Some considerations for becoming a valuable learning function

Make sure that whatever training or learning you deliver is critical to the organisation. To do this your training must be directed by business drivers. There are three main ones which are:

• Using learning to reduce risk
• Using learning to reduce costs or decrease wastage
• Using learning to increase revenue

Be in tune with the latest trends in learning principles and technology and how they can be applied to deliver effective learning in your organisation. Trends that you currently need to be mindful of are:

• Mobile learning which provides you with the opportunity to deliver learning in small and quick bits and also provide performance support useful during the workflow.
• Social learning which involves harnessing resources available online, sharing knowledge and collaborative problem solving.
• Learning as a lifelong process for both the organisation and individuals. This is about promoting a learning culture in the organisation.

Run the learning function like its your own business. If the learning function was your personal business how would you run it? You might need to do a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis on what you are doing to identify what is working well and areas where you may need to improve.
Promote learning as a strategic resource that supports the organisation to achieve its goals. Make sure you are clear about the ROI (Return On Investment) that learning brings to the business and raise your visibility by continually communicating about the value that learning is adding to the organisation.