UCG continues to grow because we believe "it's all about people," and we invest in the growth of each employee. From flagship training programs like LeadershipUCG to IdeaLabs to employees tapping into their own potential through the process of development planning, ours is a culture of continuous learning based on coaching and feedback.


Here's just a partial list of the training and development programs UCG employees can take advantage of:

Management and Leadership — As one of the fastest growing B2B publishing companies in the world, UCG relies on a high caliber of leaders and managers to achieve its goals. To support both the professional and personal growth of our leaders and managers across the company, we provide a wide variety of learning vehicles ranging from classroom training to e-learning to mentorships. Recent programs include:

• LeadershipUCG
• Hire the Best
• Writing Individual Development Plans
• Financial Analysis

Editorial — While newsrooms across the country are slashing their training budgets, we are boosting ours at UCG. Our in-house training sessions are designed to stimulate even the most seasoned reporters among us. In one session, award-winning Washington Post writer Anne Hull captivated our journalists with a 90-minute discussion about great writing. In another, the GAO's Paul Anderson gave our reporters inside tips on how to not only navigation the agency's Web site, but also how to stay on top of investigations affecting their beats. Recent programs include:

• The Business Journalist's Guide to Covering the Federal Government
• Computer-Assisted Reporting Techniques

IT — IT training has been integral to the way in which UCG leverages technology as a core competency. IT professionals are agile and opportunistic, and the training they receive in new technologies and applications is critical to their partnership with the business units. Recent programs include:

• Microsoft Certifications
• Project Management

Marketing — It's an exciting time for marketers and UCG is the right place to be for inspiration, innovation, and making a difference in a fast-paced, rapidly growing business. Our marketing training curriculum includes topics such as designing effective email campaigns, strategic marketing and planning, creative testing, crafting landing pages, optimizing search engines, and learning about customer behavior in an online environment. Recent programs include:

• Conference Marketing: Strategies for Building the Audience
• Integrated Marketing: Leveraging All Channels To Boost Response

Sales — UCG's direct sales teams convene bi-monthly to hone skills and learn from each other. Sessions cover topics such as probing, pre-sales techniques, sales presentation, client visit strategies, negotiating, and prosposal-writing. While the the format varies (role play, discussion, case study, interactive scenario), most exercises are done in a group and deliver practical sales skills and techniques. Recent programs include:

• Effective Communications
• What Makes a Great Sales Presentation

UCG's commitment to developing people is remarkable. A substantial amount of time and money is invested in tools and training that empower each employee to grow their contribution and value to the company, as well as increase their advancement potential. LeadershipUCG has paid immediate dividends in our division, building confidence and skills among newer managers, and increasing the focus and leverage of experienced managers. Rob Shapiro President Wellesley Information Services Dedham, Massachusetts I love the fact that continued training and education courses are a standard part of UCG’s special sauce. Each program is designed to challenge our minds and expand our thought processes by including real-life situations and guiding us to effective solutions. The most beneficial part of these courses is that I’ve been able to apply what I have learned to both my professional and my personal life. Shalisa Mohamed Manager, Quality Assurance & Project Management Shared Services Gaithersburg, Maryland