Learn or Get Left Behind

For those of us working in industries facing disruption, the survival of our businesses and careers rely on our ability to adapt. The best way to become great at this is through lifelong learning.

The most valuable companies in the world: APPL, GOOGL, FB, AMZN & NFLX are learning machines. They have clearly defined goals -sell more phones, ads, subscriptions, etc- which they attain with strategies designed to fight inertia through ongoing, subtle tactical adjustments. These continual course corrections are powered by their ability to collect and understand facts about their consumers, marketplace and competitive ecosystem. As individuals, we can take a similar approach to our careers.

One of my favorite benefits at Viacom is a tuition stipend which I've used to step outside the routines of work to learn new skills and reinforce existing ones. These courses have taught me to excel at adaptation by developing tools and mindsets needed for understanding facts and opportunities present in my environment and translating them into effective strategies and solutions.

Whether it's an online course, an evening class or an Exec Ed program, there have never been more ways for us to continue learning at any budget or schedule.

What are you waiting for?