Having to deliver the know-how derived from a PD event to others is a critical component of successful retention. It’s not only vital for those who attend conferences to remember and apply the information learned, but also to share it with colleagues.
Abboud has been asked at different jobs to impart what she’s learned to managers, teammates as well as the entire staff. That requires her to not only remember what she learned but also to filter the information so it’s suitable for her various co-workers.
Arden Dalik with Wynford Group adds that demonstrating retention beyond yourself is critical for return on investment (ROI) for many organizations. She suggests booking a formal debriefing with your supervisor after attending a PD event. “Prepare for that session with a summary of the key learnings that you intend to apply to your work and/or life.” That summary can then also be presented to co-workers at a “lunch and learn” as an effective way of distributing the information. And post significant presentations online for co-workers to review on their own.
MacDonald agrees, adding that retention increases when there is an established expectation to share information from PD events, rather than just informal sharing. “The best way to truly learn is to teach.” He strongly recommends that businesses set a mandate for employees to prepare a two-hour or half-day class to teach what they learned to those who would benefit from the information. By implementing such a strategy, those who attend events are more likely to suss out the valuable and relevant components to their work. As a result, they wind up better learning the information, and communicate it throughout the organization for a fraction of the cost of sending everyone. MacDonald notes that it does depend on a person’s position and the type of PD whether sharing the information with colleagues is appropriate, but for the most part, it is an important and effective ROI tactic.
As networking is an essential part of most PD events, it’s key to retain not only the knowledge gained, but contacts made. Note on each business card you collect where or how you met and any key personal details. “When you return from the event, email each of the people within 30 days, letting them know that it was good meeting them with a personal note,” suggests MacDonald. “It can be a great way to expand your network and develop new relationships.”
He also advises storing everything in a searchable electronic format. “I personally have a PowerPoint that I have been using to store quotes, notes, ideas, thoughts and concept outlines for over five years now. It’s over 300 pages of dense information and I now use it fairly often to look for information or insight for projects that I am working on. It’s been a tremendous help.”
Once you have all the information stored, the trick is to review, thoroughly and often. Go through your notes a few weeks after an event, then again six months after (more often if time permits). This gives you a chance to digest the information away from the fervour of the event, and to re-evaluate ideas on the job, where it may be more obvious what you can reasonably apply. Be sure to assess your notes and add further comments for clarification before too much time passes and you’ve forgotten why you thought something was worth noting to begin with.
Retention of learning from professional development events not only boosts skills and knowledge for both the organization and the employee, but also helps retain staff. PD is an invaluable means for organizations to help employees stay engaged and vested in doing their jobs well. If nothing else, PD can inspire and re-energize, and that alone can be a huge ROI. As Abboud points out, PD events “remind me there is always more to learn, and that there are brilliant people in the world making this knowledge for me to learn from.”
Ultimately, nothing sticks if you don’t use it. Decide what information you can apply to your job immediately and what you can apply over time. Make a plan with that data and revisit the plan to check your progress. When you go through the information with fresh eyes, look for different ways to use it in your plan. After multiple reviews, if you still can’t find a way to apply an idea, let it go. Not everything you come away with from a PD event can fit into your current work. But, it might come in handy down the road in a different situation, which is why storing your notes is critical.
It’s really not the recollection of knowledge that’s the most valuable. It’s what’s achieved because of that knowledge. So work in what you learn to your existing routine or alter your routine altogether, and share that awareness with teammates. Before you know it, it will be old hat.
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