Training and Development

Leaning on Learning

Today’s learning programs are enabling organizations to navigate business challenges caused by uncertainty, fill skills gaps, and build the leaders of tomorrow. By Debbie Bolla

For Naveen Bhateja, executive vice president and chief people L&D programs without a hitch by transitioning them to virtual officer for Medidata Solutions, the recent changes to the environments,” she says. “Opportunities for development world of work caused by COVID-19 have only proved the value can remain consistent or change with organizational values of a quality learning program. and strategy as long as the platforms are reliable and have features conducive to learning.” “Learning and development are critical to keeping employees engaged and feeling connected to the company and its Virtual work is also shifting the content of training programs, mission,” he explains. “During times of uncertainty, the Bhateja says, since employee and manager needs have connection employees feel can wane.” changed dramatically in the past few months. “For example, we’re seeing companies increase training around how to Some of this missing connectedness stems from the need and manage a remote workforce,” he notes. “More than ever, nature of remote work—especially for workers who hadn’t managers must consider how to convey human qualities such experienced it in the past and moved into it abruptly due to as empathy to support employees through the pandemic the urgency of the global health crisis. But technology has and social unrest; they must focus on creating collaborative played a large part in easing the transition. scenarios that support employees juggling unique family and “Many companies, including Medidata, are investing in more personal needs.” digital technologies and methodologies to transform their learning channels and learning management features,” he Herrmann agrees. “In terms of channeling leadership topics explains. most conducive to today’s ambiguous work environment, there has never been a time when managers’ coaching Mary Herrmann, managing director of global executive skills have been more significant and applicable,” she says. coaching for BPI group, also understands tech’s value— “Intense focus on developing leaders’ ability to listen without especially in today’s circumstances. “Advanced technological judgment, question with curiosity, and challenge deep- capabilities have enabled nimble organizations to continue seated beliefs, as well as guiding individual commitment to

[58] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020 Training and Development

action, can be applied to any of the various issues distressing What’s Ahead employees right now. Additionally, that level of unconditional support creates an inspired and energized workforce.” Bhateja forecasts that technology will continue to drive the future of L&D programs. “Looking ahead, one of the Within the L&D space, pre-COVID-19 challenges still exist technologies I expect to become more mainstream within L&D for organizations. A main consideration: the skills gap, with is virtual reality (VR),” he explains. “For example, VR is key to reporting that it could have a $2.5 trillion impact on behavior apps that simulate scenarios ranging from running the U.S. economy over the next 10 years. meetings to performance coaching. We at Medidata were exploring VR applications prior to the pandemic and have “As this gap widens, businesses that don’t take steps to since accelerated our investments.” address it might be left behind,” says Bhateja. With that in mind, Medidata built a specifi c strategy around cross- For organizations looking to invest in their employees functional projects that help foster a learning culture. through learning and development, a roundup of partners Bhateja says this strategy is an action close to home in the HR and some of their services is provided below. department. Academy https://www.accentureacademy.com “In the context of recent dynamic growth for our company, I Services: Skills assessment and analysis, competency-based questioned how the traditional center of excellence (COE) HR approach to skills development, and a customizable online model could meet the needs of a rapidly changing business,” learning solution. he explains. “At the same time, we wanted to defi ne exactly what the ‘People Team’s’ contribution would be and what our AchieveForum (now part of ) vision for the future would be.” https://www.achieveforum.com/ Services: Research-based solutions for leadership The solution? A fi ve-pillar strategy that aligns company development, coaching resources, and micro-lessons. objectives to areas not typically covered in the COE model that can be addressed through project work and come with AllenComm professional growth opportunities. https://www.allencomm.com Services: Custom training solutions for leadership, sales Bhateja provides an example: “One member on my team had enablement, and compliance. been doing employee engagement events management. She took on a leading role in building the change management Aptara resources. As a result of that project, she grew an interest in https://www.aptaracorp.com learning and organizational development. A few months ago, Services: Corporate learning strategy, eLearning she accepted a role on that team and now focuses exclusively development, workforce resourcing, learning management on that work. It’s a great example of how cross-functional and administrative services, and learning technology. work can open up career opportunities for team members Ardent Learning and aid in retention of top talent, particularly when budgets https://www.ardentlearning.com are tight during challenging economic times.” Services: Custom learning solutions, custom content, self- Another strategy the organization leverages to retain top paced learning, classroom training, experiential learning, and talent is executive coaching and leadership development. virtual learning. Axiom Learning Solutions “At Medidata, we have various programs designed to https://axiomlearningsolutions.com/ assimilate top talent into the organization and into new Services: IT training, contingent workforce training, and leadership positions; transition them into those leadership professional and business skills development. roles with an expanding scope that impacts the business; and develop those with high potential to increase their BetterUp effectiveness,” he explains. https://www.betterup.com/ Services: Leadership development, expert coaching, Medidata leverages coaching for three talent transitions: , micro-learning, and analytics. • assimilation into the organization or into a new leadership position; BPI group • transition into a new role and/or one with expanding scope https://bpi-group.us/ and impact in the business; and Services: Talent strategy assessment, competency modeling, • acceleration and development for high performers with succession management, leadership development, and action high potential to increase effectiveness in their role. learning programs.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | www.hrotoday.com [59] Training and Development

