Lunch break during working days allows employees to refresh and charge their batteries. Importantly, it helps prevent a mid-afternoon productivity fall. Yet, a lunch break does not necessarily have to be all about food and resting your mind. It can also be used to refocus, learn new (or improve existing) skills, get creative and even get to know each other with colleagues. These enriched, educational, and conversational lunch breaks are known as “lunch and learn” and are a necessary supplement to any company culture.
The article below will look at what precisely lunch and learn programs are and their most important benefits for companies of all shapes and sizes.
What Is a Lunch and Learn Program?
A lunch and learn is an on-site, voluntary learning program where a company expert or a guest lecturer shares information on an important topic. It is an enjoyable blend of a learning and social event with a flexible concept.
The subjects of these events can vary from introducing a new idea or strategy to discussing critical issues like diversity or employee motivation. To get an idea, the team at Hoppier has compiled a list of the most popular lunch and learn topics – everything from product training, life skills, personal development, and “TED talks” to meet the team or interest clubs. Depending on the discussed matter, the event can be in the form of a meeting, training session, or presentation.
A lunch and learn event usually lasts about 30 to 45 minutes out of every lunch, and the employer provides the food. It can be organized in an employee cafeteria, a conference room, or even an auditorium. What sets this concept apart from other company programs is the openness and less formal structure. It brings together people from across the company in a relaxed and friendly setting to collaborate, learn, share knowledge, and gather insights.
Benefits of a Lunch and Learn Program
Companies can benefit from utilizing lunch and learn programs and initiatives in numerous ways because it:
#1 Facilitates more accessible learning
The character of a lunch and learn event is friendly and informal, offering the possibility for people to develop their skills in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Recent studies have shown that casual, ‘on-the-job learning is more important for workers’ human capital development than formal training.’
That being said, lunch and learn initiatives are a pleasant and collaborative alternative to traditional classroom-based learning. For companies, that is a great plus, since this way they can foster a culture of education and knowledge sharing in any setting, encouraging teamwork and cooperation at the same time. Notably, the sessions make excellent use of time. Things are a lot better when you can learn at lunch – big challenges seem achievable, and employees have a clear path to valuable learning assets.
#2 Enables more targeted education
A lunch and learn program takes up a relatively short time, which means that each presenter must master and focus on the topic at hand. That is a beautiful opportunity that forces those who wish to be instructors to penetrate the core points of an issue and highlight the critical information to know. Simultaneously, the brief informal setting allows a better channel for understanding and getting the direct point across. Importantly, it immediately and effectively creates critical awareness for the issue at hand.
#3 Provides more accessible opportunities to share knowledge
Due to the format and diversification in topics, lunch learning offers more employees a chance to learn how to teach and train. That can have a significant influence on boosting motivation and self-esteem by employees. It creates a safe space for people to develop their confidence in presenting and public speaking. It is far less intimidating to stand up in front of your coworkers over lunch than to take center stage for an audience of potential clients. Ultimately, when given a chance to work on or polish their skills, people can directly influence their career trajectories.
#4 Supports lower employee turnover
Career-minded employees are always looking for ways to improve their skills. Making it less of a burden for team members to keep their skills sharp benefits everyone and strengthens loyalty to the employer. Learning at lunch shows new hires that they will have opportunities to grow and maintain their motivation throughout their tenure at a company.
#5 It helps the company set more precise goals and higher achievement
When part of a company’s education portfolio, a lunch and learn initiative helps a business set clearer organizational goals and higher achievements. Having a clear look at the current situation in the company and figuring out ways to achieve what is planned helps managers highlight the skills each individual may need and maximize a program’s impact at the same time. When each employee’s capacity is recognized and appropriately allocated, it raises the motivation level necessary to fulfill its overall objectives.
#6 Enables coordination and teamwork
Sometimes people like to eat alone, but for the most part, social connection helps people advance at the same tempo. Team members who might not usually have the chance to meet one another can foster absolute trust as part of a lunch and learn. Cross-functional teamwork and team communication become a breeze.
Working together is essential to success in any company. Employees see others not just as coworkers but as resources they can connect with when they need a helping hand. That primarily helps in building and maintaining teamwork skills.
#7 Upholds team members’ professional development
Learning in-depth about other people’s tasks and responsibilities is good for team coordination and employees’ professional development. Overview of colleagues’ tasks and learning more about the area they work on can make team members more flexible, more responsive to changing business conditions, and better prepared to step in when others are absent.
#8 Provides complimentary food
Free food may at first seem like an added cost for companies. However, offering food at these events (or in general) in the office can help employees be more productive. When workers do not have to leave the building to get a snack, they have more time to focus on work. Finally, providing attendees with complimentary food is a way for a company to show that it appreciates its employees’ hard work and willingness to use their free time for learning.
The Bottom Line
A learn at lunch program creates an opportunity for information flow and training. It doesn’t matter if the event is targeted towards professional or personal development, skill set training, or even life skills, these sessions can boost employee motivation and skills needed for a valuable and successful work experience.
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Source: http://hrnews.co.uk/benefits-of-lunch-and-learn-programs-for-companies/
