CORE VALUES ESSAY: Verizon
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Paul Scott
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HRA-340 Organizational Training & Development
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August 30, 2014
Saint Leo University

ABSTRACT
This core values essay is about how Verizon’s integrity and ethics play a role on its training program. Verizon is a Dow 30 company with a workforce of over 180,000 diverse employees worldwide. Customer satisfaction is what Verizon depends on for it success. Verizon believes in providing quality, reliable, and innovative products to its customers along with outstanding customer service to ensure their customers are satisfied. I will be addressing the following five questions in this essay to further inform you about how Verizon’s integrity and ethics play a role on its training program. How does the training function support organizational strategy at Verizon? How does training provide a competitive advantage to Verizon? What role do ethics and integrity play in training Verizon? What does Verizon do differently that makes it one of the top 12 training companies in the U.S.? What do you think Verizon could do to improve its training function further? I will begin with how does the training function support the organizational strategy at Verizon.

How does the training function support organizational strategy at Verizon?
Verizon training function supports its organizational strategy by providing employees with the learning and development needed to maintain pace with fast changing technology and produce a great product to their customers every day. Their commitment to employee learning and development supports two organizational strategies, concentration strategy and internal growth strategy. Verizon supports concentration strategy by its increased market share, its niche that is maintained along with the development of the current workforce. From its training and development Verizon also supports internal growth producing highly qualified employees cultural or diverse training, and technical competence in employees. In 2013 Verizon provided 8 million hours of training to its employees. Their dedication to training has made Verizon a top company globally as demonstrated from receiving the Training magazine top ranking for two consecutive years and ranked in the top 125 for 12 consecutive years. A product of their long maintained excellence Verizon was inducted into Hall of Fame, for being ranked in the top 10 for four successive years.
How does training provide a competitive advantage to Verizon?
Verizon training provides a competitive advantage by ensuring all employees are well trained where learning and development of its own technology can only provide better support to their customers. Verizon’s ability to put customers first every day and providing subject matters experts to these customers gives them a competitive advantage over its competitors. As a result of this Verizon has held the number 1 ranking in Training magazine the last two years and is looked upon as a great company not just by the industry but from its customers. Me personally I have had Verizon for the past 10 years and I am a satisfied customer.
What role do ethics and integrity play in training at Verizon?
Part of Verizon’s Credo states “We believe integrity is at the core of who we are.” Verizon displays these ideals through an all-inclusive ethics and compliance program that is founded from its Code of Conduct, ongoing educational communications and mandatory training. Verizon has an impressive ethics and compliance that certifies employees are aware of what is ethical and unethical business or behavior. Integrity means adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. The way I was taught in the military of the meaning of integrity was doing what’s right even when no one is looking. The comprehensive skills that are instilled in each employee on ethics and integrity strengthens the training program at Verizon because excellence is expected from each employee. As one of the top training companies in the world their training program is a great success as it shows daily with its customers.
What does Verizon do differently that makes it one of the top 12 training companies in the U.S.?
Verizon mission statement alone sets itself apart from some of its competitors and is why it is one of the top 12 companies in the U.S. Its mission statement is “To use our technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management.” For using its technology Verizon is able to answer some of the most difficult social challenges we have today. Three of their strategies that sets them apart from their competitors are: * Demonstrate the value of our innovative products to improve education, healthcare and energy efficiency; * Minimize our environmental impact and focus on fundamentally responsible business practices; and * Set goals, track progress and report on performance.
Sharing their success with others allows Verizon to enhance their brand and reputation which allows them to enter and operate new markets quite freely.
What do you think Verizon could do to improve its training function further?
As of right now Verizon has an excellent training function that as I read covers all the necessary components to achieve the accolades that the company has. As a member of the United States Air Force, training is something that we live and die for and with that said I tend to look at training with a fine tooth and comb. Verizon has a phenomenal training function that is molded by the change and innovation of today.
In conclusion, I addressed how Verizon’s ethics and integrity played a role in its training program. Five questions were answered giving support to how Verizon training program set them apart and why they were one of the top 12 companies in the U.S. Verizon is a very innovative company that has an excellent training program. I am a customer of Verizon and one day when I transition from the military I can see myself being a part of their team.

Works Cited

Noe, R. A. (2013). Employee and Develoment. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing. (2014, August 30). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/ingetrity

Verizon. (2014, August 30). Retrieved from Verizon.com: http://about.verizon.com/