It seems that employers and employees aren’t happy. Employers continue to moan about the lack of people with the right skills out there; while employees say that they just aren’t being developed. How can we turn a vicious cycle into a virtuous circle?

One part of the solution has got to be Social Learning. A few years ago Bill Gates stated that a university education would be transformed by going online – great lecturers from around the world, accessible to all, at a fraction of the cost of traditional university and college education. Now social learning is starting to gain traction – and not just for the university crowd.

How many of us create, consume and share content through social media, even if it is on our own phones or home PCs? Now imagine if organisations could use the power of this platform to help its people to learn and develop on a daily basis. Traditionally organisations have created or implemented an e-learning portal. Some have brought in social enterprise platforms – and many others are considering whether to go the same way.

This is where two different approaches can collide.

Organisations are very directional – learning is focused on the skills that help to build better products, deliver better services and grow bigger revenues. There’s invariably a prescribed list of learning tools and formal training.

Social is of course much more personal – you follow people and consume content based on your own interests and profile. You do things for the good of you rather than the good of your employer. In some cases, you can surround yourself with people who only perpetuate a certain view of the world.

So for any social learning approach to work, there has to be a shared understanding and a common goal. Which allows for some diversion from the corporate mission. Equally, internal social platforms will by their very nature only allow colleagues to share ideas; if organisations can at the same time top into the wealth of knowledge and ideas on external platforms, then there’s the ability to bring real innovation to the business.

That’s got to be good for people and good for business.

Which is good for everyone.