More than 30,000 IBM managers have experienced a blended approach to managerial development education, says Tom Whyte, general manager of IBM learning services at IBM Canada. That is followed up by regular collaborative mentoring delivered through Web-based discussion forums. While conferences such as this are exciting showcases for corporate success stories, the fact of the matter is Canada still lags behind other developed countries when it comes to delivering e-learning. The simple answer seems to be cost, time and content, says the Conference Board of Canada's latest e-learning study. Companies need the right technological infrastructure and the time to source, develop and implement courses that fit the Canadian market.
Many companies struggle with corporate cultures that resist new techniques.
It all adds up to a complex, confusing dilemma for corporate decision-makers. Companies that grasp this will leapfrog over their competitors. Sandra Mingail is a freelance writer specializing in online education and related issues.