Improving Staff Engagement: Could Lunch and Learn be the Answer?

In today’s society, more and more businesses understand that achieving successful results is in part down to investment in their people. The more engaged and motivated your employees, the more likely you are to have a contented workplace and increased productivity.

Furthermore, with such a technology-driven age and especially in an office environment, communication and relationships can easily become strained and less effective. Good old fashioned face to face engagement should not be a thing of the past!

A coffee cup on a table with conference guests in the distance.

What is Lunch and Learn?

So, what is a lunch and learn and how can it improve your staff’s engagement?

Lunch and learn events have been popular among London businesses for some time, offering an informal approach to staff training and development.

Scheduled during the lunch period, these sessions cover varied and interesting presentation topics, usually with lunch provided as a way to encourage participation.

Lunch and Learn Benefits

The informal nature of such an approach instantly creates a culture of communication, collaboration, and learning. Each lunch and learn presentation provides the opportunity for your staff to absorb new ideas and knowledge to refresh, up skill and inform.

Engaging employees in this way allows an open and community-driven approach to learning. Plus who doesn’t love a free delicious lunch!

Achieving a Successful Lunch and Learn Programme

The best way to ensure the successful implementation of a new lunch and learn programme is about making it interesting, relevant, and varied. Here are some things to bear in mind when creating your businesses lunch and learn programme.

  • Ignite interest and curiosity with varied and interesting topics.
  • Tailor content by involving your staff. Find out what they want to see and hear.
  • Get the balance right between business and non-business related topics.
  • Choose content which evokes an emotion – humour, inspiration, empathy, motivation.
  • Provide attractive, tasty, varied, and fun food, snacks and beverages as an ongoing incentive.
  • Storytelling is a great approach to engagement and learning tool – invite employees to present success stories.
  • Choose a suitable space that is light, bright, and informal.
  • Start small and don’t over schedule these events, people do have other things to do in their lunchtime too! Perhaps, consider one a week.
  • Offer succinct handouts to take away, ensuring key point can be easily referenced afterwards.
  • Consider recording sessions so remote employees can be included and enjoy the benefits.
  • Establish an open forum of feedback so your session can easily evolve with the times and needs of the staff and business.

Remember, these events need to be optional. It will be the content and tasty offerings that will attract your employees. Focus on content that supports individuals expand their professional skills and increase their ability to navigate life’s challenges.

Finger buffet lunch with a variety of food by PenniBlack.

PenniBlack have delivered contract catering for many London businesses’ lunch and learn events, providing creative and exciting choices your staff will love. Get in touch with us today to discuss your bespoke lunch and learn menu.