INTENTIONAL LEARNING: HOW TO DO IT?

As professionals advance in their careers, especially in sales, they often become consumed by day-to-day operations, losing sight of the importance of continuous learning. This reactive approach to skill development can hinder personal and organizational growth. Keeping learning intentional is important not only for the individual, but also for the organisations that they are leading.

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SOME REASONS WHY CONTINOUS LEARNING IS A MUST

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1.?Adapt to Market Changes

??The market evolves rapidly, and new trends and technologies emerge frequently. Intentional learning ensures that professionals stay ahead of these changes, maintaining a competitive edge. For example, use of SFA in sales. If one is late in adopting or doesn’t master the use of the data generated, the company sales function will lag behind due to the leaders’ inability to learn new things.

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2.?Enhance Career Growth and Satisfaction

Investing in personal development is essential for career advancement and job satisfaction. Intentional learning opens doors to new opportunities and keeps professionals motivated and engaged.

ACTIONS REQUIRED TO KEEP LEARNING ‘INTENTIONAL’

1. Set Clear Learning Goals

Action:?Identify specific skills or knowledge areas you want to develop. Set measurable and achievable learning goals to stay focused and motivated.

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2.?Schedule Regular Learning Time

Action:?Dedicate regular time slots in your calendar for learning activities. Treat this time as non-negotiable, just like any important meeting or deadline. Easier said then done. But this is not impossible. Once we put an event in the calendar, the space gets created in the schedule. At least we should try.

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3.?Leverage Online Learning Platforms

?Action:?Utilize online courses, webinars, and industry resources to stay updated. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy offer a wealth of courses tailored to various skill levels and interests. If you have managed to read this article so far, take a break and create an account on Coursera right now. It will take no more than a minute to do so.

4. Engage in Peer Learning

Action:?Join professional groups, forums, or networks where you can learn from peers. Sharing experiences and insights with colleagues can provide practical knowledge and foster collaborative learning.

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5. Seek Mentorship and Coaching

Action:?Find a mentor or coach who can guide your learning journey. Their experience and insights can help you navigate challenges and accelerate your growth. There are many experienced professionals whom we know. Some of them are generous with their time and advice. Seek them out. You may be surprised by the huge gains you will make.

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6.?Reflect and Adjust

Action:?Regularly review your learning goals and progress. Reflect on what you’ve learned and how it applies to your work. Adjust your learning plan as needed to stay aligned with your goals.

In the hustle and bustle of daily work, it’s easy to let learning get deprioritized. However, by making learning intentional, we ensure continuous growth and adaptability. If you wish to grow, commit to making learning a deliberate and ongoing part of your professional lives.

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#IntentionalLearning #ContinuousLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #SalesExcellence #LearningCulture #SkillDevelopment #CareerGrowth #SalesSuccess #CorporateTraining

Sandeep Zutshi Suresh Ramachandran Arvind Venkatachary S P Subramanian Suresh Venkat Jawed K Sheetal Mahurkar-Mukherjee