Marconi crisis led to training change

The crisis at telecoms giant Marconi last year prompted the creation of a
comprehensive online learning programme, according to the firm’s vice-president
for leadership development.

Dina Consolini said the online learning project was introduced to improve
and standardise staff development after the slump in the telecoms markets
forced the firm to axe 8,000 jobs worldwide in November 2001.

"If it hadn’t gone so badly wrong we probably wouldn’t have come down
this route. But because of the situation it has come to the attention of the
CEO," she said.

Previously, training used traditional methods, with classroom learning
distributed locally and varied depending on location.

"Traditional training is just not sufficient to deal with the needs of
the company and online learning provides an effective global alignment. It’s
also more time and cost effective," she added.

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Marconi University was launched last summer, drawing on learning experts
from around the company to offer a worldwide training network. The firm also
developed an in-house executive coaching programme and a PDP system.

Consolini, speaking at the IQPC HR Measurement conference, also said the
firm would outsource more of its administrative HR.