Training Top 10 Hall of Fame

KPMG LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are the newest inductees into the Training Top 10 Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of the nine companies named to the hall since its inception in 2008 (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals subsequently was acquired by Pfizer Inc. in 2009). These nine companies held Top 10 spots in the Training Top 50, Top 100, and now Top 125 rankings for four consecutive years. PwC and KPMG were formally inducted into the Top 10 Hall of Fame at this year’s Training Top 125 Gala, held February 7 during the Training 2011 Conference & Expo in San Diego. Members remain in the Top 10 Hall of Fame for no less than three years to a maximum of five years. They then may reapply for Top 125 awards consideration. KPMG LLP Audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. Member firms work together to serve a global clientele by delivering independent audits of financial statements and of financial reporting, helping clients understand and address the tax consequences of business decisions, and providing performance improvement services to help them understand the vital interplay of risks, controls, and business processes to drive sustainable business performance. The firm uses a blend of in-person national programs and award-winning learning technology to drive forward its business strategy and promote learning in three critical areas: Technical Knowledge: As new legislation and regulations reshape the business landscape, KPMG responds quickly with live and virtual programs that help professionals anticipate the effect of these changes on clients and translate technical knowledge into value. Courses regularly feature in-depth case studies and scenarios, including vibrant virtual client engagements for many new hires and an innovative Web-based series on International Financial Reporting Standards. Business Knowledge: KPMG training also helps partners and professionals build awareness of current economic trends, both those that affect specific client industries and those that affect all industries. Just as important, KPMG’s training programs focus on strategic thinking and critical judgment skills partners and professionals should use when faced with complex issues. Over the last several years, KPMG’s curriculum of Ethics training has achieved national recognition, and now is being taught in several universities across the U.S. Leadership Skills: KPMG training is designed to build future leaders. Staff training programs include a focus on developing communication, presentation, and other general business skills. Milestone programs such as New Manager Training prepare professionals to guide and develop their teams, and programs such as the Chairman’s 25 help partners prepare for leadership responsibilities ranging from leading large and complex client engagements to oversight of business units, market sectors, and service areas. Every year, KPMG partners and professionals use training on these interrelated topics to fulfill robust continuous learning requirements and develop knowledge and skills that can help them enhance the quality of their client service and achieve their individual career goals. PricewaterhouseCoopers After an unprecedented third year as the top training organization, PricewaterhouseCoopers continued doing what brought it success in the past: evaluating, refining, and innovating to meet the firm’s constantly changing learning needs. Last year PwC’s focus was on transforming its curriculum in light of a dynamic market environment. Today, it is advancing its thinking around the optimal mix of face-to-face and technology-based formal and informal learning solutions. PwC CLO Tom Evans constantly asks his team what he calls “big questions”: “How do we use our tools and resources to incite teaming and collaboration? How do we create more meaningful opportunities to learn and work together? How can we recognize and foster learning outside of the classroom? When do we need to come together to create powerful, impactful experiences, and how can we do it when coming together just isn’t practical?” Learner diagnostics, post-course assessments, and training impact studies help PwC’s development team understand opportunities for enhancement; one particular area of focus has been “blending” the flexibility and efficiency afforded by technology with opportunities to network, practice key skills, and satisfy social learning needs. “For us, blending goes way beyond attaching a self-study as pre- or post-event work,” says Evans. Connecting regional groups of learners via technology —something PwC calls its “hub-and-spokes” model—has become common practice at the firm. “As we’ve become more skilled with our tools, technology has shifted to the background,” Evans says, “and we’ve focused on building better, more engaging and immersive experiences that help our people deliver their very best work.” What’s next? “We’ll continue exploring new and better ways to connect our people, advance our culture and values, leverage knowledge, and join learning and work,” replies Evans. It’s a forward-looking answer we’ve come to expect from him and his team. Top 10 Hall of Fame BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON: No. 9 in 2007, No. 1 in 2006, No. 2 in 2005, No. 4 in 2004, No. 6 in 2003. Representative: Vicente Gonzalez, Learning and Development DELOITTE LLP: No. 6 in 2004 and 2005, No. 8 in 2003, No. 9 in 2002. Representative: Bill Pelster, National Director, Talent Development, Deloitte Services LP ERNST & YOUNG: No. 6 in 2007, No. 3 in 2006, No. 7 in 2005, No. 8 in 2004, No. 7 in 2003. Representative: Michael S. Hamilton, Chief Learning & Development Officer – Americas GENERAL MILLS, INC.: No. 7 in 2008 and 2009, No. 5 in 2007, No. 10 in 2006. Representative: Kevin D. Wilde, Vice President, Chief Learning Officer IBM: No. 2 in 2006, No. 1 in 2005, No. 1 in 2004, No. 2 in 2003. Representative: Ted Hoff, Vice President, Learning KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION: No. 9 in 2006, No. 5 in 2005, 2004, and 2003. Representative: Brent Bloom, Senior Director of Global Talent & Development KPMG LLP: No. 5 in 2010, No. 2 in 2009, No. 5 in 2008, No. 7 in 2007. Representative: Cyndi Bruce, Executive Director, Center for Learning and Development PFIZER INC.: No. 8 in 2006, No. 3 in 2005, No. 2 in 2004, No. 1 in 2003. Representative: Sheila Gwizdak, Senior Director, Global Learning and Development PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS: No. 1 in 2010, 2009, 2008; No. 2 in 2007. Representative: Tom Evans, Chief Learning Officer THE RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL COMPANY: No. 1 in 2007, No. 4 in 2006, No. 9 in 2005, No. 10 in 2004, No. 9 in 2003. Representative: Diana Oreck, Vice President, Global Learning & Leadership Center WYETH PHARMACEUTICALS: No. 5 in 2009, No. 3 in 2008, No. 8 in 2007, No. 7 in 2006. Acquired by Pfizer Inc. in 2009