Providing high-quality L&D content for all at the RSPCA
We caught up with the charity’s L&D manager Kerry Gabriel O’Sullivan to explore how the RSPCA has been using Mindtools.
The Challenge
Amid a department restructure in 2019, the charity’s L&D professionals were looking at what learning tools they could offer leaders and managers across the organization.
But over time, that evolved into a search for a learning solution that would be accessible and useful to every member of the RSPCA’s almost 2,000-strong workforce. Despite having an LMS, their existing content was all of the same format, so they began browsing content libraries, looking to develop a blended learning program.
However, the team decided to look for something more universally accessible and helpful to staff, be they Inspectors, Animal Rescue Officers, or Headquarters employees. They wanted a learning solution people could utilize on the go, because the RSPCA has just as many staff operating out in the field as behind a desk.
To meet their learners needs, the RSPCA needed to:
- Adopt a learning platform that was user-friendly both in terms of content and interface
- Settle on a learning solution accessible across all devices—especially important for their frontline staff, who move around a lot
- Find learning content that came in a variety of engaging formats, catering to both leadership and softer skills.
The Solution
Mindtools experts gave multiple demos of our offering to RSPCA staff, joined some of the charity’s webinars, so employees could have honest conversations about the future of their learning and development.
The same day the RSPCA re-launched its LMS, it also launched its Mindtools offering, complete with an exciting campaign to boost engagement from the get-go. This was instrumental in promoting the L&D team’s profile across the company, and demonstrating they were there to support staff no matter what their needs.
The Results
Around the time of adopting Mindtools, the RSPCA had also brought in a brand-new performance contribution system and process, which involved running manager and employee training webinars. With Mindtools, the RSPCA was able to collate specific resources for the training, and signpost people to playlists about performance management.
The RSPCA’s L&D team have regular catch-ups with the experts over at Mindtools to discuss what’s coming up. Together they peruse the engagement planner due to be sent out in the weekly Mindtools email, then look ahead to adjust the content in light of the charity’s current context.
Mindtools proved an instant hit at the RSPCA, especially since the charity had been driving focus on developing managers at all levels. According to Kerry, within weeks the new learning offering throughout the charity had ignited positive change in terms of strategy, motivation, communication, engagement, and trust.