As ever with a series like this, I’m grateful to learn from the network about what’s on their mind. Here’s a great piece from Mariam Imran, a comms specialist based out of Pakistan. Mariam here writes about the importance of more cohesive communications with some helpful context about organisational communication tools.
Mariam Imran is a Communications and PR professional with over 6 years of experience. She currently works in Pakistan as a freelancer and as a consultant helping clients with communications, PR and content. In this role, she leads communication and corresponding channels that drive engagement for top clients in arts and culture, tech, retail, finance, healthcare and logistics sector.
You can connect with Mariam here on LinkedIn.
I don’t edit or amend the pieces being written for me. I’m not an editor, and that’s not something that matters for the purposes of this series. Each piece is submitted in the author’s own writing style. I’m also not fact-checking, unless there’s something that needs to be fact-checked.
Learning and Development Communications: My Two Cents
The L&D industry is undergoing a transformation, it always is. There is always something new, a new technology, use of AI, AR and the shift towards e-learning platforms, all of these has redefined how learning experiences are designed and delivered. This shift is mainly driven by a growing demand for more personalized, engaging, and accessible content that caters to a diverse, multi-cultured and multi-linguist group of global workforce.
My journey in this dynamic field began when I joined Torque Corp as a Communications Manager, a leading L&D company in Pakistan. In this role, I developed communication strategies, worked with some great clients, met fantastic people, and understood how to enhance learner engagement and program effectiveness. This was achieved by listening to both internal and external audiences.
Later, after a few years I then worked as a Freelancer and as a Communications Consultant. In this role, I was able to work with clients in Middle East including UAE. I witnessed firsthand the rapid technological advancements, how e-learning is a big part of companies and how employee effectiveness programs are designed and delivered. Along with their impact on employee performance and L&D.
The transition from traditional training methods to innovative digital solutions has been both challenging and rewarding, pre-covid and post-covid requiring a continuous adaptation of communication techniques to meet learner expectations of different cultural backgrounds.
AI in L&D
The integration of AI has made progress in the L&D sector. With AI and AR many multilinguist learners immerse themselves in realistic simulations, and has led to improvements especially for industries like digital, healthcare, retail, SaaS and engineering and with all this, it has led to improved learning outcomes and engaged professionals by understanding and addressing their challenges and needs.
E-learning Post-COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic became a force and a catalyst for things to progress widespread with the adoption of e-learning. Organizations had to pivot quickly to virtual learning environments, which led to a surge in the development and utilization of online learning platforms and have since become integral to L&D strategies.
Post-COVID, the emphasis has shifted towards creating hybrid learning, hybrid working environments that combine the best of virtual and in-person training. This hybrid approach not only offers flexibility but also caters to different learning preferences, making education more inclusive and effective.
Areas for Improvement in L&D Communications
One challenge I find, and in conversations with a few L&D professionals in US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar is the need for more cohesive and integrated communication strategies across various platforms and technologies.
The rapid technological change can may lead to slow adaptation of organizations ability to keep their communication strategies aligned. This gap can lead to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in how learning programs are perceived and engaged with by learners.
Based on my expertise, Here’s what I see can be improved.
1. Unified Communication Platforms
There should be a concerted effort to unify communication across various platforms (and I mean all the platforms especially internal). This means integrating learning management systems (LMS) with internal communication tools, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, to create a seamless flow of information making sure that learners receive consistent messages, regardless of the platform they use.
2. Continuous Professional Development for Communicators
L&D professionals need ongoing training in the latest communication tools and strategies. So keeping a regular workshops and training sessions on the latest trends and best practices, ensuring that they are aware of new technologies to enhance learner engagement.
3. Enhanced Feedback Mechanisms
Enabling a feedback mechanism can also allow learners to share their experiences and suggestions. This feedback can then be used to refine communication strategies and learning programs, making them more responsive to learner needs.
4. Cultural Sensitivity and Localization
As L&D programs cater to a global audience, including a mix of cultures, it’s essential to incorporate cultural sensitivity into communication strategies. This involves localizing content in different languages to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of different learner groups, ensuring that messages are relevant and respectful of cultural nuances.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, I would like to see a greater emphasis on holistic communication strategies that encompass all aspects of the learning experience. This includes pre-learning engagement, real-time support, and post-learning follow-up. Effective communication should be an ongoing process that supports learners at every stage of their journey.
Additionally, I hope to see more collaboration between L&D professionals and communication experts and this will bring a mix of innovative strategies to enhance the overall learning experience.
