Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy Description

Surveys of CEOs point to a shortage of leadership and management talent as a leading concern. It's not that companies refrain from investing in developing their people: In 2012, companies in developed economies spent nearly $400 billion on training. But, as authors Shlomo Ben-Hur, Bernard Jaworski, and David Gray argue, much of the investment and effort that organizations spend on learning is focused on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on new modes of instruction and technology, they write, corporate learning executives need to emphasize aligning learning programs with business strategy.Although learning executives such as chief learning officers must shoulder the burden of developing the company's talent capabilities and supporting strategic priorities, the authors argue that CEOs and other top executives have a critical role to play. Personal engagement and leadership on the part of the CEO can make a big difference in setting the right tone for the organization. While companies often begin with training-needs assessments, the authors recommend starting by mapping what they call the "CEO agenda"to ensure that learning gets properly aligned with strategy. This connects learning and development with the company's specific needs and cuts through the noise of multiple initiatives vying for attention -highlighting the critical "must-win battles"that the CEO has identified. The next task is to operationalize the learning agenda through a portfolio of learning and development activities. This involves doing an inventory of existing learning and development resources. Companies should repeat this on a regular basis, the authors say, to ensure that the activities in place reflect the company's learning strategy. Companies should be wary about making wholesale changes to learning portfolios and organizational structures, the authors warn, unless there are major shifts in the company's mission or business context. Reorganizations "should be limited to situations where they are warranted -for example, when the learning agenda is misaligned with corporate strategy or the strategy changes." Like the CEO agenda, the company's learning agenda should articulate the essential strategic initiatives for corporate learning. Choices about what to include or eliminate to bring learning activities in line with current priorities should not be made in isolation, and the authors say it's important to get input and buy-in from both the learning organization and business leaders -all the way to the CEO level. Although the CEO's personal involvement is valuable, a broader effort of stakeholder management is typically required to promote and gain buy-in for the learning agenda. Learning leaders should map out a concerted "campaign"to inform and gather input from key influencers and decision makers in other parts of the business. A disciplined effort of stakeholder engagement and outreach gives learning leaders an opportunity to deepen their understanding of strategic priorities and demonstrate the business value of learning interventions. This is an MIT Sloan Management Review article.

Case Description Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Strategic Managment Tools Used in Case Study Analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

STEP 1. Problem Identification in Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 2. External Environment Analysis - PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 3. Industry Specific / Porter Five Forces Analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 4. Evaluating Alternatives / SWOT Analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 5. Porter Value Chain Analysis / VRIO / VRIN Analysis Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 6. Recommendations Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

STEP 7. Basis of Recommendations for Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study

Case Analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy is a Harvard Business (HBR) Case Study on Strategy & Execution , Texas Business School provides HBR case study assignment help for just $9. Texas Business School(TBS) case study solution is based on HBR Case Study Method framework, TBS expertise & global insights. Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy is designed and drafted in a manner to allow the HBR case study reader to analyze a real-world problem by putting reader into the position of the decision maker. Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study will help professionals, MBA, EMBA, and leaders to develop a broad and clear understanding of casecategory challenges. Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy will also provide insight into areas such as – wordlist , strategy, leadership, sales and marketing, and negotiations.

Case Study Solutions Background Work

Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study solution is focused on solving the strategic and operational challenges the protagonist of the case is facing. The challenges involve – evaluation of strategic options, key role of Strategy & Execution, leadership qualities of the protagonist, and dynamics of the external environment. The challenge in front of the protagonist, of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy, is to not only build a competitive position of the organization but also to sustain it over a period of time.

Strategic Management Tools Used in Case Study Solution

The Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study solution requires the MBA, EMBA, executive, professional to have a deep understanding of various strategic management tools such as SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

Texas Business School Approach to Strategy & Execution Solutions

In the Texas Business School, Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study solution – following strategic tools are used - SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.

We have additionally used the concept of supply chain management and leadership framework to build a comprehensive case study solution for the case – Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Step 1 – Problem Identification of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy - Harvard Business School Case Study

The first step to solve HBR Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study solution is to identify the problem present in the case. The problem statement of the case is provided in the beginning of the case where the protagonist is contemplating various options in the face of numerous challenges that Learning Agenda is facing right now. Even though the problem statement is essentially – “Strategy & Execution” challenge but it has impacted by others factors such as communication in the organization, uncertainty in the external environment, leadership in Learning Agenda, style of leadership and organization structure, marketing and sales, organizational behavior, strategy, internal politics, stakeholders priorities and more.

