DeVore Technologies

Dirt Devil (www.dirtdevil.com) grew Royal Appliance's sales from just under $5 million in 1981 to approximately $325 million in 1997. The Dirt Devil Hand Vac has grown to become Royal's signature product and the largest selling, hand-held, corded vacuum cleaner in the United States. Today, the company enjoys 98 percent brand name awareness in the Dirt Devil name. Their products are now sold through major retailers nationwide. The success of the company depends upon the continued introduction and promotion of new, innovative, high-quality products.

The Challenge
Dirt Devil moved into new corporate offices that included a new Corporate Training Facility in Glenwillow, Ohio. They needed an instructor-led training solution that would provide their employees with the latest computer software training via an ongoing schedule as well as custom, technical training on an "as needed" basis. In addition, the move warranted the latest software versions and upgrading of the operating system for 500 of their employees to MS Windows and Office 2000. The training had to coincide with the actual software upgrade installation by their IT department.

The Solution
DeVore Technologies worked with Dirt Devil's IT team to structure the training initiative in conjunction with their hardware/software upgrade schedule. DeVore coordinated classes, customized course content and developed course materials and supplements. DeVore was responsive to changes from IT and employee concerns as they progressed in knowledge transition to the new OS and productivity software. DeVore instructors served as motivators and supported the firm's initiatives for positive change.