The Learning & Development function has always been working on enhancing employee skills and productivity in their current roles. L&D professionals focus on employee upskilling and reskilling- the most evitable requirement in today’s business scenario. They are also shifting their focus towards prioritizing tasks that will enable company success while ensuring employee well-being. With digital transformation, most organizations are restructuring every aspect of business- be it client relationships, work culture, career development, or others. L&D teams are also shifting towards skill-based planning to invest in evolving trends like internal mobility, focus on employee well-being, more collaboration between talent acquisition and management, and others.
Role of L&D Talent in Digital Transformation
The idea of embracing the digital transformation journey is intricate as organizations and their workforce resist change. As per a study from McKinsey, the success or failure of digital transformation largely depends on organizational culture and behavioral challenges. Here, the role of L&D talent comes into the picture. While creating ample career growth opportunities and positive work culture for employees, the overall retention rates can be increased. Also, employees who are ready to upskill/reskill become more efficient, innovative, and prepared for the transformation.
Key measures that the L&D function can adopt to embrace the digital transformation journey of an organization are as follows:
Shifting Focus to an ‘Employee-centric Learning’ Approach
There has been a big buzz around learning at the moment. But is this learning tied up to employee career growth and personal development? So, L&D professionals need to analyze the skills required for employees to perform better in their existing roles, leverage the scope of internal mobility, and improve their career paths. L&D teams can help employees remain motivated, connected, and empowered by shifting towards a more tailored, employee-centered learning approach.
Continue Implementing Virtual Technologies
Digital technologies have completely transformed the ways people learn and execute. By implementing new technologies such as Augmented Reality, cloud computing, Virtual Reality, and others, employees can gain hands-on experience. L&D talent can provide adequate training to employees to develop new skills, so they remain productive, improve customer experience, and propel the business forward.
Leading the Way so Others May Follow
While changing business conditions, organizations need to realize the potential of their L&D talent in embracing digital transformation. The agenda is simple- to support people with what they want to do and achieve but in a better way. Following an employee-centric and progressive approach, the L&D function can showcase great learning leadership, enabling employees to follow and deliver better business results. As per The 2022 Workplace Learning Report, 72% of learning leaders in the UK agree that L&D has become a strategic function in their organization.
Conclusion
Digital transformation greatly impacts almost every aspect of the business to increase efficiency, boost employee retention, foster a positive culture, and improve customer experience. Amid economic disruption, trends like workforce upskilling and digital transformation are evolving, pushing organizations to rethink their business strategy.
The role of L&D talent has increased with the constant need to grow and prosper. Companies are redesigning their current business models, processes, and culture, driven by employees’ ever-changing needs. They are investing in effective L&D programs to keep their businesses agile, flexible, and productive while building a workforce that masters the digital era.
