Time spent on these questions includes, for example, searching for information on the internet, reading manuals, and asking colleagues for assistance with off-the-shelf software packages, bespoke tools such as CRM systems, or in-house policies and procedures.

The white paper looks at three elements:

• proactive informal learning strategies and technologies to help reduce the need for help-desk support
• the pros and cons and some examples of formal and informal learning
• how L&D professionals can support informal learning, measure results, and save their company money

Dirk Thissen, IMC UK Managing Director, comments, "Organisations are increasingly required to adapt to change. This may include a number of factors such as a high turnover of products, services, or staff, or meeting compliance and regulatory requirements. As a result of this moving landscape, modern workforce learning also needs to be more agile and relevant.

"Informal and formal learning may nowadays include a mix of electronic performance service support (EPSS), mobile bite-sized learning, and mentoring programmes. Our white paper aims to provide some guidance on what HR and L&D professionals should consider when trying to cut costs without impacting on the quality of training."

According to Grtner, one of America’s leading technology-research and advisory firms, many organisations can save as much as forty percent a year on help-desk and employee staff time spent on "how-to" queries by using an effective EPS system. This could add up to €152,000, based on a workforce of 200 people or €835,000 based on a 1,000-employee workforce.

IMC is organising a lunchtime webinar on 14 October 2015 at 12.30pm (GMT) to discuss EPSS and informal learning and will give those participating access to the white paper before anybody else.