Organisational e-learning case studies

Streamlining Information Analysis: Digital Dashboards for Learning and Development

"A major pharmaceutical company delivering groundbreaking innovations required a user-friendly and flexible solution that would streamline the analysis of information and support decision making for learning and development. Data Inc. partnered with the organisation to develop a customised solution that would fit their needs."

Added: 24 July 2006
Reviewer's Note:
Data Inc has been working with Fortune 500 clients since 1983

Canada's BC Hydro ties learning to performance

"Like many organizations, Canadian utility company BC Hydro decided to adopt a blended learning solution to replace its reliance on face-to-face training. The package needed to enable its field-based workforce to maintain high productivity, competence and regulatory compliance, as well as to capture critical skills from senior workers and fulfill an aggressive new performance management initiative." Paul Harris, Learning Circuits, August 2005

Added: 8 August 2005
Reviewer's Note:
Solution: A multifaceted program began with the adoption of the Plateau Systems learning management system aimed at tracking compliance related training. Additional collaboration and content platforms were added, capped with the adoption of Plateau's OpenSuite 5.5 that incorporates the vendor's performance management system and other functions. But when it comes to defining the competencies of every job category, and capturing the tribal knowledge of SMEs, there is no easy way.

LMS on a shoestring

"This is a story about the implementation of a successful on-line learning initiative in two companies. Due to the success of the on-line learning initiative, we needed a more sophisticated approach to managing this system. The solution would have to be a Learning Management System (LMS). However, similar to the challenge of developing on-line materials, the costs for LMS systems resulted in sticker shock. We had to resort to a solution similar to what we did with on-line learning. We had to install a LMS on a shoestring budget. What we stumbled on was a very effective approach that cost us less than $30,000 to develop and introduce." Michael McGinnis, LTI Magazine, 29 December 2004

Added: 7 January 2005
Reviewer's Note:
Conclusion: "The final statement that needs to be made is this. Keep it simple. Choose the best tools, not the most expensive."

Training: On the line ..

"Traditional classroom learning is all very well but when you need your lawyers to be up to speed yesterday, e-learning can offer a more flexible approach to training. David Adams and Kevin Bell look at the pros and cons." Legal Week, 7 June 2004

Added: 7 October 2004
Reviewer's Note:
A study of e-learning at Clifford Chance, a firm of lawyers in the UK

BTS Helps Companies Walk in Customers' Shoes

"Problem: Like most high tech companies, semiconductor giant Texas Instruments rode the technology boom in a state of bliss. As customers waited in line for its products, TI became more product and technology centric, and admittedly less concerned about its customers. Then came the bust. TI was suddenly forced to compete for new business, yet elements of its management simply wouldn't adjust to the market's new demands. How could TI jolt its people into a renewed awareness of the customer?" Paul Harris, Learning Circuits, June 2004

Added: 25 June 2004
Reviewer's Note:
"Solution: Texas Instruments called on BTS USA, a global supplier of computer-based simulations for learning. The provider developed a customer loyalty course for TI's top 300 executives aimed at raising awareness about customer-centric thinking."

Bus drivers are honing their skills with e-learning

"It's easy to garner accolades about e-learning from members of the workforce who are familiar with computers. But what about those who aren't? How successful is online or CD-ROM learning for workers who aren't especially computer literate, and how can you overcome their natural resistance to it?" Paul Harris, Learning Circuits, May 2004

Added: 22 May 2004
Reviewer's Note:
"Answer: If the courses are created appropriately, and if the content is applicable and accessible, online learning can be a rousing success for the student and the training organization."

E-Performance at work: organising and presenting information

"we look at an e-performance approach that is both relatively simple and often overlooked: The strategy of organizing or reorganizing content, and making that content easy to access and use." Tony Karrer and Elizabeth Gardner, Learning Circuits, May 2004

Added: 8 May 2004
Reviewer's Note:
The examples show how four organizations are using technology to do exactly that

The Regence Group's evolution into e-learning

"Over the past four years, The Regence Group's training department has migrated from exclusively classroom training to predominately Web-based, instructor-led offerings. This article describes the steps it took to get there and guidance for managers leading a new staff through this journey." Ken Steinman, Learning Circuits, April 2004

Added: 24 April 2004
Reviewer's Note:
Also includes some lessons learned

AmeriCredit partners with Ninth House for LMS success

"Befitting an organization that strives to foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning, AmeriCredit recently launched new e-learning courses to support its focus on coaching and employee development-a training and development strategy the company considers vital to its success in the current challenging economic climate." Jami York, Learning Circuits, March 2004

Added: 9 April 2004
Reviewer's Note:
Summary: "We see learning as a change process. We have to get leaders and partners to commit before, during and after in order to truly manage the process for success."

