Learning@Work & Work@Learning – Thoughts on the Working Environment 4.0

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There are two buzzwords that you cannot miss in today’s work life: Digitalisation and Transformation. In fact, one might say, that even in private life there is an impact of both.


Mobility = Flexibility ?!


We are living already in a more and more mobile world. It’s not unusual to see people carrying two smartphones. Many people work from their home office or at varying work places. But does mobility also mean more flexibility in our working environment?

I’d say – it can ! But companies also need to adjust the working environment to allow for more mobility & flexibility. I mentioned home office above but also think about a shared office option. And don’t forget the ICT infrastructure (WiFi access, band-widths, life cycles). Last but not least it is also the appeal of the office that can make a difference. Think of the office spaces of Google or Pixar. They build open spaces with lots of design features, more common areas to meet and collaborate than necessary, or the purpose-free generic “thinking” areas in open-plan spaces to encourage worker to do their thinking with other people and not alone.

Organisations also should consider more learning & development opportunities.
Many companies are on the look to adopt their working place to allow for more communication & collaboration. With more communication & collaboration automatically comes more learning & development.
Latest Corporate Learning strategies to support the business and the CEO on the transformation journey offer plenty of great ideas and examples.


Ideas and examples for the learning transformation journey


Social and collaborative learning, brown-bag development activities (lunch & learn), learning nuggets, and also the offer of new eLearning formats (Gamification in Learning, Virtual or Hybrid Classrooms, MOOC’s & SPOC’s) are just a few examples to widen and enhance the traditional classroom offering. Have you considered activities like Reverse Mentoring, Local Speaking Events, or fostering Communities of Practice to support your organisational development and innovation?


What else can you think of?


About the Author: Joachim Worf

Joachim is a Sr. Education Delivery Manager with 15+ years of experience in IT, including over 10 years in Education Management. His compilation of work includes accountability and responsibility for Education Services (Learning & Development), Education Strategy, Organizational Development, Staffing, Partner Management, Customer Relations, ISO-Auditing, Program- and Project-Management. In previous roles, Joachim was responsible for EMEA Education Inside Sales and the EMC Academic Alliance program in EMEA. Joachim is a Board Member at Learning Solutions Working Group at german BITKOM (ICT) Association and Board Member to European eSkills Association (EeSA).
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