Competing for resources is not a fair fight in most organizations — the rich always get richer. Organizations tend to over-invest in what is working at the expense of what could be. The established groups and programs attract the most resources. Talent and capital are hard to come by for champions of new ideas. Investment in new initiatives and ideas tends to be cautious and conservative. Yet, everyone acknowledges that without new initiatives, products, and services, an organization becomes highly vulnerable to competitors and changes in the marketplace.
If it was a personal budget, what percentage of income should be designated for "learning and trying something new" each month?
Take the learning seriously.
Have a plan for it being spent.
Save it up if you don't have a definite plan to execute.
I'd say to ballpark it around 5%