Induction difficulties

By ADAM GIFFORD

Induction training for new staff is proving the killer application for IBM's on-line training system Lotus Learning Space.

Desi Lorand, senior manager of IBM's new Lotus practice, says she is talking to a dozen organisations which are keen to get the system in place as soon as possible.

"Often when you talk to customers they all have unique needs.

"What struck me about this product is everyone has a common requirement - each customer wants to improve their induction process," Ms Lorand says.

"They're all convinced the induction process is inconsistent across their business. They also don't believe it's extensive enough, so things are getting missed which have an impact on the day-to-day performance of new employees."

Other modules available include management education, software version upgrade training and sales training. Lotus Learning Space is not just for internal use.

Ms Lorand says several large retailers are looking at providing suppliers with training over the internet on how products should be supplied to them. She says the success of induction often depends on the knowledge and attitudes of the person doing it and the time they have available.

While some organisations have a person whose task it is to show new staff the ropes, more often it is done by the person leaving the position.

"Often that person will be emotionally disconnected from the company and may not provide as thorough training as is needed," Ms Lorand says.

The Lotus Learning Space tool includes modules which will be common to all companies, which are overlaid with specific corporate information. That can be done in-house, or IBM can provide consultancy services to do it.

"At its lowest level, it is an on-screen facility where people can read about the organisation, what the floor plans are, where the colour printers are and so on.

"Up from that are animated demonstrations on how to fill in forms and screens, with voiceovers or balloons. You can pick and choose the elements you want to use." She says the feedback from other countries is that animated presentations are effective for training younger staff, who feel comfortable with the format because of computer games.

`The cost of employing someone, especially through an recruitment agency, is a significant investment, Ms Lorand says. "If you're not careful about the way people are brought on, they can lost the enthusiasm and optimism which is valuable to business, or they settle into being a mediocre performer because they don't have the necessary information."

Ms Lorand says people who are in existing roles will find the information useful. "You never know what they missed in their induction training and they may have no idea what is available. Learning Space includes the ability for people doing courses to click on the screen to connect to a tutor - who can be located anywhere - and have an on-line chat using Lotus Sametime.

"You can also have tests where people can't go to the next level of a course until they score a satisfactory pass."

IBM itself makes extensive use of Learning Space for management training. Managers want to learn in their own time in blocks.

"The other area where it's getting a lot of use is sales training.

"Often field staff don't have as much access to training as they think they should."