MUNCIE, Ind. -- To enhance employees’ leadership skills, a division of one of the nation’s largest commercial printers and information services companies has partnered with the Center for Organizational Resources (COR) at Ball State University.

COR is a unit of the School of Continuing Education and Public Service at Ball State and manages training and consulting projects for business, industry, associations and health care institutions.

Through the program, employees in the Warsaw, Ind., unit of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. are improving communication skills, conflict resolution, interpersonal skills, project management, running effective meetings, problem solving, constructive feedback and mentoring.

“At Donnelley, we believe a trained and well-informed work force is key to our success,” said Ann Lash Branson, human resources manager. "Through this partnership, we are providing the opportunity for current and future leaders to continually build skills through a well-respected educational institution."

R.R. Donnelley is a leading provider of printing and information services to the catalog, retail, magazine, book, directory, financial and health care markets.

Ball State’s ability to customize a training program and COR’s track record in training future leaders is what led to the partnership three years ago, said Branson.

“The training we offer at Donnelley is developed based on the company’s specific needs and delivered with a practical and participative approach,” said Gerald W. Lung, COR associate director.

The partnership began in early 1999 when COR, along with Ball State industry and technology professor Thomas Spotts, reviewed the company’s apprenticeship programs in the press room and bindery areas for course content and learning effectiveness.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Gerald Lung by e-mail at gwlung@bsu.edu or by phone at 765-285-2305.)