Learning Leaders Blog

Collaborating with workforceChicago & CLO Magazine

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT

On August 31st, the CEOs & CLOs at Grant Thornton & Potbelly Sandwich Shop received the 2010 workforceChicago Award from Mayor Daley. Both are excellent examples of companies who have an exemplary commitment to the learning and development of their employees. Please extend kudos to your colleagues at both organizations and plan to provide some time on October 25th to recognized their entire learning & talent development teams at the 9th Annual Chicagoland Learning Leaders Conference - Building Tomorrow’s Diverse Workforce: Inclusion Inspires HIGH PERFORMANCE; you can look for videos posting from this award ceremony on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/learningexecutive in the upcoming weeks.

Leadership above from left to right are Deb DeHass, Pamela Tate, Stephen Chipman, Richard Daley, Aylwin Lewis, & Lisa Schumacher

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!! Today is September 1st and applications are now available for your organization to be recognized by Chief Learning Officer magazine's LearningElite program. This new program utilizes best practices in evaluation to rank the best organizations based upon their impact, size, and industries served. Organizations named to the LearningElite will be announced during a special ceremony at the Spring 2011 Chief Learning Officer Symposium in Amelia Island, Fla., being held March 28-30, 2011, and will be featured in a special issue of Chief Learning Officer magazine in spring 2011.

Industry Awards Recognizing BEST COMPANIES

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT

GREAT NEWS!!! Grant Thornton & Potbelly Sandwich Shop will receive the 2010 workforceChicago Award on August 31st from Mayor Daley. Both are excellent examples of Chicagoland companies who have an exemplary commitment to the learning and development of their employees. Please extend kudos to your colleagues at both organizations.

Get ready for September 1st when applications will be available to be recognized by Chief Learning Officer magazine's LearningElite program. This new program utilizes best practices in evaluation to rank the best organizations based upon their impact, size, and industries served. Organizations named to the LearningElite will be announced during a special ceremony at the Spring 2011 Chief Learning Officer Symposium in Amelia Island, Fla., being held March 28-30, 2011, and will be featured in a special issue of Chief Learning Officer magazine in spring 2011.

We are preparing for October 25th -- 9th Annual Chicagoland Learning Leaders Conference - Building Tomorrow’s Diverse Workforce: Inclusion Inspires HIGH PERFORMANCE. At last year’s Learning Leaders Conference (30-OCT-2009, St. Charles, IL), Jeff Malehorn, President & C.E.O. GE Capital – CDF, shared the following recommendations to our 300 attendees:

“Engagement -- we have to connect to our employees and we have to connect to a global & diverse workforce. More than 50% of our (GE’s) revenues now comes from overseas. I’m the leader for our Hispanic forum in the United States and here in Chicago we have a growing Hispanic community. Our workforce needs to look like our suppliers and our customers. And unless you work on this, you don’t get this right.”

A video archive of Jeff Malehorn’s keynote presentation & slides are in our member-only area

I frankly did not grasp Jeff’s lessons learned until the next week when John Lawson & Chere Nabor hosted a peer-networking breakfast, Inclusion & Diversity Sharing @ W.W. Grainger (04-NOV-2009) as a co-event with www.NAAAHRchicago.org where the opening slide was labeled Inclusion & Diversity “Making $$$$ and Sense”. Over the last ten months, I learned that as in Jeff’s words, “unless you work on this, you don’t get this right”.

As a result of learning from Jeff Malehorn (GE), John Lawson & Chere Nabor (Grainger), Pat Harris & Kevin Bradley (McDonald’s), Andres Tapia & Talethea Best (Hewitt), Airies Davis (NAAAHR), Michelle Thomas (Wrigley), Kami Bond (GE Healthcare), Sonya Jents (State Farm) and many others who have been sharing their insight on emerging trends, learning & talent development leaders now have even more expertise at their finger tips to improve business results. Click here to print a one-page conference flyer.

Business Cases for Measuring Learning

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

We are thrilled to be sharing a copy of Training Industry Quarterly’s cover story article, The Business Case for Measuring Learning, by Jeffrey Berk. A credible and objective plan for measuring learning helps organizations prove the value that training brings to the bottom line. But sometimes, you have to get creative to show the true impact of education. In this article, they share best practices, practical advice and case studies that will help you create the business case for learning investments in your organization. Read More

The Executive Learning Exchange has many other options for our community to learn strategies for aligning and measuring business impact including a Webinar getAbstract: GE On-Demand Learning Best Practices (10 am CDT on 30-JUL-2010), members can listen to a 40 minute audio archive Strategies for Measuring Business Impact from our 2009 conference in our member-only area and we are sharing the following 8 minute highlights video on my YouTube channel:

Is Measuring Business Impact an important area for you? Consider being a Mentor or Mentee with other learning leaders using our e-Mentoring portal (view our Getting Started F.A.Q.'s for more information on this program).