Step 2 – External Environment Analysis

Texas Business School approach of case study analysis – Conclusion, Reasons, Evidences - provides a framework to analyze every HBR case study. It requires conducting robust external environmental analysis to decipher evidences for the reasons presented in the Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy.

The external environment analysis of Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy will ensure that we are keeping a tab on the macro-environment factors that are directly and indirectly impacting the business of the firm.

What is PESTEL Analysis? Briefly Explained

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study. PESTEL analysis of " Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

How to do PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis? What are the components of PESTEL Analysis?

As mentioned above PESTEL Analysis has six elements – political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal. All the six elements are explained in context with Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy macro-environment and how it impacts the businesses of the firm.

How to do PESTEL Analysis for Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

To do comprehensive PESTEL analysis of case study – Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy , we have researched numerous components under the six factors of PESTEL analysis.

Political Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Political factors impact seven key decision making areas – economic environment, socio-cultural environment, rate of innovation & investment in research & development, environmental laws, legal requirements, and acceptance of new technologies.

Policy Making Impact on Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Government policies have significant impact on the business environment of any country. The firm in “ Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy ” needs to navigate these policy decisions to create either an edge for itself or reduce the negative impact of the policy as far as possible.

Data safety laws – The countries in which Learning Agenda is operating, firms are required to store customer data within the premises of the country. Learning Agenda needs to restructure its IT policies to accommodate these changes. In the EU countries, firms are required to make special provision for privacy issues and other laws.

Competition Regulations – Numerous countries have strong competition laws both regarding the monopoly conditions and day to day fair business practices. Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy has numerous instances where the competition regulations aspects can be scrutinized.

Import restrictions on products – Before entering the new market, Learning Agenda in case study Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy" should look into the import restrictions that may be present in the prospective market.

Export restrictions on products – Apart from direct product export restrictions in field of technology and agriculture, a number of countries also have capital controls. Learning Agenda in case study “ Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy ” should look into these export restrictions policies.

Foreign Direct Investment Policies – Government policies favors local companies over international policies, Learning Agenda in case study “ Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy ” should understand in minute details regarding the Foreign Direct Investment policies of the prospective market.

Taxation & Regulation Impact on Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Corporate Taxes – The rate of taxes is often used by governments to lure foreign direct investments or increase domestic investment in a certain sector. Corporate taxation can be divided into two categories – taxes on profits and taxes on operations. Taxes on profits number is important for companies that already have a sustainable business model, while taxes on operations is far more significant for companies that are looking to set up new plants or operations.

Tariffs – Chekout how much tariffs the firm needs to pay in the “ Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy ” case study. The level of tariffs will determine the viability of the business model that the firm is contemplating. If the tariffs are high then it will be extremely difficult to compete with the local competitors. But if the tariffs are between 5-10% then Learning Agenda can compete against other competitors.

Government Scheme & Subsidies Impact on Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Research and Development Subsidies and Policies – Governments often provide tax breaks and other incentives for companies to innovate in various sectors of priority. Managers at Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study have to assess whether their business can benefit from such government assistance and subsidies.

Consumer protection – Different countries have different consumer protection laws. Managers need to clarify not only the consumer protection laws in advance but also legal implications if the firm fails to meet any of them.

Political System & Stability, and its Impact on Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Political System and Its Implications – Different political systems have different approach to free market and entrepreneurship. Managers need to assess these factors even before entering the market.

Freedom of Press is critical for fair trade and transparency. Countries where freedom of press is not prevalent there are high chances of both political and commercial corruption.

Corruption level – Learning Agenda needs to assess the level of corruptions both at the official level and at the market level, even before entering a new market. To tackle the menace of corruption – a firm should have a clear SOP that provides managers at each level what to do when they encounter instances of either systematic corruption or bureaucrats looking to take bribes from the firm.

Independence of judiciary – It is critical for fair business practices. If a country doesn’t have independent judiciary then there is no point entry into such a country for business.

Government attitude towards trade unions – Different political systems and government have different attitude towards trade unions and collective bargaining. The firm needs to assess – its comfort dealing with the unions and regulations regarding unions in a given market or industry. If both are on the same page then it makes sense to enter, otherwise it doesn’t.

Economic Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Social Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Technological Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Environmental Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Legal Factors that Impact Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy

Step 3 – Industry Specific Analysis

What is Porter Five Forces Analysis

PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study. PESTEL analysis of " Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.

Step 4 – SWOT Analysis / Internal Environment Analysis

Step 5 – Porter Value Chain / VRIO / VRIN Analysis

Step 6 – Evaluating Alternatives & Recommendations

Step 7 – Basis for Recommendations

References :: Aligning Corporate Learning with Strategy case study solution