As part of our new hire process we recently stopped asking dept. heads to come to training calls and present slides on their dept's. R&R.

Instead we explained to new hires that "your success depends on understanding how the business works. You have 2 days to find and interview a manager from each of the key boundary partners (we list)". The new hires are given 5 interview questions and tasked with locating the managers, arranging a meeting (this encourages finding out about internal applications such as iCal, etc). Once they find the managers they ask the following questions:
-What does your dept do
-What are our key objectives
-What are your problems
-How can my dept help your dept
-What advise do you have for me as a new person to the organisation

This activity has become one of the most enjoyable learnings activities during new hire (as noted by new hires...the managers prefer it to presenting also) and has encouraged us to look for more ways to move new hire training out of the classroom.