Project implementation focus for Emerald Academy Set 2

27th April 2007

The graduation ceremony for Emerald Academy Set 2 took place at the Victoria Hotel, Bradford, West Yorkshire, in the UK. Preceded by presentations from the action learning teams, the graduation ceremony marked the culmination of many months of action learning projects within the world-leading management publisher.

Dr David Weir (President of the Emerald Academy) and Dr Keith Howard (Academy Dean) presided over the ceremony

Martine Jagger and Mike Massey present their project developing the Healthcare In-Touch network.

Martyn Lawrence, Emily Hall and Nicola Masson present their project on the cultural implications of the company’s forthcoming relocation. Team member Claire Jones is missing from the picture.

Valerie Robillard, Lizzie Scott, Jim Bowden and Anna Torrance explain their analysis of the corporate training market.

A feature of the corporate academy within Emerald Publishing Group is a focus on work-based action learning projects explored by quartets or trios of managers on a cross-functional basis. Periodically, the Academy Board requires implementation reports from the teams.

The first Academy program included projects on:

• Creation for the JADE support centre (for manuscript control);
• Improving motivation and engagement of Emerald staff;
• Disability in the workplace (earning the Two Tics award); and
• Developing the corporate blogging policy.

Following the group presentations and presentation of certificates lunch was served. The audience consisted of Emerald’s senior managers and directors, including Martin Fojt (Chairman) and John Peters (CEO).

Eric Sandelands of Corporate Learning Consultants facilitated the Emerald Academy certificate program.