Experiential Learning to Manage Complexity ly Experiential Learning to Manage Complexity   Clark Callahan - Tuck School of Business Joseph Pistrui, Ph.D. - IE Business School Chantal Delys - McCombs School of Business

Trends in the Custom Market There is increasing complexity in our business… Clients are smarter and expectations are higher Increasingly competing against consulting firms Blend of “hard” and “soft,” with a focus on soft

Four Trends in Experiential Learning Action learning / Company projects Virtual/OTJ learning Personal leadership transformation Focus on customer

1. Action Learning / Company Projects Example: Toy, game and media company Example: Company Projects: Fast-growing high tech company & Global electronics company

Elements of Action Learning Design Topics selected and sponsored by senior management team Action-learning sessions in conjunction with live program focused on strategy and leadership Highly visible to senior management team Each team has an internal coach to help with problem-solving and team dynamics; Tuck trains coaches Global teams comprised of members from North America, Europe and Asia Strong senior management support and involvement Several million dollars of consulting value realized…

Action Learning Continuum Senior management selects/defines Work teams ‘Experts’ assigned Large budget allocated Team outputs are results/end-product focused (e.g., consulting report with recommendations) Team may be responsible for implementation Team selects/defines Learning teams ‘Novices’ assigned Little or no budget allocated Team outputs are learning focused (e.g., report-out on team process, individual learnings, etc.) Little expectation that team will implement Successful projects often mix components, e.g. senior management defined projects + ‘novice’ learning teams

2. Virtual/OTJ Learning Virtual segment as a prep for classroom teaching

The Learning System IN THE CLASSROOM THROUGH COACHING ON-THE-JOB actions outcomes IN THE CLASSROOM Research has shown that executives learn in different settings: traditional class-room, coaching and on-the-job learning. Therefore, an effective learning design must integrate multiple methodologies to ensure its impact on delegates’ behavior at their work place and thereby maximize the contribution to the corporation’s success in the market place.

CONTENT DESIGN EXPERIENCE Learning Framework CONTENT DESIGN EXPERIENCE CONENT: Educator Network: collaboration with Luis Solis? ALA? Ludic? IP Development: Amadeus? MPOV: Digital Convergence? Non-Market Strategy? others? DESIGN Design Collaboration xxx Innovative Methods Next Practice Learning

LEARNING METHODS VIRTUAL LEARNING AND WEB 2.0 Range of Learning Methodology Case studies Simulations & role plays Experiential exercises Action learning Expert speaker Company visits Psychometrics Virtual campus E-modules Synchronous & asynchronous group work Web & video conferencing Pod casting Games Incorporating a variety of learning methodologies increases delegates’ engagement, fosters information sharing, and facilitates application of concepts to delegates’ daily work. LEARNING METHODS VIRTUAL LEARNING AND WEB 2.0 11

Virtual Viewpoint©

Virtual Segment Preceding Class Readings, cases and assignments directly related to the participants’ work & workplace Creates a more homogenous class: common vocabulary and base knowledge Completed at workplace and (possibly) during work time Highly organized so that participants get engaged: assignments, timeline, regular teleconf times, etc. Helps create a sense of learning community

3. Personal Leadership Transformation Crewing Exercise

Crewing Take-aways are not what participants expected Memorable – builds culture Team activity: bonding & trust Debrief is very important

4. Focus on Customer Increasingly a client requirement: “Where is the customer in this experience”? How do we respond? Include clients in assessments (e.g., 360s)? Bring a client into a program?

Experiential Learning: Benefits & Challenges Very engaging High impact and transformational More unpredictable, less controlled Customized Solutions High value-add