BTS CPS HR Consulting https://www.bts.com/index https://www.cpshr.us Services: Leadership development and coaching, talent Services: Blended learning courses, leadership assessment and assessment, sales training, and marketing training. development, executive coaching, and specialized training courses. Caveo Learning https://www.caveolearning.com/ CrossKnowledge Services: Strategic consulting, custom learning, performance https://www.crossknowledge.com/ solutions, learning development, virtual training, and Services: Employee onboarding, leadership development, curriculum design. personalized development plans, content library, digital learning platform, digital publishing platform, and mobile Cegos learning. https://www.cegos.com/en Services: Leadership training, digital learning, content Dale Carnegie & Associates Inc. development, and on-site or distance learning. https://www.dalecarnegie.com/en Services: Virtual coaching, customized solutions, people Center for Creative Leadership skills and customer service training, leadership development, https://www.ccl.org/ presentation training, organizational development training, Services: Organizational leadership training, coaching and sales training. services, licensing opportunities, analytics and evaluation, Development Dimensions International Inc. (DDI) workshops and on-site programs, and digital learning tools. https://www.ddiworld.com Centrical Services: Leadership assessment and analytics, customized https://centrical.com/ leadership development programs, competency management, Services: Gamifi ed, personalized, AI-powered micro-learning. and succession management.

Computer Generated Solutions Inc. (CGS) Digits Industries Ltd. https://www.cgsinc.com/en https://www.digits.co.uk/ Services: E-learning design and development, custom portal Services: E-learning, blended learning solutions, instructor- design and development, mobile app development, and led training, and learning consulting services. digital video production. CITI Limited Docebo https://www.citi.co.uk/ https://www.docebo.com Services: Accredited training courses, change management, Services: AI-powered learning management system, social and program/project management. personalized programs, virtual coaching, content library, and Clarity mobile learning. https://clarityconsultants.com/ Eagle’s Flight Services: Instructional design, leadership development, https://www.eaglesfl ight.com/ learning effectiveness, learning technology, organizational Services: Experiential learning, leadership development, and development, sales enablement, and training delivery. classroom or virtual learning sessions.

CMC Training & Consulting Inc. Fuse Universal http://cmctrain.com https://www.fuseuniversal.com/ Services: Training, curriculum design, application Services: Mobile-fi rst learning ecosystem, micro-learning, development, and IT consulting services. social learning, and metrics.

CoreAxis Consulting G-Cube https://coreaxis.com/ https://www.gc-solutions.net/ Services: Immersive learning solutions and custom e-learning Services: Custom e-learning, instructor-led training, game- programs. based learning, mobile learning, consulting, and content library. Cornerstone OnDemand https://www.cornerstoneondemand.com/ Global Knowledge Training LLC Services: Learning management software, customized https://www.globalknowledge.com/us-en learning strategies, analytics and predictive insights, and Services: Classroom and online learning, synchronous or curated content. asynchronous programs, and certifi cation training.

[60] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020 Training and Development

GP Strategies Corporation Learning Technologies Group https://www.gpstrategies.com https://www.ltgplc.com/ Services: Digital learning strategies and solutions, learning Services: Digital learning approach and strategic consulting. analytics and evaluation, content curation, and managed learning services administration and delivery. LearnQuest Inc. https://www.learnquest.com/home.aspx Happy Ltd. Services: Application development training, business analytics https://www.happy.co.uk/ training, and cloud computing training. Services: IT training services, management and culture change, classroom training, event facilitation, and e-learning Leo Learning services. https://leolearning.com/ Services: Blended learning, e-learning, video, virtual reality, Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning gamifi cation, and learning management. https://www.harvardbusiness.org/ Services: Leadership development, fl exible digital solutions, Linkage Inc. blended learning strategies, and interactive classroom https://www.linkageinc.com/ experiences. Services: Leadership development and change management.