Glenmorangie takes a shot at e-learning

"Distillery staff get online courses to improve IT and business skills" James Mortleman, vnunet.com, 16 March 2004

Added: 16 March 2004
Reviewer's Note:
A brief piece about Glenmorangie's blended learning programme for distillery staff

Advanced Learning Environment for the Aerospace Industry

"The Aviation/Aerospace industry as a whole, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in particular, are facing a potential crisis. At the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station alone nearly 60 percent of the workforce will reach retirement age within the next few years. Capturing the knowledge of the experienced workforce, as well as preparing and supporting the next generation of aerospace workers, is critical to ensure the success of future military and commercial space operations. " Thomas Cavanagh and David Metcalf, Learning Circuits, February 2004

Added: 21 February 2004
Reviewer's Note:
"Here's a look at the practical application of an advanced online learning community for the aerospace industry, touching on industry and organizational challenges, strategy and solutions, technical considerations of implementation, and future plans."

In Focus: healthcare and financial services

"Learning Circuits throws the spotlight on two vibrant industries to see how they have embraced e-learning to train their employees. Hint: Their voracious learning needs have spawned a robust marketplace of suppliers competing to fulfill them." Paul Harris, Learning Circuits, November 2003

Added: 22 November 2003
Reviewer's Note:
An overview of how two major industries are using and benefiting from e-learning

Blended learning for product knowledge at Boehringer-Ingelheim

"Blendedlearning continues to be a very useful approach in many situations. Boehringer-Ingelheim uses a variety of media to deliver focused productand medical knowledge to field workers in Germany, and isexpanding this approach to its sales team world-wide." Harald Wenske, eLearning Developers Journal, 29 September 2003

Added: 5 October 2003
Reviewer's Note:
You need to be a member of the eLearning Guild to access this article

e-Learning in a Down Economy: Wise Investments Made by Financial Services Companies

"Organizations today are under pressure to cut budgets while getting better results. In June, 2003, the New England e-Learning Association (NELA) convened a panel of e-Learning experts from the financial services industry to learn how they are meeting these challenges. In this article find out about the lessons learned and other valuable pointers shared by the panelists!" Purnima Menon, eLearning Developers Journal, 8 September 2003

Added: 12 September 2003
Reviewer's Note:
You will need to subscribe to the eLearning Guild to be able to access this article

Cathay Pacific Airways: Taking off with e-learning

"Cathay Pacific Airways was founded in 1946 and since then has grown its business to encompass nearly 50 destinations in 29 countries. When Cathay Pacific Airways invested more than $250 million in e-business, a part of that change in the company's strategic direction was to implement an e-learning environment. Called "Learner's World," the e-learning environment helps Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific deliver learning to more than 14,000 employees." Emily Hollis, Chief Learning Officer Magazine, July 2003

Added: 10 August 2003
Reviewer's Note:
Benefits for this airline through use of e-learning

Pat Crull: Toys 'R' Us Takes Learning Seriously

"When the time came for Pat Crull, Ph.D., to look for a new challenge, the veteran corporate learning executive knew what she had in mind. The ideal organization would match her own ideals-it would be serious about the business and benefits of education and would know education is a serious benefit for business." Tim Sosbe, Chief Learning Officer Magazine, July 2003

Added: 4 July 2003
Reviewer's Note:
Learning at Toys 'R' Us and its inspirational CLO.

