Chapter Summary
A number of success factors contribute in the design and launch of an
enterprise-wide learning initiative or a corporate university. By far,
the most critical success factor is the personal role of the CEO. A survey of
46 Building a Learning Organization
more than 100 corporate university deans by Corporate University
Xchange indicates one common theme-the CEOs at companies with
world-class corporate universities spend a considerable amount of time
cultivating and managing the culture and intellectual capital of their
organIZatIOns.
CEOs contribute to the success of their learning initiatives by:
1. Functioning as Chief Education Officer-cultivating and developing
leaders throughout the organization.
2. Crystallizing the learning philosophy of the organization.
3. Identifying learning goals for all employees.
4. Enlisting the support of senior business managers.
5. Publicly acknowledging the importance of life-long learning.
6. Encouraging experimenting with new forms of learning.