Hemsley Fraser Group Ltd. Miller Heiman Group (now part of Korn Ferry) https://www.hemsleyfraser.com/ https://www.millerheimangroup.com/training/ Services: Core content portfolio, virtual, face-to-face training, Services: Sales methodology and skills training. customized managed learning services, and project support. MPS Interactive IBM https://www.mpsinteractive.com/ https://www.ibm.com/topics/training-development Services: Custom e-learning, gamifi cation, micro-learning, Services: Professional certifi cation programs and customized mobile learning, and stimulations. learning journeys. NetCom Learning Imparta Ltd. https://www.netcomlearning.com/ https://imparta.com/ Services: IT training and managed learning solutions. Services: Sales and service training solutions, sales leadership training programs, and a modular capability building system. NIIT https://www.niit.com/en/learning-outsourcing/ Instructure Services: Managed training services, content and curriculum https://www.instructure.com/ design, learning administration, learning delivery, and Services: Learning management system, manager strategic sourcing and vendor management. enablement, and career development. Paradigm Learning Intrepid by VitalSource https://paradigmlearning.com/ www.intrepidlearning.com Services: Experiential learning, gamifi cation, talent and Services: Corporate digital learning, collaborative online leadership development, business acumen training, and programs, leadership development, and executive education. project management training.

Judge Pearson https://www.judge.com/ https://www.pearson.com/us/ Services: Instructor-led training, custom learning asset Services: Assessment, custom content and curriculum development, and learning strategy consultation. development, custom training courseware, degree and certifi cation programs, self-service learning programs, LearningMate Solutions Pvt. Ltd. knowledge capture, online mentoring, and online talent and https://www.learningmate.com/ leadership development. Services: Custom content development, immersive learning experiences, workforce skills management, and knowledge PeopleFluent consulting. https://www.peoplefl uent.com/ Services: Instructor-led training, on-demand learning, user-

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | www.hrotoday.com [61] Training and Development

generated content, social sharing, real-time reporting, and TalentKeepers digital coaching. https://www.talentkeepers.com/ Services: Online leader training, leader assessment and Performance Development Group development, and recertifi cation. https://www.performdev.com/ Services: Leadership and professional development. The Center for Leadership Studies https://situational.com/ PulseLearning Ltd. https://www.pulselearning.com/ Services: Customized learning solutions; instructor-led, Services: Custom e-learning, system stimulations, instructor- online, blended, and virtual delivery; and executive coaching. led training, blended learning, gamifi cation, and mobile learning. The Ken Blanchard Companies https://www.kenblanchard.com/ Raytheon Professional Services Services: Leadership development, e-learning programs, https://www.raytheon.com/ management coaching, and training events and workshops. Services: Instructor-led training, web-based training, virtual classroom training, simulation-based training, gaming, video, The Learning Factor and mobile learning. http://learningfactor.com.au/ Services: Digital learning, micro-learning, virtual reality, Roundtable Learning gamifi cation, and managed training. https://roundtablelearning.com/ Services: E-learning, augmented reality, virtual reality, The Myer-Briggs Company video learning, instructor-led training, and strategy and https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-US management. Services: Certifi cation training and personality assessments. SAP SuccessFactors The Training Associates https://www.successfactors.com/content/ssf-site/en.html https://thetrainingassociates.com/ Services: Cloud-based learning management solution, blended learning, succession planning, and career and Services: Training delivery, instructor-led training, managed development planning. learning services, and learning strategy.

SilkRoad TrainingFolks https://www.silkroad.com/ https://www.trainingfolks.com/ Services: On-demand video courses, mobile learning, learning Services: Training needs assessment, instructional design assessments, and engagement and compliance reporting. services, and custom e-learning.

Skillsoft Upside Learning https://www.skillsoft.com/ https://www.upsidelearning.com/ Services: Leadership development, leadership and Services: Learning consultancy, e-learning, mobile learning, management skills training, digital skills training, IT training video animation, gamifi cation, rapid learning, and instructor- and certifi cation, and compliance training. led training. Talent Dimensions Wilson Learning Corporation https://talent-dimensions.com/ https://www.wilsonlearning.com/ Services: Career development solutions, leadership development, and talent identifi cation. Services: Sales and leadership development.

Take Flight Learning VitalSmarts https://takefl ightlearning.com/ https://www.vitalsmarts.com/ Services: DISC training, leadership training, confl ict training, Services: On-demand and live virtual training in dialogue, sales development, and interactive innovation training. accountability, infl uence, productivity, and effectiveness.

[62] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020