Industry: Government
Organization Size: 342,000 active duty personnel

The Challenge

• Move from classroom to online training to maximize cost-efficiency
• Effectively deliver learning to a workforce stationed around the world

The Objectives

• Equip sailors to be highly successful leaders in both current and post-Naval careers
• Reduce training costs
• Increase use of advanced technology

The Results

To help solve their challenges, the Navy turned to Ninth House and their Situational Learning II course – a best-in-class online curriculum authored by Ken Blanchard that teaches managers the right leadership skills they need to help them develop subordinates’ competence, commitment and productivity.

"…Incorporating technology-based programs like Ninth House has not only allowed sailors to control the direction of their Naval career and to obtain valuable business and management skills for civilian life, but requires less time away from home and commands" - Admiral Vernon Clark, Retired Chief of Naval Operations, White House Joint Chief of Staff

Since its implementation, the Navy has achieved 150,000 course completions of the Ninth House online program. Its phenomenal success is clearly outlined in a study by the Center for Naval Analysis Corporation (CNA) which evaluated the Navy’s partnership with Ninth House.

The results show that CPOs who completed the Ninth House program increased their knowledge and retention of leadership course material from 63 to 91% - a massive 44% improvement. And participants rated the curriculum to be extremely useful (3.96 on a 5-point scale).

Participants also demonstrated significant behavioral change in key leadership areas compared to CPOs who underwent traditional classroom instruction alone. These include leadership competencies that are not only essential in the Navy but equally valued in the private sector.

The CNA further determined the Ninth House online training courses cost 94% less than traditional classroom training and can be completed in one-tenth of the time. The Navy was able to eliminate three days of classroom training plus two travel days for the active duty and reserve CPOs participating in the course, saving them over $2.7M.

"…We found that sailors learn the material, transfer learning to the job, and that they improve in key leadership areas, demonstrating that the Navy can effectively deliver training and assessment programs to a diverse workforce across the world utilizing Ninth House." - Robert Hausmann, CNA Spokesperson