Comprehensive Report: Pathlab's Learning and Development Strategy

This report provides a detailed analysis of Pathlab's learning and development (L&D) strategy. It begins with an introduction to L&D and the background of Pathlab, a healthcare organization. The report then delves into the organizational context, including strategic information, PESTLE analysis, hori...Read More

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................2
Background of organisation...................................................................................................2
2. ORGANISATION CONTEXT....................................................................................................2
Strategic information..............................................................................................................2
PESTLE analysis....................................................................................................................3
Horizontal integration.............................................................................................................4
Structure and culture...............................................................................................................5
Adding value..........................................................................................................................5
Consideration of learning and development budget...............................................................6
3. ANALYSIS..................................................................................................................................6
Interviews and discussions.....................................................................................................6
Questionnaires and survey......................................................................................................7
Performance reviews..............................................................................................................7
SWOT analysis.......................................................................................................................7
360 degree feedback...............................................................................................................9
4. DESIGN ......................................................................................................................................9
Designing a success training program for organization to target its KPI sales problem.......9
5. DELIVERY................................................................................................................................12
Learning and development methods.....................................................................................12
6. EVALUATION..........................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: PESTLE analysis.......................................................................................................3
Illustration 2: SWOT analysis..........................................................................................................8
Illustration 3: Honey and Mumford Learning Theory...................................................................10
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1. INTRODUCTION
Learning and Development (L&D) strategy is corporate approach which help to enhance
human resource capabilities as-well-as competencies of the workforce. It supports the
organisation to sustain in the market for long period of time. The present report describes about
the Pathlab organisation and its analysis by using framework such as PESTLE, horizontal
integration, its structure and culture. Further, it represents the analysis which focuses on
Questionnaires, Surveys as-well-as Performance review of organisation in the market. In
addition to this, it introduces about training program to emphasise on the Key Performance
Indicators (KPI) sales problems. It also explains the ranges of leaning and development methods.
It describes about the evaluation of various techniques to evaluate organisational work in the
Pathlab firm.
Background of organisation
Pathlab is a health and social care organisation which was found in 1952. Corporation is
providing medical testing services to medical practitioners and specialists in the Singapore. In
addition to this, management of the cited firm has expanded the business in Thailand, Indonesia,
Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Further, organisation wants to provide excellent
medical service and better results for consumers. Pathlab firm is also investing resources to
develop fully automated laboratory systems which helps to perform biochemistry tests and
immunoassays with higher efficiency and reliability (Company Profile. 2012). Along with this,
corporation also develops effective services and strategies to manage its operations in
appropriate manner.
2. ORGANISATION CONTEXT
Strategic information
Organisation strategy: Strategies of Pathlab firm is effective which help to achieve its long term
goals in appropriate manner. In addition to this, enterprise is expanding its business operations in
many nations like Thailand and Indonesia. Now, the cited firm is developing its plans to spread
its activities in unreached markets like China, India and Japan. As a result of the learning,
learners will be able to design effective business strategies for organisations in the market.
Mission: Mission of organisation is to become leading firm in medical services in the Singapore
by expanding its operations.
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Vision: Vision of Pathlab is to cover the entire Asian market to target international market by
providing better services.
Aim or values: Current aim of corporation is to offer medical services to its consumers by
improving its techniques as per time.
PESTLE analysis
PESTLE analysis contribute effective role in analysing the external factors of Pathlab:
 Political factors: There are many political factors which affect the organisational
learning and development requirement by increasing its cost. For example, taxes and
tariffs enhance the expenditure of Pathlab organisation (Reigeluth, 2013). On the other
side, effective political condition also supports the firm to fulfil the learning and
development requirements in the Singapore.
