Kyphon, Inc,
located in Sunny vale, California, is a rela- tively new company that sells its own patented devices for correcting painful spinal conditions. Employee training a variety of skills, including operations and accounting, as well as the specialized medical knowledge necessary to sell its products, is critical for the company to grow Triage Consulting Group, a new company located in San Francisco that helps hospitals identify and recover outstanding medical insurance payments, faces a similar challenge for hiring and training new employ Both companies are very successful and have unique. specialized products that new employees don't walk in the door with knowledge and expertise about. As such, hiring and training are critical to both companies' continued success and growth; however, the two companies address hiring and training much differently.
At Kyphon there is a broad, flexible approach to employee development: almost any type of learning is considered valuable. Employees are encouraged to pursue knowledge in any format that suits them, inside or out, formal or informal. The company spends over $4,000 per year per employee on training, and support for learning extends to employees' families. Employees are responsible for seeking out opportunities for learning. and the company helps the employee find leaming opportunities. This approach to training and the company's opportunities for quick advancement are important recruiting and retention tools, which are critical at Kyphon. Loyalty and long-term employee commitment are important goals at Kyphon because their product is so specialized requiring both medical and technical knowledge to sell.