Informal Learning

High-Impact Practices for Corporate Training

Oakland, CA (USA), October 2009 - Bersin & Associates has published a new research report - a guide to modernising corporate training strategies through social and informal learning. The study contains data-driven research, best practices, tools, and examples to help adapt learning processes to the realities of business, available technologies, and today's new learning styles.




While most learning executives realise that informal learning drives the greatest impact and offers the highest cost efficiencies, most learning organizations are still directing the lion's share of their budget and resources to traditional formal training. This study aims to support learning managers who seek to transform their organization in the identification and development of the disciplines and skills needed, as well as in the development of a practical roadmap to the modern world of learning.

The 347-page study, based on 798 qualified surveys and almost 50 interviews, as well as survey and interview data from other recent research, includes discussion on these and other important topics and tools:

  • The Modern Enterprise Learning Index - a set of twelve indicators that provides executives with a way to evaluate the readiness of their organizations to transition to the next-generation of corporate learning. Five of the indicators focus on operational abilities, five on the outputs and relationships with business units served, and two on the learning culture of the enterprise.
  • The Enterprise Learning Framework - a graphical tool that illustrates how the elements of any learning initiative interrelate. Elements depicted (with examples) include learning programs, approaches, disciplines, tools and technologies, and culture.
  • Application of the High-Impact Learning Measurement Framework to informal learning. Readers learn how to apply this framework, introduced in earlier research, specifically to informal learning.

The report includes case studies and examples of modern best practices from companies such as Symantec, Nationwide, Credit Suisse, Summa Health, British Telecom, Accenture, Bell Canada, and many more. The study also includes a special section on handling obstacles and minimizing risks associated with this transformation.