Case History – Airline Cultural Diversity Class (“7 Wonders of the World”)

Continental Airlines; Houston, Texas, USA

Contact:
Deborah Tholen, Vice President, Flight Operations.


Business Type:
International Airline in USA. 


Previous Training Program:
None – this program was developed to decrease workplace harassment claims throughout Continental.


Client Objective:
To train Continental’s 18,000+ employees to celebrate cultural diversity within Continental.  Course objectives were to:

  • Increase cooperation between employees from different cultures
  • Increase understanding that all cultures have differences and similarities with each other
  • Decrease number of harassment suits being filed between Continental employees
  • Increase profitability by reducing lawsuits and increasing productivity at individual stations.


System Implemented:
 ICAL established an ICAL Innovation Institute to train Continental employees to design courses in several key business sectors.  ICAL also trained a national Continental team of trainers to deliver these initiatives. 


Accomplishments:
The 2-day Cultural Diversity Course (7 Wonders of the World) was developed by ICAL and a group of Continental SME’s.  The national team of local Continental trainers at each station taught the course to 18,000 Continental employees over a 12-month period.  Harassment suits dropped by an average of 45% at all stations after the course was taught.  The Course is still being taught today.


Satisfaction:
  • 100% attendance 
  • Increased communication
  • High ratings by participants


Knowledge:
  • Increased cultural sensitivity
  • Increased positive behavior 
  • Increased teamwork 


Application:
  • Decreased complaints
  • Increased productivity
  • Decreased law suits filed
  • Increased cooperation at stations


Return on Investment:
  • Increased morale
  • Increased productivity
  • Decreased passenger complaints
  • Decreased legal awards & expenses
  • Course investment: $375,000 for 18,000+ employees over 12 months
  • Cost savings from decreased legal fees and settlements over previous 24 months:  $900,000 
  • Revenues attributed to the course through workforce productivity and customer recovery: $350,000  
  • Return on Investment: 333% over 24 months (and the course is still delivering results 10 years later!).

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