When the learning and development budget gets squeezed, it’s tempting to put everything on hold. After all, formal training led by experts is often the gold standard, and that usually comes with a significant price tag.

But here’s the thing: Paying for training for selected staff, while others are left out of the loop, is not efficient. Also, often the expertise already exists within the organisation, but it is not widely or readily shared. All this provides a poor return on investment. The real magic happens when learning is spread and reinforced across your teams.

So, what’s the solution?

Complement your formal training with a simple, low-cost, and incredibly effective near-zero-cost learning strategy within your organisation.

Think of it as building a learning culture. This can include:
👉 Learning Groups: Small teams who meet to discuss and apply new skills.
👉 Peer-to-Peer Sessions: Colleagues sharing knowledge and best practices.
👉 Internal Masterclasses: Your own experts hosting short, focused talks.
👉 Bite-Sized Learning: Short videos or guides that are easy to consume and apply.
This is just a short snippet of the potential learning approaches you can utilise!

The biggest hurdle isn’t the cost, but the perception. If it’s free, can it really be valuable? And who has the time to set it up and make it really work?

I was fortunate to see the power of this firsthand. In previous roles, I worked in and designed learning environments, and the impact was profound. It brought people together, unlocked hidden skills, and made our formal training stick.
I’ve since helped other organisations do the same, with fantastic results.

Your next step? You can find out which learning approach would work best for your organisation. Don’t be afraid to adopt strategies that will not only save you money on formal learning but also increase its effect manifold.