The transmission of skills and the integration of new employees represent two major challenges for companies. One of the methods that is commonly used is “shadowing.” In this article, we will tell you all the secrets of this practice, highlighting its advantages and limitations. We will also give you some very useful tips to implement it effectively in your organization.
What is shadowing in business?
Definition
Corporate shadowing, or job shadowing, is a learning process that allows a learner (often a new employee) to follow and observe a colleague (a mentor) during their daily professional activities. The duration of the apprenticeship can vary between a few hours and a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the position and the skills of the learner.
The term “shadowing” is derived from the English verb “to shadow,” meaning “shadow,” in reference to the fact that a person follows a mentor as their shadow throughout the process. In French, the term “twinning” is sometimes used.
How the shadowing job works
Concretely, when a mentor is appointed for a learner, job shadowing can begin. In general, newcomers spend several hours observing the tasks of their mentor, in order to learn all the facets of their profession.
The mentor can then decide to include time for training, discussion, questions and answers, in order to share all of his knowledge with his learner. These exchange times promote a deeper understanding of the skills required for the position, as well as the extent of the responsibilities that this implies within the company.
It is important to note that job shadowing is not limited to the dissemination of technical knowledge and skills, but also includes the transmission of company values.
Job shadowing: significant benefits for organizations
Many companies choose to implement job shadowing. Here are its main benefits.
Effective transfer of skills
Being able to transmit knowledge directly allows the learner to increase their skills in an accelerated manner. It is therefore an effective way to train a newcomer. By practicing under the supervision of an experienced mentor, the mentor can quickly get his bearings in a position he does not know.
Easy onboarding for new employees
Job shadowing is also a great way for an employee to acclimatize to their new business. This makes it easier for him to understand the culture and values of the organization. It also makes it easier to create relationships with new colleagues, since it is introduced gradually to all the people with whom it will be necessary to communicate.
Better knowledge retention
Finally, this type of experience is often very memorable for employees. They are more likely to retain essential information than during purely theoretical training. It is therefore a very effective method for acquiring new lessons.
The limits of shadowing in business
While job shadowing has many benefits for organizations and employees, you must be aware of all its limitations.
It is not suitable for all types of positions
This learning process can be very effective on certain types of positions or tasks, especially when they involve very specific technical skills.
However, in some jobs, shadowing is not suitable. This is for example the case of professions that depend on great creativity or jobs that require too complex prior knowledge. In sectors affected by too rapid change, such as advanced technologies, this is not always effective either, as these areas require continuous training and constant updating of knowledge. This can seldom be replaced by job shadowing.
The lack of desire among employees to be a mentor
While some employees want to share their knowledge with a newcomer, many don't want to be followed all day. Having to explain each of your tasks can be time-consuming and put at risk the individual goals related to their job.
It is therefore essential to structure the process by freeing up space in the mentor's agenda. This will allow him to take the time to welcome the learner and to explain his daily tasks in detail.
Difficulties in coordinating agendas
Synchronizing the schedules of newcomers and the schedules of mentors is not always easy. Holidays, trips and especially teleworking are obstacles to the effective implementation of job shadowing.
Fewer questions about the processes put in place
A new employee can allow you to have a fresh look at a position and to propose different processes to carry out certain tasks more effectively.
With shadowing, newcomers are directly confronted with existing procedures. This can make it much more difficult to propose alternative, and potentially more effective, methods. This leaves less room for change and innovation.
Tips for setting up an effective job shadowing in your company
If you want to implement shadowing in your business, here are some tips:
- Set clear goals. This makes it possible to better manage the training process and assess its effectiveness.
- Choosing the right mentors. They should be willing, enjoy sharing their knowledge and be kind.
- Establish a structured training plan. In particular, it must include the expected duration of shadowing, the various steps to follow and the resources required.
- Encourage interaction and feedback Both the mentor and the learner need to be able to communicate effectively to answer questions, solve problems, and provide constructive feedback.
Corporate shadowing is a powerful tool for transmitting skills and knowledge. It allows for a practical approach so that each newcomer can learn from experienced colleagues. It also offers better integration and promotes the retention of knowledge within the organization. Put in place correctly, it can become a valuable asset in the transmission of know-how and company culture. However, it is important to be aware that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as it does not always meet all corporate training needs. So take the time to establish a training plan and choose your mentors before you start implementing job shadowing within your teams.
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