10 Proven Techniques to Embed Learning Before and After Workshops

Workshops are an excellent springboard for sparking creativity, generating ideas, and developing crucial skills. They provide a vibrant setting where participants can explore new ideas, collaborate with colleagues, and learn from experts.

However, let's be honest: if the learning ends when the session concludes, you're missing out on a wealth of potential. The real task is to integrate that knowledge into daily work to foster lasting change. This involves taking the insights gained and turning them into practical applications that boost performance and drive innovation within your organisation.

At Excel Communications, we’re committed to making learning stick, which is why we’ve launched our exciting new video creation service! This service is crafted to extend the impact of your workshops by offering engaging, easily accessible content that reinforces key learnings. But more on that shortly.

First, let’s explore 10 effective strategies to sustain learning post-workshops:

1. Develop Personal Action Plans

Encourage participants to leave the workshop with a well-defined and concrete action plan that acts as a bridge between the learning environment and their everyday work life. This plan should be comprehensive, prompting them to outline specific, measurable goals that align with both their personal development and organisational objectives.

Encourage them to detail the strategies they will employ to achieve these goals, considering potential challenges and how they might overcome them. Additionally, setting clear deadlines is crucial, as it instils a sense of urgency and commitment to applying their new skills.

This personalised roadmap not only provides clarity on their next steps but also serves as a powerful motivational tool. It keeps participants focused on their objectives, fosters a sense of ownership over their learning journey, and holds them accountable for their progress, ultimately ensuring that the knowledge gained during the workshop translates into tangible, impactful results in their professional roles.

2. Follow Up With Short Videos

Here’s where things get really exciting and transformative for your learning journey. We now offer a cutting-edge service: custom on-demand videos that meticulously highlight the key points from your workshop sessions.

These videos are crafted to be concise yet comprehensive, allowing participants to revisit and reinforce essential lessons at their convenience. This means that whether you're at your desk, on the go, or preparing for an important meeting, you can easily access these insights to keep the learning fresh, relevant, and actionable. Imagine having a leadership tip or a communication strategy at your fingertips, ready to be applied whenever the situation demands.

Our videos are designed to extend the workshop experience far beyond the initial session, ensuring that the knowledge you gain remains top of mind. This way, you can seamlessly integrate these insights into real-world scenarios, enhancing your ability to drive innovation and performance within your organisation.

3. Schedule Regular Check-Ins

Establish a routine of regular one-on-one or team check-ins to delve into the progress, challenges, and successes that have emerged from the workshop.

These check-ins are not just a formality; they are a vital component in ensuring that the learning remains a priority and that any necessary adjustments can be made promptly. By creating a consistent schedule for these discussions, you provide a dedicated space for participants to openly share their experiences, seek valuable advice, and celebrate their achievements.

This practice not only reinforces the learning but also cultivates a supportive environment where continuous improvement is encouraged. It fosters a culture where individuals feel empowered to grow and develop, knowing they have a network of support to guide them through their learning journey. Through these regular interactions, you can build a community of learners who are committed to applying their new skills and insights, ultimately driving innovation and success within the organisation.

4. Form Peer Learning Groups

Encourage participants to form small groups to discuss how they’re applying what they learned, as this can significantly enhance the learning experience. These groups serve as a dynamic platform for peer accountability, where members hold each other responsible for implementing new skills and concepts. By sharing insights and experiences, participants can deepen their understanding and solidify their knowledge.

This collaborative environment fosters a supportive network where individuals can freely exchange ideas, brainstorm solutions to common challenges, and offer constructive feedback. Moreover, these interactions can spark inspiration, motivating group members to push the boundaries of their newfound skills and explore innovative applications.

Through regular meetings and discussions, participants can continuously refine their abilities, ensuring that the knowledge gained from workshops is not only retained but also effectively integrated into their professional lives. This approach not only reinforces learning but also cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and collective growth, driving both personal and organisational success.

5. Provide Resources For Ongoing Learning

Offer a diverse array of guides, templates, or additional reading materials that seamlessly complement the workshop content, providing a rich tapestry of resources for participants to explore. These materials can range from detailed step-by-step guides that break down complex concepts into manageable actions, to templates that offer a practical framework for applying new skills in real-world scenarios. Additionally, curated reading lists can introduce participants to thought leaders and innovative ideas that expand on workshop themes, encouraging further exploration and learning.

Pairing these resources with our cutting-edge on-demand videos creates a comprehensive learning ecosystem, ensuring participants have multiple avenues to revisit and deepen their understanding of the material. These videos are designed to be engaging and easily accessible, allowing participants to reinforce key concepts at their own pace and convenience. Whether they prefer visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic learning styles, this combination of resources caters to diverse preferences, making it easier for everyone to engage with the material in a way that resonates with them personally.

By offering such a variety of resources, you empower participants to take control of their learning journey, enabling them to revisit and reinforce their knowledge whenever they need it. This approach not only enhances retention but also encourages continuous learning and application, ultimately leading to more effective integration of workshop insights into their daily professional lives.

