skillsoft Announces Percipio Voice andExpanded ELSA Functionality to Accelerate Learning2018January 24, 2017 - Skillsoft Announces Brand NewConcept for LearningJanuary 24, 2017 - SkillsoftAnnounces Brand NewState-of-the-Art LearningPlatform, PercipioJanuary 30, 2017 - Skillsoft Partners with IBMdeveloperWorksMay 30, 2017 - Skillsoft First to Achieve FedRAMPCertificationJune 14, 2017 - Skillsoft Reaffirms its Position as theWorld’s No.1 Corporate Learning CompanyAugust 7, 2017 - Skillsoft and MIT Sloan ManagementReview PartnerSeptember 14, 2017- Skillsoft CodeX Delivers VirtualCoding Practice LabsOctober 4, 2017 - Skillsoft Expands IT and Digital SkillsBook Collection with Three New PublishersOctober 11, 2017 - Latest Version of Percipio BringsGreater Personalization to Corporate LearningOctober 24, 2017 - Skillsoft Signs Paradigm forParity PledgeNovember 8, 2017 - General Electric Uses Skillsoft’sLeadership Content to Reskill and Upskill More Than10,000 U.S. VeteransNovember 9, 2017 - Skillsoft Training LaunchesInstitute for Veterans and Military Families at SyracuseUniversity into the WorkforceDecember 4, 2017 - Skillsoft Announces New ‘Accessfor All’ Accessibility ProgramDecember 5, 2017 - Skillsoft Enhances LanguageAccess and Accessibility for the Canadian MarketDecember 13, 2017 - Skillsoft Launches Skillsoft Off theShelf – A Book Club for Modern Business Learners14
OUR BRANDOur NameSkillsoft name originates from the idea of soft skills, but is now synonymous with exceptional corporatetraining in all aspects of learning- Compliance, Technology, Developer, Leadership, Business Skills,Collaboration Tools, Productivity and many more.Our MarqueThe Skillsoft marque reflects our commitment to multi modal learning through watch, read, listen. Webelieve that modern learners need more options than just video. They need to be able to deep dive intotheir favorite subjects using other modalities – like books, audio books, summaries as well as wide varietyof practice opportunities.15
Our Voice16
OUR TONE OF VOICEOur Tone of VoiceOur tone of voice is as important as our brand. It allows us to express our personality consistently,authentically and effectively. Skillsoft is brought to life by the words you choose, so select carefully.Our tone isHUMANEMPOWERINGINSPIRINGCONFIDENTWe avoid marketing speakand corporate language.We are here to help peopleso remove anything thatgets in the way of this. Weare personal, without beingoverly familiar.We are motivating,encouraging and uplifting.Learning is a noble purposeand we believe that we helppeople become better. Ourlearners, not Skillsoft, arethe heroes of our story.Our brand daily inspirespeople to do more and bemore. We need to writein a way that inspires andmotivates people to excel.We are the market leadersin corporate learning,and this position bringsconfidence. Confidence inour investment, innovationand instructional design.We have absolute faith inour ability to deliver onour promises tocustomers and learners.What we are not - Our tone is not stuffy, patronizing, condescending or arrogant. When writing we do notuse jargon or management speak.17
GRAMMAR STYLE GUIDEFollow the rules below for specific usage of copy in all documents.Commas No Oxford comma. Check out this post about why the Oxford comma is severelyoverrated. Use a comma between two independent clauses with a conjunction Always use a comma after “i.e.” or “e.g.”Capitalization Do not capitalize: Industries Job titles (unless preceding a person’s name—e.g., Marketing Manager JaneDoe ) Seasons “internet,” “website,” “webpage” Words like “product,” “solution,” or “platform”—unless a part of a proper name(proper product name) Random words only for emphasis—if it’s a common work, it does not getcapitalizedHyphens Hyphenate compound adjectives (e.g., high-performing teams, high-priority initiative)Quotes Always use double quotes (never single, unless something is quoted inside aquotation) Do not overuse quotes—common phrases do not need to be quotedNumbers Spell out a number when it begins a sentence. Otherwise, use the numeral. Numbers in blog post titles are numeralsPercentages always use figures and the % sign (9%)Dollar amounts always use figure (i.e., 9 or 1 million)Spell out fractions, one half, not ½.Punctuation Punctuation always goes inside quotation marks Semicolons connect two independent clausesEm