CERTPOINT Systems Inc. Launches White Paper for L&D Departments on Surviving and Thriving in the economic downturn– at the ASTD 2009 TechKnowledge® Conference and Exposition

'Five Steps to make Learning a Success in 2009’ provides practical advice on optimizing employee performance to rapidly deliver business value

Long Island, N.Y., January 23, 2009 – CERTPOINT Systems™, a leading global provider of corporate training software and solutions, today announced that it has developed an informative whitepaper for Learning and Development (L&D) Departments: ‘Five Steps to make Learning a Success in 2009’. The key elements of the paper will be presented to the public at ASTD 2009 TechKnowledge® Conference and Exposition on January 28-29, 2009 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Packed with practical tips, advice and real world case studies, the guide illustrates how L&D departments can seize the opportunities provided by the tough economic climate and adopt online training approaches to optimize the performance of existing employees while saving time and money. The whitepaper produced by CERTPOINT Systems will be available for download on January 28, 2009 at http://www.certpointsystems.com/Microsites/index.php?/Free_Guide.

Maria van Vlodrop, General Manager, Europe, CERTPOINT said: “This white paper is the silver bullet for L&D departments that want to solve the issues presented by the current economic situation: to maintain and increase value – and critically, to be seen to deliver that value – with ever tightening budgets. The key is to optimize existing resources as any savings go straight to the bottom line and will be felt immediately. L&D departments are in a unique position to do this as they alone can provide the fastest route to improved employee and partner performance– this guide shows them how.”

The ‘Five Steps to make Learning a Success in 2009’ whitepaper takes L&D departments on a complete journey from discovering where L&D can add value, through the application of the latest learning technologies to ensuring that learning adoption is fully supported. The five-step approach can be summarized as follows:

• Step 1: Find where L&D adds value
  In 2009, all departments have to clearly and immediately demonstrate the value they deliver to the business. As L&D departments are traditionally associated with long term initiatives, the benefit of which may not be immediately visible, this section deals with training strategies that will have an immediate and noticeable positive impact.
• Step 2: Focus on speed
  Organizations no longer have the luxury of time: benefits need to be delivered now. This section shows how the L&D department can deliver effective and strategic training within weeks, and enable the business to enjoy the impact within the first quarter of 2009.
• Step 3: Find the right tools
  As speed and cost effectiveness are key to training success in 2009, technology is a must. This section provides guidance on how to design, develop, deploy and administer online learning effectively.
• Step 4: Reach up
  The watchwords of 2009 are ‘organizational effectiveness and performance’. This section illustrates how L&D can get involved and demonstrate its value. Strategies include ‘connecting’ L&D to the business through regular, appropriate reporting in business language and stakeholder involvement.
• Step 5: Reach out
  
  The most effective training strategy will not work unless it is adopted by learners and this final step in the implementation process must not be left to chance. This section provides practical advice on learner adoption and discusses CERTPOINT Systems’ learning adoption methodology (LAM).

About CERTPOINT

CERTPOINT provides an all-in-one software suite to manage talent, deliver knowledge, and track business results. Global leaders like Toyota, Honda, and Black & Decker use CERTPOINT's technology to arm their employees and partners with the knowledge they need to win and retain customers. CERTPOINT helps more people in more places easily gain knowledge faster with measurable business results. Founded in 1996, CERTPOINT is used by more than 1,000 businesses in over 35 countries and languages to deliver knowledge beyond the organization deep into sales and service channels. Please visit www.certpointsystems.com.

CERTPOINTVLS TM is a global learning technology solution that puts talent and knowledge to work throughout the organization and extended enterprise to increase and measure performance on the job for stronger business results. The suite integrates Learning Management (LMS), Content Management, Competency Management and Collaboration into a seamless learning system for creating, managing, delivering and tracking all online learning activities.

CERTPOINT Systems, the CERTPOINT logo and CERTPOINTVLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of CERTPOINT Systems Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About ASTD

ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in 134 U.S. chapters, 26 Global Networks, and 12 Global Partners. Members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and suppliers.

ASTD started in 1943. In recent years, ASTD has widened the profession’s focus to link learning and performance to individual and organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues.

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