Corporate T&D Best Practices Activity

Corporate T&D Best Practices Activity

STEP 1: Research and examine what you can find on companies regarding their training practices. Search widely as you may not necessarily find enough information just from the company’s website. Also, consult popular press and trade publications (i.e., newspaper articles, T&D trade publications).

Some possible companies to consider exploring include (an extensive but certainly not exhaustive list):

Saturn Ford Pepsi Google Apple General Electric

Harley Davidson McDonalds General Mills

Southwest Airlines Coca-Cola Toyota

Four Seasons Cheesecake Factory Starbucks

Wal-Mart Chick-Fil-A General Motors

Procter & Gamble Zappos Verizon

STEP 2: Identify three best practices that are related to training and development specifically (not simply best practices of the organization like being environmentally friendly).

One each from three different companies, not three from the same company.

STEP 3: Complete the activity worksheet below, using as much space as necessary. Be as precise and detailed as possible with your responses.

BEST PRACTICE #1:

1. In a single paragraph specifically describe the best practice below.

The practice I studied was Google. The Google company has a program called "Googler to Googler," which places employees from across departments into teaching roles that would otherwise be filled by the HR department, or what Google refers to as "people operations". The class is part of the Google core curriculum, which includes courses on management, orientation, and skills such as public speaking. More and more employees are offering to teach the googler to googler courses around the world rather than outsiders which will lead the employees to teach about 55% of other employees. I find this great because all employees are getting involved and the more you show yourself and your ability the more likely they will hire you to teach others. This type of training also allows for the employees to learn more because they are learning from other employees, making it more casual and Fun.

2. With what type or types of training does this practice most closely align? (e.g.,

lecture, simulation, role play, etc.)

I Feel as though Google's types of training most closely aligns with role play and obviously lecture. The employees are being lectured on different management styles and skills as well as many other topics and to learn they are going to need to receive the information. I also said role play because they are allowing their employees to volunteer as teachers. The head of Google's people relations, Karen May said, " Giving employees teaching roles makes learning part of the way employees work together rather than something HR is making them do".

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BEST PRACTICE #2:

1. In a single paragraph specifically describe the best practice below.

From the research that I did looking or the different training practices in various companies, I feel as though Apple was the second-best practice. I was fascinated when reading about the new and technological training they had to ordered or their employees, but was not very surprised. Steve Jobs created Apple University or those employees who wish to complete the training and learn every detail about the Apple company as well as technology in the past, present and future. Steve Jobs basically left a legacy of how he was intrigued by technology and how it can redefine our future. Not all employees are required to take courses, but the ones who do are very highly considered and can work their way up into high levels of management which leads to many students at Apple University. The university is a very private place and no pictures have yet to surface. An Apple employee referred to the classes and university as a "vivid reaction of Apple and the image it presents to the world".

2. With what type or types of training does this practice most closely align? (e.g.,

lecture, simulation, role play, etc.)

I would say that this type of training most closely aligns lecture or simulation. No one specifically knows what goes on inside the classrooms of Apple University because the students are under contract to not speak of the details or the content or Apple's style of training. Clearly there is a lot of lecture type on training in which I assume there is a teacher speaking to his/her students, or lectures online. I think that inside of Apple University there is a plethora of different training styles used, maybe even some that we don't know about. I feel strongly about Apple because of how much they have done to technology over the years. Another reason I feel strongly about their training program is because whenever I go into an Apple store whether it is in Arizona, home in CA or anywhere else, I am completely taken care of. I never have a complaint about customer service or the service they are doing to help me. Of course, the Apple store has many people coming in and every day, but they set up each store so they have the same layout and wait system. I find the Apple training to be very advanced and something that the world doesn't even know about.

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BEST PRACTICE #3:

1. In a single paragraph specifically describe the best practice below.

The third best practice I found was Zappos. Zappos has a lengthy hiring process in which they look for the right candidate. They choose people who best fit their culture. For example, Zappos HR department does a separate interview purely for a culture fit. The next step zappos does is the “quitting bonus.” They offer all new employees $2,000 to quit on their first day. This helps weed out unloyal employees. With these steps zappos can hire dedicated employees which in turn helps them have one of the best customer service reviews for an organization. Instead of hiring people and just focusing on teaching them great customer service. They go through a system that makes sure they are hiring dedicated and motivated employees. This allows for excellent customer service to be second nature

2. With what type or types of training does this practice most closely align? (e.g.,

lecture, simulation, role play, etc.)

I would say this type of training most closely aligns with lecture because one you go through all the steps in the hiring process and selected. You are given a book about zappos culture so you can even further align yourself with their mission.

Even though you are not having to do this in a lecture style training format. You are required to go over it by yourself.

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