Enhancing Learning Transfer A Timeless Approach

Enhancing Learning Transfer: A Timeless Approach

Six years ago, I uploaded a short video addressing the ongoing struggle organisations face in connecting learning initiatives with strategic business outcomes. With the original video now having garnered over 10,000 views, it felt like a good time to celebrate and remind ourselves of what is learning transfer?

After engaging learning experiences, employees often return to their daily tasks feeling inspired but struggle to implement what they’ve learned. Research shows that only about 20% of learning is successfully transferred back to the workplace. With organisations spending over £140 billion annually on corporate learning and development, ensuring effective application of new skills and behaviours is essential.

The “Turning Learning into Action” methodology encourages reflective conversations and personal accountability for change. Research indicates that reflection is a powerful component of the learning process; Harvard Business Review emphasises that reflecting on experiences can be more impactful than the experiences themselves.

Organisations don’t need to overhaul their training programmes; they can simply incorporate a transfer of learning methodology to improve outcomes. This approach could yield a return on investment (ROI) that attracts even the most cautious investors.

As we reflect on the insights shared six years ago, it’s evident that effective learning transfer remains crucial today. By prioritising reflective practices in training initiatives, organisations can bridge the gap between learning and performance, driving better business outcomes for a more engaged workforce.

Let’s chat about your programs and how we can help you improve impact and solve the learning transfer dilemma.

Emma Weber is a recognized authority on the transfer of learning. As CEO of Lever–Transfer of Learning, she has helped companies such as Telstra, Oracle and BMW deliver and measure tangible business results from learning. She has also been a guest speaker at learning effectiveness conferences worldwide and authored the hugely successful book Turning Learning into Action. Much more detail around the issues and solutions examined in this article are available in the book – please feel free to download a free chapter. Emma and her team also developed Coach M, a coaching chatbot that delivers fully scaleable learning transfer. She is also a co-author of the books Making Change Work, and Designing Virtual Learning for Application and Impact. Her work and approach is also featured in Data and Analytics for Instructional Designers by Megan Torrance (Author), Foundations of People Metrics and Analytics – by Renjini Joseph and an ATD 10-minute case study series – Chatbot Coaching for Learning Transfer.