Innovating cancer diagnostics with Exact Sciences and Cornerstone

Exact Sciences aims to change lives through early cancer detection and prevention. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, they are best known for their revolutionary at-home colon cancer screening test, Cologuard. But their impact extends far beyond this single product. With a range of diagnostics supporting patients and healthcare providers throughout the cancer continuum, Exact Sciences stands out in the industry for its relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. This passion for transformative healthcare solutions aligns perfectly with Cornerstone’s mission to empower the workforce through advanced learning solutions. Together, they are redefining what it means to provide exceptional care and support in the fight against cancer.

At the heart of Exact Sciences' learning strategy is a dedicated Learning and Development team, including a learning design and technology team led by Angie Roach, the Director of Learning and Development. Over the past six years, this team has aimed to expand the scope of learning assigned training for US employees to now skills development and personalized learning for employees around the globe. Their collaborative efforts have ensured that the learning culture aligns with and enhances the company’s core values and goals. Together, they are building a dynamic learning environment that supports employees' professional growth and the company's mission to advance cancer diagnostics and prevention.

Exact Sciences faced significant challenges as it scaled its operations from a workforce of 1,500 to nearly 7,000 employees. It needed a comprehensive training program to keep pace with its rapid growth while meeting stringent regulatory requirements. The existing learning management system focused heavily on compliance but lacked the flexibility and scalability required to support the company’s evolving needs.

The challenge was to find a solution that could handle the diverse training needs of a global workforce, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Implementing Cornerstone’s LMS during the pandemic in October 2020 was a significant undertaking. Exact Sciences successfully integrated its user data, transcript data, and content, creating a seamless and efficient training experience. Adding Cornerstone Content further enhanced their capabilities, allowing them to offer personalized and compliant learning solutions that meet the diverse needs of their workforce.

Roach describes the process as an adventure, highlighting the collaborative effort with Cornerstone with their partner, Educe, in overcoming the challenges of a rapidly changing work environment. "We were growing so quickly, we didn't have a lot of answers yet, so we were building this version of our experience to what we think the culture was going to be in a growing and changing company."

The implementation of Cornerstone Learning Management at Exact Sciences has been transformative. From efficiently managing training plans to adopting new tools seamlessly, Exact Sciences has redefined its approach to learning and development. The integration of Content Anytime Cornerstone Content has allowed the small and mighty in-house design team to focus on innovative, personalized learning while leveraging high-quality, updated content from trusted partners. This approach has improved compliance and regulatory training and enhanced employee satisfaction and engagement. Roach reflects, “The most important thing that I'm really proud of is the fact that we can live our core values and not let go of them.

The sheer volume of training we conduct is immense, and Cornerstone’s ability to pivot and maintain our training requirements is critical to our operations.” The partnership with Cornerstone has enabled Exact Sciences to maintain a high standard of training while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Exact Sciences' story is one of innovation and forward-thinking. From addressing the challenges of workforce growth and maintaining proficiency to leveraging advanced technologies, Exact Sciences continues to set the standard in cancer diagnostics training. The successful implementation of Cornerstone’s solutions has addressed immediate challenges and positioned the company for future growth and success. Roach reflects, "Cornerstone has enabled us to create a learning culture that is adaptable, innovative, and aligned with our mission. It's not just about meeting regulatory requirements but empowering our employees to be their best."

As Exact Sciences continues to advance its mission, its partnership with Cornerstone ensures it remains at the forefront of the industry, always ready for the next challenge. This commitment to excellence and continuous improvement will undoubtedly drive their future achievements and reinforce their leadership in cancer diagnostics.