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Illustration 1: PESTLE analysis
(Source:Reigeluth, 2013)

 Economic factors: As per current economic condition, these aspects help to expand its
business operations in an appropriate manner. For example, GDP (Gross Domestic
Product), fluctuation rates as well as Gross National Products (GNP) are effective which
contribute effective role for Pathlab to gain better income in the market (Liben, 2013). Social factors: Generally, social factors play important role for organisation to support its
business activities in the market. For example, income of people, life style as-well-as
education helps Pathlab to gain market share and growth in comparison to previous
year’s performance in the health care sector. Technological factors: This factor of the nation is also effective which help the firm to
manage its operations (Chipman, Segal and Glaser, 2013). For example, effective
technology, communication facilities, internet as-well-as efficiency of employees aids
Pathlab to handle its heath care activities in a better way. Legal factors: This factor affects the organisational services by increasing its spending
and work load. For example, strict health and safety rules, employment policies, etc
oblige the firm to follow these rules and regulations which enhances their operational
cost in the market. As a result of the learning, learners will be able to consider all legal
factor before implementation of any kind of business plans in health care sector.
 Environmental factors: This aspect also supports the firm to manage its medical
operations in the market. In addition to this, Pathlab does not perform harmful activities
for environment in the Singapore (Kaynak, Fulmer and Keys, 2013). For example,
management of Pathlab also organise social camps to develop better relationship with
consumers and government. Further, this process also helps to gain appropriate profit
from consumers in the market.
Horizontal integration
Horizontal integration can contribute effective role for Pathlab to improve its learning
and development with contribution of Better HR practices. Generally, learning and development
in the organisation are laid on the medium level which creates complexities to manage its
business operations. So, horizontal interaction can help the management of Pathlab to improve
its medical activities by increasing knowledge and information of employees. In addition to this,
it can aid the firm to design better learning and development activities as-well-as strategies at the
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work place. It can help the Pathlab organisation to increase its performance and efficiency by
increasing market share and growth in the health care sector.
Structure and culture
Structure of organisation
There are many types of organisational structure like hierarchical, matrix and flat which
helps to manage business operations. Generally, management of Pathlab use hierarchical
structure to manage its entire medical activities in an appropriate manner. This process helps the
superiors of corporation to perform organisational work according to decided strategies. It can
help the Pathlab to complete its goals and objectives.
Culture of organisation
There are many types of cultures like academy, ad hoc and base ball culture used in the
firms. Cited management of the corporation uses Ad-hoc culture for its staff members at the
work place. This type of approach helps the employees to live in a friendly environment which
reduce their frustration level by increasing motivation level in the enterprise. In addition to this,
it plays important role for management of Pathlab to increase its efficiency and performance
which helps to meet out their decided goals and objectives in the market.
As a result of the learning, learners will be able to select the appropriate organisational
culture and structure with analysing working of organisation.
Adding value
Managers and employees of Pathlab give various types of efforts to add value in the
organisational services within market. Some of them are described below in the section below: Innovation of medical services: Corporation can use effective technologies to provide
effective facilities by adding values for consumers. For example, management of Pathlab
use latest technological instruments to analyse medical testing of consumers. This process
can aid the corporation to provide appropriate services to medical professionals as-well-as
specialists in the market.
 By charging sufficient amount: Organisation can charge sufficient money from its
consumers in the market. For example, Pathlab Corporation can take optimal amount for the
medical testing which can provide huge reliability to consumers. Further, this method
contribute effective role for enterprise to increase its brand value and image in front of
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customers. It can help the Pathlab to increase the number of its consumers which can raise
its profit and revenues.
Consideration of learning and development budget
Budget plays effective role for management of Pathlab to design its activities in
appropriate manner. Generally, suitable cost can help the organisation to design and develop its
learning and development activities for employees. In addition to this, it can help the firm to
increase its growth in national and international market. As per suggestion, management of
Pathlab require approximate 5,000 dollars that can help to enhance knowledge of organisational
staff members with the contribution of appropriate trainers and other resources. As a result of the
learning, learners will be able to design appropriate budge for corporation to implement learning
and development activities.
3. ANALYSIS
This process helps the management of organisation to improve knowledge, skills and
attitude of staff members.
