Thomson Alliance with GM Yields Award Winning HR e-Learning Program
STAMFORD, Conn.--March 17, 2003--The Thomson Corporation (TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC)GM University wins Arbor Award for Excellence by applying innovative
online approach to advance human resources development strategy
The Thomson Corporation (TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC), the world's largest provider of corporate and professional learning solutions, today announced that the innovative online learning program it jointly developed with Cardean University for the Human Resources/Labor Relations College of GM University (GMU) was recently recognized with an Arbor Award for Excellence.
GMU received the award for effectively using technology to design a cost-effective solution to train more than 2,500 human resources (HR) professionals worldwide.
The Arbor Consulting Group and the Eastern Michigan University Human Relations and Organizational Design Program are cosponsors of the awards, which recognize best practices and innovations in human resources.
Launched in April 2001, HR Skills for Success is a multi-phased e-Learning program that enabled the HR/LR College to map HR learning to specific business goals. Working with Thomson and Cardean University, they created a GM-specific curriculum to help HR professionals become more strategic consultants and business partners with the leaders they support.
"We knew that with the right training, everyone in HR, from a training manager in Brazil to a regional vice president in Germany, would be better equipped to identify opportunities and solve problems positively," said Larry Godfrey, dean the company's Human Resources and Labor College.
Thomson is the exclusive provider to large businesses of Cardean University's online programs. "Global organizations such as GM require a large, stable corporate partner with a long-term, strategic commitment to high-quality corporate learning. This award, and the success of the GM's program, underscores Thomson's ability to deliver state-of-the-art, tailored learning solutions," said Alex Brnilovich, president and CEO of the Thomson Lifelong Learning Group.
The HR Skills for Success curriculum includes seven Internet based GM-specific courses focused on four targeted HR capabilities: HR functional expertise, business acumen, change management, and building relationships and partnerships.
Phase I of the program was designed to build a global HR/LR community with consistent knowledge, skills and principles. Launched in August 2001, Phase II covers advanced content including Strategic Human Resources, a curriculum on strategic thinking developed by Cardean University in association with the London School of Economics and Political Science. Phase III is devoted to mastering The Consultative Approach through e-Learning and global collaboration on real world situations.
Participation in Phase I of the program is required for all HR professionals. "We want people to begin applying new knowledge quickly, so they see how small changes in their day-to-day operations can ultimately achieve big business goals like improving productivity and customer satisfaction," according to Godfrey. The vast majority of participants - 86% of Phase I participants, 93% of those enrolled in Phase II, and 84% of those taking Strategic Human Resources - say they will use the training's concepts and insights on the job.
"Not only are we getting quality content and a leading-edge learning approach from both Thomson and Cardean, the program is expected to have a substantial bottom-line impact. Skills for Success has produced substantial savings - more than 50 cents on every dollar that we could've spent on traditional classroom delivery," adds Godfrey.
"We are honored to be recognized with the Arbor Award for our Skills for Success program. The award further validates our commitment to develop innovative programs for our Human Resources professionals worldwide and supports our premise that faster learning is a competitive advantage," said Donnee Ramelli, president, GM University.
About Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation, with 2002 revenues of $7.8 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges (TSX: TOC; NYSE: TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.
About General Motors
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 350,000 people around the world. Founded in 1908, GM today has manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries and sells vehicles in about 200 countries. In 2001, GM sold more than 8.5 million cars and trucks - more than any other automaker and 15.1 percent of the global vehicle market.
Established in 1997, GM University is a global network of education and training resources designed to help GM's executive, management, technical & professional employees continuously improve their competitive performance to drive success at GM.
About Cardean University
Cardean University, an educational institution founded by UNext, Inc., offers graduate courses and degrees in business, management and professional development. Cardean collaborates with some of the world's leading business schools, including Columbia Business School, Stanford University, the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Carnegie Mellon and the London School of Economics and Political Science, to bring business education of high academic quality to learners worldwide. Cardean is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council and is authorized to grant degrees by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.