Focus Magazine - Winter 2014 - 20

COVERSTORY

Ewing said,
"Project LIVE is all
about taking a look
at the future of
learning, in terms of
how adult learning
behaviors are
changing. We did a
lot of research on
physical space,
design, and how it
affects not only
learning behaviors,
but also facilitation.
We wanted to break
some of the habits in
terms of the way the
material was being
The Astellas Learning Center opens the classroom to a more
received as well as
360-degree approach to collaborative learning.
how content is
delivered in the
featured large rectangular tables facing
corporate environment."
the front of the room, and technology
Doing the Homework
that required frequent and expensive
With their eyes on transformation,
updates".
Pearson, Ewing and the team
"That configuration, if you will,
essentially immersed
reflected an older training mentality,
themselves in
of lectures and guest speakers and
Accelerated Learning
content being driven from the front
Environments,
of the room to rows of attendees in
reviewing research,
the conference room," Ewing said.
visiting college
The solution for Astellas was to

consider a new classroom where
technology and the physical space are
integrated to create a more active and
engaging learning experience.
In addition to the research, Pearson
and Ewing also conducted focus
groups of learners and worked
internally to ensure the needs of
trainers and managers were being met.
At the end of the informationgathering stage, about a six-month
endeavor, a design was emerging.
After bringing leadership on board
with the proof of concept, it was time
to get going. Astellas worked with BI
Worldwide to put together the actual
plan for the new classroom models,
including how the space would look,
what technology would be needed, and
how it would all work together.
"From a culture perspective at
Astellas, people are the most important
asset we have," Pearson said.
"Everybody views people development
as vital to the long term success of the
company. The investment in the
Astellas Learning Center reflects what
was one of the larger capital projects
last year and was approved by our vice
president of commercial operations,
Mark Niemaszek, and senior sales
leadership."

The New Look

"I believe that the LIVE atmosphere
helped to make my training
experience a success and, as a result,
I feel like I am truly a part of the
Astellas family."
- Dana Printup
Sr. Professional Sales Rep

go "LIVE", which in this case means
"Learning Innovation through Versatile
Environments." Armed with research
that included a study from the
University of Minnesota, Pearson and
Ewing spearheaded the Project LIVE
transformation.

20

campuses, and benchmarking major
corporate training centers, like those
used by McDonalds. While many
training organizations are focusing less
on physical classrooms and more on
virtual training, Astellas purposefully
wanted to break that pattern and

The approval isn't surprising:
Astellas' LIVE learning needs have
grown with an expanding sales force
and several recent product launches.
The objectives of Project LIVE fit with
Astellas' desire to evolve the business
model, raise organizational
effectiveness and attract and retain top
talent in the United States.
In February 2013, design and
technology plans were finalized, and
the implementation phase began.
Actual installation took place in June
2013. Anthony and his design team
worked closely with building
management to ensure a successful
implementation. "The entire Project
LIVE team was wonderful to work with

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Focus Magazine - Winter 2014

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