A lunch and learn program is a great way to help team members make connections with each other, learn something new, and boost their professional development.
In this post, you’ll find best practices to plan an amazing fun and educational event. Then, browse 50+ lunch and learn topic ideas to get inspired!
For an easy lunch and learn session with minimal planning, explore guided programs from Unexpected Virtual Tours! With a wide variety of virtual experiences to choose from, our programs are the perfect solution for teams of any size.
Corporate lunch and learns are a great way to provide training, build culture, and engage employees during the workday. However, coming up with fresh, interesting topics that appeal to diverse audiences can be challenging.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 corporate lunch and learn ideas to inspire and educate your workforce. Whether you’re looking for hard skills training or team bonding activities, you’re sure to find topics that will resonate with your employees.
What are Corporate Lunch and Learns?
A corporate lunch and learn is a training or information session held over the lunch hour. Employees are encouraged to bring their lunches to a conference room or communal space for a presentation on a particular topic.
These sessions usually last 30-60 minutes and include time for employees to eat while listening to a speaker or participating in an activity Lunch is often provided by the company
The informal learning environment and built-in lunch break make corporate lunch and learns an engaging way to share knowledge. Employees can learn new skills without missing project deadlines or using up vacation time.
Companies of all sizes use lunch and learns to
- Provide training on new software, processes, and other workplace skills
- Update employees on business initiatives and company news
- Foster connections between team members and departments
- Generate excitement about upcoming projects and events
- Bring in expert guest speakers on relevant topics
Lunch and learns help break up the workday and give employees a chance to refuel physically and mentally. They can boost morale, engagement, and productivity.
25 Lunch and Learn Topic Ideas
Here are 25 corporate lunch and learn ideas to inform, inspire, and liven up your lunch hours
1. The Latest Product Updates
Give employees a sneak peek at new product features or services. Demo the offerings and explain how they will impact customers and workflows.
2. Cybersecurity Training
Teach employees how to safely handle sensitive data, spot phishing attempts, and practice good password hygiene. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, so occasional refreshers are key.
3. Mental Health Management
Bring in experts to share stress management techniques, work-life balance tips, and resources for coping with anxiety, depression, and burnout. Supporting mental health leads to happier, more productive employees.
4. Small Business Spotlights
Highlight local small businesses or entrepreneurs. Give them a platform to discuss their company’s story, products, challenges, and successes. It supports your community and gives employees new business insights.
5. Company Values in Action
Discuss how your company lives up to its core values through recent initiatives. Show how executives and employees demonstrate values like transparency, sustainability, inclusivity, and more.
6. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Explore important DEI topics like addressing unconscious biases, respecting pronouns, and promoting workplace equality. Foster an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and able to thrive.
7. Effective Presentation Skills
Deliver tips for crafting compelling presentations and conquering public speaking fears. Roleplay exercises can help employees polish their skills. Strong presentations are vital for internal meetings and client deliverables.
8. Workplace Communication Tactics
Share advice for clearer emails, active listening, resolving conflicts, and having difficult conversations at work. Honing “soft” communication skills improves collaboration.
9. Time Management Techniques
Strategies for prioritizing tasks, reducing distractions, and managing multiple projects help employees work smarter. Discuss tools to set boundaries and stay focused. Efficiency and productivity will improve.
10. Office Ergonomics
Review desk setups, monitor positions, chair adjustments, and stretching exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries. Proper ergonomics reduce pain and injuries while increasing comfort.
11. Team Building Activities
Foster connections through games, challenges, and exercises that require collaboration and problem-solving. Team building improves trust and communication between coworkers.
12. Customer Service Skills
Roleplay common customer scenarios to hone patience, empathy, and conflict resolution skills. Discuss best practices for handling complaints and going the extra mile. Excellent customer service is vital for any business.
13. Mindfulness Practices
Guide employees through breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and other mindfulness techniques. Simple practices build focus, reduce stress, and increase creativity.
14. Healthy Eating Habits
A nutritionist can provide meal planning tips and healthy recipes to improve energy and nutrition. Discuss nutrition label reading, carb counting, hydration, and other dietary basics.
15. Workplace Etiquette
Review expected professional behaviors like communication styles, appearance, punctuality, and discretion. Proper etiquette improves workplace relations and the company’s external reputation.
16. Leadership Development
Experienced managers can share skills like strategic thinking, coaching subordinates, managing change, and resolving conflicts. Developing leaders ensures an effective pipeline.
17. Finance and Budgeting Basics
Discuss principles of business finance, budgeting, accounting, investing, and saving that apply to both personal and professional contexts. Financial literacy benefits employees’ money management.
18. Public Speaking Pointers
An expert can provide guidance on managing stage fright, crafting engaging narratives, using body language effectively, and polishing delivery when speaking to audiences.
19. Office Technology Tutorials
Demos on new equipment, software programs, collaboration tools, and digital platforms simplify learning curves. Employees can better leverage workplace tech.
