Invaluable opportunities at the Tata Learning Forum

The Tata Learning Forum (TLF), organized by global e-learning producer Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), and held at the Executive Leadership Center at Boston University School of Management on September 19 and 20, brought together leading organizations, government, educational institutions and publishers to reveal their strategies for learning success. This symposium provided opportunities for delegates and speakers to interact, innovate and inspire each other.

Among the nuggets of 'learning gold' available at this year's TLF were insights into how learning needs are identified within organizations and how to identify the most effective and efficient delivery methods for this learning.

Many experienced managers were among the participants in the Forum as speakers, panellists or attendees. Some of them shared their thoughts on live issues of interest to the training world.

"At UPS, we identify multi-level training requirements, with different approaches being adopted for each level - Corporate, Business Unit, Functional and Individual", said Stephen Jones, UPS's Training Project Manager.

"We feel that there cannot be a standard assessment tool to capture the unique individual training needs across diverse functions. So our training needs analyses (TNAS) are not standalone activities but are linked to specific objective areas such as competency mapping, performance improvement, leadership development, compliance and so on".

Eric Brocious, Manager of Interactive Media within Visual Communications Design at P&G, commented: "We primarily focus on cultural trends and key success drivers. Within each unit, individual training managers define training needs for their organization and we look at development issues at an organizational level".

"We don't carry out regular TNAs and we only become involved in providing training and learning materials when we are requested to do so for the entire organization.

The individual hospitals determine and organize their own, specific training programmes", said Penny Helsel, corporate training manager of Universal Health Services (UHS), which operates over 150 hospitals across 22 - soon to be 30 - states.

"All the training that we commission and run is associated with, and driven by the need to achieve, 'quality'. We feel that it is this characteristic that differentiates us from our competitors.

"For us, the key issue is quality", she added. "Our training efforts are concentrated in this area - and it is in this area that we decide which of our training materials will be delivered electronically".

When it comes to implementing the learning solutions, Jones said that UPS considers factors including the likely effectiveness of a delivery medium and the expense involved.

P&G uses a 'blended' approach to the delivery of learning. Brocious said: "We have many tools in the toolbox - classroom, Web-based training and so on - and use a combination of these depending on what is right for the job".

Helsel commented: "Budgets are not a primary issue for us. We are only interested in which is the 'best' - that is most effective - delivery system for the learning.

"In the classroom, instructors need to worry about time, materials, availability of learners, and classroom space.

"However, with e-learning, you can give the learners simulations in order for them to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and allow them to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained through the course. Moreover, you can deliver e-learning online at anytime".

Manoj Kutty, Worldwide President of Sales and Marketing for TIS, said: "These are just a sample of the issues that were discussed - both formally and informally in networking sessions - during this year's TLF in Boston. Sharing and learning from others' experiences can be immensely valuable - which is what we hope the TLF is for all its participants".

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Notes for Editors:

About Tata Interactive Systems
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning. A part of the $14 billion Tata Group—one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India—TIS has 15 years of experience in training consulting, designing, and developing innovative and cutting-edge workforce performance enhancement solutions. Its service bouquet includes Consulting; Simulations and Simulation-based Learning Objects (SimBLs™); Story-based Learning Objects (StoBLs™); Game-based Learning Objects (GamBLs™); IT Application Training; Regulatory and Compliance Training; Adaptive Assessments; Sales and Customer Service Training; New Hire Training; Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS); and Business Processes and Skills Training.

TIS employs a global team of 850 multi-disciplinary specialists—a unique mix of Project Managers, Software Engineers, Instructional Designers, Content Developers, Visual Designers, and Animators. It has a strong presence in the US, with operations spread across seven cities—Atlanta, Boston, Carlsbad, Chicago, Dallas, New Jersey, and San Jose—serviced by its development teams stationed locally. In keeping with the co-shoring model, the teams are managed by on-site Project Managers who co-ordinate with the clients and drive the project operations.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes, and technological excellence, TIS has developed 950+ e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients—including more than 50 Fortune 500 companies—across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as Allstate, American Airlines, Abbey National, American Honda Finance Corporation, British Airways, Citigroup, Cigna, ExxonMobil, Florida Virtual School, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, McKinsey & Co., McGraw-Hill, UNICEF, Unilever, University of Maryland, and University of Phoenix.

Apart from holding ISO 9001 and BS7799 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organization in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI CMM and P-CMM frameworks. Classified as a Visionary in the Gartner Group’s coveted ‘magic quadrant,’ TIS’s quest for innovation and excellence is reflected in 22 prestigious industry awards, including Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2004; APEX 2004 Award of Excellence; Best Product at the British Educational Training and Technology (BETT) Show 2004; Training Magazine’s APX Award 2003; and Best E-learning Provider, Best B2B Web Site, and Best Educational Total Comprehensive Solution at the SIIA Codie Awards 2002.

For more information go to http://www.tatainteractive.com

TIS Addresses/Contacts in the US:

New England

Dave Beauchamp

56 Roland St, Suite 102B, Boston MA 02129

dtbeauchamp@tatainteractive.com,

617-625-0024



Bryan Kantor

bryank@tatainteractive.com

413-568-0244



NY/NJ & Mid-Atlantic

Tij Nerurkar

2 Lincoln Hwy, Edison NJ 08820

kshitij@tatainteractive.com

917-804-1766



Gil Weiser

gil@tatainteractive.com

215-431-9822



South East (Atlanta)

Kashyap Vadapalli

kashyapv@tatainteractive.com

848-250-9723



Canada & MI/OH/IN

Chetan Mahajan

701 Main Street, Evanston IL 60202

chetan@tatainteractive.com

720-256-5666



Rest of Mid-West

Gaj Kasbekar

701 Main Street, Evanston IL 60202

gajanank@tatainteractive.com

773-793-4604



Texas and Southern Mid-West

Chris Macrorie

3601 Branchwood Drive, Plano TX 75093

chris.macrorie@tatainteractive.com

972-403-1451



Southern California and South West

Tom Paulin

7227 Spoonbill Lane, Carlsbad CA 92009

tomp@tatainteractive.com

760-476-9191



Northern California and North West

Veena Adiga

1762 Technology Drive Ste 112, San Jose CA 95110

veena@tatainteractive.com

408-452-5752



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Press contacts

Kashyap Vadapalli, Tata Interactive Systems, Atlanta GA.

Phone: 848-250-9723; email: kashyapv@tatainteractive.com

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR.

Phone: +44 1-727-860405; email: bob.little@dial.pipex.com