Mission-Critical e-Learning at a National Retailer: A Case Study

"e-Learning professionals know their work is mission critical -- but sometimes the connection to the business drivers can be fuzzy. This case study showcases how an enormous e-Learning initiative played a pivotal role in a major organizational overhaul. Not many projects are as large as this one... but the processes and thinking applied here may be of tremendous benefit to your organization!" Brenda Boss, eLearning Developers Journal, 28 April 2003

Added: 15 May 2003
Reviewer's Note:
You will need to register to access this PDF

Training on a budget: Online courses bring learning to newspapers

"Newspapers used to train personnel by sending them off to some distant location, a costly proposition that included fees for the class, travel expenses and time away from the office. Now they don't have to. Organizations including NAA, the American Press Institute and state press associations have started offering online courses as a cost-effective alternative." Anitra S Brown, Presstime

Added: 10 May 2003
Reviewer's Note:
The use of webinars for training in the newspaper

Taking the e-Pill

"As more pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations prescribe online learning for compliance training, they realize they must appeal to a wide range of computer-skill levels. Administering training in smaller doses makes e-learning go down faster." Vitisia Pavnich, e-Learning Magazine, 1 April 2003

Updated: 29 April 2003
Reviewer's Note:
A case study from a number of pharmaceutical companies

Enterprise e-learning

"This article is part 1 of a five-part series of case studies on how some big organizations are using and measuring enterprise-wide e-learning." Martha Gold, Learning Circuits, April 2003

Added: 7 April 2003
Reviewer's Note:
"This article tells how Braxton (formerly Deloitte Consulting) tested and then wove e-learning throughout the organization."

E-Learning is a win-win technology

"Online learning initiatives can pay off in more than just enhanced knowledge for the enterprise. For IT, it can provide critical training and boost IT's credibility because these technologies can directly support business goals" Debra Young, TechRepublic, 18 February 2003, ZD Net UK News

Added: 27 February 2003
Reviewer's Note:
How e-learning helps with IT training

Recipe for success

"Start with a dash of one-to-one instruction. Add a pinch of online training. Sprinkle with the facts from a knowledge base. Cook at a moderate level, stirring occasionally, and voila, the right blend of face-to-face training and e-learning technologies makes a deliciously winning combination." Karen Banna, Destination CRM

Added: 4 January 2003
Reviewer's Note:
A study in call centre training

HR firm saves on training costs with web conferencing

"Gevity HR, a Bradenton, Fla.-based human resources outsourcing firm, was spending a fortune bringing managers back to its headquarters for monthly software training sessions. The company cut travel costs by two-thirds when it switched to a collaborative Web conferencing service, but managers soon realized they could save even more. By bringing Web conferencing technology in-house, the company has cut costs while also improving the effectiveness of its training programs."

Added: 19 December 2002
Reviewer's Note:
"It shortens the sales cycle, saves on training costs, and makes our product demos and training more effective."

How the US military is reinventing e-learning

"As the U.S. military gears up to confront new challenges, it's transforming the way service personnel are trained. That means a heavy reliance on e-learning, simulation, and other technologies, and an urgent need for innovative ideas from suppliers." Paul Harris, Learning Circuits, November 2002

Added: 10 November 2002
Reviewer's Note:
A look at some of the activities that are taking place in the US navy, army etc.

E-Learning on a shoestring

"... like many others we met at the conference, we drew a sad conclusion about state-of-the-art e-learning: sounds wonderful but too expensive. We were sold on the concept of online training, but we'd have to figure out a way to do it cheaply." Michael McGinnis, e-learning Magazine, 16 October 2002

Added: 17 October 2002
Reviewer's Note:
How simple solutions can be just as effective as major multimedia efforts

e-Learning finally gets on its running shoes

"This week, when I asked Rebel Sports training manager David Smith and Enfo Knowledge Solutions director Gerard Manion, they were able to show just how powerful e-learning can be. Perhaps for the first time, an e-learning system has been wired up to a point-of-sale system to measure its impact on the bottom line." Eric Wilson, f2 Network, 1 October 2002

Added: 12 October 2002
Reviewer's Note:
A case study from 2 Australian companies

The Delta force of e-learning at Cisco

"At Cisco, three business units joined forces to keep information flowing and strategic skills sharp in preparation for the upturn." Patricia A Galagan

Added: 27 July 2002
Reviewer's Note:
An in-depth look at the leader in the use of e-learning - Cisco

Using e-Learning To Maximise Global Sales of A New Car To A New Breed of Customer

"When Jaguar Cars Ltd commissioned MultiJac to build a bespoke e-learning solution to train its dealers on the newly launched Jaguar X-TYPE, this formed part of a completely new approach to the sale of Jaguar's cars and the training of its dealers. " MultiJac.

