L&D success means business success Tasked with the goal of aligning employee goals and performance with those of the organisation’s, Learning and Development is enjoying its turn in the spotlight. Here’s how to nail it. LinkedIn's Adam Gregory explains. If the findings of LinkedIn’s 6th annual Workplace Learning Report are anything to go by, the value of L&D in the workplace is coming into its own, and it’s a field set for a major revolution. Adam Gregory Senior Director, ANZ Talent & Learning Solutions, LinkedIn says more than 72% of the professionals surveyed for the 2022 data driven report say L&D has become a more strategic function of their organisation, and 74% agree it has become more crossfunctional. The 2022 industry report, designed to deliver data and advice on what matters to L&D professionals today, in jam packed with L&D professionals’ insights on the current challenges, goals, budgets, and positioning within their organisation, all ready for savvy companies to leverage. Employees need to feel cared for, valued, and like their skills are being put to good use Gregory says L&D activity is an ideal way to deliver on these needs and light up company culture. He says learning powers culture, and culture powers engaged
employees who are energized to innovate, delight customers, and beat the competition. Conversely, LinkedIn’s report found employees who feel their skills are not being put to good use are 10 times more likely to be looking for a new job than those who feel that their skills are being put to good use. Glint data found that having opportunities to learn and grow is now the highest ranked factor people say defines an exceptional work environment. The Workplace Learning Report also noted employees who rate their culture highly are 25% more likely to be happy at work and 31% more likely to recommend working at their organization. It’s an approach favoured by big business. Amanda Kowal Kenyon, Chief Employee Experience Officer for Ketchum says they’re focussing on embedding learning and skill building in people’s actual day-to-day experiences to make them a long-term, attractive career home, where staff have many opportunities to move up and around into different teams and projects.
Adam Gregory Senior Director, ANZ Talent & Learning Solutions LinkedIn
Managers matter Last year’s report declared managers the “secret skill-building weapon” – and their importance has only grown — especially for remote and hybrid businesses where employees have fewer serendipitous meetups to build their networks and increase their sense of company culture. LinkedIn’s data revealed the most critical factor in a caring employee experience is each person’s manager – almost half (49%) of L&D professionals surveyed put increased attention on manager training and support this past year. However, only 25% of respondents indicated their organizations are prioritising manager training focused around work-life balance and well-being. “Now more than ever, my manager is equated with my experience in an organization,” says Danny Guillory, vice president and chief diversity officer at Dropbox, which has launched quarterly summits to support managers.
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