Training and qualification: Online leadership training in crisis

Abstract

In 2009 a multinational automotive company implemented cost-saving rules to face the worldwide crisis. These rules included a severe reduction of travel expenditures. Until then, leadership training used to bring internationally mixed groups of leaders together for a traditional, 3–5 day leadership seminar. In order to be able to further offer learning and development, the traditional seminars were transformed into pure virtual seminars that would take place in phone conferences. A 3-day face-to-face seminar would transform into a 12-week development process. The experiment using simple, accessible, and cheap technology turned to be such a success that even though these cost restrictions are over, virtual and blended leadership trainings have become an integral part of the company’s training portfolio.