Interviews and discussions
It is important part for Pathlab to take interviews and discussion with new candidates at
the workplace. This helps the corporation to analyse the knowledge of new applicants who are
approaching for new job. This process provides better guidance to management of enterprise for
identifying reasons of employees like learning needs
, required capabilities
, existing capabilities
, perceived gaps
as well as logistics and constraints such as resource issues. For example, generally new
employees of Pathlab have no practical knowledge about organisational services in the market.
Further, superiors of corporation discuss their strategies, plans and ways of attracting consumers
in an appropriate manner. This process contribute effective role for enterprise to increase
knowledge and information of employees about organisational activities. Along with this, it also
helps the Pathlab organisation to manage its business operations in the health care sector. In
addition to this, it helps the corporation to increase its efficiency and performance in the market.
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It provides effective opportunities for enterprise to gain better profit and market share from
consumers (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 115).
Questionnaires and survey
Questionnaires and survey play important role for Pathlab to analyse the requirements of
consumers in an appropriate manner. Superiors of organisation develop appropriate
questionnaires according to the need of the firm. Further, corporation conducts effective surveys
by targeting all kinds of people in the market. This process helps the Pathlab to design the new
services according to the suggestion of customers. For example, marketing employees of
organisation conduct these kinds of activities to manage organisational activities in the market.
They also perform questionnaires and surveys with medical professionals and specialists to know
about their opinions regarding organisational services. In addition to this, it contributes efforts of
Pathlab to improve their medical activities like blood test and other testing in an appropriate
manner. In addition to this, doctors and other professionals also help the organisation to improve
their medical services as well. This process approach aids the management of Pathlab to take
appropriate decisions regarding learning and development activities (Beevers and Rea, 2013,
page 122) As a result of the learning, learners will be able to prepare questionnaires and survey
for organisation which will provide appropriate benefits to organisations
Performance reviews
Performance reviews contribute effective role for organisation to identify the actual
efficiency of employees. This process helps the corporation to increase its productivity and
growth in the market. For example, As per current condition, management of organisation have 6
employees in which 4 individuals are not able to perform enough due to lack of knowledge and
information. This type of condition affect the organisational performance in the health care
sector of Singapore. So performance review can help the Pathlab organisation to identify training
needs of their employees by analysing their weak areas This process can help the corporation to
overcome from this type of severe conditions. In addition to this, it can aid the corporation to
increase sales output as per desired plans in the market. It can provide better potential to increase
output of Pathlab by identifying its mistakes with help of performance review which can help to
provide appropriate output in health care sector (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 124).
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SWOT analysis
It can be important tool for management of Pathlab to improve its internal issues. This method
can help corporation to remove their weakness and taking advantages of opportunities in a
appropriate manner within domestic and international market.
Strength:
 Management of Pathlab have effective expansion strategies to spread its business in the
market. Use of Latest medical technological for better reliability of consumers.
Weakness
 Pathlab firm is also weak in learning and development activities. Unable to fulfil demand of medical professionals or consumers in the market.
Opportunities:
 Management of Pathlab have effective opportunities to expand its operations in the
international market. Organisation can adopt latest medical techniques to provide effective services for
consumers.
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Illustration 2: SWOT analysis
(Source: Beevers and Rea, 2013)

Threats:
 Domestic and international level recession can also affect the organisational performance
and efficiency in the market (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 117).
 Changed rules and regulations can increase expenditure of Pathlab organisation.
As a result of the learning, learners will be able to reduce weakness of organisation by
analysing them in a appropriate manner.
360 degree feedback
Management of corporation can utilize the 360 degree feedback mechanism for
management of information system. This process can play important role for corporation to
manage its operations in a better way. For example, Pathlab corporation takes opinions about
current information management system with every employees at the workplace. This process
can aid the organisation to identify its weakness regarding communication facilities. In addition
to this, it can help the management of Pathlab to design modern information management system
as per the opinions of staff members. This approach can support to achieve effective knowledge
as comparison of previous years in the market. Further, 360 degree feedback method can help the
corporation to enhance its decision making capabilities of its employees and managers. This
process can aid management of organization to develop effective marketing as well as sales
strategies in the market (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 124). It can guide the organisation to
improve its operational efficiency along with performance in a appropriate manner.
