abdi newsletter

Issue 36 - April 2010

Greetings from abdi
abdi ltd has a depth of experience unique in the UK, in impact measurement and ROI within L&D and many other kinds of workforce and workplace investment. We teach the tools to effectively plan, measure and evaluate all types of human capital. To discover how abdi can help you and your organisation, visit our website at www.abdi.eu.com




Editorial

Last month's Harvard Business Review featured a fascinating article which looked at the practices of the best Indian companies who drive performance by investing in people. (How the Best Indian Companies Drive Performance by Investing in People. Peter Cappelli, Harbir Singh, Jitendra V Singh and Michael Useem Harvard Business Review March 2010).

Drawing on the practices from high performing Indian firms, the authors suggest western organisations should consider pursuing two of the readily achievable goals practiced by these firms: investing in training and strengthening social mission. They note how Indian companies take an 'aggressive approach to training' despite a highly competitive labour market. Interestingly, the view expressed senior managers in  these firms is that investing in training is even more important even when you may lose employees to competitors 'because it helps to ensure the quality of the workforce that remains'! What they don't say but is worth careful consideration, is that so many western companies tend to invest over heavily in a small proportion of their workforce (usually those that are already the most highly educated and paid) and so feel their loss disproportionately especially as these tend to be the most highly mobile and therefore may be hardest to retain. And I'm sure you've all heard the view that 'there is no point in spending money if staff are going to leave' a rather world turned upside down view!

On induction, the numbers quoted in the article are staggering: the Indian IT Industry provides new hires with about 60 days of formal training. 'Even relatively low skill industries, such as business process outsourcing and call centres, typically provide 30 days and retail companies require about 20 days.' Our experience here in the UK is very different as we see significantly less investment; experience which is supported by the low investment levels reported by CIPD in their recent years' surveys.

Not surprisingly, alongside this investment is a focus on measurement 'three times as many Indian as US companies measure and track their skill development efforts'. Again, our experience is that the UK (and many of our European based clients), are closer in their practice to the US than to these Indian firms. As the authors note, while it would be difficult for many organisations to justify a hike in investment to the levels of these Indian forms, there are lessons to learn, not least that some practices 'such as measuring and tracking training and development, are straightforward'(at least in the short term); a view we would wholly endorse!
 

Working with the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network  

abdi ltd are delighted to have been awarded a contract to work with the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN). The GMLPN is a network of 50 work based learning providers operating across the Greater Manchester city-region and operates to promote, develop and enhance the activities of work based learning by encouraging collaboration across providers. The proposal by abdi ltd is to work with GMLPN members to build their capability in aligning their services to business impact and employer engagement using the ROI Methodology.

Commenting on the planned project, Richard Nash, Business Development and Coordination Manager, GMLPN said

"The partnership between the GMLPN and abdi ltd in the delivery of ROI training to over 100 employer engagement staff across Greater Manchester is very welcome indeed. Work based learning providers' offer exemplary, high quality, professional training within the workplace across all sectors of the economy. The only problem is that the sector is not as good as it should be in telling business just how good the ROI is for example, from the investment in an apprentice.

The ROI methodology will significantly help work based learning providers to inform business of the significant ROI that apprentices bring to the bottom line. This is something that we cannot falter on or fail to achieve - not now when our economy and when our Government are calling out for more apprenticeships than ever. Now is the time for employers to find an apprentice. Now is the time for the GMLPN and abdi ltd to make this happen in Greater Manchester."

For more information on this project or other GMLPN activities contact Richard Nash on 07787291982 or richard.n@gmlpn.co.uk.


Edexcel review

Abdi have recently been visited by our external qualification body Edexcel, and we are pleased to announce that we have received an excellent report.

Our External Verifier stated within the report that abdi's "course materials and assignment tasks are produced to a very high standard". He adds, "It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design and production of the course material. The scope and ethos of the ROI process is fully reflected in the design of the assessment strategies"

The report goes on to state that "the resulting assessment activities are both interesting and challenging. I would describe some work produced as exceptional".

