“The OU have worked with us to design the eLearning and discussion groups, facilitate them around the globe, and support us as we embed this new approach, providing both challenging and helpful feedback along the way.”
Karen Reilly, Management Development Manager, Reuters
What were they looking for?
Like most organisations, Reuters have a large number of new managers, including staff from Reuters who have moved into a management role and managers new to the organisation.
Reuters recognised that the levels of management expertise and knowledge within this group were below that which was required by their role. They were keen to identify a management learning programme that would develop the individuals’ knowledge of management and enable them to rapidly integrate this knowledge into their workplace experience.
How did we address their requirements?
Our specialist elearning training advisers worked closely with Reuters to identify the training needs of the organisation and its key stakeholders. These were identified as:
- The need to build the capability of first level managers to carry out core management responsibilities in the Reuters business context
- Engage managers in an ongoing management learning programme with a strong application focus
- Raise first level managers' awareness of their capability needs, gaps and strengths and provide resources and a community in which they can continually develop and grow
- Ensure that managers in remote locations have significant opportunities to build their capability through the use of collaborative and blended learning techniques
- Develop a learning platform and programme focused on subject areas that are key to new managers in Reuters
- Make online delivery and collaboration an essential component of the management learning programme.
What did we provide?
Drawing on our considerable experience of developing and delivering corporate learning programmes, we used existing OU Business School materials and elearning resources to develop a pilot solution designed for a learning community dispersed throughout the world. This often included Reuters journalists and reporters working at the front line.
Following successful review, the pilot was developed into a course programme. We again worked closely with Reuters to customise and develop the components of the programme and assemble these into an effective, engaging and collaborative structured online course.
The entire process was managed by our project management team and included continuous input and appraisal from Reuters stakeholders. The programme was completed and ready for implementation within three months. After a four month delivery phase, the solution was reviewed and improvements were made. Regular improvement remains a feature of the programme.
“In my time, I have been on quite a number of management-type courses, but I think I can honestly say that this was the best and that it really helped me make a step forward in my every day work.”
New Manager, Reuters
Learning outcomes
The New Managers’ Programme is about to start its third year of delivery. Completion rates are consistently above 80% and feedback from learners demonstrates its efficacy and the high value it offers to the business.