Month: December 2022

What is Agility in the Workplace?

Posted on | by Michael Parker | Leave a Comment on What is Agility in the Workplace?

agility in the workplace - a group of people is having a business meeting. They are seated around a table and discussing.

What comes to mind when you think of the word agile? 

 

Agility is usually associated with sports and everyday life. Agility can mean quick movements, a body adapting to rapid changes, or being coordinated and balanced.

 

Similarly, agility in business refers to the company’s ability to quickly adapt to changes and fluctuations in its business environment.

 

If there’s anything that the last two years has taught us, it’s the need to be responsive and adaptable. If a business is set up to respond quickly and with the flexibility to meet business demands, they’re more likely to thrive and sustain their growth.

 

How can you develop workplace agility in your company?

 

  1. Listen 

Listen closely to what’s going on in your field or industry, and then respond or strategize accordingly. If you don’t pay attention, you won’t be able to meet rapidly changing business needs. 

 

       2. Be proactive

Encourage quick decision-making and fast thinking. This enables autonomy and empowers employees to act quickly by removing unnecessary obstacles to progress and innovate.

 

       3. Collaborate

Agility in the workplace strives to break down hierarchical power structures and unnecessary barriers so that everyone can explore, create, and drive positive outcomes. Share industry knowledge with teammates and collaborate on tasks.

 

        4. Communicate

In order to optimize and execute the strategies planned, you need to be able to communicate quickly, accurately, and effectively.

 

        5. Learn

Being agile requires keeping up and learning new skills as needed. The best way to show agility at work is to grow and expand your knowledge, using new skills and information to respond to whatever situation comes up in real life.

 

Why develop and promote agility in the workplace?

 

  1. Higher profit margins

Agility boosts employee motivation and engagement. This means better quality produced and better results for the company.

Research conducted by Gallup shows that employees who perceive their company culture to be agile believe that their company is ahead of the competition, that the company’s financial future is secure, and that their employer is successful and growing. 

 

      2. Greater customer satisfaction

Agility requires more collaboration and communication. This extends beyond the company and its employees. You can stay informed and deliver the best solutions and products when customers can share their thoughts and opinions. 

 

      3. More resilient business

When you challenge people to be more agile, you can improve both individual and organizational resilience. Businesses that can adapt and adjust quickly to sudden challenges and employees who know how to balance work, manage stress, and retain motivation are the definition of resilience in the workplace.

 

Embracing business agility gives you an advantage over your competition. Companies that react quickly to change and learn from innovating not only survive, but grow stronger. Foster the habit of always looking for ways to improve your processes, products, and services among your workforce, and let your employees lead your business into the future.

 

Agility should be a key focus for your current 2023 planning cycle. Businesses that can adapt and react quickly to change are the ones that will thrive time after time. Contact P2L for any questions or inquiries.

Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Online Training

Posted on | by Michael Parker | Leave a Comment on Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Online Training

 

A sense of belonging to a group is something we all desire. Whether that is at home, at work, or in our community. It comes down to social connection, which is one of our most basic needs. When that need isn’t met, it can actually cause us to feel pain physically, emotionally, and mentally. When we have that sense of belonging and feel a sense of inclusion, it can help to create a more meaningful life. It makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

 

This is why more and more companies are actively striving for a diverse and inclusive workplace. They want their employees to feel welcome and that they can be themselves. Research has shown that creating a sense of belonging in the workplace results in greater on-the-job effort and high employee performance.

 

Here are some ways to foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace :

 

  1. Celebrate individuality

Employees should not feel like they are outsiders in their own workplace. This will only make them suppress parts of themselves that make them unique. The workplace should not be a “one size fits all” type of environment. Strive for a workplace culture in which individuality is both noticed and valued. Allow them to show up as their true selves, not a watered-down version of it. 

      2. Ask for input

Leaders can encourage inclusion by simply asking team members for their input. Instead of just assigning each employee with a role in the project, leaders could explain the end goal and then ask how they’d like to contribute. That empowers them to decide the role they’d each like to play, thus making them more personally invested in the outcome.

       3. Plan events and holidays that represent everyone

Initiating diversity in planning and holding celebratory events to highlight underrepresented groups are highly effective at creating cultures of belonging.

 

If you want to learn how to create a sense of belonging in your workplacce, take our Inclusion and Belonging online training. Contact P2L for any questions or inquiries.

Why Should You Invest in eLearning?

Posted on | by Michael Parker | Leave a Comment on Why Should You Invest in eLearning?

invest in eLearning - photo of an audience in an auditorium looking at the presentation in front of them

 

Education is transformative for a company, as well as for its employees and customers.Expanding your employee’s knowledge, keeping up to date with all the new trends in business, and learning how to adapt quickly can help your company grow and achieve its goals.

