Offers suggestions for fostering an idea-friendly culture: (1) allow employees to fail, (2) let them ask silly questions; (3) let them see their own kind of stimulus; (4) make awareness of creativity a top priority; (5) gain top management's support; (6) let people express opinions; and (7) encourage cross-fertilization of ideas. (JOW)

Capturing and leveraging knowledge is an important new management trend that is as yet undefined. Some companies are accounting for their intellectual capital and applying it to the company balance sheets. (JOW)

The concepts underlying learning organizations are valuable. But to succeed in a highly competitive global marketplace, companies need to change quickly; employees must be able to assimilate new knowledge and skills. Companies must become teaching organizations. (Author/JOW)

Employers must ensure that all employees can interact comfortably and productively with people who have disabilities. Trainers can use experiential exercises to break down fears and prejudices that nondisabled workers might have toward those with disabilities. (Author/JOW)

Developing sexual harassment training involves these steps: survey employees, establish policy and reporting procedures, get management commitment, and use programs both to educate about the issues and eliminate unacceptable behavior. (SK)

Studies show that emotional intelligence underpins many of the best decisions, most dynamic organizations, and most satisfying and successful lives. Attention to emotions has been shown to save time, expand opportunities, and focus energy for better results. (JOW)

Presents an account of how one company went completely virtual--no office at all--and reaped the eventual rewards. Describes implementation processes, communication challenges, and customer reactions. (JOW)

In the "new" workplace, workers must nurture their own careers by allowing themselves to explore options, developing the desire to achieve goals, developing a professional identity outside of the current job, avoiding a victim mentality, committing to continuous lifelong learning, and realizing that they are entitled to any job or career for which…

The challenge at Pacific Gas & Electric was to train 27,000 employees to create an environment in which cultural diversity improves the company's competitive advantage. The solution was to train and certify 110 employees as diversity awareness trainers. (JOW)

Describes Working to Achieve Visions of Excellence (WAVE), the change process used at the Savings Bank of Utica to achieve optimum team management. (JOW)

This special report of the reorganization of work looks at approaches to organizational renewal that are challenging the notion of the hierarchy as the only form that works. Looks at models for organizing work presented by Gary Rummler, D. Quinn Mills, and Marvin Weisbord and a blueprint for creating common futures with large groups of people.…

Peter Senge explains how his book, "The Fifth Disciple," will change minds about systems thinking, personal growth, and work. He talks about what led him to write the book and what it takes to become a learning organization. (JOW)

Identifies major trends that are affecting the field of workforce learning and performance improvement: the effort given to managing knowledge, the integration of learning and communication, a resurgence of interest in leadership development and executive coaching, and the requirement by employees that career development become an integral part of…

Technology is a key element in the U.S. economy because more nontechnical workers are using it, not because there is a need for more technical workers. Workers in the United States are highly educated and employers will have to do and spend more to maintain their training commitment. (JOW)