4. DESIGN
Designing a success training program for organization to target its KPI sales problem
Management of Pathlab can design suitable training program to solve its Key
Performance Indicator sales problems in the market. Currently, organization is unable to hit KPI
sales figure in the health care market. So reach sales figure, corporation can develop many steps
which can aid to reach KPI sales figure at desired level.
Induction program: It is important step for organization to sort out its sales of problem in the
market. Pathlab can provide induction event for all new candidates and joiners at the workplace.
This process can help the new staff members to know organizational medical services in a better
way. It can contribute effective role for corporation to develop its better strategies which can
help to hit KPI sales figure in the medical testing within market. Along with this, induction
program also describe sales employees of Pathlab to know about its present sales and potential
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areas which can help sales employees to increase organizational sales of medical products and
services by implementing developed strategies in the market.
E learning: E learning tool is a important activity for Pathlab to train its staff members for
increasing its KPI sales figure at desired level in the market. In addition to this, corporation can
use internet as E learning tool to enhance the knowledge of sales employees by reading journals,
books as well as new articles on the sales problems which are running in the current market. This
process can help the management of Pathlab to develop effective sales plans which can
contribute effectively to hit KPI sales figure in the market. It can help managers as well as sales
employees to take effective decisions to solve sales issues of organisation. Furthermore,
management of Pathlab can consider learning theories like honey and Mumford model for better
learning and development activities.
Honey and Mumford model: It is divided in activist, theorist, pragmatist as well as reflector
categories.
Activist: Activists are those employees who learn through doing the activities in the organization.
For example, staff members of Pathlab can use brainstorming, problem solving as well as group
discussion methods which can help to reach KPI sales figure at desired level by using these
activities in the market.
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Illustration 3: Honey and Mumford Learning
Theory

Theorist: In this process, learners understands theories through models, concepts and facts to
improve their knowledge. For example, they can use statistics, background information as well
as models to sort out sales issues of by hitting KPI sales figure of Pathlab in the market.
Pragmatist: These learners need to learn something by doing real experiments in the
organisation. For example, they can use case studies, trying out new ideas and problem solving
techniques which can aid to sort out issues of KPI sales figure of Pathlab in the market.
Reflector: These people learn some thing by observing as well as thinking about what is
happened. In addition to this, they observe the working behaviour of other employees to improve
their knowledge in the market. For example, staff member of Pathlab can use observation
techniques, feedback from other as well as self analysis which can contribute effectively to hit
KPI sales figure at desired level in the heath cares sector.
Create handbook for marketing sales staff: Management of Pathlab can help the sales
employees to prepare handbook of marketing. They can help the staff members to make their
schedules in a appropriate manner during implementation of sales activities. This process can
help the corporation to reach goals and objectives by developing effective strategies. In addition
to this, it can aid the Pathlab to identify its KPI sales issues which can provide huge reliability to
solve them in the market. Then after, corporation can get effective aid to hit KPI sales figure in
the heath care sector of Singapore.
Training: Organization can arrange proper trainer to conduct the training on the machine that
perform the diagnostic tests. This process can help the sales employees to know about present
KPI sales figure of organization in detail which can help to solve issues of consumers in the
market. In addition to this, it can contribute effective role for Pathlab to hit its KPI sales figure
by solving all complexities of consumers in the market. This way, organisation can increase its
market share and growth in health care sector of Singapore.
Review: Management of Pathlab can conduct review its process in 6 months or yearly which can
aid the organisation to update its policies and strategies in the market. Along with this, it can
play important role for corporation to reduce its sales issues by adopting new techniques and
plans. It can help the Pathlab to maintain its policies and strategies for increasing organisational
KPI sales figure in the market.
Rewards: Organization can convince sales staff by giving rewards in terms of promotion, money
or certificate. This step can help the management of Pathlab to enhance their motivation level of
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employees regarding work. In addition to this, it can support staff members to hit KPI sales
figure at desired level in the market. As a result of the learning, learners will be able to design
appropriate sales training to increase revenues of corporation.
