Office 365 and Learning in the Flow of Work
Focusing on learning in the workplace can engage employees, develop staff, increase productivity, prevent turnover, and upskill key professionals. Company leaders recognize the value of learning at work, which is a key reason why learning and career management software is the fastest-growing segment in HR technology, according to Josh Bersin.1
What Does “Learning in the Flow of Work” Mean?
“Learning in the flow of work” is a concept popularized by Bersin. “It refers to informal learning that literally happens in the flow of work and can be immediately applied to work-related tasks,” stated Why Your Company Should Promote Learning in the Flow of Work.
Workflow learning is not structured. It happens outside the confines of a traditional employee training program. Because it is informal, it gives professionals a sense of control over their learning processes and tends to be more fulfilling and enjoyable than traditional learning.2
Since this type of learning can be quickly put into practice, it provides immediate gratification for employees, encouraging them to continuously learn without having to be pulled away their work.
Why It’s Important to Learn in the Flow of Work
Today, it is more important than ever for employees develop a culture of continuous learning. This is because professionals are busier than ever. To say the average employee has a lot of his or her plate is an understatement.
Most employees are so pressed for time that they have just 24 minutes per week to focus on training and development, Bersin wrote.3 This is not nearly enough time to acquire new skills necessary for growth and professional competence. Employees who learn in the flow of work glean these skills at a natural pace fitting their immediate objectives.
Tools That Support Workflow Learning: Office 365 and the EdCast Knowledge Cloud
Most companies aren’t equipped to ensure employees are constantly learning in the flow of work. They often use outdated methods of learning and training that don’t drive results. By implementing tools that facilitate workflow learning, company leaders can set staff up for success.
One resource that can promote workflow learning is Microsoft’s Office 365. This cloud-based tool integrates a variety of apps and services, which can include Skype for Business Online, OneDrive for Business, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and more.
EdCast, known as the operating system for the knowledge economy, now provides technology for learning, knowledge management and information discovery to users of Microsoft Office 365. EdCast’s Knowledge Cloud app enables all Office 365 users to gain one-click access to knowledge on-demand. Organizations can use the Knowledge Cloud to address sales enablement, training and upskilling needs in ways that are integrated into the flow of work with Microsoft’s leading cloud-based business productivity suite, Office 365, now commercially used by 120 million people around the world.
The EdCast app for Office 365 increases productivity and fosters a corporate learning culture by making learning in the flow of work readily available.
Support learning in the flow of work at your organization. The EdCast app can be downloaded from the AppSource Marketplace.
References:
1, 3. Bersin, Josh. Learning in the flow of work. https://www.slideshare.net/jbersin/learning-in-the-flow-of-work/8-Copyright_2017_Deloitte_Development_LLC.
2. eLearning Industry. 8 benefits of informal learning in the workplace. https://elearningindustry.com/informal-learning-in-the-workplace-8-benefits.