 

Learning has evolved from simple text-based documents, to PDFs, to powerpoints to the videos that we have today. They are not only animated, but also 3D and interactive. eLearning has become so engaging that people want to learn, develop more skills, and advance their careers.

 

As of 2020, 77% of US companies provide online learning opportunities for their employees. Companies that invest in eLearning have higher revenue and 24% better profit margins, making clear their advantage in relation to those that do not yet invest in training.

 

Here are 14 reasons why you should invest in corporate eLearning:

 

 

  1.  Allows time flexibility

eLearning also allows employees to choose the most suitable time and conducive place for them to study. Employees no longer need to worry about following their instructor’s lead or learning at the same speed as their peers. They can learn and study the materials comfortably at their own pace. This flexibility makes learning more fun and less stressful.

 

       2. Cost effective

Since eLearning materials are digital, there is an overall reduction cost in printing manuals, handouts, training materials, books, and references.

Even though the initial investment for eLearning may be high, the costs of maintaining an online training platform are minimal when compared to the framework required for face-to-face learning.

 

       3. Learning materials are easily accessible

eLearning content is easily accessible through a simple click on computers, laptops, and smartphones. Employees can find high-quality learning materials in the form of written notes, videos, and infographics.

 

      4. Better knowledge retention

Studies show that eLearning can help students to retain between 25% and 60% more information. A lot of students prefer eLearning since it’s a unique and fun experience. Instead of listening to a speaker talk, they can read at their own pace and really digest all the information they’re given.

Another way to reinforce learning is through the use of gamification. Employees can learn while playing. One may think that this is not the best option since they might get distracted. But learning through gamification has shown that they’re more likely to participate and learn.

 

       5. Increased productivity

The goal is to apply what you’ve learned through eLearning in real life scenarios. Improvement in performance should be the result of a successful training program. Employees who attended training feel more confident and knowledgeable in their job role. They’ll be able to do the tasks assigned to their role with less supervision needed.

 

       6. Competitive edge

Investing in eLearning is essential to keep up with the latest innovations in the world of business and IT. eLearning helped companies by 72% to stay informed with changes in the market and economy. Upskilling your employees should be a priority if you want your business to stay on top and have a competitive edge. 

 

      7. Eliminates the need for on-site instructors

Hiring on-site instructors can be costly. You have to pay for their transportation and accommodation expenses on top of their service fee. eLearning eliminates those costs since everything is delivered online.

 

       8. Improved attendance

Employees no longer have to worry about their commute or the traffic ever again. With eLearning there are fewer chances of them being late or missing out on lessons.

 

       9. Immediate access to resources

You can easily supply your employees with the information they can use to increase their knowledge and improve their skills. In their learning management system, you can include links to videos, webinars, books, articles, and other resources.

 

       10. Accessible to employees around the world

Since the rise of remote work, companies have hired employees across the globe. Employees can now attend the same training with their co-workers without leaving the comfort of their own home. They have access to the same materials and resources wherever they are in the world.

 

        11. Training modules are quickly updated

If you need to change or update the training modules, you can easily do it by adding it to their learning management system. Your employees will see the changes you made in just a few seconds. This will save you a lot of time instead of rewriting everything, printing the materials, and distributing it to each employee.

 

       12. Suits a variety of learning styles

Some people learn better visually, some prefer listening to an audio material, and some can learn from having a blend of both. Since eLearning can be customizable, it is the best way to create a perfect learning environment suited to the needs of each student.

 

       13. Interactive platform

Employees can easily participate in discussions and group chats with their peers. They can discuss lessons and materials anytime they want. They don’t have to meet in person to collaborate.

 

     14. Reduced employee turnover rates

Employees who are content and who enjoy their work are more likely to be loyal to your company. By giving them access to the training materials whenever they need it, they can study and refresh their knowledge when they need to, and they’ll feel more motivated to improve in their role.

If these reasons sound good to you and you would like to invest in eLearning for your employees, please contact us. We’ll gladly assist you in choosing the best eLearning course for you and your organization. If you’d like to create your own eLearning course, we can also help you make a course.

 

How to Improve Employee Engagement Online Class

Posted on | by Michael Parker | Leave a Comment on How to Improve Employee Engagement Online Class

Employee Engagement Online Class - Five people are facing their computer screens. One man is standing and is teaching one of the employees.

 

Employee Engagement is defined as the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace.  

 

Why is Employee Engagement important?

