Supporting a Metamorphosis Through Communities of Practice

A nine-month challenge: Transform the Document Company Xerox business model to gain an intimate knowledge of how to best provide a competitive advantage to its customers. In support of its knowledge-sharing thrust, Xerox converted its go-to-market strategy from a manufacturer sales to a consultative approach. To make this transition, Xerox named its first chief learning officer to lead the metamorphosis of culture, knowledge, and skills, and to drive industry-and-solutions education as a strategic initiative. The organization espouses that learning and work are inseparable, and that learning, whether formal or informal, often happens best in a social setting (that is, with colleagues). The chief learning officer created the team's name Learning Net.Work to emphasize that learning takes place in work, is social (network), and is relevant to the systems marketplace. The name also accents the importance of work and learning together. [Download PDF]