ESG cohort learning experience
A large management consulting firm wanted to design and deliver a virtual cohort learning program on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges and opportunities. The program aimed to upskill internal consultants and external clients on how to assess and improve their sustainability maturity and performance in a short time frame.
Challenge
The firm had previously piloted a program on ESG topics, but it was delivered on a platform that did not support social or cohort learning. The program needed to be converted to a new platform that enabled peer-to-peer interaction, collaboration, and support among learners from different countries and sectors. The program also needed to be customized to the local and sectoral context of the learners, and aligned with the firm’s climate and sustainability consulting services.
Solution
I developed a 6-week online program that covered the complexities in the science, economics, and policy of climate change, and helped learners discover climate solutions that organizations are encouraged to integrate and adopt. The program featured:
- A cohort-based learning model that fostered a sense of community and engagement among learners from 5+ countries and various sectors.
- A best-in-class curriculum that combines live sessions, eLearning, videos, readings, assignments, and hands-on projects tailored to the learners’ context.
- A network of management consultants from various fields of climate science, policy, business, and social issues, who provided guidance, feedback, and inspiration to the learners.
My Role
I was responsible for the following roles:
- Learning Design Consultant: I designed the style guides, content blueprints, and new practice and application activities that would replace traditional assessment tools.
- Learning Strategist: I suggested tools, methods, and content strategies for delivering the program to optimize learner experience and satisfaction on the cohort learning platform.
- Platform Expert: I configured and customized the platform to support the cohort-based learning model, and integrated various tools such as Articulate Rise, Microsoft PowerPoint, Zoom, etc.
- Project Manager: I managed the project scope, timeline, budget, and resources, and coordinated with global stakeholders, instructors, and technology teams.
Impact
The program enabled internal teams to pivot to climate and sustainability consulting services, graduating internal and external alumni who gained practical skills and experience from working on real-world climate challenges. The internal alumni also formed a vibrant community of climate leaders who continue to support each other, collaborate on projects, and share resources and opportunities.
The program generated new business opportunities for the firm. Through a new business unit, the firm offered the program to its enterprise customers who wanted to upskill their global climate and sustainability practices with cohort learning-powered climate academies.