5. DELIVERY
Learning and development methods
There are many learning and development methods like Seminar, coaching as well as
mentoring for employees which help the organization for appropriate delivery of response.
Seminars: It can be effective method for learning and development for staff members which can
aid to increase knowledge of them by attending various types of seminars. In addition to this,
Seminars can contribute effective role for employees of Pathlab to clear their doubts regarding
concepts or issues. As a result of the learning, learners will be able to develop effective strategies
for organisation . Further, it can help the organisation to develop appropriate strategies for hitting
its KPI sales figure at desired level in the health care sector.
Coaching: This method can help the Pathlab to increase knowledge of staff members with help
of appropriate trainer (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 237). This process can aid the employees of
organization to increase level of their learning which can help to manage organisational activities
like sales and other business operations in a better way.
Mentoring: Management of Pathlab can use mentoring method which can contribute effective
role for employees to enhance their knowledge level at the work place. Along with this, senior
employees can guide its mentee to improve their work in the corporation. In addition, this
process can help the corporation to increase its efficiency and performance by increasing speed
of staff members in a appropriate manner (Beevers and Rea, 2013, page 240, 241) As a result of
the learning, learners will be able to guide others in better way.
6. EVALUATION
Organisation can use Kirkpatricks model to evaluate the process in a appropriate manner.
This approach is divided in reaction, learning, behaviour as well as results to evaluate training of
staff members. It is described below in the paragraph.
Reaction: In this process, corporation find that how the staff members realise about the training
experience. For example, management of Pathlab can conduct post-training surveys or
questionnaires as well as verbal reaction to evaluate training of employees in a better way.
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Learning: In this activity, organisation measure level of learning before and after the training of
staff members. For example, Pathlab can perform tests before and after the training for
employees to analyse their knowledge (Beevers and Rea, 2013). In addition to this, corporation
can also use interviews as well as observation methods to evaluate learning level of staff
members.
Behaviour: It is the extent of applied learning back on the job execution in the organization.
Along with this, firm also evaluates behaviour of staff members before and after training. For
example, management of Pathlab also observe and conduct regular interviews of staff members
in regular time intervals.
Results: In this process, organisation measures results before as well as after training of staff
members. For example, Pathlab organisation can evaluate the performance through normal
management system and reports. In addition to this, corporation can also measure its productivity
and efficiency as compared with before in the market. As a result of the learning, learners will be
able to evaluate training program in appropriate manner in the organisation.
CONCLUSION
From the report, it is found that PESTLE analysis and Horizontal integration help the
Pathlab corporation to develop effective business strategies in the market. Five methods like
performance review, 360 feedback, SWOT, interviews and discussion as well as questionnaires
and survey help to analysis present condition of Pathlab in the health care sector of Singapore.
Further, training program helps the organization to reduce its sales issues in a appropriate
manner within market. In addition to this, learning and development methods like coaching,
mentoring as well as seminars help the employees of Pathlab to increase their knowledge level. It
can be concluded that Kirkpatricks model contribute effective role for organization to evaluate
the training process of employees.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beevers, K. and Rea, A., 2013. Learning and Development Practice. Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development.
Chipman, S.F., Segal, J.W. and Glaser, R., 2013. Thinking and Learning Skills: Volume 2:
Research and Open Questions. Routledge.
Kaynak, E., Fulmer, R.M. and Keys, J.B., 2013. Executive development and organizational
learning for global business. Routledge.
Liben, L.S., 2013. Development and learning: conflict or congruence?. Psychology Press.
Reigeluth, C.M., 2013. Instructional-design theories and models: A new paradigm of
instructional theory. Routledge.
Online
Company Profile. 2012. [Online]. Available Through. <http://www.pathlabs.com.sg/company-
profile.php>. [Accessed on 12th April 2016].
Mobbs, R., 2016. Honey and Mumford. [Online]. Available
Through.<http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/gradschool/training/eresources/teaching/
theories/honey-mumford>. [Accessed on 12th April 2016].
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