Personalized learning strategies are key for employee development in today’s evolving workplace. Learn from experts Carrie Berg and Jessica Michaels how to tailor learning experiences to individual needs and organizational goals.

By tailoring learning experiences to individual needs and aligning them with broader business objectives, companies can foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. This approach not only boosts employee engagement and performance but also ensures that learning initiatives are directly contributing to the organization’s strategic goals. Through insights from industry leaders and practical examples, we will explore the transformative power of personalized learning in the modern workplace.

Meet the Experts

Carrie Berg

Joining us is Carrie Berg, the Vice President of Learning and Development at Teladoc Health and a distinguished member of the Forbes Human Resources Council. With over 20 years in the medical industry, Carrie is dedicated to developing impactful learning solutions and fostering a culture of learning and excellence. Her approach combines data-driven insights with a focus on enhancing employee skills and performance, aligning with Teladoc Health’s mission to transform healthcare delivery.

Jessica Michaels

Alongside Carrie, we have the pleasure of welcoming Jessica Michaels, a renowned advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace, focusing on bridging the gap between traditional professionalism and neurodivergent individuals. Through coaching, training, and speaking engagements, she aims to create an environment where neurodivergent talents are recognized and valued. Carrie and Jessica, we’re thrilled to have you with us.

Exploring the Journey

Carrie Berg’s Journey

Nisha: How about we start with a little bit on your journey in the L&D space? Carrie, maybe we can start with you.

Carrie: Sure. Thank you so much for that wonderful welcome. Happy to be here. My journey is pretty interesting because I started off in healthcare as a clinician and kind of got into the medical device space. I’m fascinated by innovation and trying to improve healthcare in the United States. I’ve spent a lot of time in sales and sales training and really got into learning and development. Being a part of various startups, where it’s all hands on deck, allowed me to take on different roles and gain diverse experiences. Now, I manage an amazing team across Teladoc Health that trains our medical providers, focuses on commercial learning, and supports global leadership development and mentoring.

Jessica Michaels’ Journey

Nisha: That’s great. That’s an interesting journey for sure, Carrie. What about you, Jessica? How has your journey been?

Jessica: Yes, I actually started in recruiting back when you answered job ads in the paper. I didn’t really know what I was applying for; I just went into an office for a help-wanted ad, and my career was born. From recruiting, I moved into sales and sales training. Like Carrie, that’s a big part of my background. I got promoted to management very young, at 21, and made every mistake possible as a manager, which spurred my love for training. Later, I found out I was autistic and had ADHD, which moved me into the world of neurodiversity. Now, I help new managers work with all types of employees, creating inclusive workplaces.

Personalized Learning: Aligning Individual and Organizational Goals

Understanding Employee Strengths and Weaknesses

Nisha: How do you ensure that personalized learning experiences cater to individual employee goals and align with organizational objectives? Carrie, do you have any thoughts on that?

Carrie: Sure. The first thing is to understand employee strengths and weaknesses. L&D teams need to help employees figure that out and coach managers to assist their teams. It’s crucial to know what you’re good at, where your opportunities to improve are, and what you like or don’t like. Understanding the organization’s goals, such as technology, AI, or rapid growth, helps connect personal aspirations with organizational objectives.

Creating Familiar Learning Environments

Nisha: Jessica, do you have similar thoughts on this space?

Jessica: Absolutely. It’s important for the organization to have a clear sense of its goals and mission. In L&D, we can use the company’s vocabulary to make concepts familiar to employees, reinforcing the corporate ethos. Organizations should also define what a good manager or employee looks like, ensuring consistency in expectations across different roles and projects. L&D has a unique ability to embed these values into learning experiences.

The Role of Technology in Personalized Learning

Embracing New Technologies

Nisha: Carrie, you mentioned technology earlier. How important is it to keep up with new technologies while creating personalized learning modules? Any examples from Teladoc?

Carrie: Keeping up with technology is tough because it’s constantly changing. Personalization and efficiency are key. For example, we use tools to drive more effective meetings, manage calendars, and automate note-taking. We’re also exploring AI’s role in learning, ensuring it enhances rather than replaces human elements.

Multi-Modal Learning Approaches

Nisha: Jessica, what are your thoughts on this? Do you keep up with new technologies, or do you find it overwhelming?

Jessica: Rather than trying to keep up with every new piece of technology, I focus on the opportunities they offer for multi-modal learning. Technology allows for different learning styles, whether it’s live training, podcasts, or interactive e-learning. The next step is integrating these formats to ensure comprehensive learning experiences and measuring behavior change over time.

Data and Analytics in Personalized Learning

Utilizing Data for Effective Learning

Nisha: How do data and analytics influence the creation and assessment of personalized learning programs? Any experiences you’d like to share?

Carrie: Data is crucial in proving the value of learning initiatives. Understanding demographics and learning preferences helps tailor programs. For example, we’re tracking neurodivergent and accessibility needs to customize learning experiences. Data on engagement and behavior change helps refine our approach and demonstrate the effectiveness of our programs.

Measuring and Adapting Learning Experiences

Nisha: Jessica, have you encountered any real-life examples where data made a significant impact on learning experiences?

Jessica: Absolutely. We conducted a study on how employees use our learning portal, revealing that it was overwhelming and hard to navigate. This data-driven insight led us to rethink how we present information and measure engagement. By understanding user behavior, we improved accessibility and effectiveness of our learning resources.

Conclusion

Final Thoughts

Nisha: We’ve had a great discussion today. Do you have any final thoughts on personalized learning and organizational development?

Jessica: Lean into personalized learning and move away from the idea that everyone needs to be in a room at one time. Recognize that people learn differently and create environments that support individual growth.

Carrie: I echo Jessica’s sentiments. Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous learning, supported by leadership, is essential. Providing diverse learning opportunities and supporting employees in their personal development journeys will cultivate a robust learning culture.

Closing Remarks

As we wrap up this insightful episode, a heartfelt thanks to our guests, Carrie Berg and Jessica Michaels, for their valuable contributions. Their perspectives on personalized learning and boosting employee development have highlighted the importance of customizing learning to meet individual and organizational needs, embracing technology, and leveraging data analytics.

To our listeners, thank you for joining us. We hope today’s discussion inspires you to innovate in your L&D strategies, enhancing professional development within your organizations. Stay tuned for more episodes in our L&D Upskill series, where we’ll delve deeper into the transformative world of learning and development.