The New Learning ROI Is Called “Time-to-Competency”

Corporate learning is evolving. Traditional L&D metrics, such as training hours or participant satisfaction, are no longer enough to prove true value.

Today, there’s a metric that truly connects talent development with business success: “Time-to-Competency.” But what does it really mean, and why is it so curcial for organizations that want to thrive in a dynamic market?

The traditional learning was measured by activity: the number of courses offered, the number of people enrolled, completion rates. This created a sense of productivity but didn’t guarantee better performance.

Time-to-Competency changes this narrative by measuring how long it takes an employee to successfully apply what they’ve learned in their role. It’s the time that passes from the start of training until a real, measurable mastery of the skill is demonstrated on the job.

For example, a sales team learns to use a new CRM. The indicator isn’t how long the training took, but how long it took them to master the tool and generate concrete results like improving lead tracking or shortening sales cycles.

This shift transforms learning from an operational expense into a strategic investment.

Why Measuring Time to Competency Is Key to Agility?

This metric is fundamental to organizational agility. Here’s a breakdown of how this plays out in practice:

•  Accelerates Adaptation: In volatile environments, learning quickly is about survival. Reducing this time means responding faster than the competition.

• Improves ROI Efiiciency: Knowing how quickly learning translates into performance allows you to invest better and eliminate what isn’t working.

• Boosts Employee: When employees see that what they learn directly impacts their results, their motivation grows.

Measuring Time-to-Competency is important. Reducing it is transformative.

Our platforms are designed to effectively shorten this time through:

• Accurate, Automated Assessments: With SHIFT LMS, you can implement automated assessments that not only measure knowledge but its real-world application on the job.

• Personalized Microlearning in Minutes: With SHIFT Meteora, our AI-powered platform, you can generate brief, relevant content tailored to every need, so information is available just when it’s needed.

• Continuous, Data-Driven Feedback: We combine AI and analytics to provide immediate feedback and guide learning until full mastery is achieved.

Corporate learning has evolved, and the metrics must evolve with it. Measuring hours is no longer enough; Time-to-Competency is the metric that connects talent development with business impact.

Is your organization ready the SHIFT?

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