Learning organizations: case study Michael Marquardt, Author of Building the Learning Organization

00:02:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgrRzQltqE0

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the concept of learning organizations, highlighting a few exemplary companies, including Whirlpool, FedEx, Sony Music, and Microsoft. These organizations have incorporated elements of a learning organization model, which consists of various subsystems that foster continuous learning and improvement. Whirlpool is noted for its commitment to learning at all levels of the organization, valuing internal learning and insights gained from customers and products. FedEx, from its inception in the 1970s, has prioritized continual learning, integrating technology to manage knowledge, customer service, and employee development effectively. Sony Music emphasizes action learning, involving their senior employees in programs designed to enhance leadership skills. Microsoft also uses action learning globally to address significant challenges and develop its leaders. These organizations illustrate the importance of a learning-oriented culture in driving success and maintaining competitiveness in dynamic markets.

Takeaways

  • 🏒 Whirlpool values learning across all levels, aligning with organizational values.
  • πŸ“ˆ Continuous improvement is crucial for competitiveness.
  • πŸ“š Leaders must commit to learning to foster a learning culture.
  • πŸ› οΈ FedEx uses technology to enhance learning and process efficiency.
  • 🎡 Sony Music develops leaders through action learning.
  • πŸ’‘ Action learning involves solving actual problems for development.
  • 🌎 Microsoft applies learning techniques globally for major challenges.
  • πŸ” Learning organizations learn from customers and internal processes.
  • πŸ”„ Continuous adaptation is essential in dynamic markets.
  • πŸ“Š Knowledge management is key in learning organizations.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:02:48

    The document discusses organizations that demonstrate the concept of a learning organization effectively. It mentions that a few companies apply elements of this model by incorporating five subsystems, contributing to their success. Whirlpool is highlighted for its holistic approach to learning, focusing on both internal education and learning from customers to drive continuous improvement. Federal Express is also cited as a learning organization since the 1970s, emphasizing the use of technology and fostering an environment where continuous learning and advancement are expected. Sony Music encourages its senior employees to engage in action learning, evolving into leaders who understand the significance of learning. Microsoft successfully applies action learning to solve major challenges and develop its leaders while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is a learning organization?

    A learning organization continuously learns and improves through a commitment at all levels, incorporating the organization's vision and values.

  • Which companies serve as examples of learning organizations?

    Whirlpool, FedEx, Sony Music, and Microsoft are mentioned as good examples of learning organizations.

  • What makes Whirlpool a learning organization?

    Whirlpool emphasizes the importance of learning across all departments, aligns with its values and vision, involves leaders in learning, and learns from customers and products.

  • How does Microsoft apply learning organization principles?

    Microsoft uses action learning to solve major problems and develop leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

  • Why is continuous learning important in organizations?

    Continuous learning allows organizations to adapt and remain competitive, especially in challenging markets.

  • What is action learning?

    Action learning involves solving real problems in teams, leading to learning and improvements in leadership and decision-making skills.

  • How does FedEx embody a learning organization?

    FedEx integrates learning with technology in areas like knowledge and customer service management, promoting continuous improvement and upward mobility in the company.

  • What role does technology play in learning organizations?

    Technology supports knowledge management and facilitates continuous learning and process improvements.

  • How does Sony Music engage in learning organization practices?

    Sony Music involves senior employees in action learning to develop new leadership skills and emphasize learning.

  • Why is it essential for leaders in learning organizations to continue learning?

    Leaders who continue learning set an example, driving change and fostering a culture of learning throughout the organization.

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  • 00:00:04
    so is there a
  • 00:00:06
    particular case study that you think
  • 00:00:08
    sort of demonstrates this
  • 00:00:10
    concept for people well i think there's
  • 00:00:13
    a small number of organizations that
  • 00:00:15
    have
  • 00:00:17
    applied elements of the model of the
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    learning organization my motto is taking
  • 00:00:21
    the best of many organizations so
  • 00:00:24
    there are a few organizations that
  • 00:00:26
    incorporate all of the
  • 00:00:28
    five subsystems and to the extent that
  • 00:00:30
    they incorporate as many as they do
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    in parts of them that makes them more
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    successful
  • 00:00:35
    but in the book i identified several
  • 00:00:37
    that i think
  • 00:00:38
    uh demonstrated many of the
  • 00:00:41
    characteristics of a learning
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    organization
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    one would be whirlpool which has been a
  • 00:00:48
    very successful organization for the
  • 00:00:49
    past 30 or
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    40 years but they make an effort that
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    learning's critical for every part of
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    their
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    organization everyone's expected to
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    learn
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    the values and visions of their
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    organization is committed to learning
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    and not only learning internally but
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    they continuously learn from their
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    customers
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    and their products their leaders are
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    committed to
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    continuously learning and helping the
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    people around them to learn
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    um they have a good knowledge management
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    system they use technology well
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    so they have strategies to continuously
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    improve
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    and generally the more competitive the
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    marketplace you are in the more you have
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    to learn
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    to survive uh federal express has been a
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    a great learning organizations from its
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    very you know
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    beginnings in the 1970s where they
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    recognized that they
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    continuously had to learn they use
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    technology in everything they do in
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    terms of
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    managing their knowledge managing their
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    customer service
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    uh managing their learning uh
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    recognizing it when people come to the
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    organization there's an expectation that
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    they continuously
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    learn and improve and that anyone can
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    move up the organization as they
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    increase their knowledge
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    so an organization which i've done a lot
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    of action learning with
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    is sony music where they have all of
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    their senior employees
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    get involved in action learning with the
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    expectation the results that they
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    move back into their organization being
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    different kinds of leaders
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    who recognize the importance of learning
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    microsoft has had
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    very successful worldwide uh
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    application of action learning for their
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    major
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    problems developing their leaders uh
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    changing their culture so that they uh
  • 00:02:34
    you know continuously improve every time
  • 00:02:36
    they interact
Tags
  • learning organizations
  • Whirlpool
  • FedEx
  • Sony Music
  • Microsoft
  • action learning
  • leadership
  • continuous improvement
  • technology
  • knowledge management