Businesses Learning Organizations in Today\'s

¶ … Businesses

Learning Organizations

In today's competitive business market, learning organizations aren't the number one trend, however, some businesses still utilize the concept if they want to stay open-minded and offer a creative work environment. A learning organization must be able to look at the big picture and must stay realistic. Team learning is an important part of a learning organization. In this essay, we'll compare Verizon to Motorola, both of which are good examples of learning organizations.

In comparing Motorola and Verizon as examples of learning organizations, we'll start with Motorola. The company grows at a significant rate, needing to train individuals for their hiring process. Motorola offers Motorola University, which is extensive training, using methods of teaching information, delivering new information as technology changes while determining new and better ways to provide employees with knowledge and skills for the growing and changing market. The company also seeks to reduce training costs while continually training their staff.

Information is shared through computer-based training, use of the Internet, satellite and business television, corporate educational departments, software and video. Motorola University has been implemented since 1981 and was originally created as a means of establishing itself as a corporate department.

In order to implement new and improved learning techniques, the company uses five disciplines, which are team learning, shared visions, mental models, personal mastery and systems thinking. System thinking is considered to be the most crucial discipline. As a result, Motorola is increasingly profitable as a learning organization.

Verizon utilizes the Next Step Program to gain a competitive edge in their market. Next Step is a workforce education program offered to Verizon employees in New York and New England. The program has been utilized since 1995. Employees who complete the program must complete a total of 60 credits, equally divided among Liberal Arts and Sciences, Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunications. Employees attend class one day a week for eight semesters over a four-year period of time. The program specifically teaches methodology.

A virtual learning environment is part of the program and students and faculty are kept in contact via computer or laptop. Employees enroll in the Next Step Program over a four-year period of time. Each student is given a laptop to use during their studies. The curriculum is designed as a virtual campus type of situation. Full-time Verizon employees in New York or New England who are members of either the CWA or the IBEW are eligible. Final selection is based on seniority.