back BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Through the years, the foundation materials of Learning Center have acted as a springboard for many projects. For instance: In the early nineties, IBM hired Learning Center to help solve what they perceived to be a critical problem. After decades of market dominance, some IBM employees felt “entitled” to continued success, and were having difficulty making the changes required to step up to new competition that was capturing IBM’s market share. The result was a course for managers—“Ball & Change”—which guided participants through the emotional mazes of difficult change and emphasized the dangers of complacency. The course was fun and productive, and won IBM’s award that year for most innovative course. It led to Learning Center’s engagement to create “Choice Points,” a course designed to eliminate unnecessary risk aversion that targeted all IBM managers world-wide. Elan Pharmaceuticals likewise hired Learning Center for an application of TLC method for closure communication; one that would ensure that their complex cross-functional compliance team would receive FDA approval for a very high profile pharmaceutical that is successful in the market today. Applied Materials also needed a refinement: more accurate execution of projects handed off from senior executive to senior administrator. Utilicorp needed a way to ensure success in a newly decentralized and growing management system. Sun Microsystems needed a format that would ensure better forecasting coordination between Finance and Sales. The Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco needed more balance between the investment and the regulatory sides of the house. Novell needed a system to build more trust in a shifting management structure. Stanford Research Institute (SRI) needed to instill more profit motive in some of the most effective independent basic research done in the United States. Women.com needed strategies for growth, and their ultimate sale, through mergers and acquisitions. Tandem Computers needed to change its initial marketing strategy from sales to “mom & pop” businesses to larger, more centralized customers. The Stanford Sloan Program wanted a strong introduction to teamwork and the perils of Us versus Them activity as part of a kickoff to their yearly program. ROLM needed to reconcile its initially dual product line of field computers and telephone systems. The Sharper Image needed an interactive program for its managers that detailed the relationship between trust and high performance. Spinecare and SOAR (the San Francisco 49’ers physicians) needed improved business growth strategies. The Tosco/Avon Refinery needed, by law, to demonstrate better execution between management and its bargaining unit in order to re-open after a catastrophic explosion. Aquila needed more successful strategies to hedge risk in natural gas futures transactions and thus protect its parent company’s value. The University of San Francisco Medical Center needed a way to combine managements and reduce overhead expenses by $25 million annually after a major merger. The American Conservatory Theater (ACT) needed better coordination between the business and the artistic sides of the house. We’ve mentioned here some company names that we think you may recognize. We have not included the hundreds of lesser-known company names: the startups, the “small businesses,” the non-profit organizations and the many other organizations that range from successful dot coms to Native American schools: heroes, in our view, of successful innovation. But the success of every one of these projects is based on Learning Center methods. what others say Following are just a few of the many letters and project responses we've received from: To go straight to topic specific letters, please click below: Customized Team Projects Health Care Keynote Speaking 1on1 Coaching Customized Team Projects Karl K. Hoagland III., President and CEO, Larkspur Hotels, LLC “Learning Center has been a valuable asset to the growth, stability and profitability of Larkspur Hospitality and our affiliated companies. Even though we previously consulted with reputable consulting services and were aware of the need to make improvements, our culture did not promote a company of accountability and action where every level exhibited execution performance and appropriate innovation without undue top-down pressure. Learning Center assessed our situation and got to the root causes of our challenges.. customized and orchestrated a series of executive leadership meetings and then developed and implemented the tools, training and skills to achieve major improvements. We are so pleased with progress, that we have recently engaged Learning Center to continue working with other levels of the organization including our direct reports - the leadership team general managers, directors of sales and various other key positions in the company. This work has been enthusiastically received at these levels as well. I should also point out that our key financial stakeholder recently acknowledged how well the team is working together to drive results, consequently generating confidence in the Company and a desire for them to increase their investment with us via additional