New Recognition Award for Integrated Talent Management

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The Executive Learning Exchange encourages it’s members to be recognized by industry groups for the many well deserved accomplishments. Recently we noticed that ASTD has added a category to its Excellence in Practice Awards. This year, companies may apply for an ASTD Excellence in Practice award in the area of integrated talent management.

The new ASTD talent management category covers practices that span the enterprise and result in building culture, engagement, capacity, and capability. Examples: strategies, systems, and processes for integrating talent management across the enterprise; organization-wide capability assessments; workforce planning; aligning talent acquisition, development, and retention with business goals; high-potential employee development; developing and applying metrics that measure the effectiveness of talent management efforts. For this category, integrated talent management is defined as a practice that strategically unites multiple human capital functions to maximize organizational effectiveness.

Check this link for more information on astd.org and an application form (applicants are not required to be members of ASTD).

ASTD guidelines requires all practices be nominated by two individuals, at least one of whom is from the company, organization, or entity in which the practice is used. Because practices focus on results, training suppliers and consultants should apply only in collaboration with a customer. The application must be written from the perspective of the customer organization. Entry forms must be received by September 22, 2010. Applicants will receive notification of the results of their submissions by January 31, 2011.

Delivering Quality: Learn Disney Approach; Earn Your Learning Leaders CPE Certificate; ASTD2010 Updates

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

School is out for summer but now’s the time to commit to your own 2010 learning plan. Chicagoland Learning Leaders collaboratively developed and facilitate a 17 week program for learning professionals to become learning leaders. Offered through DePaul University this program mixes the insights of experienced learning leaders, with practical real-world work assignments. We are planning our next offerings and we appreciate if you can email info@learningexecutive.com with candidates we can schedule 2010 and 2011 cohorts. Click here for more information.

You can now access in our member-only area several of our peer-networking events including: Trends in Learning: Single-Source Publishing and Mobile Learning with Bob Mosher, Leading Across Multiple Generations: Helping Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials Get Past the Differences and Get Stuff Done with Haydn Shaw @ Wrigley’s Global Innovation Center, & WOMEN & LEADERSHIP with Kami Bond & Donna Dorsey. We enjoy creating deeper conversations and collaboration on current learning & talent issues that aligned with relevant business needs.

On Tuesday, May 18th, the Chicagoland Learning Leaders & Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield achieved our 50 laptops for Children's Goal at a magical night of celebration benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital.

Chicagoland Learning Leaders & ASTD2010 Attendees Donated 50 Laptops for Children’s Hospital

Sun, 23 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Earlier in May, Chicagoland Learning Leaders celebrated the 2010 ASTD International Conference & Expo (ICE) with learning and talent colleagues from across the U.S. Of the 400 volunteers at ASTD, many were local members doing their part.

In our member-only area, you can now access several of our peer-networking events, including: Trends in Learning: Single-Source Publishing and Mobile Learning with Bob Mosher, Leading Across Multiple Generations: Helping Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials Get Past the Differences and Get Stuff Done with Haydn Shaw @ Wrigley’s Global Innovation Center, & WOMEN & LEADERSHIP with Kami Bond & Donna Dorsey. We enjoy creating deeper conversations and collaboration on current learning & talent issues that aligned with relevant business needs.

Click the dining room below and watch a slide show and join our celebration in magnificent University Club of Chicago's Cathedral Hall:

WANT TO DONATE A LAPTOP FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Click here to learn more about this initiative and free "how-to" manuals RightStart4Kids is creating to engage other ASTD chapters and Rotary clubs interested in community service by donating laptops at their local Children's hospital.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Click here to make an online cash donation that will be used towards purchasing a laptop for a Children's hospital if you were unable to attend the May 2010 e-Learning For Kids Gala ASTD Fundraising Dinner.

Magical Collaboration for Chicagoland Learning Leaders and ASTD2010 Attendees

Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

This month Chicagoland Learning Leaders are collaborating with ASTD International Conference & Expo (ICE). With Chicago once again on the national radar screen, what a great opportunity for our Learning Leaders to extend a friendly Chicago invitation to their learning and talent colleagues from across the U.S. Above are a few opportunities from our peer-networking event calendar to create deeper conversations and collaboration on current learning & talent issues.

For first time in over 30 years, ASTD ICE is in Chicago ... with over 8,500 learning professionals attending ICE combined with our large local learning leader community, we welcome you to celebrate at a CMH-EFK Gala Fundraising Dinner benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 18th being held in Cathedral Hall, one of the finest dining rooms in the city at the University Club of Chicago.

