‘Random’ meeting fuels development of OTD’s new learner pathway app 

The new OTD learner pathway app is an educational tool housing a range of features specially designed and developed to support and enhance learning. 

Key functions include assignment uploads, interactive quizzes, session feedback, chat forums, and personalised action plans. It also contains a web admin interface for tracking personal progress and managing programmes.

The new app has been developed in collaboration with London-based software company, The Random Stuff, which was founded by friends John Akpenyi, Brandonlee Brown and Tasa Hendrix in 2022. 

The trio exhibited at last year’s UK Black Business Show where they were introduced to OTD joint managing director, Chris Cummins - before winning a competitive pitch process to develop the company’s new app.

“The UK Black Business Show was a great way of making different types of connections,” explains John, a computer science graduate from Kingston University, who began programming in his spare time. 

“We created two apps and took them to the exhibition, but we didn’t really know what to expect. We then met Chris Cummins who explained he was looking for an app developer and invited us in to discuss the concept further. 

“It was clear that OTD wanted to embrace technology as a way to centralise and streamline the user journey - and ultimately deliver a better experience for its customers.”

The Random Stuff delivered the OTD learner pathway app in less than 10 weeks and the response from OTD employees has been overwhelmingly positive.

The app has already been used to underpin OTD’s delivery of a new EDI programme to more than 150 global associate business coaches. 

Not that Brandonlee Brown, The Random Stuff’s commercial, marketing and operational lead intends to stop there. He is already exploring ways to further develop the relationship.

He said: “This isn’t a one-off project, we are working closely with OTD to become the company’s main innovation partner and have also received mentoring from Chris Cummins who has helped to steer us in the right direction. 

“OTD has so many ideas about how learners can access and absorb content. We are helping to translate that creativity into solutions that can truly benefit their customers and allow people to experience learning wherever they are.” 

CAPTION: (l-r) John Akpenyi, Tasa Hendrix and Brandonlee Brown of The Random Stuff.

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