3 Ways to Make 'Lunch & Learn' Sessions Really Work

Yep, times are lean these days. But that's no excuse to curtail learning at your company.
Here's a great way to do no-cost learning that doesn't take employees away from their jobs:
Implement a Lunch 'N Learn series.

Having your experienced and talented employees run informal learning sessions over lunch is a great way to generate interest, dare I say even excitement. And, even better, you've introduced them to great role models, your company's top talent.

Organize these sessions for high and long-lasting impact. You want these to be like a Roman candle, not a simple firecracker (or worse, a dud).

Goal #1: Leave People Curious - Keep it short. Make it fast. (30 minutes is perfect). If people leave jazzed and wanting more, the session will have extended impact. And don't answer every question! Sounds absurd, but we all know how effective cliff hangers are. Pose a key question about the subject and ask them to find the answer themselves. Offer a small prize and select the winner randomly from all the correct answers submitted so you get broad involvement.

Goal #2: Satisfy Their Curiosity (sort of) - Let employees know where they can find more info on the topic. Papers, presentations, websites, podcasts, etc. are GOOD. Other company experts are GREAT because it builds relationships. Be sure to tell learners the skills and behaviors necessary to succeed. And let them know if there are any opportunities to participate in future projects.

Goal #3: Be Ready to Teach Afterwards - Take advantage of what you've started. In the days and weeks following a session, people will be at their most receptive to learn. But, remember, your presenters will be back at their own jobs. If they get busy and brush learners off, they will kill what you're trying to accomplish. Have a quick, easy-to-implement plan to keep the learning going.

What would that plan to keep learning going look like?

A well-structured knowledge transfer program can help your employees learn quickly and help your top talent teach what they know efficiently and effectively. We recently wrote a white paper on 'High Impact Mentoring' that can be used as a basis for this . You can download a copy (free!) from our website.

Another excellent way to keep the learning going is to implement a social network focused on the learning topic. People can join, share their thoughts and findings and your experts can facilitate the discussion.

Want a Lunch'N Learn on knowledge transfer? I do them for free all the time when I'm in your neighborhood on other business. See our brochure for more information.