Success builds on success for Stack Computer Solutions : Training at the heart of company's transformation

Purpose – This article describes how Stack Computer Solutions, a UK mail‐order company that faced a battle for survival ten years ago, has turned its low‐skills workforce into a team of expert professionals, and has increased turnover by almost 600 percent. Design/methodology/approach – Draws on information provided by the company's managing director. Findings – Details how, before 1995, Stack manufactured hardware to enable computer accessories such as printers and plotters to communicate. The company helped customers to choose products, sold them by mail order and provided telephone support. But when PCs using standard connections began to dominate, the company had to change from interconnecting accessories to interconnecting servers and operating systems. Describes the award‐winning training that enabled the company to make this transformation. Practical implications – Recounts the upbeat story of a small organization that won a battle for survival and now looks optimistically to the future. Originality/value – Highlights the value of investing in training.