How to use

This book has been structured to allow easy navigation from chapter to chapter and page to page within chapters.

At the bottom of each page will be navigation buttons that allow you to move from page to page. Along the left-hand border you will find a navigation toolbar that allows you to move from chapter to chapter and to other sections within the book.

• “Previous Page” allows moving to the page immediately prior to the one you are now on.
• “Next Page” moving to the very next page after the one you are now on.
• “Next Chapter” will move you to the next chapter missing whatever pages you have not read (if any) in the current chapter

Links

Two types of links are used throughout this text (and you can try clicking them here if you are not certain of the explanation below)
• Local links to the glossary (Help with some of the big words)
  These are in italic text. If you position the mouse on one of these links a message saying "Glossary entry" will be displayed even if you do not click. Click here to try a Glossary link

• Local and remote links.
  All other links within this book or to outside resources are in plain text. Links to outside resources will only work if you are connected to the Internet (on line). These links do not show the "Glossary entry" message. Click here to all other links

• NOTE; You will need to use your browsers "Back Button" to return from either type of link

Why NextStep? Why did the company invest?

The genesis of the NextStep program is in the company’s recent history, prior to its Bell Atlantic and Verizon reformations, when it was NYNEX. Initiated in the State of New York in 1995, the progressive program, emphasized employee technical as well as communications and interpersonal skills and was expanded to the New England states in 1996.

A principle program driver was the growth in competition in the telecommunications market, stimulated by deregulation. NYNEX not only faced competition from the other regional operating companies (ROCs), some of whom had much lower cost ratios, but also from brand new telecommunications companies. In recognition of this competition, the company entered into some broad and deep agreements with its unions aimed at both improving future flexibility and preparing the company to meet the technological challenges ahead.

In addition to positioning itself for future competition, NYNEX also wanted something that was strongly focused on higher-level competencies such as critical thinking skills, negotiation and team leadership. Part of the need for this was simply the de-layering of management, for in the old days, the need for higher-level cognitive skills was obviated by referring decisions to the supervisor. The emphasis of the new NextStep Telecommunications degree would be on learning to think critically, understand telecommunications and to interact with customers and colleagues.

NextStep began as the “NYNEX University,” and it very quickly gained the public attention of the US Secretary for Labor. The starting point for NYNEX University was the creation of a new, academically recognized Associates Degree in Applied Science (Telecommunications.) As well as having elements of technology, the degree had course elements in social science, English and business. NYNEX considered going with existing degree offerings, but found that they were not sufficiently focused.

To make this program work, NYNEX essentially adopted a concept of reskilling a portion of its workforce towards a telecommunications core competency. The company was spending $130 million per year on training of all kinds (not including salary costs of people’s time spent training.) A significant commitment of senior management attention, company budget and a change in organizational culture was needed to successfully launch and nurture this NextStep effort.

If you want to know more about the team who created this book go to: Who are we

During the course of our four year college study we unfortunately lost one class member to cancer. If you would like to read our memorial tribute click here: In respectful memory