The Concept and Importance of Everboarding
Everboarding is a nuanced approach to training that extends beyond initial onboarding to encompass continuous engagement and learning throughout an employee's tenure. Unlike traditional onboarding, which focuses on equipping new hires with the basics to perform their roles, everboarding aims at ongoing development to ensure long-term success and growth. As discussed by the panelists, everboarding is vital for maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and keeping employees engaged.
For instance, Christina Heilig from Dewey's Pizza explained how her company uses Internal Development Plans (IDPs) to create structured, ongoing training that includes regular performance assessments and feedback loops. This ensures that employees are not only competent but are constantly improving and becoming more efficient in their roles.
Differentiating Continuous Learning and Ongoing Training
A critical distinction made during the webinar is between continuous learning and ongoing training. Continuous learning is a broader, more holistic approach that includes personal and professional development extending beyond the organization. It encompasses activities such as attending industry conferences, obtaining certifications, and engaging in peer learning. This approach is integral for cultivating a growth mindset and fostering leadership skills within the team. On the other hand, ongoing training is more specific and immediate, focusing on teaching new processes, technologies, or skills as they become relevant.
For example, Cierra Miller from Bahama Bucks highlighted how her company implements a leveling system and intentional training to ensure crew members continuously develop both their technical and personal skills. This dual approach ensures that team members remain engaged and capable of handling new challenges as they arise.
Strategies for Building a Culture of Continuous Learning
Building a culture of continuous learning requires intentionality, flexibility, and active collaboration across all levels of the organization. Alfredo Ramirez from Hornblower Group emphasized the importance of involving stakeholders from different departments in the development of training programs to ensure they are relevant and practical. By doing so, training initiatives become more aligned with the actual needs and challenges faced by employees.
Christina Heilig added that creating a feedback loop where employees can share their pain points and suggestions is crucial for the success of continuous learning initiatives. This not only helps in identifying the areas that need improvement but also ensures that the training programs are continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of the workforce. Additionally, recognizing and appreciating the contributions of employees in the learning process, as practiced at Hornblower Group, helps in reinforcing the value of continuous learning and motivates employees to actively participate in these initiatives.
By understanding and implementing everboarding, differentiating continuous learning from ongoing training, and actively involving stakeholders in the training process, companies can ensure that their employees are constantly growing and adapting. These strategies not only enhance employee engagement and retention but also drive the long-term success of the organization.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping
01:30 Setting the Context: Continuous Learning as a Top Priority
09:16 Differentiating Continuous Learning and Ongoing Training
14:48 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Long-Term Success
23:19 Platforms and Tools for Facilitating Continuous Learning
27:43 Introduction and Letting Go of Ego
30:36 Building a Culture of Continuous Learning
31:28 Obtaining Buy-In from All Levels
33:24 Relationship Building and Expanding Scope
34:00 Involving Subject Matter Experts in L&D
35:27 Communicating Appreciation and Collaboration
39:45 Balancing Long-Term Goals and Short-Term Tactics
