Virtual Learning Organizations LO25013

From: Gavin Ritz (garritz@xtra.co.nz)
Date: 07/01/00


Replying to LO25003 --

Hi Blake

This is a very largely untapped concept. I developed a model (only a
certain level of logic or learning) which is an interactive learning
process. I used Lotus Learningspace to deliver the content and centralize
all the company's knowledge. It is used across the company and any number
of users can use the system which automatically updates a person's
competencies. Intranet is the way the system is run or WAN. Unfortunately
the concept and model is a commercial operation and I am unable to send
you the inner workings, however I can send you an attachment on the
concept if you like.

You can look at the Masie center (Tech Learn) http://www.masie.com/ and
ADL http://www.adlnet.org/ There are some good ideas there.

The key to creating a fully working LO is first to understand who are
doing the learning and what their level of logic or learning is (see
Elliot Jaques on Human capability). Then devise a man machine (model)
interface for that level of logic and learning then centralising all
company knowledge (this is a big job). This is so critical because if not
done properly people are either totally overwhelmed (e.g. trying to put in
a Learning Lab, with Powerism or Ithink for 1st and second level
supervisors) or totally underwhelmed. (e.g. this model of mine for
general managers and Division heads)

The success of the model that I used has totally blown me away because of
the great work that people have done in this field like Ackoff, Beer,
Jaques, Checkland, Senge, Mewes. If you understand the basic principles of
these 6 men and how their principles are interconnected then you have the
power to design any methodology to solve almost any problem facing man and
his organisations. This includes KM, supply chain, LO's, TQM and all the
reduction concepts taught on MBA's.

The company where I consulted have been so happy with it that they have
branded it calling the system XTEND. They got 95% registrations the first
day. The idea was branded and well sold to everyone in the organisation
with incentives to upskill. (an oversees trip was on offer).

Kindest
Gavin

Blake Norby wrote:

> My situation: we have retail offices all around the US, and we are
> starting (finally) to incorporate computers and technology. We have
> office staff (each office has at least 2 people) that have never talked to
> other offices and we have an oppurtunity to establish a virtual learning
> organization. We have just initiated an intranet that is under-used.
>
> As I've analyzed the needs towards performance improvement, I see a great
> oppurtunity to create a foundation of a LO, not just the old training
> model.

-- 

Gavin Ritz <garritz@xtra.co.nz>

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