Learning Organizations: Start the Engines… ALED 342 ALEC 609 Dr. Chris Townsend Texas A&M University

??Now what?? Location of numerous class activities

Introductions Form small groups of 6-7 Tell each other 1 thing that existed in your life that is now GONE or SOON TO BE GONE Decide on the most interesting and be prepared to tell the class

What in the World… is a Learning Organization? You enrolled for an education… BUT Does Texas A&M do anything that frustrates you as you proceed toward graduation ????????????????? Ever wonder why things don’t change ??

What in the World… is a Learning Organization? Who has ridden trains in Europe? What is the difference between rail travel in Europe and in the U.S.? What would have to change for you to travel by train in the U.S.? The U.S. railroad industry is NOT a Learning Organization Consider: the U. S. railroad industry

Traditional Organizations Stable environment Vertical structure Strategy formed at top Centralized decision making Defined and specialized tasks Rigid culture not responsive to change Communication tied to hierarchy (lots of filters)

What in the World… is a Learning Organization? Consider Wal-Mart Sam Walton looked at competitors Did not repeat their mistakes “the key is to get out into stores…our best ideas come from clerks and stock persons” Wal-Mart is considered a Learning Organization

Learning Organizations Changing environment Flat horizontal structure Strategy is collaborative effort Decentralized decision making Adaptive roles Adaptive culture: continuous improvement Communication networks; no filters

Think…. Write the name of a traditional organization Write the name of a learning organization Discuss in group and report best examples

Primary Points: 1. New Definition of Learning: Organizational learning is learning from experiences

Primary Points: 2. Competition benefits How well an organization learns = how well it competes Examples ???

Primary Points: 3. Organizational learning ensures the existence of whole industries Examples ???

Primary Points: 4. Many start-up companies spawned by learning that cannot be implemented Examples ???

Learning Orgs. Summary 1. Encourage ___________ thinking. 2. Experimentation is ______________. 3. Provide incentives for ____________. 4. Build ________ for followers to ______. 5. Create _______ learning. 6. Allow people to _________ from their mistakes.

Learning Orgs. Summary 1. Encourage _CREATIVE_ thinking. 2. Experimentation is _ENCOURAGED_. 3. Provide incentives for __INNOVATION__. 4. Build _CONFIDENCE_ for followers to _ADAPT_. 5. Create _TEAM_ learning. 6. Allow people to _LEARN_ from their mistakes.