What differentiates award-winning learning teams from the rest of us?
What is the one thing award winning learning teams do that sets their programs up for success?
They start every learning design project by answering the question: “What is the business challenge, opportunity, or problem this program will solve?” And they aren’t afraid to tell their stakeholders when they believe learning is not the best solution!
Deb Arnold has written learning award applications for countless learning departments including Accenture, Avanade, Best Buy, BNSF Railways, Dollar General, Hilton, Jiffy Lube, Keller Williams, TELUS, Verizon, Visa, Walgreens and YUM! Brands. Deb knows what differentiates award winning learning organizations from everyone else!
She says, “It really comes down to identifying that business challenge, opportunity or problem, that’s the beginning point from which all else flows."
If we don’t know the reason we are creating our learning programs ~ from the perspective of the business ~ we’ll never be able to show impact.
We’ve heard some version of this advice before. Yet …
I’m sure we could brainstorm a list of infinite reasons (or excuses) why it’s too difficult to get our stakeholders to tell us the business challenge, opportunity, or problem our learning program is addressing. If you feel uncertain or lack confidence having a conversation with stakeholders to uncover the business challenge, opportunity, or problem, this action plan will help!
Action Plan for Uncovering the Business Challenge
Schedule time to research your organization's business goals, KPIs, challenges, and opportunities. Be proactive versus reactive in connecting business challenges with learning solutions.
Meet with stakeholders to understand what business needs your learning program can address.
Frame the conversation around solving specific challenges, problems, or opportunities.
Document the identified business challenge/opportunity to guide program design
5. Incorporate the four fundamentals of winning programs (alignment, intelligence, innovation, impact) into your design process.
Measure outcomes aligned to addressing the business need and stakeholder goals.
Share success stories with stakeholders and continually refine programs based on feedback. Sharing these wins will boost stakeholders’ confidence in the learning function!
All award winning learning programs feature…
Some (if not all) elements of Deb’s 4 Fundamentals of a Winning Program.
Alignment. Is the program supporting stakeholders goals and designed to support one or more of a business’s strategic priorities?
Intelligence. Is the program using data and evidence in the design and development process?
Innovation. What's creative about how the program supports learner' needs and interests? How might unique solutions have addresses logistical challenges?
Impact. Can you demonstrate the program had a measurable impact on the learner, business, learning department, and teams within the organization?
Learn more about the 4 Fundamentals here: https://vimeo.com/96670086
We may not desire to be “award ready” and apply for learning awards (Though wouldn’t it be so fulfilling to experience winning an award). Using the 4 Fundamentals of an Award Winning Program is a wonderful (and extremely clear) blue-print we can all follow to create high quality, impactful learning opportunities.
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