What is Learning?

     In Business learning is a means to an end. Generally Speaking, that end is enhanced workforce performance, which in trun reflects its value--beter products and services, lower costs , a more competitive posture in the marketplace, greater innovation, improved productivity, increased market share, etc.

     In the context of business, learning is the process by which people acquire new skills or knowledge for the purpose of enhancing their performance. Companies want salespeople to learn new selling techniques so they can improve their sales results, which goes right to the business's bottom line. A hotel wants its desk clerks to learn more about customer service so they can be more helpful to guests, and, as a result, the hotel can increase occupancy rates and solidify brand loyalty. The independent plumber seeks to learn a new way to repair burst pipes so that s/he can do the job more quickly and thus handle more customers in the same amount of time. Investment houses want their stockbrokers to learn more about investment strategy so they can presumably provide a greater level of client service, while the firm can increase the amount of assets it has under management. Ineach case, learning enables an individual or groups of indeividuals to work faster, better, and smarter so that they and their organizations (or employers) reap business benefits. (Marc J. Rosenberg)