Chapter Overview

This chapter focuses on the meaning and concept of strategic training and development. It discusses the concepts of organizational learning and unlearning as broad themes of strategic training and development. It highlights how learning and unlearning take place and the strategic issues concerning the two concepts. Further, it delves into a discussion on career planning and development as well as succession planning.

Learning Objectives

OPENING STORY

Barbie Doll's Journey

She is close to 60 years old now, but continues to set new fashion trends, expressing the dreams of young girls. She is Barbie, the most popular fashion doll. Barbie was considered an icon of American culture. She is regarded as a role model who inspired young girls to become independent and self-reliant. Sales of Barbie merchandise are more than $1 billion annually. Mattel, the makers of Barbie, claims that approximately three Barbie dolls are sold every second. The doll was marketed as a ‘Teen-age Fashion Model’. Barbie dolls have appeared in various avatars—doctor, pilot, singer, artist, and much more. Barbie collectibles come out with a great line of dolls from around the world.

Emerging Markets and India

Mattel has been known for creating dolls that are culturally unique. However, with all the Western Barbies abounding, Asians seem to take the back seat in Barbie's world. Barbie did not start seeing Pacific Island until the release of the ‘Hawaiian Barbie’ in 1978 and ‘Oriental Barbie’ for Asians in 1981. These Barbies were exact replicas of the original with some variations in skin, hair, and eye colour.

The 1990s saw the introduction of Barbies for the Indian market under the ‘expressions of India’ series. Barbies have their dresses recreated to depict women in traditional Indian dresses. The Soni Punjabi Barbie doll, a beautiful bride, is dressed in a salwar-kameez typical to north India. Sundari Gujarati Barbie is a doll that sparkles with the extravagant tradition of Gujarat.