 

High levels of engagement promote retention of talent, foster customer loyalty and improve organizational performance. Engaged employees look at the whole of the company and understand their purpose and how they fit in. This leads to better decision-making and overall growth of the company.

 

Disengaged workers feel no real connection to their jobs and tend to do the bare minimum. Disengagement may show itself in a number of common ways, including a sudden unwillingness to participate in social events outside the office or a tendency to distance themselves from peers. It becomes most noticeable when someone who’s normally outgoing and enthusiastic seems to have nothing positive to contribute. They may resent their jobs and drag down office morale.

 

How to Improve Employee Engagement

 

Improving engagement isn’t complicated, it simply must be prioritized. Here are some strategies for improving employee engagement in your company.

 

  • Assign the right role

The HR team should be intentional when hiring. Assign jobs to people who have the skills needed to do the tasks.

 

  • Train your employees

Employees will feel more confident if they know what’s expected of them, the goals of the company, and when they have the resources to do their job. This means providing them proper training to fully understand their role.

 

  • Recognize good work

A lot of employees feel like they do not get enough recognition for their work. As a result, most employees will not deliver their maximum potential. Also, highly-trained and qualified talent is always looking for better options out there. For this reason, it is wise to create a recognition-rich environment where good work is rewarded with perks and incentives. 

 

  • Invest in personal growth

Every employee that you hire should be encouraged to assist in the long-term growth of the company. Whether it is by running a proprietary training program or sponsoring higher education for your employees, you are not only investing in the future of your company but also creating a sense of loyalty among your employees.

  • Help them create a success roadmap

Helping your employees create a proper roadmap of success is yet another pillar in a successful employee engagement strategy. Holding regular career counseling sessions or helping them create a clear career advancement path might help a lot when it comes to employee engagement. 

 

These tips  will help you to engage with employees and retain them. Employee engagement will open doors for performance growth. It can increase productivity, increase employee retention, and boost the reputation of your organization.

 

Contact P2L today to enroll in Employee Engagement online class.

Your Career

Posted on | by Michael Parker | Leave a Comment on Your Career

 

A lack of career growth is one of the top reasons why employees quit their jobs. Employees are promised career growth during the hiring process, but unfortunately, a lot of companies are not really willing to discuss or help their employees. 

 

How career growth improves employee retention:

According to BetterUp, studies show that employees who don’t have a clear way to advance their career path will leave their company for a new job. This makes sense if you think about it — few people want to keep the same title and salary level for years on end.  

 

The fact is, employees are always learning new things on the job. They might even be working on career development on their own time. And if you don’t recognize their growth with promotions or other advancement opportunities, employees may begin to feel underappreciated.

 

So, what can you do to support your employees’ career growth?

 

P2L’s Your Career online class can help you and your employees achieve success together by helping them excel and carve their own career path. This will also keep employees engaged and motivated.

 

Course objectives:

 

  • Reflect on their identity—what’s important to them, what they are good at, and what they like to do. 
  • Explore their reputation—how others perceive them and the impact of their reputation on the work they are attracting. 
  • Identify actions for minimizing the disconnect between identity and reputation and maximizing alignment.
  • Obtain ideas for building a vibrant, mutually beneficial “career community.” 
  • Prepare for career disruptions—unintentional or intentional.
  • Clarify their career vision and identify actions for making it happen.

 

Your Career can be run in one session or three distinct chapters, depending on your organization’s specific needs.

 

What’s now

  • This is about understanding key aspects of who you are, how you’re perceived at work, and how the difference between the two affects your career development. This chapter explores: 
  • Identity: What’s important to you? What are you good at? What do you like to do?
  • Reputation: How do others answer those questions for you and what kind of work are you attracting? 
  • Alignment: How do you bridge the gap between identity and reputation?

 

What’s next

  • This is the acknowledgment that, to get to where you’re going, you have to have a vision, you have to have a plan, and you have to have the right people around you. This chapter explores: 
  • Career Community: The five roles that everyone needs in their network. 
  • Networking: What it is and what it’s not for the short and long term. 
  • A Plan: Identifying steps for reaching your vision.

 

What if

  • This supports preparedness for when the inevitable change (either good or bad) happens. This chapter explores: 
  • Career Storytelling: How to envision your future and action plans based on your toolbox of accumulated skills and experiences. 
  • Resilience: How to move forward from career disruptions. 
  • Buffers: Ideas for creating distance and gaining perspective.

 

Career conversations can often be intimidating, but don’t let it impede your career growth. Your Career online class can help you evaluate your goals, prepare for contingencies, and create plans for your chosen career path. Contact P2L today to enroll.