dash (—) Use to offset a phrase; can use instead of parentheses; do not use a dash No spaces around em dashes in running copy (for example—like this) Use em dash to attribute a quote, not a dashOrganizations Organizations are singular entities, not plural; verb agreement should be singularActive voice Do this: “This gap between end user preferences and buyer perspectives increased inmore technical subject areas.” Not this: “This gap between preferences of the end user and perspectives of thebuyer was heightened in more technical subject areas.”URLs Avoid spelling out URLs, but when you need to, leave off the http://www.Space Spaces after periods – we only use one, here’s why.This includes ordinals, too – so 1st not first.AcronymsNumbers over 3 digits get commas: 1,000. Spell it out the first time you use it, then use the shorter version for allNumbers starting sentences are always spelled outother references.18
GRAMMAR STYLE GUIDEFollow the rules below for specific usage of copy in all documents.ReferencesKey Brand Descriptors You need to include references where you are using another author’s research orSkillsoftYour very knowledgeable professional advisor/mentor: Authoritative but approachable; not academic Confident; 20 years of experience behind us Innovative; we’re doing things our competitors aren’tcommentary. This should be done by inserting a citation after the quote or providing a link to theoriginal report. Format: “Article or report title.” Author name if available, Company orpublication name, date.Words email (not e-mail)internet (not Internet)manager (not boss)direct report, employee, staff, teamseLearning (not e-learning or elearning)microlearning (not micro-learning)multimodal (not multi-modal)white paper (two word)health care (two words)training vs. learning Learning for Leadership Training for Compliance Worker only in EMEASumTotalYour super cool knowledgeable uncle that always knows what to do: Effort and energy Hip and modern Challenger brand; done some exceptional things with technology to jump overour competitorsPercipioYour smart friend who graduated from an Ivy League, has a cool job in NYC,and dates a playwright: The hippest and coolest Focused and efficient Very Californian, UX design is key Organizations should be treated as singular entities, so verb agreement would besingular (i.e., PetSmart [it] supports, NOT PetSmart [they] support ) No colloquial language (e.g., nip it in the bud, shoot for the moon, etc.) Common biz phrases high-performing teams cross-functional work19
Logo Usage20
LOGO COLORThe colors below are the only acceptable colors when using this version of the Skillsoft logo.BlackPMS:RedBlack 6 CPMS:186 CCMYK: 100, 79, 44, 100CMYK: 2, 100, 86, 6RGB:16, 24, 32RGB:200, 16, 46HEX:#000000HEX:#C8102E21
LOGO TREATMENTThe preferred logo to use is the black and red version. If the logo must go on a dark background, the white a red versionmay be used. Use the all white version, only when there is no other option.Color logo - WhiteColor logo - BlackWhite logo on ColorWhite logo on Color22
CLEAR SPACEAlways make sure there is enough white space around the Skillsoft logo. Keep an area clear that is equal to X, where X isequal to the size of the three play buttons in the logo.XXXXX 23
UNACCEPTABLE LOGO USAGEThe examples below show unacceptable uses of the Skillsoft logo. Please note, this list is not inclusive of all theunacceptable logo uses. Please refer to page 25-26, for the only accepted uses.Do NOT separate the play buttonsfrom the word Skillsoft.Do NOT change the proportions of the logo.The leader in eLearning.Do NOT use the logo in unapproved colors.Do NOT add a tagline to the logo.Do NOT use with the registered trademark.Do NOT use the black logo on a dark background.24
LOGO VARIATIONSBelow are the only approved logo variations to the Skillsoft logo. Do not add any other sort of tagline or copy within thelogo lock-up, if it is not listed below, or create any other variation. To download these, and any approved logos, pleasevisit skillsoft.com/branding.25
PARTNER LOGOSBelow are the only approved partner logo variations to the Skillsoft logo.
Grammar Style Guide 18 Logo Usage 20 Logo Color 21 Logo Treatment 22 Clear Space 23 Unacceptable Logo Usage 24 Logo Variations 25 Partner Logos 26 Color Palette 27 Primary Brand Colors 28 Secondary Brand Colors 29 Grays 30 Accessible
