Learn Something

The Lesson – Learn Something!

Learning is a life-long process. It doesn’t stop after high school, after college, or after your two-week new hire training. As American Philosopher Mortimer Adler pointed out, “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.”

Every December, the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) puts the spotlight on learning through their awareness campaign, Employee Learning Week (ELW). This year’s ELW is taking place right now – December 6-10, 2010.

This week companies everywhere will hold special events, distribute literature, and bring Employee Learning Week into focus. And why wouldn’t they? According to the ASTD, in 2008 organizations spent on average $1,068 per employee on learning and development. It is important to note that this was during a period of challenging economic times. I point that out because even when things got tough, companies continued to invest billions ($134.07 billion actually) on developing their most important resource – you – in order to maintain a competitive advantage.

Study after study has shown a significant connection between employee learning and development and an organization’s ability to achieve excellence. According to business icon Jack Welch, “An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.”

But enough about organizations. Let’s talk about you. Because not only is learning an organization’s competitive advantage, but it’s yours as well.

In seminars, I often joke with attendees that most individuals spend more on bottled water every year than they do on resources to do their job better. I don’t have any scientific research to back that up. It’s just a gut feeling after spending years in the field. But, let’s do a quick test. How much of your personal money have you invested on books, tapes, seminars, and other resource material in the last year to help you improve? For many people the answer is $0. Why? Because they expect their company to provide all things related to training and development. However, the most successful people know that they have to take personal responsibility for their own learning and development if they are to be successful. They don’t simply wait around for their company to water their roots; they water their own roots.

The Challenge

This week take responsibility for your learning and make it a point to learn something new about your job, the company, and the ARM industry each day. Completing this challenge doesn’t necessarily require a huge investment of time; in fact, you can learn something new in just 5 minutes each day. But, like anything in life, you’re going to get out of it about as much as you put into it.

Here are a couple of ways to rise to the challenge:

• Attend a webinar that will help you advance your skills. If you know where to look, you might even be able to attend a session free of charge.
• Inquire about the training opportunities your company has available. If your company has a library of e-learning courses available, tap into it!
• Read a book, trade journal, or other industry periodical. You can download a free copy of collector mentor in the insideARM.com Book Store.
• Take advantage of online websites such as insidearm.com, acainternational.org, or accountsrecovery.net and read the latest news and industry commentary.

Leonardo da Vinci makes a good point on personal responsibility: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing to do is not enough, we must do.”

The Reflection

1.    How much time on average do you spend each month improving your skills, knowledge, and abilities?
2.    What is the last book you read or training session you attended, and how has it influenced your career?
3.    If you are a supervisor, manager, or CEO, how do you set the learning example for employees?
4.    How would continual practice of this challenge positively affect your career?

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge™, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.

About collector mentor
Published bimonthly, collector mentor is a quick-read publication dedicated entirely to delivering articles and practical advice that teaches credit and collection professionals how to increase collection results, enhance productivity, improve teamwork, and become better stewards of the industry.