hotel acquisitions. I fully endorse and recommend Learning Center services to any company seeking to raise the bar on getting ahead in today's market.” Back to top Al Auletta, Executive Director, City of Oakland Alliance Management Team (AMT) “The Oakland Workforce Investment Board's (WIB) Business Services Plan called for hiring a private sector firm to coordinate services for our One Stop system's business customers. This meant merging organizational cultures of our state, non-profit and for-profit partners into an integrated and effective service delivery process. The feedback that I received from each of the AMT members, and what I have seen in terms of their functionality all points to your tremendous contributions to this process. In your one-on-one and group work with the AMT members, you created an atmosphere of trust and disclosure that enabled the individuals and the team to rise to the challenge of fulfilling the WIB's plan. I cannot think of any organization more qualified than the Learning Center for enabling individuals and organizations to realize their fullest potential. Thank you!” Back to top Ahmad Mansur, Managing Director, Evolved Knowledge, LLC (Project Manager for AMT) “I would like to thank you and Learning Center organization for assisting the Alliance Management Team (of the WIB Business Services) with our efforts to implement our strategic goals. As you are aware, the AMT had a great challenge of coming together to integrate two cultures and two systems into one outcome. We sought the assistance of your firm to help provide us with a process to mitigate mistrust amongst our stakeholders. In our 2-day seminar, the Learning Center facilitated a safe forum for AMT members to learn about each other and to resolve conflict. Subwequently, we are building a pathway to mutuality. I really appreciate the fine work of the Learning Center.” Back to top Gregory A. Jones, Founder & CEO, WorldRes.com “I just wanted to thank you for all the help over the past few years. I strongly believe that the Learning Center played a crucial role helping WorldRes through each of its very challenging phases: start-up, hyper-growth, dot-com collapse, path to profitability, and the ongoing success. Frequently, employees and investors are skeptical about the value and/or ROI from investing in teamwork training. Too often, this type of work is characterized as "touchy feely" or intangible. However, you managed to tailor each session to our specific issues as they evolved with the various phases. In addition, each workshop would close with a very tangible, measurable set of goals and milestones that tied very closely to our overall business objectives. This proved to be a great demonstration of the benefits of closure resulting in better execution and improved financial performance. On a personal note, your one-on-one leadership training course was extremely valuable to me both as a CEO/leader and as an individual. Again, I mainly wanted to say thank you for all your help over the past few years. I honestly do not know how WorldRes would have fared without your contributions.” Back to top Matthew G. Hegarty, Vice President, Greenough Communications “When Greenough Communications had our first seminar in March of 2001, we relied on your guidance to set us on a reliable, sustainable course of direction for team building. These discussions set us on a solid foundation of trust, and have had a discernible impact on the way we interact with out clients, vendors, and perhaps most of all, ourselves. We firmly believe that the tenets of respect and trust begin from 'within' and only under these conditions, can the message have integrity and meaning to whom it is imparted. In fact, recent client surveys assert that out teams scored highest on such concepts as 'overall reliability' and 'ability to honor commitments.' This is a clear manifestation of our program's impact and success. Greenough and our colleagues have benefited immeasurably from our relationship with Learning Center. The standards for success, and the principles of trust, respect and integrity we continue to nurture are a reflection of your leadership and commitment, and for that we thank you.” Back to top Marleen R. McDanial, Chairman and CEO, Women.com Networks “This letter is to make my strongest recommendation for The Learning Center. I have had the pleasure of working with The Learning Center in two different capacities and companies over the past twelve years. I have only the finest things to say about the programs that The Learning Center produces. All programs are customized to the group and situation, yet they use common principles that focus on teamwork, trust and accountability. I was able to develop a stronger team with fewer problems than in other companies with more random cultures. The Learning Center produces results that work and support the bottom line.” Back to top Daniel C. Lynch, President, Interop, Inc. “Your custom organizational development sessions and private advice were key in helping us focus on focusing instead of trying to grow in every opportunistic direction. Today we are very successful...” Back to top C.L. Blodgett, Management Development, IBM "Helped us fulfill our desire to develop and deliver a module entailing IBM's Basic Belief of