No Time for Learning = Zero Personal Development

By

Bary Sherman

In recent years, the traditional work setting has undergone some significant changes due in large part to the side effects of downsizing and the introduction of alternative/mobile workplace concepts such as shared facility centers, distance management and virtual offices. The objective of all this has been to reduce operating costs and increase team productivity. The result, however, has been an unprecedented level of instability in work habits. To remain competitive, individuals must equip themselves with the most modern personal development tools and be able to adapt rapidly to whatever comes their way. Obviously, people need support and coaching to build the bridge between human behavior and technology. However, with fewer staff, increased workload, mobile worker and too many meetings on the agenda, many companies have come to realize that it has become increasingly difficult to make time for proper training.

People must seek out solutions to improve their productivity and effectiveness whether they be executives, managers, professionals, or new hires to seek out new ways of learning how to improve their personal development skills, time management practices, productivity improvement methodology, and stress reducing techniques.

Clearly elearning, online training programs, (sometimes called blended learning) is becoming the most cost-effective tools in the corporate training and personal development areas. In 2003, the American Society for Training and Development identified blended learning as one of the top trends to emerge in the knowledge delivery industry.

The biggest challenges companies face include technology as well as the change management and business process improvements required to roll out training programs in a cost effective, real world learning environment.  According to a recent study, most professional and technical jobs require employees to spend a quarter of their working week attending meetings. Middle management is estimated to spend at least 2 days a week in meetings and senior-level management spends about 4 days a week in meetings. And as if that's not enough, the time spent in meetings is expected to increase by 5% to 9% in the next couple of years. No wonder getting employees to meet for a training program can become a colossal challenge!

Given this context, major companies and individuals are turning to online learning in ever increasing numbers. Online learning, if designed properly, lets people decide how much time they have to dedicate to the viewing and implementation of each section of the training and also decide when to view them based on their own schedule. Individuals can implement an elearning program from wherever they are working that day. At the end of ePEP™ training they can also very quickly measure the immediate result of their learning experience.

While most IT investments today take quite a significant time to see a reasonable return – probably five to seven years, online learning offers employers a proven, no-nonsense, implementable, common-sense approach to help trigger lasting productivity increase, therefore offering a tangible return in less time, helping employees improve their work environment and acquire personal development skills they can use immediately."

Bary C. Sherman is CEO for PEP Productivity Solutions, Inc. a global consulting firm with offices in 25 countries.

Contact Information:

Bary Sherman
PEP Productivity Solutions, Inc.
760.731.1400
bary.sherman@PEPprouctivitysolutions.com
www.PEPproductivitysolutions.com
www.ePEPprogram.com