Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the need for continuous learning and development (L&D) is more critical than ever. However, many organizations struggle to extend the impact of learning beyond the classroom, making it an integral part of everyday behavior.
This case study explores how Open Brackets Learning (OBL) successfully transformed storytelling from a one-time learning event into a core organizational value, seamlessly integrating it into the fabric of business as usual (BAU).
Background
Leaders often grapple with the challenge of ensuring that the impact of learning extends beyond the classroom. The real test lies in embedding learned skills into everyday behavior, thereby making learning a continuous and integral part of the organizational culture. This continuity challenge in L&D is a common pain point that many organizations face.
The Real Challenge
The core issue in most L&D initiatives isn’t the learner’s intent or the efficacy of the learning input. Instead, it is the absence of mechanisms to reinforce learning and the lack of tools to observe and measure its application. Without these mechanisms, the gap between learning and its practical application remains wide, rendering many training programs ineffective in the long term.
Learning Objective
Our client, a leading global organization, aimed to not only impart storytelling as a skill but also weave it into the very fabric of their organizational culture. The objective was to make storytelling a core value, ensuring that it became a natural part of daily interactions and communications within the organization.
Our Strategies
To achieve this ambitious goal, Open Brackets Learning implemented a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy:
- Campaign, Not Just an Intervention: We transformed storytelling from a mere learning event into a year-long organizational culture campaign. This approach ensured sustained engagement and continuous reinforcement of the storytelling skill.
- Opportunities for Ongoing Practice: Beyond traditional workshops, we provided multiple platforms for continuous practice of storytelling. These included town halls, vlogs, and TED-styled quarterly social gatherings. These platforms allowed employees to practice and hone their storytelling skills in real-world scenarios.
- Gamification: To foster a culture of recognition, we celebrated and rewarded high achievers. This gamification approach not only motivated participants but also created a competitive yet collaborative environment that encouraged continuous improvement.
- Evangelism: Top performers were identified and empowered to lead boot camps, driving peer-to-peer learning. This evangelism approach ensured that the momentum of the campaign was maintained, and the skills were disseminated organically across the organization.
- Empowerment through Resources: We provided an accessible learning repository that included case studies, links, best practices, and next practices. This repository served as a valuable resource for ongoing development, ensuring that learners had continuous access to learning materials.
Empowerment through Resources
We provided an accessible learning repository that included case studies, links, best practices, and next practices. This repository served as a valuable resource for ongoing development, ensuring that learners had continuous access to learning materials.
Results So Far
The results of our comprehensive strategy have been transformative:
- Evolving Perception: Storytelling has evolved from being perceived as just a skill to being recognized as a core organizational value. This shift is evident in noticeable changes in both skills and behaviors across the organization.
- Democratized Learning: Our approach has democratized learning, allowing it to spread organically and virally across the organization. This organic spread has ensured that storytelling is not confined to a select few but is embraced by the entire organization.
Conclusion
Open Brackets Learning has successfully demonstrated that with the right strategies, learning can be transformed from a one-time event into a continuous and integral part of organizational culture. By embedding storytelling into the fabric of everyday business, we have helped our client achieve their learning objectives and drive meaningful change.
- Join the Learning Revolution with Open Brackets Learning. Discover how we can transform your learning culture and make learning a continuous and integral part of your organization. Connect with us for insights and partnership opportunities.
