E-Learning, Intranet and Branding

I recently reviewed a case study on a company called 3Com.  The study outlined how this tehnological company utilized their intranet for their e-learning program that assisted their internal staff members stay abreast of the product details and changes in an ever changing technological product base.  The interesting thing about this article was how this e-learning concept did not stop there.  In addition, 3Com utilized their e-learning program to educate outside of their company as well.  They created a "Partner Learning Center" that allowed all Business Parters and resellers the same access to learning.  Employees of those reseller companies could access all the product information, certification, testing, etc. that 3Com employees could access.   The interesting thing was how this combined use of both the e-learning and intranet technological products really started the "Virtual HRD" atmosphere within this company.  This provided a true competitive edge for 3Com by allowing this type of access to learning.  A further piece of this was the face that 3Com was able to create customized e-learning environments and place this on the reseller's intranet (for higher end clients).  This again created a great differentiation piece for 3Com.  This was excellent service to their clients and ultimately end purchasers.    As a final component of this great concept was 3Com's ability to incorporate a new brand and org culture piece from this e-learning piece.  To me this was an innovative way to utilize e-learning and really resonated with me in terms of Virtual HRD - what better way to incorporate the technology and organizational culture pieces within 3Com!!!
Attached is a link to the article on 3Com E-learning and brand.  Certpoint/3Com E-learning-Branding

Appreciative Inquiry Project

In 2010 I wanted to determine a way to address employee satisfaction in my organization.  Through a contact and consultant I came across a concept called Appreciative Inquiry "AI".  AI is a concept founded by David Cooperrider.  To sum it up - it is a way to take what is working in an organization and vet that against what is not working to strategize on improvements.  The key component to AI is that it involves staff members from ALL levels of the organization.    Thus began our 9 mos process of completing an AI at our organization.  The documentation for this project is lengthy but I love talking about it.  Please contact me if you want to hear more!

Performance Appraisal Training Course

Please click on the link to see a course that I created regarding Performance Management.  This course is geared toward new managers to my organization.  They learn about the performance management process, the components of the process, how to write an appraisal and how to deliver the feedback.    The attachments are my storyboards, lesson plan and training slides for this course.
http://cid-db81943a0c5ea30c.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?resid=DB81943A0C5EA30C!104

Sites and Resources

In my position I find that while I look at many sites each day there are some professional resources that I utilize most often for HRM and HRD.  The most valuable resource I have is the Society for Human Resource Management.  This sites holds a lot of information for the general browser/user.  However- if you become a member of SHRM you have access to countless resources, articles, templates and guides.  http://www.shrm.org/

My Favorite Training Software

Our organization recently purchased a product called "Articulate".  I am very happy with this program.  It seems fairly intuitive and one of our training staff was able to create a really great refresher course on Internal Service Surveys for our staff.