We are very proud of the report we have received but would also like to say well done to all those that have achieved their ROI Awards as this report also shows the high level of achievement of the professionals that we work with.

For more information about abdi workshops and the ROI awards we offer please contact us at info@abdi.eu.com


CLICK - NHS Hull

Our director Chris Paveley, would like to say a big thank you to everyone at the CLICK event in Hull on the 18th March, we hope that the information provided was interesting and useful to you all. If you have any further questions about ROI and how abdi have worked within sectors of the NHS please contact us at info@abdi.eu.com


HRD Event

Jane will be speaking at the HRD 2010 event on the 22nd April about the importance of embedding the ROI Methodology and its process into all aspects of human capital investment programme. We are also delighted that she will be sharing the platform with senior representatives from the NHS and Volkswagen to share their experience and the results they are now reporting having embedded the processes of ROI. For more information and how to book your place visit www.cipd.co.uk/cande/hrd/


L&D2020

Jane will be holding a workshop at the Training Journal's L&D2020 event, why not come and find out how both public and private sector organisations have benefited from embedding the processes of the ROI Methodology into all aspects of their L&D and training investments. For more information and how to book your place visit www.trainingjournal.com


Thinking of running an in-house course?

If you require any information about project or programme evaluation and consultancy services or would like to discuss the possibility of running one of our in-house courses to build the competency of your HR and L&D teams, contact us at info@abdi.eu.com


Certificates awarded

We would like to say well done to the following candidates who have all passed and will receive their Edexcel ROI Foundation Award certificates.

Becky Monaghan: Head of Integrated Governance, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Janet Smith: Regional Pace Setting Programme Manager, NHS Yorkshire and the Humber
Dr Helen Allbutt: Regional Manager, EDD, NHS Education for Scotland
Rob Coward: Education project Manager, NHS Education for Scotland
Julie Cressey Petch: Senior Clinical Skills Officer, Learning and Development, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Neveen Mohamed Bakhaty: Human Resources, Edita
Simon Williams: Education Project Manager, NHS Education for Scotland
Karen Adams: Education Project Manager (Administrative Service and Support Service Staff), NHS Education for Scotland
Mudenda Munkombwe: Research and Information Officer, NHS Education for Scotland
Gillian Swan: NHS Education for Scotland
Dr. Sabine Nolte: Educational Projects Manager, NHS Education for Scotland
Deborah Myers: Governance and Professional Development Lead of Education, NHS Leeds Community Healthcare

ROI Evaluator certificates awarded to:

Josef Haeneler: Project Manager, Nokia Siemens Network
Margaret Seiffert: Associate Director, FDF
Luigi Canneori: Solutions Architect, Nokia Siemens Network
Steven Whitford: Case Manager, Nokia Siemens Network
Kim Jones: Training and Development Manager, Scarborough Hospital
Susan Emmerson: Strategic Learning and Development Advisor, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
Gwen Carter-Powell: Development Project Director, Stepchange
Richard Lee McMorn: Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, North West Vision and Media
Arnauld De Nadaillac: Managing Director, Consultant, ANG Consulting Co. Ltd
Sara Pearson: Workforce Development Manager, Hey NHS Trust
Puneet Sachdev: Learning and Development Business Partner, Visit Scotland
Lara Milioli: Lead Solution Consultant, Nokia Siemens Network
Christoph Mueller: Solution Architect, Nokia Siemens Network
Jonathan Chamberlain: Learning Solutions Services Manager, Nokia Siemens Network


Public Course dates

Make yourself one of the smart practitioners who can bring Gold Standard impact planning and evaluation to your organisation - reserve your place on one of our 2010 courses now

ROI Foundation Certificate course- London
7-8 April  

ROI Foundation Certificate courses
21-22 June
20-21 September
15-16 November

ROI Evaluator Certificate courses
7-9 June
17-19 November

To talk about bringing our courses in-house to you and your colleagues, or to discuss hosting a course for your sector, distribution network or key stakeholders, place call (01223) 360240 or email us at info@abdi.eu.com


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