To learn more, please watch an amazing two-minute PromoBYTE created by Ed Prentice's team at Centrax by clicking below:

Whether they’ve been in-person at a conference, a breakfast or virtually-based, Chicagoland Learning Leaders have reported significant business benefit from our purposeful and focused collaboration opportunities. No doubt the Chicagoland learning and talent community’s use of collaboration as a time and cost effective method to solve common business issues is exemplary in how it has advanced the Chicagoland learning and talent development profession and their businesses. Now more than ever, supporting our national industry body, as well as engaging locally offers us an untapped collaboration benefit.

Reaping the benefits of COLLABORATING as we prepare for ASTD/ICE2010 ...

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

By now, most of us know that ASTD’s 2010 International Conference & Expo will be in Chicago. We will be starting the celebration on Saturday evening, May 15th, on the 51st floor of Prudential Plaza with Happy Hour & Fireworks: ASTD/ICE2010 Kick-off @ Centrax. Many of our Enterprise Members will be hosting peer-networking sessions which we will be adding to our online calendar and providing you updates – automatically send your colleagues our e-announcements, by submitting their name & email address on our homepage. Volunteers’ information is on CCASTD website and Chicagoland college students can attend ASTD2010 student-focused activities on 5/18/10 for free -- learn more on CCASTD's Blog.

With the large number of corporate learning leaders visiting Chicago next month, please join us on Tuesday evening, May 18th, at the University Club of Chicago for our 50 Laptops for Children's Hospital: e-Learning For Kids Gala ASTD Fundraising Dinner. Last October at our Chicagoland Learning Leaders Conference we collected donations for six computers for a pilot at Children’s Memorial Hospital. The next goal is 50 laptops (Mirus Convertible 8.9" Tablet Netbook which costs about $480 each) and we have created a FREE set-up manual for other ASTD chapters to install fun & free learning for kids ages 5-12 from www.e-learningforkids.org.

“Our most exciting opportunity is not just about improving general knowledge gain when kids are sick but actually impacting their wellness through learning. The inspiring nurses at Children’s are helping us recognize how we can improve the kids’ overall wellness using EFK’s HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS courses. It turns many KIDS ARE SCARED since they don’t know HOW THEIR BODY WORKS. Add to that, that the e-LearningForKids software combined with the ClassmatePC’s rugged touchscreen laptops are perfect for kids’ spills or drops off the bed onto the floor, it’s a great match of purpose, practicality, and heart.”

RSVP for our May 18th Gala Fundraising dinner ($300 per person), click the banner above (or Donate now to Laptops for Kids in Children's Hospitals).

Your Benefits, ASTD, Laptops Benefiting Children’s & More

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Did you know that any employee of an organization that holds an Executive Learning Exchange Enterprise membership can attend any peer-networking event free of charge, regardless if they are part of the learning/training/talent team? Discover more of your Executive Learning Exchange benefits and invite others to do so by attending the April 13th 12pm (CDT) 45-minute Webcast: Executive Learning Exchange & e-Mentoring Overview. Allstate’s internal learning and development team recently hosted this webinar as an internally hosted event with 90 participants (56 were virtual). Enterprise members, let us know if you would like to have an internal webinar for your learning leaders.

By now, most of us know that ASTD’s 2010 International Conference & Expo will be in Chicago. Volunteers’ information is on CCASTD website. We will be starting the celebration on Saturday evening, May 15th, on the 51st floor of Prudential Plaza with Happy Hour & Fireworks: ASTD/ICE2010 Kick-off @ Centrax. Many of our Enterprise Members will be hosting peer-networking sessions which we will be adding to our online calendar and providing you updates –automatically send your colleagues our e-announcements, by submitting their name & email address on our homepage. Please send us your peer-networking events so we can share on our calendar with our community.

RSVP for our May 18th Gala Fundraising dinner ($300 per person), click the banner below
Donate now to Netbooks for Kids in Children's Hospitals

WorkforceChicago Annual Award Event

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EDT

As we shared a year ago, WorkforceChicago recognizes leading Chicagoland companies demonstrating exemplary learning and development practices with its Annual WorkforceChicago Awards Event. WorkforceChicago is now accepting applications for their 2010 Annual WorkforceChicago Awards. By promoting this distinguished award to our community last year, one of our founding enterprise members submitted an application and was recognized by Mayor Daley. This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU to nominate your organization and be recognized for your commitment to learning & development! Previous award winners include Accenture, Allstate, Astellas Pharma, Deloitte, GE Commercial Finance, Motorola, NorthShore, ShoreBank, Radio Flyer, U.S. Cellular, and others (click here to view a complete list of winners).

March 22^th is the last day for you to submit your 2010 nomination application (click here to learn more about the WorkforceChicago Award and nominate your company). Recipients are presented their awards by the Honorable Richard M. Daley, mayor of the City of Chicago, and are profiled in WorkforceChicago's annual winners' program.

Here are the CEO’s from last year’s award breakfast at Deloitte:

Click here to watch last year’s WorkforceChicago Award Ceremony
on LearningExecutive's YouTube Channel.