Collaborative Learning - by Nick Hernandez

About the Book

Use this practical guide to embed collaborative learning in your organization to boost employee performance and drive business results.

Book Synopsis

Collaborative Learning explains how to leverage the knowledge and experience of existing employees to upskill the entire workforce.

This practical guide explains what collaborative learning is, what the benefits are and why it is needed in a nimble, fast-moving business world. It also explains the science behind shared expertise and how to foster this, how collaborative learning can be used to combat low learner engagement and employee burnout as well as how collaborative learning can be used on the full employee journey from pre-boarding and onboarding through to promotion and progression. This book also explains why collaborative learning is not a top-down cascade of information from the most senior employee to the most junior. Instead it is an inclusive approach to learning across functions and teams, across hierarchies and across job titles or tenure.

This book is full of expert discussion about why collaborative learning is a culture enhancer and contains advice for overcoming common obstacles when making collaborative learning part of a company's learning strategy. Packed with case studies and examples from global firms who have implemented and benefitted from collaborative learning including Google, Tesla, McDonald's, Lego, Haribo, LVMH and Mercedes, this book is for all L&D professionals who are looking to embed collaborative learning in the workplace but aren't sure where to start.

Review Quotes

"As Nick Hernandez points out in Collaborative Learning, the non-conscious nature of knowledge, per the research of Richard E. Clark, Ed.D., is the challenge, especially for High Stakes Performance. If the risks and rewards at stake allow, iterative and collaborative means for developing information and instruction are almost always better, faster and cheaper than most L&D organizations' approaches."-- "Guy W. Wallace, President, EPPIC Inc."

"Collaborative learning is one of the defining characteristics of high performing learning organizations - talked about by many but practiced by few. It's time for action! I'd echo Nick's own advice in this book - pick it up, use the ideas in the case studies and stories - test them, experiment with them and see what works!"-- "Laura Overton, Award winning L&D analyst; Founder, Learning Changemakers"

"Finally a book that understands not just the theory of collaborative learning but also understands how to roll its sleeves up and make it happen. I really enjoyed Nick's book. He breaks down the blueprint of collaborative learning and how to overcome typical challenges. This will be a benefit to anyone who reads it."-- "Danny Seals, Co-Founder, Venndorly"

"In L&D, books that stick are the ones that simply answer the question 'how do I make this work in my organization?' Nick absolutely nails this in his guide to collaborative learning. It's filled with well-researched thinking, real-world examples and obstacles that learning professionals may face when trying to implement this approach within their business. I found myself continually flicking back to how collaborative learning can be applied to different stages of the employee journey and how it enhances culture. It is smart, incredibly practical and nuanced, providing me and my team with plenty of ideas to put into action. This is a must-read book that not only challenges the status quo, but one that L&D professionals can rely on to inspire them to make stuff happen."-- "Adam Harwood, Associate Director of Talent and Culture, Biotechnology"

"Nick makes a strong case for the power, the impact and the absolute necessity of collaborative learning in today's increasingly digital and remote workplaces. Yesterday's top-down learning approaches no longer serve our businesses or employees. It is well past time to put learners in the driver's seat of their own performance and development. Collaborative learning does just that."-- "Bob Mosher, CEO/Chief Learning Evangelist, APPLY Synergies"

"Nick's passion for collaborative learning shines through; that provides energy for the reader! There are some excellent case studies which provide a good context for the thinking."-- "Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning, CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development)"

"One barrier to changing how learning is delivered is quantitative justification that the change will solve critical business problems. Nick has pulled together a comprehensive guide defining what collaborative learning is, why it matters and exactly how this dynamic change will have a measurable impact on some of the most critical problems keeping business executives up at night. He does all this while artfully highlighting 360Learning's role in making collaborative learning a reality. I also appreciate his sincere recognition that making the change comes with challenges and provides practical guidance on overcoming those challenges."-- "Christopher Lind, Founder & Principal Advisor, Learning Sharks/Learning Tech Talks"

"Something's always sat wrong with me in professional and corporate L&D. It's felt overly programmatic and formulaic. Enter Nick Hernandez and this book. All the chapters are well researched, storified and practical. This book is culture-enhancing and spark-inducing. We've been waiting for this work without truly knowing so; and from now, all learners stand to gain when you apply the urges, tools and approaches contained here. I'd lost faith in learning; it's now restored."-- "Perry Timms, Founder/Chief Energy Officer, PTHR"

About the Author

Nick Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of 360Learning, and a leading advisor and investor in the SaaS technology industry. Driven by his passion for improving the way we solve problems together through learning, Nick founded 360Learning in 2013, and has since grown the company into a leader in the EdTech sector. In late 2021, Nick and his team secured funding from Sumeru, SoftBank, and Silverlake for 360Learning to continue championing upskilling from within through collaborative learning. He is based in Paris, France.