Sky's new starters get up to speed with e‐learning : Continuous innovation is the key to success

Purpose – Describes an award‐winning induction program for new sales advisors at satellite‐broadcasting company Sky. Design/methodology/approach – Explains the reasons for the program, the form it takes and the results it has achieved. Findings – Reveals that the Get Up to Speed e‐learning program has: helped to ensure that new starters are knowledgeable about Sky's products and services; accelerated the time it takes for advisors to become fully competent; helped to reduce employee turnover; and improved customer‐service and sales skills. Practical implications – Details how the on‐boarding portal has met and exceeded objectives in the following ways: sales conversions for new starters increased in week one; some 37.5 hours were saved in training each recruit, which amounts to a potential saving of 75,000 hours a year; advisors were classed as competent at least one week earlier than before, despite a 25 percent reduction in face‐to‐face training time; and around £700,000 a year has been saved in induction costs. Social implications – Details how employee turnover can be reduced in industry sectors where “churn” is a significant problem. Originality/value – Explains the importance of getting the induction process right in order to create an environment where new hires are motivated and really care about their work from the start.