First ever virtual business clubs for e-revolution leaders

Citation

(2001), "First ever virtual business clubs for e-revolution leaders", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2001.00325aab.004

First ever virtual business clubs for e-revolution leaders

First ever virtual business clubs for e-revolution leaders

Keywords: Internet, Business schools

Pentacle: The Virtual Business School, established six years ago, has launched a series of 12 virtual business clubs to support individual and corporate pioneers of the "New World" business approach. The first Pentacle New World Pioneer Club http://www.allchange.com went online in October 2000 and is aimed at change agents and project leaders. Subscriptions range from £250 to £5,000 a year and special rates are available for corporate memberships.

The brainchild of Pentacle's founder, Dr Eddie Obeng, each cyber club has been designed to provide a fun and interactive virtual place to learn, network, swap ideas, play, teach, shop and explore. The clubs are tailored to help members who may come from very different industry sectors yet are charged with similar responsibilities and face the challenges brought about by an ever-changing global economy known as the "New World". Obeng describes the clubs as a classroom, meeting-place, surgery, bookshop, library, coffee shop, simulator pod, comedy store and time-stealer all in one.

"The traditional business club is heading the way of the dinosaurs", says Obeng. "People can't spare the time to go to club meetings, to seek out people with similar backgrounds, or to listen to the outdated philosophy of a management spin-doctor. Remember, the future is now because most of us are already late. With Pentacle New World Pioneer Clubs you are guaranteed instant access to contemporaries and mentors to help you tackle your professional challenges and get two steps ahead of the game."

Pentacle's high-speed learning portals provide access to information and services online including short courses, online electronic coaches, simulators, videos, audios, quizzes and chat rooms. In addition to its cyber clubs, Pentacle: The Virtual Business School provides local continuous learning and support, and offers a new approach to developing skills for implementing business strategies. Its aim is to help managers develop their abilities to deliver, perform and achieve job satisfaction through practical learning programmes tailored to their business and social situations. This takes the form of courses, workshops, individual mentoring and seminars with a strong emphasis on simulated environments, including virtual reality computer simulations, and live exercises.

Pentacle employs a broad range of independent educators and specialists from top management colleges round the world, and provides tailored learning to leading organizations including Alcan, American Express, BBC, Boots, Cable & Wireless, Freshfields, ICL, Lotus, Microsoft, Nortel, Salomon Smith Barney and Sony.