Nexient Learning and Rogers Communications take GOLD for Managing Matters Leadership Program

    Award recognizes innovative design and industry-leading results

    TORONTO, Oct. 27 /CNW/ - Nexient Learning Inc. (NEX: NXN.H) Canada's
largest corporate skills development company, today announced that Managing
Matters, a leadership development program created by Nexient Learning and
Rogers Communications Inc., has garnered gold honours from the Canadian
Society for Training and Development's (CSTD) 2008 Canadian Awards for
Training Excellence.
    The CSTD, Canada's largest association dedicated to training and HR
development, selected Managing Matters based on five criteria: originality,
instructional design, evaluation strategy, packaging and communication style.
    "The CSTD is committed to honouring innovative, Canadian-developed
training products and programs," said Lynn Johnston, President, CSTD. "We
received many wonderful submissions for the 2008 Awards and are pleased to
recognize Rogers Communications and Nexient Learning for their outstanding
Internal Learning Program Managing Matters with a Gold 2008 Canadian Award for
Training Excellence."
    Managing Matters is Rogers' first-ever national leadership development
program and embodies Rogers' leadership mandate through a customized
application of Nexient's leading edge intellectual property and expertise. It
identifies and creates the next generation of Rogers' management, giving them
the skills to ensure the future growth and success of the organization. Taking
a cross-functional approach to training, it brings people together from
Rogers' different lines of business to learn about the corporation's
direction, priorities and brands, and to reinforce the One Rogers culture.
    "Several factors and elements make Managing Matters a unique and
effective leadership development program," said Traci Wells, Senior Manager,
Organizational Learning at Rogers. "For example, a five-day phased and blended
curriculum is one way it offers more methods and more control over when and
how participants learn."
    Jocelyn Bérard, Nexient's Executive VP Leadership and Business Solutions,
attributed the success of Managing Matters in part to unprecedented program
support from Rogers' executives. "In fact, Rogers' CEO, Ted Rogers, promoted
the benefits of the program in a video and numerous Senior executives, trained
as 'storytellers' are speaking to the importance of strong leadership,
ensuring the future growth and success of Rogers."
    Results to date have been impressive, with significant enhancements in
Rogers' organizational culture, cohesion and engagement levels. Surveys have
shown that engagement levels among the 275 managers who have completed the
program have increased from 74% to 83% - 10 points above the best-in-class
results. Management capacity also increased by six points from 2006 levels
(77% from 71%), while growth and development rates experienced a 15-point
spike (77% from 61%).
    "Managing Matters is a perfect example of a leadership development
program that is strongly connected to, and supportive of, the core business
strategy," added Bérard. "That shows both in the content and results. It
demonstrates the critical need for HR professionals to understand business
realities and align solutions to those realities. It also demonstrates the
critical need for a strong working partnership between the corporate learning
partner and the corporation."
    Rogers began offering a French version of the curriculum and website in
April 2008 and has enrolled 750 managers in the program this year.
Expectations are that 4,000 managers will have completed the program by 2011.

    About Nexient Learning Inc.

    Nexient Learning Inc. is Canada's leader in skills development,
delivering the broadest choice of top caliber, industry-recognized curricula
in information technology, business process improvement and leadership and
business skills. Nexient's learning services include learning management
systems, curriculum development and strategic consulting. With 17 locations
across Canada, Nexient offers innovative learning solutions in both classroom
and online formats. Nexient is traded on the NEX as "NXL.H". More information
is available on the company's website at www.nexientlearning.com.

    About Rogers Communications Inc.

    Rogers is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are
engaged in wireless voice and data communications services through Wireless,
Canada's largest wireless provider and the operator of the country's only
national GSM/HSPA based network. Through Cable, we are one of Canada's largest
providers of cable television services as well as high-speed Internet access
and telephony services. Through Media, we are engaged in radio and television
broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports
entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For
further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit
www.rogers.com.