Charter researchers Emily Goligoski and Melissa Zwolinski examine dozens of industry and academic studies about how we work now and synthesize what is most actionable for your workforce.

Charter’s Research Briefing “How to Get Learning and Development Right” offers practical insights and strategies to help HR professionals optimize their organization’s learning and development efforts and includes insights from FOUNT’s benchmark representing more than 5M work friction data points. Learning and development play a crucial role in driving organizational success and empowering employees. However, ensuring the effectiveness of these initiatives while aligning them with organizational goals can be a challenge.

The Briefing highlights three key areas for HR professionals to focus on when it comes to learning and development:

1. Aligning Learning and Development with Organizational Goals: To make learning initiatives impactful, it’s essential to align them with your organization’s goals. Start by identifying the skills and competencies needed to achieve strategic objectives. By filling skill gaps through targeted development programs, HR teams can enhance employee capabilities while contributing directly to the organization’s overall success.
2. Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning: Fostering a culture of continuous learning is vital for employee growth and engagement. Encourage individuals to take ownership of their development by promoting a growth mindset. This means embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and actively pursuing learning opportunities. Offering flexible learning options, such as online platforms and short modules, enables employees to learn at their own pace, boosting engagement and knowledge retention.
3. Leveraging Technology and Data: Technology can greatly enhance learning and development efforts. Use learning management systems (LMS) to streamline training administration, track progress, and deliver personalized learning experiences. Additionally, harness the power of data analytics to gain insights into the effectiveness of your programs. By leveraging data, HR professionals can make informed decisions and continuously improve their learning initiatives.

Data that technology provider FOUNT Global shared with Charter shows that companies that overly rely on digital tools like learning portals for teaching new information may be missing the mark. According to FOUNT’s employee experience benchmark data, workers at enterprises with 10,000+ global employees said human touchpoints–including interactions with colleagues, coaches, and managers–were much more likely to positively influence employee learning, either through formal training or on-the-job learning.

By aligning learning with organizational goals, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and leveraging technology and data, HR teams can create an environment that empowers employees, improves performance, and drives overall success. By implementing these strategies, HR professionals can unlock the full potential of their workforce and ensure that learning and development initiatives hit the mark.