Clemson MBA program develops innovative training program for Heritage Healthcare

CLEMSON, SC – August 22, 2011 – The Clemson University MBA program has developed an innovative online staff training program for Heritage Healthcare in Greenville.

Heritage Healthcare, an independently owned company, provides rehabilitation therapy services to long-term care, assisted-living and continuing-care retirement communities throughout the United States. When manager feedback indicated that training in leadership and employee-retention skills was needed, Heritage set out to provide tools to develop its management staff and enhance job satisfaction. But with staff members spread over 11 states, the logistics of the training became an issue.

The company approached Clemson’s MBA program to aid in developing a solution. Gail DePriest, director of corporate relations and management development for the MBA program, worked with Heritage to create a customized training course to address the company’s needs. The course is hosted online using a unique platform that allows the managers to interact with one another and with the instructors as if they are in a real-world classroom without the need to travel to one location.

DePriest and Clemson University have an extensive background in individualized corporate training, having worked with such companies as BMW and Michelin.

“The course modules were created in conjunction with Harvard University and are designed to improve leadership and coaching skills,” DePriest said. “We focus on improving employee retention by addressing key areas such as goal-setting, effective leadership and motivation, coaching, strategic thinking, customer focus, financial essentials and team management.”

“What makes our approach different and effective is that students are given field assignments in which they practice applying their new knowledge immediately in the workplace, and then they come back to the classroom’s online discussion area to share success stories and learn from each other, Clemson instructor Kathy Kegley said. We collect and analyze these success stories for best practices and sometimes surprising insights. We call these discussion areas ‘The Wisdom in the Room’ to recognize the valuable contributions the students are making to the learning experience.”

Students in the first cohort already are applying their new knowledge in the workplace. One of the course tools is a retention self-assessment survey, which highlights team strengths and areas for improvement.

“The completion of the self-assessment had several components, said Heritage employee Nekita Sullivan. I really liked the component about microculture. I found that this is extremely important to my team. They are a close-knit group who like a casual, fun, open environment. Microculture is very important to them.”

Another tool utilized in the training is the stay interview.

Heritage Vice President of Clinical Services Leigh Ann Frick said, “Utilizing the stay interview has given me a chance to have some great dialogue with a colleague. It is nice to hear someone who is passionate about what they do and motivated by the right things. Unfortunately, we are sometimes too busy to spend the time to listen and understand what people are looking for from their jobs and their supervisors. The stay interview is essential to keeping on top of what’s working and what’s not working, and I plan to better utilize this tool on a consistent basis.”

For more information, go to www.heritage-healthcare.com or www.cuatthefalls.com