How do you encourage informal learning in your company?

Setting a biweekly group discussion, where a host discusses a certain topic, and everyone who has the same experience can share it. The transferrable knowledge will be shared perfectly among everyone.

Creating a conducive environment for informal learning is a key first step. Start by setting up a virtual learning hub, like an internal company website or platform, where employees can access a variety of resources and tools: Example: Create a dedicated section on your company's intranet or a shared drive labeled "Learning Resources." TEAMS is a great option. Populate it with links to relevant articles, videos, webinars, and recommended books. Encourage employees to contribute by sharing their own insights. By providing a virtual space where employees can easily find and share knowledge, you'll be taking a significant step toward fostering a culture of informal learning within your company.

I believe creating a learning environment is all about teaching people new habits (For example, dedicating 15 minutes everyday to share their knowledge with someone else) and helping them develop a learning mindset, so it can be part of their agenda to learn every day.

To cultivate informal learning within a corporation, it's essential to first foster a sense of curiosity and create a collaborative atmosphere encouraging self-investment. Despite witnessing numerous L&D initiatives prioritize efficiency over personal growth, I firmly believe this common approach is flawed. The corp realm is currently witnessing a decline in the thirst for discovery, a trend we must reverse as leaders by not only supporting informal learning but also promoting environments conducive to informal teaching. Key: Nurturing corporate cultures that encourage reciprocal knowledge sharing, steering towards a future brimming with innovation and mutual understanding, where we become both a mentor and a learner.

Another way to recognize is to allow employees to share with collegues their experiences about informal learning, and their learning strategies. I believe this practice makes employees feel recognized for their informal learning knowledge and motivates them to pursue this kind of behaviors.

Resources Access: Provide easy access to relevant articles, videos, and podcasts. Knowledge Sharing: Establish platforms for employees to share insights and expertise. Lunch and Learn: Organize casual learning sessions during breaks. Mentorship: Pair experienced employees with those seeking to learn. Microlearning: Offer short, focused learning content. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage employees to work on diverse projects. Recognition: Acknowledge and celebrate employees' learning efforts.

Engage and participate in industry- or function-specific associations. Almost every industry and business function has a trade association (many specific to geographic locations -- think SHRM, NADA, ANA, etc.) While many of these groups have their own programs for formal learning, many are simply "meet up" style networking events. Attending these types of events help create long-lasting connections and you can often reach out to these folks for an "outsider's perspective" when the need arises.

Sharing personal day-to-day learning experiences with others is a simple yet highly beneficial practice for both the person sharing their insights and those who receive them. Whether during a virtual or in-person coffee break, this act promotes collaboration, builds trust, motivates and inspires, enhances communication skills, and fosters a culture of continuous learning. Additionally, incorporating gamification, such as taking a break to play trivia or brain games, can further enhance the learning experience.