Rapid Change Makes A Culture Of Learning Necessary
As today’s business ecosystem, and the world at large, continue to undergo rapid technological and societal changes unlike any previously seen in the history of humankind, organizations must be able to keep up with the pace of change, while also anticipating and preparing for future needs and challenges. For this reason, a culture of learning is a necessity for companies and businesses that want to remain competitive in this period of industry 4.0.
A Culture Of Learning: What Is It?
According to the Association for Talent Development, a culture of learning is “one in which employees continuously seek, share, and apply new knowledge and skills to improve individual and organizational performance” [1]. In a culture of learning, employees are encouraged to learn new skills and gain new knowledge, while also collaborating with colleagues and communicating newfound information with others. Corporate Executive Board (CEB) highlights that a culture of learning is “a culture that supports an open mindset, an independent quest for knowledge, and shared learning directed toward the mission and goals of the organization.”
A culture of learning can involve and include both formal and informal opportunities for learning, but there is a considerable advantage to offering formal programs for training, learning, and development. Companies offering comprehensive training programs have 218% higher income per employee than companies without formal training, and companies that offer these comprehensive training programs also see a 24% higher profit margin [2]. And with the average worker spending less than 25 minutes a week on formal learning, organizations that focus on and implement formal Learning and Development (L&D) programs as part of a learning culture will ensure they reap the benefits of these structured approaches [3].
Given the massive disruption to “business as usual” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, cultivating a culture of learning has never been more important than it is now. 66% of Learning and Development professionals state that their role has become a much more strategic part of their organizations, and 68% of these L&D professionals state the level of urgency around implementing learning programs has increased dramatically.
Other Benefits Of A Learning Culture
Research shows that there are a variety of benefits to cultivating a culture of learning at an organization. Employees who work for companies that invest in learning resources are 83% more likely to feel happier with their jobs [4]. Employee happiness leads to increased engagement, and therefore increased productivity. In fact, organizations with a high level of engagement report 22% higher productivity [5].
Employees Want A Culture Of Learning
Recent data supports the idea that employees themselves are seeking out organizations that can truly offer a culture of learning:
- 57% of U.S. workers want to update their skills, and 48% would consider switching jobs to do it [6].
- 71% of workers say job training and development increase their job satisfaction.
- 61% of workers say upskilling opportunities are an important reason to stay at their job.
- 94% of workers would stay at their company if their company invested in their careers [7].
- 66% of workers between 18 and 24 years of age ranked upskilling and reskilling as the third-most important benefit when assessing new job opportunities, behind health insurance and disability benefits [8].
- Additionally, 86% of employees believe it’s important for employers to provide learning opportunities [4].
eLearning For A Culture Of Learning
eLearning can help business leaders and executives cultivate a culture of learning that benefits both employees and the company, enabling growth at both the individual and organizational levels. Data proves that eLearning is an effective and efficient method of delivering Learning and Development opportunities to employees, with a variety of benefits:
- eLearning typically takes 40–60% less employee time than learning in a traditional classroom setting [9].
- 72% of firms state that eLearning helps them keep a competitive edge by staying up to date with technological change.
- 42% of businesses say eLearning has improved revenue [9].
- Each dollar spent on eLearning results in a $30 increase in productivity.
eLearning that incorporates expertly designed training videos gives employees the flexibility to learn at their own pace, allowing them to access these instructional training videos at any time, from anywhere. Supplemental assessments can be used with these eLearning videos, lessons, and courses, to ensure that employees are retaining information and truly gaining the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Alternatively, eLearning that involves virtual, live Instructor-Led Training provides employees with real-time collaboration and face-to-face interaction when learning, giving learners access to the depth of knowledge of experienced Subject Matter Experts and allowing them to ask specific questions to learn more effectively. This approach to eLlearning is also convenient and cost-effective, giving learners flexibility and increasing engagement through live online training sessions. Whether you prefer to offer expertly designed training videos or Virtual Instructor-Led Training for Learning and Development, eLearning is a surefire way to foster a culture of learning at your organization, while also effectively and efficiently engaging and teaching employees the information and skills they want to learn.
References:
[1] Build a Culture of Learning
[2] 3 Ways Leaders In The Workplace Can Create More Time For Deep Learning
[3] Making Learning a Part of Everyday Work
[4] Ceridian Report 2018–19 Pulse of Talent: Retention throughout the employee lifecycle
[5] Employee Engagement Does More than Boost Productivity
[6] The American Upskilling Study: Empowering Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow
[8] How Learning and Development Can Attract—and Retain—Talent
[9] Facts And Stats That Reveal The Power Of The eLearning Sector
Intellezy
Intellezy is an award-winning change management & eLearning company with 30+ years of experience helping organizations reach business goals. We partner with companies to ensure technology investments are adopted & successfully implemented.
