Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008 - (Page 45)

At Adecco’s “High Impact Training” center in Cincinnati, Ohio, classroom sessions work primarily on group learning activities, like simulations and roleplay. E-learning is used primarily to teach prerequisites prior to classroom training, with the majority of those in four core field positions attending a live classroom session. Not surprisingly, Thompson believes in starting the worker experience in the right way. Each new hire is given access to the GeoLearning LMS platform, and each gets a customized learning plan based on their responsibilities and skills. A noteworthy eight out of 10 new hires complete the core plans assigned to them. “We throw around the idea and terminology of partnership, but it really does come down to it,” Thompson said. “I am not an educated or trained trainer, and neither is my team. I need someone to help me be successful and GeoLearning has done specifically that. The trick is to find someone who is above all things successful, and that’s what GeoLearning does. They have been great to work with.” That partnership is expanding inside the decentralized organization. Reporting into headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the North American operation often shares best practices among international peers, and Thompson is now working with colleagues to launch GeoLearning’s LMS globally as part of a global training community. “I think the trick, what would make it better, is if we were a little more centralized in content,” he said. “Our business is typically our business no matter where you are, with some varying degrees. What is being taught in France or the UK or Japan, the core content is probably very similar.” The Endgame While the work continues — including the work on customized leadership development plans and a goal of having everyone in the company complete at least one course per quarter — Thompson is happy with the results they’ve seen. For instance, they’ve been able to drive 56,000 course completions in less than a year and start each new associate with a customized learning plan. But Thompson isn’t looking to rest on any laurels, and the former football player knows victory is a team effort. “If the game were over today, I would say we did a pretty good job. But it’s ongoing,” Thompson said. “We have done a really good job in a year of building a foundation for training for Adecco North America. That’s just phase one. We’ve still got a lot to do. This really is a marathon, this isn’t a sprint. “I’m just never one to sit back and think, ‘Oh boy, we’ve done it,’ ” he added. “There’s always something else.” Tim Sosbe is editor of Training Industry Quarterly ezine and general manager of webinars for Training Industry, Inc. Email Tim at tsosbe@trainingindustry.com. http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ/subscribe.asp http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ/subscribe.asp http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ/subscribe.asp http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ/subscribe.asp http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ/subscribe.asp

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008

Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008 At the Editor’s Desk Contents Winning Organizations Through People Before You Buy… Learning Technologies Take Your ROI to Level 6 LCMS: A Critical Link to Learning Success Establishing Best Practices for Learning Governance Training’s Role in Continuous Improvement Meet Jim Mitnick Meet Karen Kocher Meet Christina Cernuch The Personal Side of Personnel Training Closing Arguments

Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008

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