PPG earns `e-learning success award' for fast, efficient global training efforts

PPG was among three U.S. corporations, three government and four educational institutions to be recognized in the program.

PPG received the award here during the e-Learning Exposition and Conference at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center in the "corporate quick training" category for its global "QualityQuest" training initiatives. Entries in the 2-year-old e-Learning Success Award program were evaluated by a panel of judges composed of Fortune 100, government and higher education professionals.

More than 2,000 managers across PPG's operations in 120 countries last year received 24 hours of in-depth training on how to better align goals and use the company's "Quality Process" to make sustained improvements in their business units and staff functions.

PPG's award-winning e-learning efforts came in response to a global management needs-assessment, according to Christine Camsuzou, PPG's director of corporate quality.

"Our e-learning efforts were strategically focused on quickly delivering crucial training worldwide," she said. "It augmented face-to-face classroom instruction and, in some cases, provided training in some areas that we otherwise would not have been able to physically reach."

QualityQuest training enabled PPG to provide fast, clear, concise communications across its business units. The online initiative resulted in a savings of nearly $3.5 million last year in delivery of global training, reduced training-development time by about two-thirds and netted praise from all corners of PPG's worldwide operations, Camsuzou said. More important, it also resulted in tighter alignment of business plans and strategic goals.

"QualityQuest training put a sharp focus on alignment of goals at all levels and greatly improved the communications and corresponding linkage of our business planning," said Richard Zahren, vice president of PPG's automotive coatings business unit. "Thanks to the e-learning initiative, we have better operating plans with less churn." The training also contributed to the success of the company's global packaging coatings unit -- which includes three newly acquired companies each with its own brand of training -- by providing a strong focal point and consistent message on alignment of goals and quality processes, according to David Hughes, human resources director for PPG's packaging coatings business unit.

"QualityQuest is a timely, cost-effective forum for delivery of concepts that are crucial to our packaging coatings units' success," Hughes said. "We are now able to easily communicate the role of the individual employee in attaining local, regional and global goals.

"For the first time, our employees are able to understand how they fit into the broader picture and see clearly how their efforts help to drive our business success. QualityQuest enables us to speak the same language about quality."

Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global manufacturer of coatings, glass, fiber glass and chemicals, with 120 manufacturing locations and equity affiliates in 24 countries. Sales in 2001 were $8.2 billion.