Allen Interactions, an internationally acclaimed custom learning design, development and strategic consulting firm, won a coveted Brandon Hall silver award for excellence in the Best Custom Content category.

ABOUT THE WINNING e-LEARNING COURSE

The award-winning “APEX-Optics Bronze Certification” custom e-learning course, developed for Essilor of America (Essilor), leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of optical lenses in the United States, was created as part of a groundbreaking change initiative in the ophthalmic industry – to build lab employee productivity. Several levels of certification were developed in these blended learning solutions, with the Bronze Certification being an introductory level course to familiarize new and existing lab employees with the fundamentals of lab operational processes and optical knowledge.

“Our collaborative partnership with Essilor, along with their strong focus on performance change for their labs, was truly the difference for this e-learning and overall certification initiative being such an impactful success,” stated Paul Howe, strategic relationship manager for Allen Interactions. “Essilor and we are honored to receive this prestigious Brandon Hall Award, which is true recognition of our commitment to learning and change” stated Michael W. Allen, PhD, founder and CEO of Allen Interactions.

IMPACTFUL RESULTS

Since the roll-out of this training initiative, Essilor labs have seen approximately:
12% decrease in breakage
11% decrease in lab error re-dos
5% increase in productivity
4% decrease in turn time

Additionally, at the end of this year, Essilor anticipates launching APEX-Optics in 29 labs, representing almost 80% of the lab employee population. As of August 2009, over 1600 employees have achieved Bronze Certification. This represents approximately 13,000 training hours since December 2007.

Perhaps equally as important are some of the “softer” impacts of this certification:

• Cultural Change: In the labs that have received 100% Bronze Certification, Essilor has seen a significant positive shift in the way people feel about their jobs, the lab and our customers.
• Flexibility: The curriculum provides a simple way to cross-train employees creating more flexibility in staffing and a built-in way to continuously develop employees.
• Continuous Improvement: The ophthalmic industry, like all industries, is experiencing massive change. APEX-Optics is being deployed in new ways to support and expedite other business initiatives.
• Leadership Development: The program reinforces the role of Lab Supervisors and Managers in the ongoing development of employees.
• ABOUT THE BRANDON HALL AWARDS
The Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards are presented annually by Brandon Hall Research, one of the leading research firms in training and development. Now in its fifteenth year, the Awards program showcases exceptional work in the use of learning technology.

 

“The quality of these winning entries is outstanding,” said Brandon Hall, Ph.D., chairman of the Awards program. “These winners are breaking new ground and setting new standards for innovative learning.” Entries were submitted in the categories of Best Custom Content, Best Innovation in Learning Technology, Best Learning Game, Best Learning Team, Best Results of a Learning Program, Best Use of Blended Learning, Best Use of Games for Learning, Best Use of Mobile Learning, Best Use of Video for Learning, Best Use of Virtual Worlds for Learning, Best Use of Web 2.0 Tools for Learning, and Best Integration of Learning and Talent Management. A total of 248 entries were originally submitted. The entries were evaluated by independent judges around the world.

ABOUT ALLEN INTERACTIONS
With more than fifteen years of experience, Allen Interactions has an unrivaled track record in delivering dynamic enterprise custom learning solutions that execute business change, drive and improve performance, accelerate speed to profit and improve people effectiveness.

ABOUT BRANDON HALL RESEARCH

Brandon Hall, Ph.D. is the CEO of Brandon Hall Research and author of the ground-breaking “Web-Based Training Cookbook.” Since 1992, Brandon Hall Research has been providing independent research reports and expert advice on using technology in learning. Brandon Hall Research conducts the Awards program each year to recognize the best in innovative learning.