ARUNDEL, United Kingdom, June 25, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- BT Conferencing, part of BT Group plc, has gone live with an online staff induction programme with elearning solutions provider, Futuremedia Plc (Nasdaq:FMDAY). This will allow the global company to streamline staff induction while enhancing the overall experience for new employees.
BT Conferencing identified the need to introduce an enhanced staff induction programme by taking advantage of online and conference call technology, and complementing its facetoface programme. The aim of the new eenabled programme is for all new recruits to complete the induction in under two weeks, motivated with a clear understanding of their job role, and the structure of the business.
The new induction is an online modularbased programme, delivered over the BT Conferencing intranet. It has been specially created to be interactive and task orientated, with participants being posed small challenges and tasks at regular, critical stages. New employees learn about the company and BT Conferencing's structure within the BT Group. Subjects like regulatory information, rewards and recognition programmes and the BT philosophy are included.
Angela Paton, BT Conferencing's College Manager, commented: "Like all businesses, there's a need to streamline processes and to make them more efficient. We're using elearning to induct new employees, saving time in addition to being more consistent in our induction techniques.
"So far, we've had very good feedback from staff. The online induction ensures that new employees are given tasks to discover information from more established members of staff. This fits in with our open culture, and gives new staff a good opportunity to interact with others. We also like to show employees from the start that customer satisfaction is at the top of our agenda."
Mats Johansson, CEO of Futuremedia, commented: "A real challenge that is emerging across all industries is that of attracting, training and retaining talent the induction process plays a critical role with this. BT Conferencing has adopted an innovative approach to engaging their new people, and making them productive as quickly as possible."
"Today, there is clear evidence that demonstrates the direct relationship between employee retention and Employment Branding which is effectively underpinned by learning opportunities within the organisation," he added.
About Futuremedia
Futuremedia PLC (Nasdaq:FMDAY) is a leading provider of integrated elearning solutions to corporates and ebusiness. Futuremedia has a proven track record of implementing innovative and effective elearning solutions for major bluechip clients including British Telecom, Ford Motor Company, Glaxo Pharmaceuticals, 3M, HewlettPackard, Unilever and Ericsson. Futuremedia has recently launched easycando TM, a powerful elearning service that provides businesses with easy access to elearning content, infrastructure and services through fully hosted and branded solutions. Easycando builds on proven technology including Solstra 2000, a proven Learning Management System (LMS), codeveloped with British Telecommunications PLC, that enables organisations to deliver, track and manage multiple forms of training from one central system. All product names and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of Futuremedia or their respective owners.
Futuremedia can be found on the web at www.futuremedia.co.uk easycando can be found on the web at www.easycando.com
This press release contains forwardlooking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Such forwardlooking statements include, without limitation, discussions concerning the Company's strategic direction and new product introductions and developments. Readers are cautioned that such forwardlooking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forwardlooking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the early stage of the Internet and intranet learning and communications market, the management of growth, the ability of the Company to develop and successfully market new products, rapid technological change and competition, as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forwardlooking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. All product names and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of Futuremedia or their respective owners.
CONTACT:
Futuremedia press information: Kay Phelps, The PR Department, 44 1932 761889; kay.phelps@btinternet.com Futuremedia investor relations: Mats Johansson, Futuremedia Plc, 44 1243 555000