New positions, even new projects, require a certain amount of education. While traditional classroom learning is an efficient means of delivering information, it is not always the most effective. Many times the concepts learned at a conference or training are not implemented or can even be forgotten back at the office. Focusing on education without hands on experience is a huge missed opportunity.
Experience is gained when education is put into practice. Fostering an organizational learning based culture will engage team members, increase employee satisfaction and boost productivity.
Utilizing the existing knowledge base within the organization is the simplest and most cost effective way to bring learning to the office. Cross-education is critical at senior levels, but can be equally beneficial to productivity at all levels within an organization.
One of the best advantages of cross- training is the ability to shift employees in times of expansion, vacancies or for a specific project. Cross-education is great for employee morale and retention.
Task forces, shadowing and special projects are all great opportunities to cross-educate. Allow that learning to occur while working on the assignment. Pairing up employees from different departments for learning increases accountability. It also helps foster working relationships between colleagues.
Conferences and classroom learning still has merit and is especially effective if shared with the organization as a whole. Whenever an employee or department attends a professional development event outside of the office, have them lead a seminar on the content. Organizations can also bring the classroom learning right to the office.
The key to any learning culture is to embrace different learning styles. Some learn best by hearing information, others by seeing or reading information and some learn best through writing or physical manipulation.
Promoting a learning based culture will result in more engaged, productive and satisfied employees.
