NC State University noted in an influential blog post that there is a 70-20-10 ratio when it comes to corporate learning. This ratio is we learn from our experiences, our interactions and formal training sessions.
Most of what we learn as employees—70 percent—is learned in normal daily work activities. We learn from doing, refining and improving. Some of the best learning experiences come from our mistakes and our ability to change to avoid making those same mistakes in the future. As we spend more time in a job, we get better at it. As learners by doing, we are able to professionally develop ourselves!
The post discusses interactions in the workplace in a little more detail.
We also learn from each other. Interacting with co-workers provides a social learning environment Sometimes it is achieved formally—through mentorships, coaching or feedback from managers. Or, it may be informal, like when we share successes or failures with colleagues in the break room. It is important to prioritize this type of learning within an organization—social learning makes up 20 percent of our professional development. You might offer formal mentoring or coaching programs that leverage the skills and knowledge of seasoned employees to help others grow. You may want to offer social collaboration sessions that center on enhancing employee skills or knowledge.
As NC University observes, each corporate (private or governmental) is in fact a type of university. A person’s CV shows academic qualifications and a much longer list of experience that that person has in their working career. This is a subjective representation of what that person has achieved in their career.
It’s possible to represent that experience more formally by formalising your informal training. By encouraging peer learning through an INTRATERNSHIP programme your organisation and issuing certificates of completion once this programme is completed your organisation becomes a Corporate University.
We’ll discuss this concept in more detail over the next few weeks.
If you want to know more now please send us a message to arrange a meeting.