Respect for the Individual. This module was facilitated with over 750 managers from the nine Northwestern states this year by Arky Ciancutti with measurable success. Your module offered an innovative approach to renewing an IBM core value." Back to top Jeff McClelland, Pres., Dexter A&C Systems "One of the best investments we have ever made. I think one of the greatest attributes to the program is the fact that the results are LASTING ones." Back to top James McDowell, President, MSO, Inc. "The performance of MSO has steadily improved since we first started with the Learning Center. We have not only weathered the storm, but we have improved during the storm. Operations costs have decreased by approximately $750,000." Back to top Tom Tomasetti, Board Member, Consilium, Inc. "Your up-front assessment process, customized teamwork program and follow-up resulted in 11 bottom ups-team initiatives that have had a positive impact on our company. These initiatives helped solve intrinsic company problems but also allowed employees to feel empowered and satisfied that their issues are being resolved. I again would like to thank the Learning Center for your fine work. If any of your prospective clients would like to speak with a very satisfied customer, please have them contact me." Back to top Tom Steding, Vice-President, Novell, Inc. "I wanted to register in this letter the tremendous impact the Learning Center Teamwork Program has had on the Communications Infrastructure Division as a result of our high performance teamwork initiative. After sending nearly 300 people through one day of training, often with additional follow-up sessions, we have established a solid platform for organizational transformation. We can already see tangible results; for example, cycle times in product development are coming down rapidly as the cross-function teams place a higher value on early closure." Back to top John H. Reilly, ILC Technology, Inc. "The old walls blocking communication between the work force and management and between different groups are beginning to erode. Fear is driven out of the organization and trust increases. People are more satisfied with their work and productivity goes up. The ultimate beneficiaries are the customers of ILC, both external and internal." Back to top Don LaBelle, Dir. of Public Works, Alameda County "Time is always a true test of the effectiveness of any type of training. It has now been 3 years since the Learning Center staff joined with our Agency to help us. Our employees still effectively practice techniques on how to improve communications and remove barriers to teamwork. Perhaps one of the most important benefits of the Learning Center's efforts has been the willingness to accept accountability and the practice of supportive accountability in our key management staff. This has really helped individual managers develop all of their potential and has increased the quality and reliability of our services." Back to top Leslie Godbe, Partner, Godbe Communications “These team development sessions helped our organization to implement a new paradigm for responsive communication and responsible team interaction. It was interesting to note how quickly the concepts of "closure" and "commitment" were put into action by our staff. Meetings were suddenly much more productive. Communication improved within and between all levels. And, everyone became more focused on how they could contribute to everyone's success, rather than just their own. Some of the sessions dug a little deeper to address some of the more sensitive trust issues that can affect morale and productivity. These sessions were particularly valuable. In these sessions, you helped us to develop a set of custom guidelines to continue to reference in the future. This has been an invaluable tool for going forward as a team and continuing to incorporate what we have learned. As a result of the investment we have made in the sessions from The Learning Center, we are well on our way to working more efficiently, creatively and happily as a team.” Back to top Craig M. Herman, Manager, Tandem Computers “I was impressed with how you worked with me to establish a special program (using your standard concepts and techniques) in the time frame I needed, the length of presentation I desired, and the goals I wanted to attain. The immediate results from your presentation were overwhelming. The concepts, principles and pragmatic approach to team dynamics were openly accepted by my people... they came away motivated. However, It's the long term effects in which I am interested: as of this writing, I am still seeing positive results.” Back to top Perry Ludy, VP of Operations, Envirotest Systems "Both training programs were performed extremely well and the results have been much higher than expected in both scenarios (e.g., our WA program continues to perform above expectations and the performance of our company is indicative by our successful turnaround, as documented by our performance in the stock market.) We remain appreciative of the results and would recommend the Learning Center to other peers and associates." Back to top Joe Colosimo Manager, Human Resources, Ford Aerospace "Looking inward at ourselves is the toughest part of planning for the future and the