Why Continue Training, Learning and Development?

In these volatile, disruptive and challenging times, with the global COVID-19 pandemic having a critical and deep impact on organisations of all shapes and sizes, one can be forgiven for thinking that organisational and workplace training, learning and development, at any level, would be the last thing on either leadership and management, or indeed individuals’, minds. We just need to survive is the most common and heartfelt reaction.

Whilst such thoughts are entirely understandable, we would like to gently suggest that such a perspective can in fact be damaging to the survival, sustainability and resilience of organisations in such times of crisis.

Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic will pass; and whether it is the ‘new’ normal, ‘old normal’ or a blend of both, organisations will start to look to recovery.

Secondly, in successfully navigating the current global pandemic crisis, organisations are having to change, adapt and become more agile. As well as the very real frightening challenges and issues which events such as the global pandemic bring, they also offer opportunities for critical reflection, change and transformation. The most successful companies moving forward will look to not simply survive and recover, but proactively position themselves, as a ‘learning organisation’ to use such lessons learnt as a catalyst for change and transformation, enhancing competitive advantage, agility and resilience; as well as performance, productivity and profitability.

It is in the spirit of this second point that we would most strongly advise and recommend that executive and professional training, learning and development continues; and indeed potentially becomes even more important than normal. Like many aspects of our professional and personal lives at the moment, in an appropriate format to the context and environment we face.

And so, Minerva Academy has launched a series of webinars and webinar courses, with digital and online support, to continue to serve and support our clients internationally.

So, why do we need executive and professional training, learning and development, and what are the organisational and business advantages?

• The opportunity to conduct 360 degree organisational, business and value chain reviews
• Conduct renewed strategic, and operational business planning
• Conduct strategic people and talent reviews and planning
• Conduct refocused strategic, tactical and operational organisational resilience, risk and crisis and emergency management preparedness and response reviews and planning
• Conduct organisational architecture, design and dynamics and busines reviews
• Conduct business management systems, engineering, policies and processes reviews

And from these reviews, analyses and planning

• Preparing organisations, business and people for the future

So, what are the practical benefits of continued executive and professional training, learning and development in the current climate?

• Organisations and people refresh or develop the new knowledge, skills, competencies and attributes required to drive renewed organisational, operational and business excellence, performance, productivity and profitability.
• Organisations show that they are continuing to value their people and talent. This raises confidence and morale
• Organisations benefit form a high-performance culture of engagement, enablement, empowerment and enrichment – which in turn significantly enhances commitment and motivation
• People at all organisational levels continue to learn and develop, which directly or indirectly adds value and contributes to a high-performance ‘learning organisational’ culture
• Can be used to reward and recognise people and performance
• Contributes towards and preserve ‘normality’, providing continuity and structure

Shared Communities and Experiences

A critical benefit of continued executive and professional training, learning and development is the rebuilding, continuity and consolidation of shared communities and experience, which reinforce cultures, teams and interpersonal relations. The ability to share with and learn from our peers and social provides organisations with the deep social and cultural learning resource which will be invaluable in moving forward.

Becoming Technologically Literate

The current global pandemic has had one immediately constructive change; it has fostered a greater use of technology, in particular computing, communication, collaboration and information technology. This is positive trend which we are sure will form a central pillar of the ‘new normal’ both operationally and for the delivery of executive and professional training, learning and development. Taking part in and using webinar, online and digital technologies and platforms will consolidate this new learning and enhance technological literacy and confidence; and provides an agile, safe and secure environment.

Added Value, Personalised and Tailored Engagement

Minerva Academy’s webinar courses are structured in such as way as to provide added value, flexibility and personalised and tailored engagement. Our mix of webinar based courses, workshops, tutorial and supervision groups, small participant numbers and online and digital support allows participants to benefit from peer and whole group interaction and exploration, as well as access nuggets of learning and information; focus on individual preferences; and take a flexible approach at their own speed and time.

In Conclusion

Continued executive and professional training, learning and development must be a central pillar in organisational people and talent agendas in post pandemic recovery. The tangible organisational and business benefits we would suggest will help assure your organisational recovery, development and the ability to move from survive to thrive in an effective, agile, robust and resilient manner.