Sheldon: Businesses Must Shift to a Culture of Learning

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sheldon_businesses must shift to a culture of learning

“As individuals and businesses, we must shift from a culture of training to a culture of learning. A culture of learning empowers employees to be continuous learners.”

Rose Sheldon is the director of enterprise learning for Allstate.  Additionally, Sheldon has joined the speaking faculty for HR Exchange Live:  Corporate Learning.  Produced by the HR Exchange Network, this is the second year for the premiere online event focused on the topic of learning.  As we get closer to the event, which is scheduled for September 17-18, 2019, HR Exchange Network editor Mason Stevenson will be interviewing the speakers and sharing with you their thoughts on corporate learning, the technology involved and what the future of learning looks like.

Mason Stevenson

If you were giving a “State of Learning” address to a room full of learning leaders, how would you describe the current landscape?

Rose Sheldon

Technological innovation continues to accelerate the pace our employees need new skills sets for future roles. Also, the digital revolution has brought an emergence of new learning technologies. In this rapidly changing environment, learning leaders need to identify the right technology and investment to support the needs of our learners.

Mason Stevenson

Number 1 challenge facing learning leaders right now? What’s the solution(s)?

Rose Sheldon

As individuals and businesses, we must shift from a culture of training to a culture of learning. A culture of learning empowers employees to be continuous learners. The skills employees will need for the future of work are evolving at a rapid pace and will continue to change. Learner leaders must operate more like educators than traditional trainers. In today’s world, we have to prepare employees to take on a broader skillset and be agile to an ever-changing environment.

Mason Stevenson

Number 1 strategy all learning leaders must apply? Why?

Rose Sheldon

Listen to our learners. In the past, learning organizations have leaned on business needs or investments to make training more efficient. These are essential considerations, but we must keep the learner at the heart of what we do. The learner will tell us what they need and how they want it. We drive engagement by listening to the needs of employees and helping employees integrate learning into their lives.

Mason Stevenson

From your perspective, what are the top 3 learning technologies?

Rose Sheldon

  • A responsive learner experience platform
  • Assessment and pathing tool to help guide employees from one job to the next
  • Solid learning record store to drive more data-based decisions and recommendations

Mason Stevenson

From your perspective, what does the future of learning look like for companies/organizations?

Rose Sheldon

The future is bright. Employees will access integrated learning tools anytime, anywhere that meet both the needs of the business and their passions. This learner-centric ecosystem will drive a culture of continuous learning.

INFOGRAPHIC:  Top 10 Learning Technologies

Mason Stevenson

How should learning leaders transform now to meet the needs of the future of learning and the future workforce it will support?

Rose Sheldon

Never stop learning! As learning leaders, sometimes we don’t take the time to be learners as well. Developing ourselves includes attending conferences and reading articles on the latest learning trends, but it also includes staying in-the-know about hot business topics and the marketplace in general. As learner leaders, we are strategic partners who help our organizations prepare for the future.

Mason Stevenson

Number 1 book every learning professional should read?

Rose Sheldon

I learned a lot from the book, The Mindset, by Carol S. Dweck. Utilizing a growth mindset is a crucial tool in our learning environment today. Also, I recommend all learning professionals have an extensive reading Rolodex! For example, some of the most influential books I have read are from the sales organization side. We must understand the business and how to propose learning offerings that appeal to client and business leaders.  

Mason Stevenson

Number 1 HR or learning thought leader every learning professional should follow?

Rose Sheldon

  • Brandon Carson (Delta), David James (Looop - CLO, and Podcast host)
  • Chad Udell (VR/AR learning space)

HR Exchange Live:  Corporate Learning

HR Exchange Live:  Corporate Learning is scheduled for September 17-18, 2019.  In addition to Sheldon, confirmed speakers include Corey Rewis, head of learning for consumer, small business and global wealth management for Bank of America and Alex Martinez, director of talent & organizational development for Pizza Hut International at Yum! Brands.

For a look at the key themes for the event, the agenda and to register for free, click here.

 

NEXT:  10 Tips for Corporate Learning


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