At IKEA, learning isn’t separate from the job. It happens right where the action is: on the floor, during working hours. That became crystal clear during the TinQtable in Delft. Here’s what your organisation might pick up from IKEA’s hands-on approach to learning.
From matchsticks to meaningful learning
What started with selling matchsticks and pencils in the Swedish village of Älmhult has grown into a global brand. One that also happens to take learning seriously. But make no mistake: it’s done the IKEA way. That means accessible, practical, people-driven and always with purpose.
As Ronald Bruggeman, Learning & Development Manager at IKEA, puts it: “You should develop while doing the work. If something’s part of your job, then learning it should be too.”
That calls for smart, bite-sized learning. No mandatory modules hidden deep in a forgotten LMS, but quick and useful nuggets of knowledge you can apply on the go. Hungry for more? Great, but save the extra deep dives for after hours.
"I started on the shop floor at IKEA. Becoming an HR director wasn’t something I imagined back then. You’re responsible for your own development. We offer the tools. You’ve got to grab the opportunities."
Otto van Daal, HR director at IKEA
Learning as work, not next to work
Whether you’re just starting on the shop floor or working your way into leadership, learning at IKEA is deeply woven into everyday practice.
Think 230(!) learning moments neatly packaged into a classic blue IKEA bag. No obligations, but smartly designed to the point where 83% of employees dive in, on the clock.
“If someone’s only got five minutes, you can’t hand them a three-day course.”
Ronald Bruggeman, Learning & Development Manager IKEA
Where learning meets real life
And it’s not just about skills. Engagement is part of the learning culture too. During our TinQtable, we literally stepped onto the shop floor. No glossy value posters, just honest conversations, observations, and hands-on examples of how engagement comes to life at IKEA.
What grabs customers the moment they ride up the escalator? How are store sections designed to reflect someone’s age, lifestyle or budget?
And more importantly: how do co-workers bring those design decisions to life in everyday team conversations? That’s IKEA-style engagement. Understanding the ‘why’, and bringing it to life in every customer moment.
Globally aligned, locally aware
Not every vase is a vase. In some countries, people think it’s a glass. That’s why IKEA adapts where it matters. Product design, communication, and yes, learning too. What works in the Netherlands might not land the same in the Balkans or the US.
“We want IKEA to feel the same wherever you go. But we also adapt to cultural differences.”
Otto, HR director at IKEA
A culture that keeps learning
At IKEA, everyone’s learning. From shop floor staff to managers, designers and suppliers. Learning isn’t an add-on. It’s part of how things get done. From designing smarter to collaborating better, it’s baked into the culture.
Still, some things remain tricky, like giving tough feedback. That’s where dialogue sessions, toolkits and leadership role-modelling come in.
Or, as Ronald nicely put it: “Somewhere at IKEA, our future CEO is already walking the floor. It’s up to us to make room for them.”
What participants packed in their (mental) IKEA bag
The TinQtable wasn’t just about IKEA’s story, it got participants thinking too. Here’s what they took home (alongside a head full of fresh inspiration):
- “Get new hires on the floor fast. Make it real from day one. Try picking out glasses for a specific customer and explain your choice.”
- “Always ask: is this really a learning problem?”
- “Start with a business need. It makes learning essential, not optional.”
- “Observe, ask, listen and learn with your people.”
- “Celebrate progress. Give a diploma. A small token. Make learning feel like something.”
Curious how to weave learning seamlessly into your own workplace?
👉 Feel free to reach out. We're happy to think along with you.