Added: 26 July 2002
Reviewer's Note:
e-Learning for product training

HP fine-tunes learning portal

"In its quest to become a fast-paced organisation, Hewlett-Packard has refined its online HR portal to offer its 90,000 staff around the world training on tap." Dipika Ghose, IT Training, May 2002

Added: 3 May 2002
Reviewer's Note:
A good account on how the work was conducted

e-learning -- taking a few lessons from IBM

"The first stage is performance support and reference materials (read it, see it, hear it) which is Internet based. Next is interactive learning using simulation and games (try it, play it, experience it), which is multimedia based. Third is collaborative learning, which involves working with peers primarily through PC device based interfaces. Finally, it's back to the old faithful classroom learning."

Added: 13 April 2002
Reviewer's Note:
That's the main gist of the case study!

On the rise

"With a pending IPO and plans for international growth, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts had six months to find the right recipe for training store managers." Kim Kiser, Online Learnign Magazine, April 2002

Added: 6 April 2002
Reviewer's Note:
Krispy Kreme's approach to e-learning

Dow Chemical Co: The world's biggest classroom

"... it launched Learn@dow. now, a $1.3 million e-learning system that delivers standardized online training around the world. In its first full year of operation, the site delivered an estimated total cost benefit of $30 million, including savings on training delivery costs, class materials and salaries (Web-based training requires 40 percent to 60 percent less of an employee's time than its classroom equivalent)." CIO, February 2002

Added: 6 February 2002
Reviewer's Note:
Winner CIO Magazine Enterprise Value Awards

A report on e-learning and best practices

Produced by APEC - Asia-Pacific E-Learning Alliance, January 2002. The alliance promotes online learning among members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, APEC. Alliance members include AOL Time Warner, Cisco Systems Fujitsu, Sun Microsystems, Daesung Group and Saba.

Added: 5 February 2002
Reviewer's Note:
This report may be of particular interest to those working in e-learning in Asia-Pac.

Delivering the goods

Can a learning management system help a company better serve its customers? Rockwell Automation found theirs could do that and more." Rebecca Ganzel and Kim Kiser

Added: 4 February 2002
Reviewer's Note:
Using a LMS for training administration

New Three in One

"When Unilever finessed a trio of corporate cultures into one, e-learning helped the blended sales staff produce more than $20 million in additional sales."

Added: 10 November 2001
Reviewer's Note:
How Unilever used in e-learning to generate a corporate culture

An offer they can't refuse

"When talented employees start to leave en masse, e-learning may help convince them to stay. David Raths, Online Learning Magazine, October 2001

Added: 30 September 2001
Reviewer's Note:
A case study from Fujitsu

Action learning meets e-learning: a European case study

"How do you take a multi-cultural organisation of highly professional people in a fast-moving drinks business and create a culture of agile project working and leadership? This was the challenge faced by the GuinnessUDV European Shared Service Centre, a Diageo company." Dr Richard Hale, Dr Charles Margerison and Alison Whitley, Training Journal, July 2001

Added: 21 August 2001
Reviewer's Note:
the first of two articles

E-learning evangelism

"Practicing what you preach can be good for you. Just ask Chris Pirie, who led the movement from classroom training to e-learning at Oracle Corp." Kim Kiser, Online Learning Magazine, January 2001

Added: 1 August 2001
Reviewer's Note:
How Oracle got started in e-learning

E-learning branches out

"E-learning systems may not be easy to implement, but many companies see the potential for a broad business impact." Sandra Swanson, Information Week, February 2001

Added: 19 July 2001
Reviewer's Note:
This article shows how a number of companies are using e-learning

E-learning success stories

"DigitalThink e-learning solutions are at work in boosting employee efficiency, fostering customer loyalty and improving sales channel performance at Fortune 1000 companies everywhere."

Added: 19 July 2001
Reviewer's Note:
a vendor's list of e-learning success stories

Learning at MetLife goes virtual

"For MLFS, delivering training to a dispersed workforce forced us to investigate distance learning as a delivery option. Another reason to develop distance learning was the need for MLFS sales representatives to prepare for mandated examinations and learn new product information and procedural changes quickly." Norma Rossi, Learning Circuits, May 2001

Added: 25 June 2001
Reviewer's Note:
MetLife is a company that is often cited in the press as one that has benefited from e-leaning. This article explains how.

Kodak wants out of the classroom

"Eastman Kodak Co. hopes that shifting its business focus to digital imaging products and services will give it a competitive edge in the photographic products industry. By moving much of its global business training online, Kodak will try to make that a reality by boosting employees' technology savvy". Information Week.com, 2 April 2001.

Added: April 2001