Continuous Learning: Your Company’s Secret Weapon

One of my favorite quotations is, “Every day we are getting better or getting worse, nothing stays the same… “  Not really sure where I heard it the first time, but several famous sports coaches have shared their interpretation of it over the years. In this instance, I am applying the same logic to your organization, your team, and your leadership. There is no neutral, no staying the same, “no wait until the time is right” to improve. Every single day, you are either striving to improve and moving forward or you are falling father and farther behind.

The good news is, there is an easy solution! Ok, maybe not easy, but there is a solution. Take the time to create a strategic, consistent and ongoing training program for your team members. A program like this is essential for keeping employees engaged, closing any skill gaps, adapting to new/future business needs and improving retention by fostering a culture of growth. It boosts productivity and adaptability while strengthening the organization through increased employee engagement and better performance. 

Reasons for Ongoing Training:

• Adaptability to Change: It keeps employees updated on business strategy, new technology, and industry trends, ensuring the company stays competitive.
• Increased Retention and Engagement: Employees are more engaged and feel valued when provided with professional development opportunities which can reduce the costs associated with turnover.
• Bridge Skill Gaps: Enables the workforce to develop new competencies and address weaknesses in existing workflows.
• Improved Performance: Constant learning leads to higher proficiency and efficiency in job roles.
• Safety and Compliance: It is vital for maintaining compliance with regulations and reinforcing safety protocols.
• Cultivating Growth Mindset: Continuous learning fosters resilience and prepares staff to embrace new opportunities. 

Learning opportunities and ongoing training can include mentoring, online learning through an LMS program, and customized workshops to promote both personal and company growth.

Ongoing employee training should be provided monthly to maintain engagement, skill retention, and commitment to growth. Consistency is key to preventing information loss. 

Recommended Training Frequencies

• Monthly: Suitable for high-paced industries, covering specific targeted topics to prevent information overload.
• Quarterly: Optimal for refresher training, tech or process updates, and reinforcing key skills.
• Annually: Bare minimum for compliance, safety, and performance reviews.

Key Timing Considerations

• Combat Information Loss: Without reinforcement, adults forget ~70% of new information within two days and 90% within 30 days.
• Employee Demand: 86% of employees value learning opportunities, and regular training boosts retention and loyalty.
• Balance: Avoid multiple trainings at once and wait at least two weeks between sessions to avoid overwhelming employees.

Looking for additional strategic planning resources? Check out the following blogs:

• Get Funded: Securing Training Grants for Employee Development
• 5 Tips to Stretch Your Speaker Budget
• Investing in Impact: Crafting the Perfect Speaker Budget for Your Event