6. Celebrate Early Successes

Publicly recognise and celebrate early successes that stem from workshop learnings by organising events or meetings where these achievements can be shared with the entire team. This could be as simple as a shout-out during a team meeting or as elaborate as a dedicated celebration event. By doing so, you not only boost morale but also create an environment where individuals feel valued and appreciated for their efforts.

This recognition serves as a powerful motivator, inspiring others to apply their new skills and strive for similar accomplishments. Highlighting these achievements reinforces the value of the workshop by demonstrating tangible results and benefits, which in turn encourages a positive learning culture. In such a culture, progress is consistently acknowledged and rewarded, fostering an atmosphere where continuous improvement and learning are integral to the organisational ethos. This approach not only enhances individual motivation but also strengthens team cohesion, as everyone works towards shared goals and celebrates collective successes.

7. Incorporate Learning Into Daily Workflows

Make it easier to practise new skills by thoughtfully weaving them into the fabric of regular tasks, meetings, or processes. This approach not only reinforces learning but also ensures that these skills are consistently applied in real-world scenarios. For instance, you could introduce a team challenge that specifically targets the application of key workshop takeaways. This could involve setting up a project where team members must collaborate using newly acquired skills, or perhaps a series of mini-tasks that require the use of these skills to solve common workplace problems.

By embedding learning into everyday activities, you create a seamless transition from theory to practice, allowing team members to naturally integrate new skills into their daily routines. This method not only solidifies the learning but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where skill development becomes a natural and ongoing part of the work environment. Over time, this integration helps ensure that new skills are not just learned but become an integral part of your team’s routine, enhancing overall performance and innovation.

8. Use Gamification To Reinforce Learning

Create small competitions or rewards to encourage the application of workshop learnings in a fun and interactive way. This could involve setting up a point system where participants earn points for demonstrating new skills or completing tasks related to the workshop content. Alternatively, you could introduce a lively leaderboard that tracks progress and showcases top performers, adding an element of friendly rivalry.

Gamification transforms the learning experience by making it not only engaging but also memorable, as it taps into the natural human desire for competition and achievement. This approach turns the learning process into an enjoyable journey, where participants are motivated to actively participate and strive for excellence. By incorporating these elements, you create an environment where learning is not just a task but an exciting challenge, encouraging continuous improvement and fostering a culture of growth and innovation.

9. Offer Coaching And Mentoring

Pair participants with experienced coaches or mentors who can offer invaluable guidance in applying the insights gained from workshops. These mentors serve as a beacon of support, providing personalised feedback that not only accelerates progress but also boosts confidence. With their wealth of knowledge and experience, mentors can offer tailored advice, share practical tips, and provide encouragement that is crucial for overcoming obstacles.

They act as a sounding board for ideas and a source of accountability, ensuring that participants stay on track with their learning goals. By helping participants navigate challenges and explore new opportunities, mentors play a pivotal role in maximising their potential and fostering a culture of continuous growth and development. This relationship not only enhances the learning experience but also empowers individuals to translate workshop insights into real-world success, driving both personal and organisational advancement.

10. Leverage On-Demand Video Learning (Yes, It’s That Important!)

Here’s why we’re so excited about our new video creation service: these short, dynamic videos are meticulously crafted to align with the specific themes and objectives of your workshop, ensuring that they reinforce the most critical concepts and insights. Participants have the flexibility to watch these videos at their convenience, whether it's right before a crucial meeting to boost their confidence, during their daily commute to make productive use of their time, or whenever they need a quick refresher to jog their memory.

Imagine having the essence of the workshop at your fingertips, ready to be accessed without the need for any awkward icebreakers or formalities. These videos provide a convenient, flexible, and engaging way to keep the learning process alive and thriving, ensuring that participants can effortlessly access the vital information they need, precisely when they need it. This approach not only enhances retention but also empowers individuals to seamlessly integrate new knowledge into their daily routines, driving continuous improvement and innovation within your organisation.

Workshops are just the beginning of the learning journey. Embedding knowledge requires a mix of intentional actions, ongoing reinforcement, and accessible tools. At Excel Communications, our mission is to ensure learning sticks, and makes a real difference. By implementing these strategies, you can transform workshop insights into tangible outcomes that drive success and innovation within your organisation.

If you’re looking for the ultimate way to embed workshop learning, our new video creation offering is here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can create videos that turn insights into action.

Our team is ready to partner with you to develop customised content that aligns with your goals and enhances the impact of your learning initiatives.

Many thanks,

Alex & The Excel Team

P.S. If you would like to discuss any of your other learning & development challenges, book in your discovery call.

About Excel Communications

Excel Communications is a learning and development consultancy based near London in the U.K. For more than 30 years; we have been collaborating with clients across the globe.  

Partnering with Excel empowers you to evolve your people and business by fuelling a love for learning.   

We work with you to create unforgettably, customised learning experiences to achieve your vision of success and growth, with tangible results.   

View our case studies here.