This document explains what learning organizations are and how organizations can become learning organizations. Section 1 explains why the survival and prosperity of organizations operating in today's business conditions hinges on their becoming learning organizations. Section 2 characterizes learning organizations as follows: (1) teamwork and learning are emphasized; (2) a culture of cross-organizational working is fostered; (3) a system of shared beliefs, goals and objectives is created; (4) individuals, teams, and the organization learn from experience; (5) individual, team, and organizational learning are valued; (6) development of new ideas, methods, and processes is encouraged; (7) risk taking is encouraged; (8) responsibility and authority are delegated; and (9) everyone is encouraged and expected to perform to their maximum ability. The benefits of becoming a learning organization are outlined in Section 3. Sections 4-10 each focus on a key characteristic of learning organizations. Sections 2-10 each contain an exercise and a discussion of points that the exercise was expected to demonstrate. The following items are appended: (1) 15 practical suggestions for developing a learning organization; (2) addresses of 6 useful contacts; (3) an overview of asynchronous and synchronous information and communication technologies; and (4) reviews of 30 books on learning organizations. (MN)