SkillSoft Announces Perspectives 2009 Award Winners
CSC, Estee Lauder, Research In Motion Limited, Subway, Tata Consulting, The Economical Insurance Group and U.S. Army Recognized for Innovative Learning Efforts at SkillSoft's Annual User Conference
NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, announced the winners of its 2009 Industry Awards during Perspectives 2009 which took place last week in Chicago, Ill. The annual user conference, which drew more than 300 attendees this year, included several days of workshops, sessions and keynotes, and brought together learning professionals and practitioners from various businesses, government agencies and learning institutions to discuss best practices and trends within the technology-enabled learning industry.
SkillSoft annually honors several customers for their notable efforts in e-learning. The awards recognize innovative ideas, powerful programs and inspiring leaders who are helping to transform the learning landscape.
"Each and every award recipient has been able to take their use of technology-enabled learning and performance support solutions to the next level, enabling their organizations to clearly reap the benefits," said Jerry Nine, COO of SkillSoft. "We're excited to honor their achievements because they have not only established best-in-class learning environments, but have closely aligned learning with their strategic priorities and business objectives."
The Perspectives 2009 Industry Award Winners are:
CSC (Program of the Year Award) - As a leading global business and technology services company with project management as a core business activity, CSC (NYSE: CSC) understood the need to provide their Project and Program Management Community with flexible, global and scalable learning opportunities to help them stay current. SkillSoft and CSC developed a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification blended learning solution that leveraged CSC's existing investment by combining e-learning courses, Books24x7 online books and virtual instructor-led training into a structured 14-week program schedule. The core method of knowledge transfer was SkillSoft's Live Learning PMP Certification product, a series of six highly-interactive three-hour virtual sessions led by two expert instructors. Critical to the success of the solution was the program management provided by the SkillSoft Blended Learning Consultant who worked closely with CSC's internal sponsors to manage communication and progress tracking while providing continuous participant motivation and support. More than 230 employees have participated so far, and CSC plans to continue implementing the blended solution to address their ongoing needs for PMP certification.
Estee Lauder (Integrating Learning into the Life of the Organization) - A leading skincare and fragrance company, Estee Lauder has developed a competency based learning model, where it has carefully implemented a curriculum of 35 courses that blend the latest business trends with professional conduct proven to be most successful. In order to provide the maximum benefit, it has divided the curriculum into 14 competencies, and each competency has been specifically designed to embody the components of that development area, essential for personal and professional growth. This model is being used with employees in North America and the same model was applied to its Spanish/Latin America employees in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela.
Research In Motion Limited/Lisa Wienburg (Learning Leader of the Year) - As an e-learning innovator, Lisa Wienburg has been instrumental in creating passion for the learning program and throughout the evolution of online learning at RIM. Spearheaded by her efforts, the designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions has developed a three-year strategic vision of how SkillSoft integrates to meet the company's needs of an exponentially growing, young workforce. Ms. Wienburg's commitment to employee development using SkillSoft has spawned the development of a roadshow campaign to introduce the online learning solution to its CSO (Customer Support Operations) learners, role-specific learning programs so employees know what skills they need to attain to progress within the organization, and the development of a strategic implementation plan. She has not only had an impact on her company, but the industry as a whole.
SUBWAY/Doctor's Associates Inc. (Custom Award) - The key objectives of the program adopted by SUBWAY were to offer franchisees a more cost effective, efficient and consistent set of training materials that would appeal to its largest audience demographic - 16 to 24 year olds defined as 'Generation Next' - and to help increase customer satisfaction ratings and employee retention. To cater to this audience, DAI contracted with SkillSoft to develop multiple pieces of e-learning content (localized for its global population) each targeted to the development of a few specific skills, while being visual and highly engaging. The e-learning program was launched in summer 2006 with a single custom course and now DAI deploys more than 300 courses (more than 200 of which are customized) to its global employees.
The Economical Insurance Group(C) (Learning in Emerging Business Achievement) - With the emergence of learning technologies, one of Canada's largest insurance companies, TEIG(C), has adapted quickly to changes in the industry to continue to secure its position as a training leader. As Generation Y now comprises 27 percent of TEIG's workforce, the company has responded by creating learning programs that appeal to this demographic, such as a Virtual Welcome Session for onboarding of new employees, and the creation of the TEIG On-Line Book Club. Throughout the past ten years, TEIG has been consistently recognized both inside and outside its industry as an e-learning leader, and has committed to viewing e-learning as an effective business performance tool.
Tata Consulting (Best Technical Training) - A user of numerous SkillSoft products for nearly the last ten years, Tata, which offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT and IT-enabled services, has integrated SkillSoft content into all aspects of its organization. Their training program includes portal feeds of Books24x7 to desktops and the Learning Growth Model being used as blueprint to continue on the progress that e-learning has made within the organization.
U.S. Army (Public Sector Excellence in Learning) - The 21st century Army requires training solutions that can rapidly adapt to changing needs. Web-based learning is having a strategic impact on Army training efforts by essentially eliminating the barriers of time and location that previously stood between personnel and important skills development and knowledge acquisition. The Army's vast use of SkillSoft products leverages Business Skills, IT Skills and Desktop Courseware; three Books24x7 collections which provide online access to some 13,500 online books; and four SkillSoft KnowledgeCenters. Army e-learning has become the primary means of satisfying initial and recurring information needs and by centralizing education content, consolidating costs and delivering Web-based courses to all Army personnel, the cost savings have been significant.
SkillSoft hosts the awards program in an effort to recognize organizations and individuals that have made significant, exemplary contributions within e-learning. Submissions were reviewed and voted on by leading e-learning industry influencers from the media and analyst community. For more information about Perspectives and the awards program, please visit www.skillsoft.com.
About SkillSoft
SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize business performance through a combination of comprehensive e- learning content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services.
Content offerings include business, IT, desktop and compliance courseware collections, as well as complementary content assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products, KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services and online mentoring services. SkillSoft's Books24x7(R) product offering includes access to more than 20,000 digitized IT and business books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system, Search & Learn(R), and SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) virtual classroom.
SkillSoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. SkillSoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.
SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide and Dialogue are trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft PLC in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, countries.
Source: SkillSoft PLC
Released May 13, 2009