Training Today: Products and Services (Mar/Apr 2013)

The latest products and services launching in the training industry.

>> Led by CEO Bonnie Hagemann, Executive Development Associates launched Online Reference Check. The simple automated system provides objective, comprehensive feedback for employees, contractors, tenants, and more in three to five minutes.

>> Porter and Chester Institute launched Career EDGE, an online career training tool that provides students with guidance in securing a job after completing their selected training programs. Career EDGE offers interactive resume building, interviewing tips, career search programs, and a video library of advice and information.

>> Canada-based HR expert Mmaphuti Tsolo unveiled a new employee eCard appreciation service. uMatter Cards Inc. provides an online bank of appreciation-centric eCards that employers can send employees to help them feel recognized, appreciated, and important. The cards are designed to be created and sent in less than one minute. The Website’s online bank of cards contains more than 480 designs with messages ranging from notices of effort and constructive criticism to applauding promotion and welcoming new hires.

>>IBM announced several new software and cloud-based services to advance the transformation of organizations into social businesses. The IBM Employee Experience Suite is a Web-based social networking environment that integrates IBM’s enterprise social networking platform with Kenexa’s recruiting, onboarding, learning, and performance management solutions. IBM Connections 4.5 enables users to access and analyze big data from inside and outside the organization, including Facebook, Twitter, audio, and video. IBM Notes and Domino 9 is a social e-mail client that delivers a social experience to users.

Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.