Developing a corporate learning strategy

Developing a corporate learning strategy

Developing a corporate learning strategy

Coulson-Thomas C.Management Services, Summer 2006, Vol. 50 No. 2, Start page: 8,No. of pages: 2

Purpose – to consider the importance of developing a corporate learning strategy. Design/methodology/approach – reports on the findings of a two year investigation of corporate learning plans and priorities involving corporate visits and structured interviews with those responsible for the training and development of some 460,000 people. Contends that too little effort is devoted to business development, relationship building, knowledge creation, e-business and entrepreneurship. Feels that training inputs are not leading to new know-how and intellectual capital outputs and the new knowledge needed to compete and win and secure market leadership is not being created. Discusses the implications of organizations focusing on the internal development of employed staff, at the exclusion of the development needs of customers, contractors, suppliers, associates and business partners; and of trainers buying off the shelf rather than applying what would be most appropriate in specific situations. Fears that opportunities for training collaboration are being missed, the aspirations of individuals are being overlooked, and education, training and development expenditures are still sometimes viewed as a cost rather than strategic activities. Recommends that learning should be built into work processes and people’s roles, and should embrace customers, suppliers and business partners; that training activities should contribute to enterprise, business and knowledge development; and that working environments should inspire and enable learning, innovation and creativity. Originality/value – presents a searching criticism of the state of training and development within UK organizations, and calls for a more determined corporate learning strategy approach. ISSN: 0307-6768 Reference: 35AU140

Keywords: Corporate strategy, Learning organizations, Training, Training evaluation