Topics for Brown Bag Lunches or Lunch and Learns

Topics for Brown Bag Lunches or Lunch and Learns Topics for Brown Bag Lunches or Lunch and Learns Brown bag lunches or lunch and learns provide an opportunity to develop employees knowledge and pique their interest in opportunities to learn. They are an opportunity for employees to gather at lunchtime to share information about topics of interest. They are a fun, motivating approach to sharing information. The original concept of brown bag lunches referred to the brown paper sacks that employees might pack for their lunch at work. Of course, brown bag lunches are rare these days as technology has far outstripped the traditional bag. And, employees can dash to grab fast food in minutes before the lunch, so times have changed. But, the brown bag lunches havent changed. Employees share knowledge. They might also provide an opportunity for an outside presenter to bring knowledge that employees want to learn into the company. Brown bag lunches are also a way to demonstrate the companys commitment to providing a healthy, value-based, motivational work environment. Heres more about why you might want to offer brown bag lunches or lunch and learns. Brown bag lunches are developed to: enhance employee learning about topics that are ancillary to work topics, but you do help them to keep on learning,develop employee knowledge about life skills, the world, in general, and other topics of interest,provide an informal reason for employees to gather to enhance teamwork and company values,raise employees level of engagement and motivation at work by providing onsite education, andrecognize that any continuous learning experience enhances an employees knowledge and ability to contribute to the successful serving of your customers- your fundamental reason for existing. Topic Ideas for Brown Bag Lunches The goal of brown bag lunches, or lunch and learns, as the meeting is sometimes called, is to enhance the skills, knowledge, thinking, and learning abilities of employees. They are provided in a relaxing, informal environment that employees appreciate learning something new and interesting. But, even more importantly, brown bag lunches are an opportunity to build teamwork and a positive work culture or environment for employees. Thus, topics for brown bag lunches are as far ranging as the creativity and imagination of your employees. Brown bag lunches are presented by your internal employees or by external resources, as needed. They can include something as simple as an employee sharing slides and videos of his trip to Australia or hiking the Grand Canyon. Employees may want to hear about opportunities for volunteering in their community that the community relations committee has pulled together for them. These may include brief presentations by people who work in the volunteer organization. They may also contain training in an employees favorite hobby like the secret to great beer making or how to make candles and soaps. One company teaches employees how to pick locks. They can allow employees who have attended a conference or training the chance to share the highlights for other employees who did not attend. This can include lean operations, six sigma, a new approach to marketing, and how to delight customers. They can help raise employee awareness in the functions of the companys product and/or service. All of these ideas client companies have implemented. Specific Suggested Topics These are topic ideas for brown bag lunches. Options for 401(k) investmentsHow to take advantage of the employers benefits company advice/counselingSlideshow from an employees trip to IndiaHow to play pokerHow to talk, so people listenTechniques of speed readingTime management tipsHow to accelerate babys learningFun places to visit in the local communityHow to adapt a regular recipe for a slow cooker versionProductivity apps for various browsers, smartphones, or the Apple iPadHow to select hardware for streaming movies and videosConsiderations in writing a will and estate planning Tips for baking great breadCommunity childcare optionsWhat to pack in holiday gift baskets for needy members of the communityStress management tipsMastering email overload in an organized, helpful fashionTips about getting the most out of Microsoft Windows and WordThe operations, functions, and contributions of any department in the company Use your company activity, culture, wellness, or employee morale committee to schedule brown bag lunches as an opportunity to show employees that you care about them, the quality of their lives, and their ongoing learning for the success of your customers. Plus? Do them because theyre fun.