Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) Continuous LearningKNOWLEDGE PLAYLISTS

Jessica Bantom

Simple fact: To compete, you have to stay on the ball

But there are often setbacks in acquiring the knowledge we need, especially in smaller organizations:

- Tight budgets- Limited resources

- Limited internal structure to support training- Resistance from management to invest in learning for awareness vs. necessity

And it’s often the case that a few individuals complete training but the entire organization never benefits

Solution: Implement shared Knowledge Playlists of curated information across your organization

A Knowledge Playlist is a compilation of information resources, groups, and activities on a given subject area (ideally free or low-cost)

Benefits:- Freely available (post internally for all staff)- Low-cost alternative (time and money) to formal training- Dynamic

Sample: Snapshot 1

Sample: Snapshot 2

How to Start

Step #1: Select a specific subject area

Identify a specific subject area (e.g., Design Thinking, Data Analytics) or role (e.g., Communications Specialist, Business Analyst) of relevance to your organization

Step #1: Select a specific subject area

Step #2: Find the sources

Search for organizations, online resources, groups, and courses that provide the latest information and engaging activities that promote learning – at minimal cost and in a just-in-time timeframe

Step #2: Find the sources

Associations & Businesses:- Conferences (attend virtually)- Service/Solution providers in your industry (often provide free webinars)

Step #2: Find the sources - Organizations

Cast a wide net:- Google Alerts – have relevant news and updates delivered to your inbox regularly- Social media – identify who to follow and on what channels

Step #2: Find the sources - Online

Mingle with the people:- Explore and attend relevant local Meetups- Identify active Alumni networks

Step #2: Find the sources - Groups

A little class goes a long way. Search for courses through:- Coursera- Lynda.com- LinkedIn Learning- Alumni Career Services

Step #2: Find the sources - Courses

Step #3: Share the wealth

In a document as simple as a Google doc, list all of the compiled information and share your Knowledge Playlists with colleagues

Step #3: Share the wealth

Give others in your organization access to add new resources and recommendations

Step #3: Share the wealth

Share events or activities of interest with like-minded colleagues and invite them along

Step #3: Share the wealth

Use as onboarding or training tools when an employee starts a new role or project

Step #3: Share the wealth

Use for professional development planning

Step #3: Share the wealth

Help your staff “test the waters”before committing time and money to a multi-week course or program

Step #3: Share the wealth

BONUS: Get more mileage out of learning experiences by sharing outputs (e.g., handouts, takeaways) across the entire organization just like you would share a playlist

Step #3: Share the wealth

Result: Break down knowledge silos and hoarding – create an environment of shared learning

Step #3: Share the wealth

There’s more than enough to go around!

Need some help getting Knowledge Playlists going for your organization?

Contact me at:jbantom@metaphaseconsulting.com