techniques you taught us will help a great deal. The management of human resources will be our major business issue in the years ahead and I feel that in a special way you have assisted us in developing a new way to see our contribution." Back to top Joseph Schmidt, SPHR, VP Human Resrc., Mylex "The Learning Center recently provided Senior Managers with a focused seminar regarding getting to closure and accountability. Overall, we are very pleased with results and have established specific plans to assure that matters of closure and accountability are embedded in our culture." Back to top Hans Prakelt,VP, Chemical Bank "Some of the feedback given us went from "I enjoyed the no-nonsense common language approach" to "The presentation as a whole proved a valuable tool in understanding new paths of communication and straight forwardness." Back to top Loretta Doon, Assist. Exec. Dir., CA Teachers Assoc. "The final session on developing a mission statement was particularly well received by the staff. The department statement that came out of that day's session was the product of each person's contribution. Consequently, the staff buy-in was almost unanimous and overwhelmingly positive." Back to top Patrice Capitant, VP of Engineering, MacroVision "You have enabled our group to communicate much more effectively and it can be felt throughout. Issues used to be laid out and never quite closed and this was impacting team work. Meetings were often a waste of time. Now everything runs quite smoothly, productivity has been increased, and the environment is a lot more pleasant." Back to top Kathleen Lockwood, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce "Our Board members responded very positively to your program and are actively engaged in "muck-busting". Your professionalism, depth of knowledge and excellent presentation skills set just the right tone for encouraging Board member interaction. Even though some of the members didn't particularly think this would be a good retreat subject, they did a complete change of face by the end of the afternoon." Back to top Patricia Brimer, County of Alameda "In the fifteen years that I've been involved with the Learning Center, I've never hesitated to recommend your programs. As my career has advanced and as I have moved from one County agency to another, I've experienced the universal application of your programs." Back to top Jan Ivy Howard, Human Resources Mgr., InsiteVision "Research and Development environment is difficult at best and we needed a lot of work to make our project management system function properly. Your seminar allowed for employee involvement and the exercises offered in the material helped the Company "open-up" the communications lines. I believe this has made the glue that has held our project management system together." Back to top Bill Hulsey,Director of HR, Permag "The course taught me that there is a basic core curriculum for learning communication. Being impressed with your concept, we "turnkeyed" your program. I found the turnkey train the trainer training to be professional, thorough, unique and applicable. I recommend this application of the Essential Communications Skills Lab to all companies who are serious about becoming or maintaining a world class supplier status." Back to top R. Blake Emery, Boeing Computer Services "We've been using it for over two years. We continue to be pleased with the results of the course. The instructors continue to enjoy teaching the class, and the enrollment is very steady. Our senior instructor thinks the skills lab should be the cornerstone of our curriculum, and become a prerequisite to the other courses in our curriculum." Back to top R. Stenhouse, Mgr., California Teachers Assoc. "Equipped us with tools and information that are extremely useful and productive for us. Thank you Learning Center staff for your dedication, expertise and cooperation. We have surely benefited from our association with you." Back to top Carole Rodoni, President, Fox & Carskadon "Your knowledge, skills, expertise and leadership as facilitators helped make this weekend the success it was." Back to top Arlene De Vries, Exec. Dir., Spirit Rock Meditation Center "Spirit Rock Meditation Center engaged the Learning Center to facilitate a strategic planning process, preparing us for the next phase of development. You brought a busy group of people together, and in approximately ten hours, mid-wifed a strategic plan, which in the year since then has been a guiding force for the organization. I cannot say often enough how impressed I was with your abilities, and without reservation highly recommend your skills for other organizations." Back to top Vikki Turner, Training Mgr., Swinerton & Walberg "It is not often one has the opportunity to work with such dedicated people as the professionals at the Learning Center. There are many seminars and workshops to choose from today. Learning Center is the type of training effort that is long lasting." Back to top Jane Schuller, Operations Mgr., State Fund "Twenty-five managers, supervisors and lead people from Data Processing Operations participated in your course. All of my objectives have been realized. Instead of complaining about each other, the supervisors now come to the meeting with acknowledgments