“What if you scheduled 30 min every week to learn something new? At Learn How to Source blog, you can find short blog texts designed to bring knowledge to the reader. The length of the text leave time to get a cup of coffee and, most important, reflect on what you learned. Reflection convert new knowledge to something valuable you can use and improve your delivery. Block 30 min in your schedule for learning. And the learning should not be in a conference room.”  /// Fredrik Axelsson

30 min in your schedule for learning

30 min in your schedule for learning can have a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking personal or professional growth. Here are some of the benefits of dedicating time each week to learning:

• Continuous Improvement: Block 30 min in your schedule for learning each week to learn and individuals can continuously improve their knowledge and skills in their chosen field. This can lead to better job performance, increased job satisfaction, and potential career advancement.
• Increased Productivity: Learning can help individuals become more efficient and effective in their work. By dedicating time to learning, individuals can identify and implement new strategies and techniques that can help them work smarter, not harder.
• Boosted Confidence: Learning new things can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. As individuals gain new knowledge and skills, they can develop a sense of confidence and self-assurance that can positively impact their personal and professional lives.
• Enhanced Creativity: Learning can inspire new ideas and ways of thinking. By exposing oneself to new concepts and perspectives, individuals can stimulate their creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• Improved Memory and Brain Function: Learning is one of the best ways to exercise the brain and improve memory. By dedicating time each week to learning, individuals can sharpen their cognitive skills and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline later in life. 

In conclusion, dedicating just 30 minutes per week to learning can have numerous benefits for individuals seeking personal or professional growth. By making learning a regular part of their routine, individuals can continuously improve their skills, boost their confidence, enhance their creativity, and improve their overall brain function.

Making learning part of the culture

Most of us are perfectly capable of scheduling 30 minutes. But if managers schedule 30 mins, learning becomes accepted and also expected. As a manager, scheduling 30 minutes per week for learning in your employees’ calendars can have a positive impact on both your team’s performance and your company’s bottom line. Here are some of the benefits of dedicating time each week to learning:

• Increased Job Satisfaction: When employees have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge, they often feel more engaged and satisfied with their work. This can lead to better morale and reduced turnover rates.
• Improved Job Performance: By learning new skills, employees can become more efficient and effective in their work. This can lead to increased productivity and better outcomes for your team and company.
• Enhanced Employee Retention: When employees feel supported and encouraged to learn and grow, they are more likely to stay with your company long-term. This can reduce the costs associated with turnover and help you build a strong, dedicated team.
• Increased Innovation: Learning can inspire new ideas and perspectives, which can lead to increased innovation and creativity. By encouraging your team to learn and think outside the box, you can foster a culture of innovation that can benefit your company in the long run.
• Improved Company Culture: When managers prioritize learning and development, they signal to their team that they value growth and development. This can lead to a more positive company culture where employees feel supported and encouraged to learn and grow.

The Learning 

Different learning methods encompass reading, reflecting, doing, and teaching others. Each method offers unique advantages:

• Reading: Provides access to a vast range of information and perspectives, enabling learners to acquire theoretical knowledge and concepts.
• Reflecting: Involves thinking critically about what has been learned, helping to internalize knowledge and form connections with existing understanding.
• Doing (Experiential Learning): Hands-on experience or practice helps in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, enhancing skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Teaching Others: Explaining concepts to others consolidates one’s understanding and clarifies ideas, reinforcing the learning process.

Together, these methods create a holistic approach to learning, catering to different learning styles and ensuring a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Top down – not always the best way forward.

The concept of allocating individual responsibility for 30 minutes of daily learning should blend top-down learning subjects with personal initiatives. This approach ensures a comprehensive learning experience where top-down subjects introduce new perspectives and broader concepts. In contrast, personal learning initiatives allow individuals to address specific knowledge gaps relevant to their work. This balanced method promotes continuous professional development, catering to both organizational goals and individual needs. By encouraging self-directed learning, individuals can tailor their learning journey to their unique career path and interests, while still aligning with the overarching objectives of their organization.

Asking the question “What have you learned this week” is a change management tool.

Scheduling 30 minutes per week for learning in your employees’ calendars is not just a good management practice, but also an effective change management tool that can transform your organization into a more positive, engaging, and stronger company culture. Here are some examples how company culture is enhanced:

• Encourages Lifelong Learning: A culture of continuous learning is essential for any organization that wants to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment. By scheduling regular learning sessions for your employees, you show your commitment to lifelong learning, which can help your employees stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
• Increases Employee Engagement: When employees feel supported and encouraged to learn, they tend to be more engaged in their work. By offering learning opportunities, you show your employees that you value their personal and professional development, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover rates.
• Enhances Collaboration: Learning sessions can be a great way to bring teams together and encourage collaboration. By scheduling regular learning sessions, you create opportunities for your employees to work together and share ideas, which can lead to better teamwork and more innovative solutions.
• Improves Performance: Learning new skills and techniques can help employees improve their performance on the job. By offering regular learning sessions, you give your employees the tools they need to perform at their best, which can lead to better outcomes for your company.
• Builds a Stronger Company Culture: A culture of learning is a strong foundation for a positive and engaging company culture. By prioritizing learning and development, you signal to your employees that you value their growth and development, which can help create a more positive and productive work environment.

Conclusion: Block 30 min in your schedule for learning

In conclusion, scheduling 30 minutes per week for learning in your employees’ calendars is not just a good management practice, but also an effective change management tool that can help transform your organization into a more positive, engaging, and stronger company culture. By prioritizing learning and development, you can encourage lifelong learning, increase employee engagement, enhance collaboration, improve performance, and build a stronger company culture.

By explaining the concept of Microlearning to the team, the change do not come with a huge price-tag. There are almost unlimited sources of small bit-size packages of knowledge available, in Learn How to Source courses, Real Life Buyer – podcast or this blog for example. The only necessary input are guidance and supporting reflection, and that is already in the job description of a manager.

This post was approx. 7 minutes reading, now you have 23 minutes for a cup of coffee and reflect on how you can convert this new knowledge to something valuable…. perhaps update your Outlook calendar and block 30 min in your schedule for learning….each week?

About Learn How to Source

Learn How to Source (LHTS) is an online platform based in Sweden, offering a range of procurement courses accessible globally. It serves as a community where procurement experts share their knowledge through online courses, designed for various experience levels from introductory to expert. Courses are concise, about 30 minutes each, and cover different aspects of procurement, tailored for different buyer roles. The courses focus on practical knowledge, presented by seasoned professionals, and include quizzes and certificates. They can be accessed from any device, emphasizing microlearning for flexibility and efficiency. More about LHTS in Swedish.