The focus on linking performance management more closely with learning activities continues to intensify.  As organizations strive to support and develop talent, improve retention rates and develop highly effective hiring practices, learning becomes key.  As a result, the benefits of solutions that can integrate learning and performance management are frequently highlighted. 

Technology vendors are offering solutions to help link the two processes more effectively.  Earlier this summer, SuccessFactors announced an alliance with GeoLearning to co-market SuccessFactors´ Performance and Talent Management solution as an integrated component of its Software-as-a-Service learning management suite. On Tuesday, Plateau announced Plateau Performance Business Edition.  This solution offers 100 pre-loading learning courses embedded directly inside performance plans, making the linkage between performance and learning and development more immediate and apparent.  The pre-loaded courses are selected from a menu of popular courses and they are all mapped to competencies and behavioral indicators in the system, with no additional costs over and above the cost of the performance management system.

Also in the news, SumTotal will be hosting TotalConnection 2006 Users Conference, Sept. 25-27 at the Fairmont San Jose Hotel, California.  This conference will explore the future of learning and speakers will include:  Dr. James Canton, global futurist, social scientist, author and business advisor, along with many workplace performance and training experts from a variety of industries.  For more information:http://www.sumtotalsystems.com/totalconnection