In today’s economy, if your business isn’t learning, then you’re going to fall behind. Employees are the ones that deliver, protect and manage the services every day. People bring results.
Learning acts as catalyst for personal and company progress. A learning orientation increases employee and customer engagement.
Engaged customers and employees help companies deliver better financial performance. False assumptions can throw a business off course. Businesses should continuously look at customers’, competitors’ and employees’ wants and needs. Business should continuously do research and base their strategies on research findings.
Obtaining information is not the final step though. Executives should use it to gain competitive advantage. Get the information to the right people and respond to the information the right way!
The capabilities of the people within the business have a lot to do with the company’s results. When development needs of staff are neglected, it will impact directly on profitability. It is equally important that managers too don’t neglect their own development needs.
Leaders are individuals with passion for what they do. A leader’s role is to create and communicate vision and strategy to constituents. When this is done, foundations are built for innovation and creativity. How does a leader do this? Leaders love to learn!
Many business owners disregard training. It is seen as an expense rather than an investment. When we cut support for learning, we cut support for the very things that might just help us out of the challenges we face. Having well trained managers and staff makes good business sense.
Experience sharing produces accelerated learning within organizations. This can be done through:
- Speak to other executives/ business people about what went right and what went wrong.
- Read biographies of successful executives to learn the tactics and tools successful people have implemented to achieve great results.
- Live in the customers’/ clients’ world.
- Identify your personal intentions and align them to the things you love doing.
- Find those who can support your shortcomings. It can make things happen smoother and quicker.
- Observe the value of humility and operating by a set of values that show caring for others and the environment.
- Be an active listener to engage with others.
Learning organizations do show higher levels of success. Learning will help make the business the best it can be.