Linking Learning and Performance

According to research by Bersin & Associates, more than 25% of Learning and Development managers have made integrating performance management with learning goals one of their top priorities.

Frankly, I’m surprised the number is that low. For years, learning and development practitioners have been talking about performance based learning, and measuring the value of training in terms of improved performance. The problem is, until recently, there was really no practical way to track those performance improvements over time. Testing for knowledge or skills at the end of the training was about as far as measurement went.

The other part of the equation is the need to offer training programs that truly address performance gaps and align with organizational goals. Again, up until now, there’s been no convenient way to get at this data in a consolidated way. Learning and Development specialists have had to rely on others to provide them with this detail, often anecdotally.

Things are rapidly changing though, with the availability of talent management software that puts all this information at your fingertips.

So how is this affecting HR and Learning and Development? What are the new best-practices for marrying performance management and employee development?

On December 10th, 2008, we’re sponsoring a Human Capital Institute webinar called Linking Learning and Performance: Does Your Talent Measure Up. Alex Santos, Assistant Training Manager, AVP at Ocean Bank and Frank Horvath, Principal Consultant, The Newman Group, will share their wisdom and experience on the topic.

There are still a few spots available. If you’re interested in participating, or know someone who might be, you can register now.

You can also check out our new best practices LMS that was released last week. It is the first of its kind – tightly linking performance and learning – and helping organizations track the effectiveness of learning programs.