ILTA White Papers

ILTA White Paper Firm University 12 the concepts of continuous learning — regardless of position or job category. Our goal is to offer abundant and relevant learning opportunities to deepen the professional knowledge of all employees while encouraging them to embark upon new challenges and greater success. Through engagement and commitment to continued professional development, we all benefit and become an even greater place to work. aLIgnment WIth FIrm goaLs Our Technology Track offers ways to increase technical skills to be more productive, stay competitive and support improved levels of client service. It features hands-on classes, demonstration sessions and independent study options geared toward all levels of firm personnel, and focuses on making best use of available technology to present a consistent, professional image of the firm. management bUy-In Firm leadership has always encouraged continuous learning and skill development. marketIng Those learners who wish-list any course in our extensive catalog of classes receive immediate notification when a new session of that class is scheduled, and they have the first chance to register for a class. Weekly notices of all classes with available seating are sent by e-mail to appropriate personnel on branded "stationery." Lunch and Learn programs are marketed via e-mail using targeted messages and eye- catching graphics. Class attendees are informed about additional classes that might be of interest to them as follow-ups to current sessions. LearnIng opportUnItIes The Technology Track concentrates on classroom training and distance learning. We use Microsoft Office Communicator's sharing capability as a means of including participants from regional offices in our classroom sessions, and we have them take control of the instructor's machine for hands-on experience as appropriate. We are exploring the possibility of recording some sessions in the future, with an eye to posting them in SharePoint and marketing them by e-mail. We have offered some e-learning options using SnagIt and Captivate recordings, and we're planning to create additional training options with Captivate. We also encourage independent study using classroom materials, followed by a conference with the instructor to respond to any questions and to discuss ways to apply the learning from the class. traCkIng All attendees are required to sign in at each session. Class participation is tracked in Deinard University using our LMS. For associates, attendee tracking reports are included in annual reviews. motIvatIng Learners to partICIpate With respect to specific training incentives or perks, in the technology arena our legal secretaries and legal services specialists are expected to complete 10 hours of technology learning per year — our version of CLE requirements for our support staff — and this requirement affects their reviews. All legal secretaries and legal services specialists are required to complete a Basic Learning Plan, and each receives a gift certificate on completion. Those who go on to complete Intermediate and

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