Employee Engagement Initiative Spotlight: Professional Development Reading List
For the first quarterly team newsletter of the year, I embarked on an exciting new project that blended creativity, collaboration, and strategic engagement to contribute to our company’s Learning and Development goal. The goal was simple yet impactful: curate a Professional Development Reading List that would not only serve as a resource for the team but also drive engagement and contribute to our KPIs. What made this project even more special was how I involved my colleagues in the process, turning it into an initiative that was as much about connection as it was about content.
The Idea: Crafting a Meaningful, Engaging Resource
I wanted the reading list to be more than just a list of books. Sure, I could have sent out a generic survey to gather book titles, but I had a different approach in mind. I knew I could create a more personal, engaging experience by speaking with my colleagues individually. By doing this, I could collect their book recommendations alongside a quote about what they learned, which would add a personal touch and make the article feel more authentic.
The outcome was twofold: Not only would this initiative count toward our KPI for Learning and Development, but it would also foster deeper connections with my colleagues. After all, the more involved they were, the more likely they would be to read, share, and engage with the final piece.
The Process: From Concept to Execution
To get the ball rolling, I crafted an "elevator pitch" for my outreach. This helped me clearly communicate the purpose of the project and why their participation would matter. Then, I set out to connect individually with 34 team members via Microsoft Teams. My approach was conversational, and I made sure to ask for their book title and a quote about how the book impacted them.
Once I gathered the 27 recommendations, I moved forward with drafting the article. The content included each book title, author, a link to purchase or learn more, and the contributor's personal insight. For a visual touch, I included the book’s cover image for each recommendation, creating a more dynamic and visually engaging read.
Designing with Impact
In addition to copywriting and content creation, I took on the role of graphic designer. I used Canva to create a captivating article header and Photoshop to edit the book cover images, ensuring they were polished and professional. These visuals helped bring the article to life and made it easy for readers to engage with the content.
Working in Canva Pro, I created this graphic for both the eNewsletter and SharePoint webpage.
The colors are taken from the corporate brand identity. The dark blue brings stability and professionalism, while the bright green conveys playfulness. Professional development doesn’t have to be a chore!
Collaboration with the SharePoint Web Team
Since the article would be featured on our team’s SharePoint page, I worked closely with the SharePoint Web Team to bring it to life on the platform. Their expertise in building the webpage ensured the article was easy to navigate and optimized for maximum engagement. Together, we made sure the final product looked professional and was easily accessible to everyone.
Key Successes and Outcomes
The personal touch made a huge difference. By engaging with team members on a deeper level, I was able to collect 27 meaningful recommendations that truly reflected the diverse learning experiences within the company. The feedback I received from colleagues was overwhelmingly positive, and the engagement metrics on both the article and the SharePoint page were impressive.
Not only did I accomplish the primary goal of contributing to our company’s KPI, but I also succeeded in creating something that brought the team together. The recommendations became more than just titles—they became a conversation starter, something for everyone to share and connect over.
Final Thoughts: A Lesson in Engagement
Looking back on this project, the key takeaway for me was the power of personalization. When you take the time to reach out and engage with people directly, you create a sense of ownership and involvement that resonates beyond the initial task. This initiative wasn’t just about checking off a box for our KPI; it was about creating a valuable, shared experience that added meaningful content to our professional development journey.
As I continue to work on similar projects in the future, I’ll carry this lesson with me: engagement doesn’t happen passively. It takes connection, collaboration, and a little creativity to make something truly resonate with people.