How Netflix fosters a culture of continuous learning
1,000+
4
Over 1,000 booked sessions annually
A team of 4 people manages the training of 12,000+ employees
Introduction
At Netflix, a team of 4 people are responsible for onboarding, continuous learning, and knowledge management for over 12,000 employees. How did a trailblazer in the streaming service industry, who faced unique challenges in training and onboarding its expansive workforce not long ago, turn things around? Netflix turned to PlusPlus, an all-in-one learning platform for scaling organizational expertise. This case study explores how PlusPlus revolutionized learning and development at Netflix, fostering a culture of continuous learning and community.
The Challenge: Scaling Learning for Global Teams
As Netflix’s influence in the entertainment industry grew, so did its need for robust internal tools and platforms to support its growing workforce. The challenge was not only to manage the rollout of these tools but also to ensure that employees globally could access and understand them effectively. Traditional methods of training, including videos, slide decks, and e-learning courses, while useful, lacked the personalized touch necessary for deeper learning and community building.
What approach worked?
Netflix’s adoption of PlusPlus marked a turning point in its approach to employee training and development. PlusPlus provided a comprehensive hub for workshops, office hours, and onboarding tracks, allowing for a more nuanced and efficient learning experience. The platform’s LMS (Learning Management System) features enabled Netflix to consolidate its learning resources, migrating from previous systems like Docebo back to a unified PlusPlus environment.
PlusPlus was this really intuitive system that we had adopted company wide. And because Plus Plus started adding the LMS features, we were able to start migrating off of Docebo back to PlusPlus.
Program Manager
Key features and implementation
1-on-1 coaching and mentorship
PlusPlus’s modules facilitated personal coaching and mentorship sessions, crucial for product rollout specialists at Netflix. The Ask-Us-Anything program, a notable initiative, allowed employees to book individual sessions with experts, fostering direct and impactful learning experiences.
Blended learning experiences
The combination of workshops, classes, and 1-on-1 sessions provided a holistic learning approach. While group sessions covered specific topics, the personalized sessions offered flexibility in learning styles and needs.
Feedback-driven content improvement
The interactions during Ask-Us-Anything sessions not only addressed immediate learning needs but also served as feedback for enhancing Netflix’s learning assets. Questions that arose in these sessions informed the team on areas to improve or expand in their educational content.
The Results
Learning management at scale
Over 1,000 Booked Session Annually
The adoption of the Ask-Us-Anything program led to a high engagement rate, with over a thousand sessions booked yearly, reflecting its popularity and effectiveness.
Content Immortalization
As a Netflix specialist noted, the creation of content on PlusPlus felt like building a lasting library of impactful resources, contributing to a sense of accomplishment and legacy.
Broader Adoption Across Teams
The success of PlusPlus in learning and development led to its wider adoption across Netflix. Various teams utilized the platform for critical workflows like onboarding, orientation, and event management.
Enhanced Human Element in Learning
In an era of remote and hybrid work, PlusPlus enabled Netflix to maintain the human connection in learning, pivotal for building relationships, collaboration, and a vibrant company culture.
I think that I like that when I create content on the Plus Plus platform that I’m building, sort of this library of content that I feel is really impactful for engineers. And so when I go and I see a track that I created and I just see, like, the dozens of courses I’ve created that it kind of makes me feel like I’ve immortalized my work because that could always stay there.
Program Manager
Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning
Netflix’s partnership with PlusPlus shows how important learning platforms are in transforming employee development, particularly in large, globally dispersed organizations. By emphasizing personalized learning experiences and maintaining the human element in development, Netflix continues to nurture a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, key drivers of its ongoing success and industry leadership.
