People Management Blog

Updates from June, 2010

• Alive and kicking: ToolBook turns 20

  Brad Crain on June 24, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  

  Twenty years ago, the technology playing field looked vastly different. Most of what we used back then in terms of software and hardware has now either become extinct or been replaced. Only a select few companies and products have managed to survive—and thrive— in such a dynamic and competitive arena.

  I’m pleased to say that ToolBook is among that elite group.

  What sets ToolBook apart year after year is its proven innovation and adaptability. We’ve long understood that changes in the business world, and in the world of content development and learning management solutions, have to be reflected in the product’s features and functionality. For example, consider the increasing need for mobility among today’s busy workforces. We’ve ensured that ToolBook remains adaptable to this need by enabling content authoring for the platforms most commonly used by mobile employees—such as the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, Google Android, and Windows Mobile Devices.

  In our latest release, ToolBook 10.5, we’ve also taken the context of mobile learning a step further by enabling developers to leverage geolocation capabilities—which means that mobile courses can now dynamically engage learners based on where they are located when taking a particular course. Have an employee on the factory floor? Make sure that employee’s training is tailored to the production line in front of them. Have an employee doing fire safety training? Now you can be certain he promptly locates all the necessary fire exits. In other words, we aren’t just empowering users to train on-the-go, but we are helping businesses capitalize on mobility itself in order to get the most value and productivity from the workforce, wherever they might be. This combination of adaptability and innovation not only demonstrates why ToolBook is still around to celebrate its 20^th birthday, but also showcases how ToolBook fits seamlessly into a business’s overall talent development strategy.

  I’m also proud to relate that ToolBook’s excellence in the industry has been recognized yet again. Just this spring, ToolBook earned SumTotal two Excellence in Learning Technology Awards from Brandon Hall Research. The categories were Best Advance in Technology for Rich-Media Authoring and Best Advance in Technology for Mobile-Learning Authoring.

  If you haven’t already done so, take a look at the Web page and updated datasheet highlighting the new features of ToolBook 10.5. I think you’ll agree that we’ve expanded the usability of the product beyond any previous version.

  If you’ve got comments on ToolBook or other features you’d like to see in upcoming releases, please send them on.  We look forward to your feedback and to another 20 years of innovative excellence.

   

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• Integrating Talent Management Drives Higher Returns

  John Borgerding, Chief Executive Officer, SumTotal on June 8, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  

  At SumTotal we have always believed in an integrated approach to talent development to increase employee engagement and workforce productivity. We are seeing more and more customers looking for a complete talent development solution, not just a learning platform or performance management product.

  Here’s why: A new report from Ernst & Young (highlighted in Talent Management magazine) shows that by integrating talent management functions, companies are delivering better bottom-line results than companies with non-integrated solutions.

  Ernst & Young found that companies that effectively manage talent consistently deliver higher shareholder value, which is not surprising. Companies that align talent management with business strategy deliver, on average, 20 percent higher return on equity, according to the survey. But more interesting is the finding that those that integrated their talent management programs delivered 38 percent greater returns than non- or partially integrated companies. This survey validates our view that by integrating learning management, performance management, and compensation management functions, companies have a far better chance of effectively aligning the workforce to business goals and delivering greater returns.  

  In the current economy, the last thing in the world businesses can afford is to waste talent, or be surpassed by competitors that manage their talent better. The ability to derive the most value from the workforce is critical to the success of any business. When employees across various departments and organizational levels aren’t operating from a unified strategy, it makes it next to impossible to come together to work toward common objectives.

  SumTotal offers a complete, best-of-breed, unified and integrated talent development solution that is easily and flexibly deployed for proven reliability and lower cost. Our unified SumTotal Talent Development Suite makes the task of optimizing employee value easier.The suite integrates talent management functions to help companies reduce turnover at critical positions, manage succession plans, minimize business disruptions, and reduce the risk of non-compliance, litigation, and lost business reputation.

  As the survey shows, an integrated solution can help companies make measurable improvements that ultimately increase profitability and operational efficiency. At SumTotal, we deliver solutions that help organizations develop and implement effective talent development. Companies that align talent management with business strategy and integrate across functions and platforms will deliver better bottom-line results.