Hotel Chain Eyes iPods for Training

Pod people: The ubiquitous iPod is finding a use in corporate training. Homewood Suites by Hilton says it has outfitted 204 hotels in the U.S. and Canada with video iPods to help employees “take charge” of learning and professional development. Training content will be delivered through a series of two-minute modules that focus on specific skill sets built around strengthening the company’s brand. Just as consumers organize their favorite songs, employees of the Memphis, Tennessee-based hotel chain will be able to segment training content into playlists. The company says it plans to formally launch the training after completing about 40 hours of beta testing. Homewood Suites, which is part of Hilton Hotels Corp., employs about 6,000 people.