The value of continuous learning

I’m really very grateful that Education Month has given me an opportunity to focus on what interests me. Primarily, I’m interested in business continuity (as an element of a wider interest in Organisational Resilience). I’m also interested in improvement; that means self, organisation, personal and professional. And of course, I’m interested in education. I like to learn from my peers, colleagues, students and business partners, as well as by studying and maintaining focus on what is going on around us every day. And because it’s my job, I want to share that enthusiasm and interest with others; in this case, you.

Business continuity is one of those industries/professions/sectors that is on a growth trajectory. It needs to be as it works in an environment that is rife with influences that may engender or initiate change and thus inform the shape of risk and impact landscapes. There is much speculation, theorising and pontificating about what is coming, how it should be influenced or could be controlled and how we deal with impacts. From globalized business activity to changes in national and international power balances, from political reorientations to an emergence of technology enabled ‘people power’. Also, while there is an immense amount of opinion and theory put forward daily from all quarters concerning human behaviour and its effect on others (such as, by implication, political, economic, social, technological impacts) it is also worth considering ideas, theories and opinions on the less easily quantifiable and controllable. These are all areas for thought, concern and yes, education.

So, if we are aware of the potential problems, what’s the problem? Well, there are thousands of business continuity professionals (that is what you are: professionals) out there who are undereducated, or perhaps miseducated, or maybe even not specifically educated at all. You may have been trained; but ‘educated’ is a different thing. Of course, you will know things, processes, functions, problems and issues and you will be adept in your role, and if that’s OK with you; then that’s OK. The sector abounds with professionals who are working hard, mainly successfully, to do what needs to be done and in general, we don’t equate ourselves with reticence, lack of confidence or indecision; or indeed lack of self-awareness.

However, there are very many people who do hesitate when it comes to education. It is interesting. Maybe this hesitancy is not about cost; nor is it usually about obtaining support from employers. Usually, there is a fear of being overcome by the difficulties and challenges of learning, perhaps because they have been away from formal education for many years, or simply because they are familiar with training rather than the academic rigour of university programmes.

Well, simply put, there is nothing to be afraid of or worried about. If you decide to undertake an academic programme you can expect to be provided with advice, support, guidance and resources to allow you to grow into the mysteries of higher educational learning. In fact, here’s a little secret – there are no mysteries at all! Learning takes time; skills take practice, correction and amendment to perfect. It can be done and in fact, it is not intimidating or difficult at all. It does take hard work and application – but so does life.

Most importantly higher education learning doesn’t turn you into an academic; it enhances your professional capabilities. In fact, unless you are steeped in study on a daily basis, you are not an academic or a scholar – in reality, for those who undertake professional and academic courses as part of their CPD (continuing professional development), the clue is in the acronym - ‘CPD’! And importantly, it is not all about theory; education in the modern world and in the BC world should be about practical application.

So, in Education Month, perhaps it is worthwhile taking pause from your busy and demanding life and thinking about what you would like to be.

• Better paid? Education helps whether you study for a certificate, diploma, bachelors or master’s degree.
• More competitive? Education helps you to think about and analyse the world around you.
• Better at your job? Education helps you to learn and understand what you do and why – and what you should be doing and why.
• A thought leader? Education helps you to become a more effective thinker as well as an effective practitioner; win/win!.

Education will not necessarily make you any better than anyone else. Just holding an award is meaningless if you are unable to make it work for you and if you cannot use and develop the skills and knowledge gained from your learning. But - if you’ve taken the time and trouble to read the Education Month blogs and other publicity then you must be interested and it may be time to transform your interest into reality.

Phil Wood is the Head of Enterprise, Security and Resilience within the Faculty of Design, Media and Management at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK.

Are you equipped for the future of work?

The world around us is constantly changing. Some say we now live and work in a VUCA environment, characterised by:

• volatility
• uncertainty
• complexity
• ambiguity

So how do businesses survive (and thrive) when nothing ever stands still? Perhaps part of the answer is in continuous learning and development, which can enable individuals to be agile and responsive to each and every challenge.

Continuing professional development (or CPD) enables you to take charge of your learning. Often CPD will involve a range of different activities which meet your specific needs, from enrolling on a formal training course, or qualification, to using social media to gain immediate insight on a topic. There is no one size fits all, and how you approach CPD will depend on your own preferences and goals.

There are, however, common benefits. Here I'll highlight six key reasons why CPD can support your development, and have a positive business impact.

Developing yourself

1. Setting goals
CPD enables you to spend time reflecting on your strengths and development needs, either from a technical or behavioural skill perspective. Through this process you can gain confidence through recognition of your existing abilities, and greater awareness of what you need to focus on next. This can help you to set clear and tangible goals, and be able secure the support you need to achieve these.

2. Career enhancement
The new skills or additional knowledge that you gain through CPD can help to support your career progression. Showcasing your achievements in the workplace may lead to new opportunities or increased recognition and credibility. Often this may mean moving to a bigger or broader role. You may also identify a new area of professional interest and decide to pursue this as a career option.

3. Future-proofing
The skills and knowledge required in the workplace are constantly changing in response to external factors, such as technological and economic development. CPD is a way of 'future-proofing' your skills, to keep up with the pace of chance. We don't know what jobs or skills will be needed in 10 years time, but we do know that enhancing your skills and knowledge will enable you to adapt whatever changes there are, as roles and organisational requirements evolve.

Developing your business

4. Learning culture
The benefits of CPD are not just confined to the individual. They also relate to the success of the organisation. Encouraging CPD across an organisation can help create a learning culture. This is an environment where learning is continual, expected of everyone and happens at every level. Having this focus on learning can enable an organisation to be more effective, as employees are better equipped to adapt and spot opportunities. It can also mean that there is more willingness to learn from experience, and see mistakes or failure as a developmental opportunity.

5. Maximising performance and potential
There is clearly a personal benefit to an employee developing and progressing in their career. However, there is also an equal gain for the organisation. CPD enables employees to keep their knowledge up to date, which in turn can drive greater performance in the workplace. It can also help 'unlock' potential through the development of enhanced skills. This can lead to a greater proportion of the workforce operating at their full potential.

6. Engagement and retention
CPD activities can also help support retention and engagement. A Spring 2014 Employee Outlook survey published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (completed by 2,523 UK employees) found that just 35% consider themselves to be engaged and 21% are looking for a new job. This is clearly a significant issues, and one which can have a profound impact on productivity and recruitment costs. Effective CPD can enable an organisation meet this challenge and drive greater engagement and commitment, through enabling employees to develop themselves, meet their goals and progress in their career.

This blog provides just a snap-shot of the key benefits, and depending on the specific activity there are many more. For example, the value of networking with other professionals in training events, or the developmental gain from mentoring someone at the start of their professional career.

You might feel that these benefits are mitigated by the time investment in involved. But CPD
 does not need to be time intensive ; it's about the quality of the experience and how you use the development to enable you to thrive in changing times.

Ruth Stuart is the Research Adviser for Learning and Development at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.