Site Staff
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Translating Lofty Goals Into Action
In prior columns, I’ve talked about an execution gap in organizations—the gap between setting a goal and achieving it. To close the execution gap, leaders must practice four disciplines of execution: focus on the wildly important goal, create a compelling
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Using Models to Manage Strategic Learning Investments
Gone are the days of technologies looking for a problem to solve. Today, technology investments must be strategic and driven by an organization’s business focus. However, not everyone fully realizes the strategic importance of technology investments
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The Strategic Benefits of Learning Outsourcing
Outsourcing key business functions is a common strategy for information technology and human resources departments. Having other companies do the administrative work or host the technology allows these departments to free up their resources to devote more
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Upgrading Performance and Targeting Learning
Business as usual no longer applies. The routine is now the exception to the norm, and the familiar has become almost exotic. In short, the workplace is in a constant state of flux and stretch. What is perhaps startling is that it is nevertheless succeedi
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Performance-Based Succession Planning
Developing direct reports is the responsibility of each and every supervisor. Succession planning provides a direct and easy-to-follow model for strategic talent management. Viewing employee development from the organizational perspective of succession pl
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Steelcase University: Sticking to a Value Proposition
The year was 2000. Steelcase Inc., a global office furniture industry leader, gave a tactical nod to its “knowledge company” commitment with the opening of Steelcase University (SCU), a facility that redefines the traditional “bricks and mortar” learning
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Capturing Learning Opportunities
Businesspeople often ask us what it takes to survive and profit in competitive and volatile market conditions. The common solution is to offer improved products and services. This is partially true. However, improvements are only the expected results, not
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Outsourcing Learning: Choosing the Model for Success
With increasing pressures to provide more return on investment for their training initiatives, many organizations are taking a more strategic view of vendor relationships and outsourcing. Synonymous primarily with software services and back-office process
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Gap Inc.: Using All Four Levels of Evaluation
With an identified need for leadership training at the store-manager level, Gap Inc. implemented a leadership-training program called Leadership Training for Supervisors (LTS). This program focused on supervisory and leadership skills—how to influence and
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The Evolution of the CLO
Today’s successful organizations must focus on aligning learning and employee development with strategic initiatives. To achieve this goal, learning activities must be integrated into the business processes that drive organizational performance.