Rajesh P. Ramachandran
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
(This is from an email to Jay that Raj agreed to share here)
1. e-learning is learning - I think it follows suit just like all of
the
other 'e's that are dropping like flies! Just today, I read about how The
Kellogg school is planning on dropping it's e-commerce curriculum in their
MBA programs. I think it has been great to galvanize those in the field
and to bring it front and center, but it is time for us to show the
C-levels that is is all just a part of increasing profitability, growth and
shareholder value which is what the C's are concerned about.
2. War for Talent - I think that this needs clarification, it is the
War
to Identify Talent that is crucial. I think once a star performer is
recognized in an organization they will be kept (at least they will be
known and therefore management will find ways to make the best use of
them). The real war is finding the talent and the e-learning aspect does
not really address this, e-learning is more for tracking and retaining.
3. Speed up, We are Running Out of Time, The Competition is Going to
Kill
US! - Ahh, NO! I think in this whole mad race to get there first, we
might
have just forgotten where we are trying to get and why! It's called
profitability, it's called growth and it's called making it count. Look
at GE, it's how old, 125 years??? Well they 'survived' because they kept
their eye on the ball, and that ball is called profit!!! No if's, &'s or
butts about it!!! I think actually what is going on is that we are
telling our clients to slow down, take a breath and figure out what they
are trying to accomplish first and then we try to see how learning can get
them there. Make sense???
4. Deepen customer loyality - Well this is a toughy, I mean the whole
'loyality' thing! We saw our parent's and elders work at the same company
for years and years because they 'needed' to be loyal and then the
backlash, reengineering, rightsizing, what ever you call it! This has
affected Gen Xers and Gen Yer's no doubt. Heck, even the best and
brightest MBA's from the top schools (talk about a talented bunch) say they
don't plan on staying at the same firm/co for more than 5 years. Does that
mean that loyality is dead, that customers will jet at the first flight.
NOPE! Let me just ask you this, what detergent do you use on your
clothes? I bet it is the same one that your mother used/uses on her
clothes? Is customer loyality dead?? Just ask any Harley or Miata owner
and they will tell you. It is really based on quality relationships and
satisfaction, it is what keeps you coming back. If you had a positive
engaging longer term experience with the product or service, you are more
likely to be loyal and come back the next time. The 'learning'
environment is a great place to build loyality. Think of it this way, if
your professor (one which you respected) said hey, now this is a key
product and I will tell you why)...I bet you would be more inclined to take
a serious look at it. Learning is a great marketing vehicle!
Psss...just don't tell the marketers that!
5. Innovation - it occurs when we build an environment for it, bottom
line! That is exactly why a company like Sony can keep coming out with
innovative products that people like and buy (from the walkman, to the
AIBO, to the latest slim top writing tablet computer)....now that is an
innovative company who gets it!!!