1. How would you expect the training activities of a company that is dominant in its product market to differ from those of a company that emphasizes research and development?
2. What do you think is the most important organizational characteristic that influences training? Why?
3. Which model or combination of models is best for organizing the training function? Why?
4. Shering-Plough HealthCare Products Inc. decided several years ago to expand its product line by developing pocket size sticks and spray of Coppertone sunblocks, previously only available as lotions packaged in squeeze bottles. The company placed a strategic emphasis on developing markets for this product. The company knew from market research studies that its Coppertone customers were already using the product in its original squeeze container to prevent sunburn. Due to increase awareness of the dangers of excessive skin exposure, customers who had not previously used sunblock except when at the beach were looking for daily sunblock product. Company managers reasoned that their market could be expended significantly if the product were repackaged to fit conveniently in consumers' pockets, purses and gym bags. Identify the business strategy. What training needs result from this strategy? What is the training implications for this decision for (1) manufacturing and (2) the sales force?
5. Which strategic training and development initiatives do you think all companies should support in today's economic climate? Why?
6. Are any of the strategic training and development initiatives more important for small business? Explain.
7. Evaluate Nextel Communication's training organization using the five competencies of the business-embedded model. Would you consider Nextel Communication's training organization to be a BE function?
8. Compare and contrast the corporate university model with the faculty model. How are they similar? How do they differ?
9. What is human capital? How is human capital influencing the changing role of training from skill and knowledge acquisition to creating and sharing knowledge?
10. How could SWOT analysis be used to align training activities with business strategies and goals?
11. What are the training implications of the increased use of teams to manufacture products or provide services?
12. How would you design a corporate university? Explain each step you would take.
13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized training function?
14. What factors should a company consider in deciding whether to outsource its entire training function? Are the considerations different if the company wants to outsource a training program? Explain.