Learning Day is an initiative designed to foster personal and professional development for all HD Supply associates across the U.S .and Canada. This virtual event, delivered via WebEx, is a cornerstone of the commitment to supporting associates of the wholesale distribution company and wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot in “Becoming Better Every Day.” Learning Day underscores HD Supply’s commitment to supporting employees in their continuous improvement.
The inaugural session was held in October 2023; Learning Day now occurs biannually, in May and October.
Program Details
The program features a diverse range of six to seven topics per session, selected based on feedback from program evaluations used to determine the program content. Past topics have included accountability, time management, networking, wellness strategies and resources, as well as Customer 101, Unconscious Bias, Emotional Intelligence, Taking Care of You, Living Our Associates Promise, and other business-specific themes. Each session lasts for 60 minutes.
The entire organization is encouraged to participate in as many sessions as possible. Best practices are shared to ensure accessibility, and the senior leadership team (SLT) actively promotes and participates in the sessions. Interactive elements, including Slido for Q&A and polling, make the experience engaging; participants can win a Learning Day prize box to further incentivize attendance and engagement.
All sessions are recorded and available along with supporting resources on HD Supply’s learning management system (LMS), Workday Learning, allowing associates to revisit the material at their convenience.
To reinforce the Learning Day program and ensure the continued application of its content, several strategies are implemented at the six-month mark. Follow-up posts on HD Supply’s social media platform, Viva Engage, serve as reminders and provide additional insights related to the topics covered. These posts are complemented by the sharing of resources and job aids, which offer practical tools and support to help associates integrate the learned concepts into their daily work.
Leadership plays a crucial role in reinforcing the program content by actively promoting and applying the strategies discussed. For instance, time management strategies highlighted in the course are emphasized in focus groups, where leaders help their associates plan and manage their time more effectively based on the training. Leaders conduct regular one-on-one meetings with associates to discuss and implement the strategies covered in the training, ensuring that these concepts are effectively integrated into daily work practices.
Post-evaluation of the program includes both quantitative and qualitative assessments to measure effectiveness and gather feedback. This enables the program to continually evolve based on participant input, thereby aligning closely with the needs and preferences of the workforce.
Results
Follow-up with leaders through focus groups has validated that the content taught during Learning Day is achieving its intended impact. Leaders reported notable improvements in time management and productivity, as well as enhanced institutional knowledge. For instance, leaders observed a 15 percent increase in productivity among their teams, attributing this improvement to the practical techniques and strategies learned.
In terms of institutional knowledge, the integration of Learning Day content has strengthened understanding across departments. The targeted training has enhanced leaders’ ability to manage and communicate complex concepts, supporting organizational success.
