What sets companies apart in the ever-changing global marketplace? Factors like having a unique selling point, great branding, or impeccable customer service often come to mind. To stay relevant, resilient, and agile, you need a workforce that has the knowledge and skills to innovate, quickly respond to challenges and adapt to the changing nature of work. The key to achieving this? Cultivate a culture of continuous learning.
What is continuous learning?
It’s the ongoing process to encourage individuals to embed new skills, knowledge and innovation across an organisation. Continuous learning can take many forms — from online courses to more informal social learning, peer-to-peer sessions, or mentorship from a manager. It could also be self-directed learning in the form of a research project, experimentation and exploration.
Why is continuous learning important for your business?
1. Continuous learning creates an environment for innovation
There is a direct correlation between learning culture and business success. Deloitte’s Leading in Learning report shows that continuous learning firms are 46% more likely to be first to market, experience 37% higher productivity and are 92% more likely to innovate.
2. It attracts (and retains) top talent
Having a culture of continuous learning makes your company a desirable place to work. 62% of tech employees said more training and learning opportunities would make them more motivated at work, with 58% saying skills development is a top priority when selecting a company to work for. Not only does a culture of continuous learning attract talent, but it also helps you retain it. Giving employees access to on-the-job learning has a direct impact on staff retention. Plus, treating talent as a renewable resource makes your employees feel valued and is less expensive than hiring and re-training new employees.
3. Builds agility and adaptability into your organisation
Disregarding the role of learning in your employees’ work leaves them unprepared to tackle rapid changes in the workplace or the declining half-life of skills. Once, we went to work to learn to do a particular job, but learning now is the job. Adaptive and proactive learning is a prized attribute and creates long-term dividends for career development. Fostering continuous learning in your company is a must if you want valuable employees who feel valued in return, improved staff retention, and overall business success.
How can you develop a culture of continuous learning?
While continuous learning is integral to a fast-thinking, adaptable workforce that can keep pace with current trends, implementing continuous learning in the workplace requires leadership, decisive planning and dedicated time and resources to embed it in the company culture. By focusing on upskilling managers, making learning social, blended, collaborative, and relevant, you’ll start building a workforce that is skilled in the one thing all businesses need to thrive — the ability to learn.
Read part two for 5 ways to ensure a culture of continuous learning becomes, and stays, effective in your company.
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Author bio:
Creative training and learning consultancy.
At Quadmark, we deliver powerful learning solutions for your people, partners and customers. With a learner-centric approach, our training is designed for the best learner experience and outcomes.
Our tailored solutions support L&D, People, and Sales enablement teams to attract and retain talent, drive sales, and implement lasting change.