of each other." Back to top R.F. Boynton, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. "It has been about a year and a half since we all took the Teamwork course. I think we all benefited from the course and we are still using the tools... I find myself doing these things without even thinking about it. We intend to continue and improve." Back to top J.E. Guibord, Manager, Manager, Ford Aerospace "A special note of thanks for your successful design and completion of the "Profits thru Partnership Program". All-in-all the program was a smashing success; it improved our management team communications, it was a means of institutionalizing a message/vision to our subordinates and it continued to show our customers we're serious about change." Back to top T. Daniel Clark, President, Dexter Corp. “The process you led us through to establish team guidelines, which were subsequently published globally and put to use in promoting a team approach to problem solving, helped bridge cultural gaps that inevitably exist in global businesses. I found the basic principals you base your training around to be equally applicable as a change agent in under performing organizations or as a building block to improve performance of successful business units.” Back to top Brent Neel, Regional Sales Manager, Rolm "Over the last ten years I have taken a lot of seminars which have provided a lot of data about communications and teamwork. The Learning Center programs have given me much more than data - they have given me the opportunity to experience true teamwork and communication in such a way that it is natural to use it in the work and personal environment. I would encourage anyone and everyone to experience your training programs." Back to top Robert Boykin, General Mgr., Marriott Hotels "I recommend the approach that your organization has opted to use because it offers the client a high probability of results provided in an unthreatening atmosphere for a reasonable cost." Back to top Brad King, Pres., Northwest Mortgage & Escrow "Some of the many benefits we feel that were derived from our sessions include: The reduction of stress in the workplace; improved relationships with clients; a bond through which to communicate job related wants and needs more fully; improved quality of staff meetings; communications delivered to management more easily." Back to top Doug Winget, Industrial Relations Mgr., Memorex "What I got out of the course were practical skills in building trust, ability to listen and objectivity in communications. I am still sold on "Dynamics of Teamwork" after first going through the course almost 3 years ago." Back to top Don McElhone, Office of Personnel Management "I strongly believe that this course (Teamwork) would be of significant benefit to any Federal worker. The content of the course deals with developing one's individual ability to form teams in such a way which, in my opinion, would optimize the probability of achieving goals." Back to top Robert Samuels, Ph.D., Mgr., Beckman Instruments "All of the people from our department who have taken the course hold key positions in this business. A number of people have observed that stress and tension in our team is considerably reduced and people are giving more attention to the problems at hand rather than interpersonal games and ego exercises." Back to top N. Johnston, Corp. Training Dev., Hewlett Packard "Dr. Ciancutti's approach is interesting, often amusing, and has many good examples of how to develop teamwork and communication." Back to top Jack Vowell, VP Data Processing, Ocean Routes "The most beautiful part of Dynamics of Teamwork is that it is not just a set of canned formulas for the work situation. On the contrary, it gets to the very core of human interactions and is applicable to all of life, not just the work environment." Back to top James Nunan, V.P., Scicon Systems Control “The teamwork training really made a significant difference in our ability to complete the Michigan System Project on schedule and so successfully. Perhaps even more significantly, many issues get raised and resolved routinely now, before they grow and become major problems as they did before.” Back to top Jim Zuber, President, Genoa Technology, Inc. “Genoa is a rapidly growing high tech company, and integrating teamwork into our culture was a critical path issue to further accelerate our growth. The two training sessions that you conducted at Genoa (one for Bold Step Team members and the other for team leaders) were very well received. You presented many powerful concepts that map well to Genoa's culture and have been quickly internalized by a surprising percentage of our employees.” Back to top Richard J. Finnick, The Dexter Corporation "Thank you for a superb contribution to Mogul's February Managers Meeting. You are a true craftsman and watching you involve our mixed and somewhat skeptical management group into your "Dynamics of Teamwork: A Study in Achievement" workshop was a pleasure to behold and to be a part of." Back to top    © 2009 Learning Center Incorporated • All rights reserved. For free consultation on your critical team/leader/performance issues, or leadership training seminars in California or your own state/country email info@learningcenter.net . back