Green learning: An e-learning success saga in a large IT multinational

Learning is the key ingredient for organizational success. However, traditional classroom training may not be feasible in large companies with changing customer needs and learning patterns. E-learning is useful to target wide, geographically spread employees and also a good means of being eco-friendly. At Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., this realization led to the setting up of TCS Business Domain Academy which serves business domain learning needs of employees. E-learning is employed for a range of programs including certifications and customized programs. The Academy has several innovations which lends towards greater participant interactivity such as mentoring, feedback mechanisms, auto generation of certificates, and train the trainer programs. Academy has also effectively used other tools in conjunction with e-learning including, videoconferencing, audio conferencing and a meeting/desktop sharing system. The effort has been a resounding success with over 26,000 certified plus giving substantial green benefits. The Academy has been able to save a carbon footprint of 4,115.5 tons equivalent to 339,545 trees. This paper discusses how a business domain e-learning initiative in a technology firm led to a green success.