Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie – Sept 28, 2010.
#639 – Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.

1. Undercover Boss: TV Lessons in Training:
I never would have guessed that a “reality show” would be a weekly lesson in Training, Learning and Development.  Undercover Boss, a show on CBS, takes a CEO of a company and sends them undercover in their own organizations, working a range of jobs, to get a new view of the culture and operational experience on the frontline.  CEO’s of organizations including Choice Hotels, Waste Management and other organizations have had some eye openers as their worked manual and entry level jobs – without their identities being known to their new peers.  Cameras follow their experiences, using cover stories to explain the media presence.  Each show has ended up focusing on learning and training issues including:

* Online learning offered by headquarters but not supported by first line managers.
* Procedures and processes being confusing and often contradictory on the front line.
* Acceptance of inappropriate manager behaviors and poor role modeling.
* Inadequate training skills around the organizations.
* Poor identification of rising talent potential from entry level employees.

A number of the episodes are viewable online at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/

2. Complete Learning Program Guide Published!
I am very proud to present the complete Program Guide for Learning 2010 – including session and learning activity descriptions of 203 sessions, presented by 254 faculty from global companies.  Download this at http://www.learning2010.com/guide   Note: Hotel rooms are going quickly and we have over 1,416 participants registered already!

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie