The most important step is for the manager to be a learner himself
How business can encourage lifelong learning
Danny Van Assche of the UNIZO entrepreneurial organization
A change of mentality is not only necessary among employees. Entrepreneurs will also have to make a change to create a learning society. This can pose a challenge, especially for smaller companies, says Danny Van Assche of the UNIZO entrepreneurial organization.
“It is not always easy for an SME to implement a learning policy. Because work always comes first, it is often done piecemeal and ad hoc: training is only provided in case of urgent need. However, it is better to think in the longer term and, as an entrepreneur, to ask questions such as: how is my market evolving? What are the current trends? Which competencies do I need to respond to them? Does my company already possess them? If not, where can I find them? If so, how do I keep them up to date? This can already be done through, for example, performance interviews. Then you can ask your employees what they need to do their job even better. Which competencies do they want to strengthen? If you follow this up, you can proactively respond to your needs as a company by means of a learning policy. The government and entrepreneurial organizations can help companies draw up that learning policy.”
But in order to conduct a learning policy, “leading by example” is key, according to Van Assche.
Marion Debruyne of Vlerick Business School agrees that managers are eager to learn.
“The older generation of managers is continuously upskilling themselves. At Vlerick, we have been organising the ‘Take the lead’ course for 5 years in a row. Our mission is to bring entrepreneurs along in the super-fast digital transformation that is taking place in society. The senior managers are non-digital natives and are aware that they have to help shape this transformation. There are some highly experienced sixty-somethings among the participants, as well as twenty-somethings. That interaction is interesting, they can learn a lot from each other. Today’s leaders are aware of the importance of lifelong learning.
“Your learning curve as a business leader will have to outpace society’s change curve.”
Marion Debruyne - Vlerick Business School
Fancy more inspiration for your conference? Download our free e-books.
Contact Gemmeke De Jongh for more information about your conference in this domain in Flanders
Free inspiration for your next conference
A successful conference is one that inspires. That’s why we offer you here tons of inspiration. For a conference in your domain, for your conference in Flanders.
