Training in the Technology Industry

1. The Right Direction
T+D, v59 n10 p92-93 October 2005

     Solutions. This article describes a sophisticated apprenticeship program at the University of Southern Mississippi designed to up-skill workers for the geospatial industry.

2. Making the Exemplary Normal
T+D, v59 n6 p40-51 June 2005

     This case study takes an in-depth look at a high-performing sales team and determines what components can be replicated in other sales offices. It considers the ying/yang of an exemplary sales leader and exceptional processes and systems and which factor plays the more significant role.

3. The ROI of SWAT 
T+D, v59 n1 p48-50 January 2005

     This article details how Toshiba American Business Solutions developed Special Weekly Acquisition Training (SWAT) a tool used to bring the sales people of newly acquired companies up to speed about Toshiba products. Senior management at Toshiba has found that this training tool has increased employee retention and reduced the training costs of employees dramatically. While Toshiba doesn't ask about the costs or the ROI formally, the training group who developed SWAT can provide the numbers when needed. Toshiba American Business Solutions is a 2004 ASTD BEST award winner.

4. At C-level: Interview with Bill Swanson
T+D, v58 n9 p46--64 September 2004

     Bill Swanson's quote "Wanting to learn is part of my DNA, "underscores his commitment to learning both personally and corporately.  As Chair and CEO of Raytheon, Swanson shares his insights on leaders and the role of learning in the organization. An article by Don Ronchi, "Passion and Poetry in Raytheon Learning" follows the interview. Ronchi describes Raytheon's standard of learning quickly to ensure its competitive position in the marketplace.

5. Riding the Tiger of Culture Change
T+D, v58 n8 p32-41 August 2004

     This case study explains how X-Rite, Inc., a color technology company, redesigned its culture and its enterprise-wide activities in response to the fast-paced changes of the current business environment. Seven lessons learned about this change resistant organization are shared.

6. Case Study: Outsourcing Plays a Vital Role at Texas Instruments
LEARNING CIRCUITS, v5 n8 August 2004

     This article describes the steps taken at Texas Instruments (TI) to outsource training during its tough economic times. TI approached this situation with a novel requirement from its outsourcing partner—no management fee would be paid—it was a shared risk. Few suppliers responded but General Physics took the challenge and has been working with TI since 2001. While the situation has changed since then the results have proven noteworthy.

7. Case Study: BTS Helps Companies Walk in Customers' Shoes
LEARNING CIRCUITS, v5 n6 June 2004

     This case study describes how Texas Instruments (TI) faced with competing for new business brought in BTS USA to reinforce the value of customers. TI corporate executives attended a "Customer Loyalty Boot Camp' developed by BTS that used simulations to drive home key learning concepts about customers. The program met its goals, was expanded to over 2000 TI managers and engineers, and within 24 months TI had become more customer-centric.