'Best in Class' Learning Organization Charcteristics

A clear definition of a learning organization doesn't really exist - however most scholars agree the organizational learning is 'a process that unfolds over time and [linked] with knowledge acquisition and improved performance.'

After reading 'Building a Learning Organization' - these are the five activities they list that learning organizations do:

1. Systematic Problem Solving - Using scientific method, getting data, using statistical tools to organize data
2. Experimentation - Search and test new knowledge, use with systematic problem solving
3. Learn from Past Experience - Review past failures AND SUCCESSES, review systematically, record discoveries in a form that will be informative to company employees
4. Learning from Others - Being able to look outside your organization and learn from where others are excelling 
5. Transferring Knowledge - Spread knowledge quickly and efficiently throughout your organization, Ideas carry more weight this way

While I love this list, I think the following items could be added/included as well:

• Adaptability - The way things change in our world, you need to be able to change and you need to be able to do so fast
• Generational/Global Awareness -  Today we work in a time where more generations are working together than ever before and globalization is happening faster than ever, this means that we are working with more different types of norms/behaviors than ever before - being aware of this and knowing how to bridge gaps is an awesome tool
• Tying Learning into Incentive Programs -  If a company provides incentives to those who truly excel in the workplace, it sends a strong message that they value learning, this can help reinforce learning into organizational culture

1. Building a Learning Organization