Knowledge Playlists - Do-it-Ourselves Continuous Learning

Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) Continuous LearningKNOWLEDGE PLAYLISTS

Jessica Bantom

Simple fact: To compete, you have to stay on the ball

But there are often setbacks in acquiring the knowledge we need, especially in smaller organizations:

- Tight budgets- Limited resources

- Limited internal structure to support training- Resistance from management to invest in learning for awareness vs. necessity

And it’s often the case that a few individuals complete training but the entire organization never benefits

Solution: Implement shared Knowledge Playlists of curated information across your organization

A Knowledge Playlist is a compilation of information resources, groups, and activities on a given subject area (ideally free or low-cost)

Benefits:- Freely available (post internally for all staff)- Low-cost alternative (time and money) to formal training- Dynamic

Sample: Snapshot 1

Sample: Snapshot 2

How to Start

Step #1: Select a specific subject area

Identify a specific subject area (e.g., Design Thinking, Data Analytics) or role (e.g., Communications Specialist, Business Analyst) of relevance to your organization

Step #1: Select a specific subject area

Step #2: Find the sources

Search for organizations, online resources, groups, and courses that provide the latest information and engaging activities that promote learning – at minimal cost and in a just-in-time timeframe

Step #2: Find the sources

Associations & Businesses:- Conferences (attend virtually)- Service/Solution providers in your industry (often provide free webinars)

Step #2: Find the sources - Organizations

Cast a wide net:- Google Alerts – have relevant news and updates delivered to your inbox regularly- Social media – identify who to follow and on what channels

Step #2: Find the sources - Online

Mingle with the people:- Explore and attend relevant local Meetups- Identify active Alumni networks

Step #2: Find the sources - Groups

A little class goes a long way. Search for courses through:- Coursera- Lynda.com- LinkedIn Learning- Alumni Career Services

Step #2: Find the sources - Courses

Step #3: Share the wealth

In a document as simple as a Google doc, list all of the compiled information and share your Knowledge Playlists with colleagues


Give others in your organization access to add new resources and recommendations


Share events or activities of interest with like-minded colleagues and invite them along


Use as onboarding or training tools when an employee starts a new role or project


Use for professional development planning


Help your staff “test the waters”before committing time and money to a multi-week course or program


BONUS: Get more mileage out of learning experiences by sharing outputs (e.g., handouts, takeaways) across the entire organization just like you would share a playlist


Result: Break down knowledge silos and hoarding – create an environment of shared learning


There’s more than enough to go around!

Need some help getting Knowledge Playlists going for your organization?

Contact me at:[email protected]