Many workplaces struggle with ways to encourage employee learning and collaboration. One such approach that has gained popularity is the brown bag lunch session.
But what is a brown bag lunch session, and why is it effective? This informal gathering has grown to become one of the valued tools organizations turn to for the promotion of knowledge sharing and the development of skills in a relaxed environment.
Understanding the Brown Bag Lunch Session
A brown bag lunch session is an informal session where employees meet and discuss a wide range of topics, usually conducted at lunchtime or over lunch. It is so named because each participant brings along their lunch to the meeting, almost always in a brown paper bag.
Unlike any formal training, such meetings are normally not structured and are much more discussion-oriented. They are opportunities for informal learning from one another, sharing of ideas, and discussions on various themes relevant to the work.
They can be on any topic related to industry trends, specific skill topics, or even personal development. Since they happen over a lunch period, they practically take up no time and don’t interrupt the working day.
Brown-bag lunch training sessions are particularly useful for organizations that wish to facilitate ongoing learning without formal training programs. This not only boosts morale but also confirms the employees’ passion and enthusiasm for their jobs.
How to Make Brown Bag Sessions Interesting
Brown-bag sessions can be made effective by making them interesting and interactive. Choosing relevant topics is one step in that direction.
Always select specific things, rather than some very broad subject, that the employees are facing in their day-to-day roles. This makes the session relevant and full of takeaways that may be of immediate practical application.
Variety is also key to maintaining interest in brown bag lunch sessions. Rotate topics and presenters to keep things interesting. You could also add a few different formats, such as guest speakers, panel discussions, or even hands-on workshops.
This will mix things up and keep the sessions from becoming mundane while allowing more people to participate.
Advantages of Brown-Bag Lunch Training Sessions
Brown-bag lunch training offers many benefits to both the employee and the organization. For employees, brown-bag sessions give individuals the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills by learning from the wisdom of their peers and sharing their challenges in a friendly environment.
They can enhance an individual’s sense of appreciation by offering an avenue to give back and realize that one has something to offer one’s fellow colleagues.
If you are looking to institute brown bag lunch sessions at your work, these are some steps you can take to get started. First, determine topics that would be of interest to your team. Start by surveying employees to find out what they would like to learn about or discuss; this helps to make sure the sessions are relevant and get buy-in from the participants.
Next, identify any potential presenters or facilitators within your organization. Obviously, these could be people with expertise in some area or who are interested in leading a discussion on some topic. If at all possible, encourage volunteers to step forward, as this builds ownership and pride in the sessions.
Finally, create a schedule for the sessions. Decide how often you are going to have them—weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—and the most important thing is not to vary how often they come. That’s how you build momentum, and that’s how these sessions become something that people do habitually within the culture of the workplace.