20. Wellness Challenge Kick-Off
Rally the troops for a step challenge, fitness competition, or hydration tracker to motivate healthy habits. Friendly competition and teamwork can spur involvement.
21. Volunteer Opportunities
Highlight local volunteer options based on company causes, like sustainability, education, hunger, or diversity. Outline available roles and time commitments. Social responsibility engages employees.
22. “Lunch and Learn” with Executives
Give employees direct access to leadership during an open Q&A session. Increased transparency and two-way communication fosters trust.
23. Career Development Advice
Experts can provide guidance on networking, continuing education, refining resumes, interview prep, and other career advancement essentials. Investing in professional growth demonstrates corporate loyalty.
24. Accessibility for Disabled Customers
Review best practices for websites, facilities, and communications to accommodate disabled individuals. Accessibility should be built into business processes.
25. Office Safety Procedures
Ensure everyone is up-to-speed on emergency protocols like medical response, fire drills, earthquake plans, and evacuation routes. Being prepared saves lives.
Make Your Lunch and Learns More Engaging
Corporate lunch and learns are more successful when they are interactive and audience-focused. Here are some tips:
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Involve attendees with polls, Q&As, activities, roleplaying, and discussions. Participation keeps employees engaged.
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Add visuals like slide decks, videos, charts, photos, and handouts for different learning styles. Visual aids boost information retention.
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Keep it brief and focused – aim for 30-50 minutes max. Employees have limited attention spans.
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Promote the sessions through emails, flyers, intranet posts, and manager announcements. Market it like any important event.
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Provide food! Catered lunches or snack breaks are great incentives to participate. Feed the belly to feed the brain.
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Rotate organizers so one person doesn’t get stuck planning everything. Ask for volunteer presenters and guest experts.
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Vary topics to appeal to diverse audiences across departments. Mix soft skills with technical training.
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Have fun and use humor when appropriate! Laughter and smiles ensure employees stay engaged.
Energize Your Workforce with Impactful Lunch and Learns
Corporate lunch and learns are an innovative way to engage, develop, and unite your workforce while promoting a culture of continuous learning. Use these 25 topic ideas as inspiration to deliver informative sessions that appeal to employees company-wide.
Interactive activities, dynamic speakers, and relevant subjects will spur participation and discussion. Employees will return to work energized and better equipped to perform at their best.
50+ Lunch & Learn Topics for Corporate Teams
Break out your inner artist with this unique virtual team building session. Explore the history of graffiti, try out virtual paint night activities, and take part in a cookie painting challenge.
Additionally, this virtual event incorporates DEI themes through artwork and trivia. Your team will also explore beautiful murals from Black artists around the country.
Get your spray paint ready and explore our Street Art experience!
Explore the history of music with an interactive lunch and learn. With one of our amazing guides, trace the history of music through trivia, challenges, and more. You’ll also get a special look at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee – one of the most revered music venues in existence!
Because this event ties Black Music History seamlessly into the fun experience, it’s one of our most popular experiences, especially for DEI-focused teams.
Learn more about the History of Music virtual team building session.
Seeking a fun lunch and learn experience for your team? Superhero Movies Team Building to the rescue!
During this guided experience, your team will learn about the history of Marvel comics and get a live look at iconic superhero movie filming locations. Then, have a blast learning how to create your own superheroes. As a special surprise, our animator will draw two of your teams’ characters during the event!
Check out this unique Superhero Movie virtual experience!
Debrief and follow up.
To make the most of your event, be sure to follow up with your team for their feedback and insights. What worked well? What does your team want more of – or less of – during future lunch and learn events? Did any actionable items emerge as a result of the session?
Taking the time to debrief can help set everyone up for success during future team building events!
How to Complete a Successful Lunch N Learn
FAQ
What’s another way to say “lunch and learn”?
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learn at lunch
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brown bag lunch
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brown bag meeting
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brown bag seminar
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lunch meeting
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working lunch
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What is a corporate lunch and learn?
A corporate lunch and learn, also called a company lunch and learn or “brown bag” event, is a meeting, training event, seminar or another type of professional session that takes place simultaneously with lunch. Lunch and learns are typically voluntary and relatively informal, with food commonly provided or paid for by the employer.
What should a lunch and learn event include?
Learning cooking skills is an appropriate topic for a lunch and learn event. Employees may get hands-on education and this could help develop teamwork skills if they cook together. It’s also helpful to give a presentation on easy dinner ideas for people to cook when they get off work.
What is a Lunch & Learn?
Lunch and learns centered around professional or skill development can be useful for those interested in professional advancement. Some topics include: Conflict management: Consider addressing this topic in a series of sessions, potentially with an outside expert.
What is a good lunch and learn topic?
Whether your lunch and learn topic is solely focused on building bonds and having fun or it’s something you want to include to wrap up a skills-focused lunch and learn, team building activities are a great way to do it. They can act as a standalone lunch and learn, or simply compliment an existing lunch and learn by adding a fun touch.
