Essential

Develop your skills

Developing your skills requires training. But not just training. It also requires
a certain state of mind to review practices on a regular basis, get feedback
and advice, and take an active role in your development. You can develop
your skills in three ways: by seeking information, recognizing learning
opportunities and taking action.

Seek information

Stay informed... ... internally and externally

Obtain relevant information on the development
of your company, its organization and strategy, as
well as the developments and changes in your field
(e.g. innovations, regulations) and the market (e.g.
growth, competition).
To stay up-to-date, you should set up a multi-
channel watch:
• Internal web resources: corporate Internet and
Intranet websites, and the company's social
network, newsletters, etc.

• Personal network: former and current colleagues,

members of other teams, clients, partners,
professional contacts, etc.

• External sources: specialized media, trade fairs,

professional associations, social networks, etc.

Ask the right questions

Select the relevant training programs
To do this:

• Learn about your rights and the opportunities of • Get feedback from others who may be better or
on-site classroom or e-learning training available differently informed
in your company

• Take the time to review your past experiences,

achievements as well as failures, and analyze your
needs in terms of your field of work, personal
development or new areas of expertise

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 Essential
Develop your skills

Learn on the job

Besides traditional training programs, you can discuss other possibilities with your manager or HR
department:

• Peer to peer training, where you share best • Mentoring, where you work with an experienced
practices with a colleague and work together colleague who will guide you throughout your
to improve your skills assignment

Get involved

Look for new assignments and learning
experiences
Developing your skills also involves taking initiatives:
• Volunteer for a new assignment or project
• Shadow and assist a colleague during his/
her assignment in order to discover a new
professional domain
• Organize an internship in another department or
in a partner company (i.e. work for a few days in
another department or company to learn more
about it)
Ask the right questions
To ensure a positive learning experience, you should
ask yourself the right questions before starting.
For example:
• Are you interested in a specific project within
your team?
• In which areas could this project help you
develop?
• If you are successful, what would be the benefits?
• Who can help you accomplish it successfully?
• What is holding you back?
• What would convince you to take action?

This file and its contents are the property of CrossKnowledge.

2/
Any representation or reproduction for any use other than private use is explicitly forbidden. 2