Skillsoft Corporation
Company: Skillsoft Corporation, Nashua, NH
Company Description: Skillsoft provides Internet-based training courses and software for business and information technology (IT) professionals. It offers about 6,700 courses on business, compliance, safety, and technology topics. SkillSoft is the main operating subsidiary of Ireland-based Skillsoft Ltd., which was taken private by a consortium of equity firms in 2010.
Nomination Category: Sales Awards Department Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Sales Department of the Year - Public Services & Education
Nomination Title: Skillsoft Corporation
Tell the story about what this nominated department achieved since the beginning of July 2010 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
This is an honorary nomination as chosen by the Stevie Awards
Since going private in 2010, Skillsoft has invested in its sales force and has
grown both by sales and through strategic acquisitions to be a recognized leader in the
training industry. Source Hoovers 2011 Company Description
SkillSoft’s account execs developed 43 measurable points for what customers
consider when purchasing. Then, the sales team builds deals around how what
they offer for each point differs from competitors and benefits clients. Source:
Sales and Service Excellence Magazine 12/09
ACHIEVEMENTS
SkillSoft's offerings are sold in more than 60 countries, however, the US market
accounts for about 75% of its annual revenues. The company uses direct sales
and telemarketing employees to promote its products; it also distributes through
resellers in certain markets.
Its first acquisition after going private was New York-based Element K. the e-
learning and book business. “One of our strategies to try and offset this
cautious spending environment is to continue to expand our sales and customer-facing
resources, as well is to increase our product and technology assets with the hope
of increasing our value proposition. The Element K acquisition will certainly
help us in this regard.” Said Chuck Moran, Ceo & President, Ssi Investments II Ltd.,
SkillSoft’s parent. 12/14/11
Awards in 2011:
-CLO Magazine awarded SkillSoft with a Bronze in the learning management
solution (LMS) category of the CLO Magazine Learning in Practice Awards 2011
-Skillsoft was positioned in the "Visionaries" quadrant in the Gartner Inc. Magic
Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems in March 2011.
-SkillSoft Named One of the Top Military Simulation and Training Companies by
Military Training Technology Magazine.
-SkillSoft selected by TrainingIndustry.com for its 2011 Top 20 Learning Portal
list.
-Elearning! magazine recognized Skillsoft as 'Best IT Content' provider for its
expansive SkillChoice IT offering and in the 'Best Social Learning Tool' category
for inGenius.
-Skillsoft was also recognized for:
•Best Leadership Development Program for SkillSoft Leadership Advantage;
•Best Soft Skills Content for SkillChoice Business Collection;
•Best Mobile Learning Solution for Books24x7 Mobile Ed. 10/26/11 BusinessWire
-In December 2011 Skillsoft announced entry into Mobile Learning applications.
-In December 2011 SkillSoft Introduced New Blended Learning Resources to
Support Business e-Learning Programs.
-Each year SkillSoft honors clients for their work in corporate learning and
development with Innovations In Learning Awards.
-Skillsoft’s fiscal 2012 third-quarter revenue increased to $85.5 million from
$52.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
-From a sales channel perspective, 91% of the fiscal 2012 third-quarter revenue
came from direct sales, and 9% came from reseller sales.
MOVING FORWARD
“We anticipate benefiting from cost synergies from sales and marketing, R&D,
and G&A….we also plan to add many of the Element K sales and R&D staff ...
Our long-term plan is to leverage the combined Company strengths to create a
stronger growth Company…. We are making good progress with our integration
plans, which are well underway, and those plans will continue to be phased in
throughout the coming new fiscal year” CEO Moran in December 2011
List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
Awards:
http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/October_26_11_Accolades.asp
Awards to Customers:
http://perspectives.skillsoft.com/2011/index.asp?id=awardsoverview
Many awards:
http://skillsoft.com/about/awards.asp
Mobile Launch:
http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/December_13_11_Infographic.asp
New Launch:
http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/December_08_11_BlendedLearning.asp
Revenues:
http://www.skillsoft.com/about/press_room/press_releases/December_14_11_Financials.asp
Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of the nominated sales organization:
Douglas King is the Vice President, North American Enterprise Sales for SkillSoft.
He is responsible for executing SkillSoft's sales plan for several North American
direct markets and customers. King's core focus includes expanding the reach
and impact of SkillSoft's learning solutions to over 2,000 SkillSoft customers. He
joined SkillSoft in August, 1998.
Jerry Nine is the chief operating officer and a founder of SkillSoft and Jim
Morris is Senior Vice President of Sales.