Starting up a new learning and development program can feel like standing at the foot of a mountain. There’s a common concern I often hear: “We don’t have enough content.” It’s a sentiment I empathize with because, let’s face it, creating original and creative content can be time-consuming, expensive, and daunting. But let me tell you a secret I’ve learned during my journey in this industry: You already have more content than you think.
With a bit of creativity and strategic thinking, you can unlock the content you already have and use it to create a powerful and successful learning and development program.
The Misconception About Content
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a successful training program must start with a blank slate and be filled with freshly designed content. The truth is, every company, whether it realizes it or not, is already a treasure trove of learning materials. There’s a wealth of valuable, reusable content already existing within your organization, just waiting to be discovered and harnessed. And the beauty of it? It’s unique to your company, capturing the essence of your operations and culture.
The Hidden Wealth in Your Company
Consider this: every presentation your teams have given to clients, every note taken by your top performers, every piece of guidance offered during employee handovers — these are all valuable pieces of content. They encapsulate the practical knowledge and skills honed by your staff. This ‘hidden’ content is a goldmine of real-world insights and learnings, tailored to your specific organizational context. For example, a sales team’s best presentations can be recorded and shared with new hires, providing them with an insight into the team’s approach to sales and how to deliver a successful presentation.
The Key Role of Managers and Top Performers
To uncover this content, start with your managers and top performers. Interview them, engage with them, tap into their knowledge. You’d be amazed at the wealth of information they possess. I remember speaking with one manager who had a personal handbook he’d developed over his career. It was filled with nuggets of wisdom that could easily be shared across the company.
It’s important to tap into the knowledge of your managers and top performers because they have the experience and the insight to provide valuable information. They often have the best understanding of what works in your organization and how to get things done in the most efficient and effective way.
The Power of Existing Digital Assets
Don’t forget about your digital assets. Your company’s website, YouTube channel, social media accounts — these are rich sources of content. For instance, a YouTube tutorial video could serve as a fantastic training tool, while blog posts could be turned into informative reading materials. Repurposing these existing resources for your learning and development program can not only save time but also ensure that the training is highly relevant and grounded in your organization’s ethos. For example, if you have a blog post about customer service techniques, you can turn it into a short course or a quiz to test learners’ understanding of the material.
Bringing It All Together
Having a wealth of content is an excellent starting point, but it’s equally critical to have a dedicated platform that can facilitate the process of gathering, organizing, and disseminating this content effectively. This is where Get More Brain can come into play. As a tool designed to facilitate effective learning and development programs, it can help you manage these diverse content resources and optimize them for impactful learning experiences. You can learn more about Get More Brain and its offerings here.
If you want to know more about fostering a culture of learning and engaging team members, check out my previous blog post on “The challenges facing Learning and Development in 2023!”
Conclusion
In summary, don’t let the perceived lack of content deter you from establishing or enhancing your learning and development program. There’s an untapped wealth of content within your organization, just waiting to be uncovered. Embark on this journey of discovery, engage with your team members, repurpose your existing digital assets, and leverage tools like Get More Brain to bring it all together.
Starting a learning and development program may seem daunting, but remember: you’re not standing at the foot of a content mountain; you’re standing on top of a content goldmine.
If you’re curious to explore how Get More Brain can transform your learning and development strategy, feel free to follow me on Medium or LinkedIn, leave a comment below, or reach out to me directly. Let’s connect, explore, and work together to drive performance, engagement, and retention in your workplace.
Happy exploring!