Executives face a few challenges in this situation, primarily because industry is cautious and conservative. So we have job cuts, salary cuts, perquisite cuts, travel cuts, training cuts, marketing cuts, etc. etc.

However, this is the time for executives to conserve energy and build skills. Skills which they would otherwise not have the time to develop when they are busy executing transactions or working at their regular jobs.

This is the time to enroll for that program, which you have been meaning to do so for so long, but haven't quite got around to doing. I know of quite a few organizations who are using online executive programs to train and develop their workforce. Quality online programs bring together executives from different countries into a virtual classroom. They also save on costs of travel, accomodation and time-away-from-work by virtue of being online. Executives can do the program at their own time and pace.

IBM India has empanelled eCornell and U21Global as their learning partners for such programs. Wipro has chosen IIM-Bangalore and U21Global to offer similiar options to their high-potential people. Tata Technologies uses the Univ. of Michigan to provide an online Masters in Automotive Engineering.

HR and Learning managers in organizations also find these programs to be convenient to rollout since it does not entail the administrative overheads of organizing venues, engaging trainers and ensuring a quorum.

The other advantage of online programs is that you don't need to be in the same city or company or assignment. You can do the program from anywhere as long as you have internet access. These days you will see quite a few executives, logged on from Cafe Coffe Day or in airport lounges with their laptops and data access cards. One would think, they are busy working on their emails or data. Look closer....... they may be just posting their thoughts on a "virtual discussion form" or submitting an assignment in their "virtual class"

It only goes to prove, what Henry Ford once said ..... "anyone who stops learning, whether he is 20 or 80 is really old".