Episodes
Skills-based learning is the response to the skills gaps and skills shortages being experienced across organisations, industries, and even entire economies. But how do we ensure that we achieve this, and that skills-based learning isn’t just another fad that departs as swiftly as it emerged without achieving what it’s intended to? In this episode, James Griffin talks about how L&D can step up, upskill, and deliver on the much-heralded promise of skills-based learning. KEY...
Published 04/15/24
There’s often a huge difference between the rhetoric around L&D leadership and the reality. It’s not all about creating a Learning Culture and sailing a course to L&D nirvana. The reality is it’s a lot messier with a lot of hustle, winning some days and losing many more. In this episode, presented by 360Learning, Simon Gibson lifts the lid on his reality and how L&D leadership today is evolving and changing within these turbulent times. KEY TAKEAWAYS Hiring people from diverse...
Published 04/01/24
Using data effectively is a growing priority for - and skill set in - L&D. It’s essential for both planning for and measuring impact. In this episode, presented by 360Learning, we explore this in detail in the hope that 2024 is our year for greater planned and demonstrable impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Data-wise, L&D has always looked at what they have done – in the rear-view mirror. Now, it is necessary to use data to see where we are. Business impact must be proved and the data that...
Published 03/19/24
Since 2014, the L&D Global Sentiment Survey has been a barometer of what’s hot and what’s not in the Learning & Development profession, guiding people development professionals towards the trends that their peers are most concerned about. In this episode, Donald H Taylor takes a deep dive into the recently published report and explores in conversation what we should all be taking note of. KEY TAKEAWAYS Because it is self-selecting most of the people who fill out the survey are...
Published 03/05/24
In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore what has helped Josh achieve senior leadership in different sectors, what it means to make a planned and demonstrable impact as well as how HSBC is changing to a skills-based organisation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Josh has headed up L&D for several large companies including for Warner Music Group and is now VP of People Experience and Insights for HSBC. Take things back to basics and make sure everything you do boosts or at least defends revenue. If...
Published 02/20/24
Without a doubt, generative AI dominated the conversation, not only in L&D but in wider business and politics - and it’s not going away. So where are we now in terms of advancement, adoption, and application? These are important questions explored with Egle Vinauskaite in this episode, presented by 360Learning. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most L&D departments have not yet fully integrated AI. Around 30% have tried it and decided not to use it. AI is coming, if you don´t keep experimenting with...
Published 02/06/24
It was clear that one podcast episode wouldn’t be enough to cover everything we wanted to so Kenny’s back to unpack what leadership development at Netflix means and what it’s there to achieve. This conversation is both revealing and inspiring.  KEY TAKEAWAYS There are universal leadership principles that apply to any industry. However, each leadership role is still different. Context is crucial in developing effective leaders. First, understand the business impact solving the problem is...
Published 01/23/24
Like so many professions, Learning & Development is evolving and transforming fast. Starting out in the profession had a standard path just a short while ago but expectations and technological advances have been catalysts for great change. In this episode, presented by 360Learning, John and David explore what it takes now to start out - and grow a career - in L&D. KEY TAKEAWAYS In the past, L&D professionals were created mainly in the classroom. Technology has changed the way...
Published 01/09/24
Want to know how to level up your employee experience using design thinking? Want a no-nonsense approach to designing people-centred products, services, and experience? Well, Danny Seals has written the book on these and tells us all about it in this episode. KEY TAKEAWAYS Levelling up your employee experience has never been more important. Examine the problem properly, don´t simply go with what you think the issue is. Use the ladder technique that Danny shares in this episode. People need...
Published 12/12/23
Do we need to concede that we’ll never be able to accurately measure the impact of our soft skills development solutions? If so, that’s an enormous amount of spending without knowing if we’re making enough of a difference. In this episode, we discuss how it is possible to plan, design and deliver for real impact and how this is already working. KEY TAKEAWAYS Tell people upfront how what they learn applies to their job.  Use proprietary internal knowhow to plug content gaps.  Have people...
Published 11/28/23
What’s it like to lead L&D at one of the world’s most renowned and successful companies? Netflix has grown into an international powerhouse of home entertainment and is almost as famous for its people practices as its product. In this episode we lift the lid on L&D at Netflix and explore what development looks like at this aspirational and ambitious brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS The culture informs everything Netflix does. Netflix takes a different approach to performance management. At...
Published 11/14/23
Skills-based approaches to organisations, the workforce and development are gaining in prominence. This is hardly a surprise when one of the biggest problems across entire industries and economies is the growing skills gap. So a skills-based approach is aimed at meeting these problems head-on. In this episode, we explore what this all means for L&D and our stakeholders and how we get involved. KEY TAKEAWAYS A skills-based organization organises a lot of their work and talent structures...
Published 10/31/23
Without doubt, 2023 has been dominated by AI. Whether it’s through fear, anxiety, excitement or over-exposure, generative AI - and most prominently ChatGPT - has been at the forefront of thinking, development and investment as the world rushes to catch up with this emergent technology. But what could it mean for L&D? According to Ross Stevenson, quite a lot. Listen as Ross shares his exhaustive exploration of this technology and tells us how we can be benefitting today. KEY...
Published 10/16/23
The latest CIPD report on the Learning & Development profession is both revealing and inspiring. L&D practitioners and leaders have had a huge amount to deal with, in recent years, with many using circumstances to make radical changes. For others, not so much. So, what does this all mean and what do we need to do about it? In this conversation, we unpack the report and highlight some key findings - as well as provide commentary and insight ourselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS The CIPD report...
Published 10/02/23
Since Shannon first appeared on the podcast in 2021, podcasting has grown exponentially into a mainstream channel for organisations and individuals. However, despite this growth, it is still a marginal tool in corporate learning and not fully embraced for its potential to make culture accessible and make exclusive conversations open for employees to hear. In this episode we address some of the challenges organisations face - and overcome - to make podcasting work for them.
Published 09/18/23
As organisations face disruption from digital advancements, a parallel skills shortage is being experienced in the labour market. In the face of these two challenges, Learning & Development teams are seeking ways to make a predictable and reliable impact on developing their people. In this episode, we explore what Aviva is doing to upskill and re-skill in digital skills to ensure the company thrives in the future.
Published 09/04/23
Business impact is an elusive goal for Learning & Development, but it needn’t be. In this episode, as part of a series on achieving measurable impact, Bonnie Beresford unpacks what we should mean by business impact and how we make it attainable as well as planned and measurable.
Published 08/21/23
If L&D can’t influence or change behaviour, then we need to ask ourselves “What are we for?” Similarly, if we can’t measure whether behaviour change has occurred then our position should be precarious. In this episode, Laura Paramoure tackles this topic head-on to make it measuring behaviour change accessible and attainable. KEY TAKEAWAYS Giving knowledge to an employee doesn't make any difference unless they apply it in their job. Learning courses are instruments for change. The...
Published 08/07/23
We kick off our mini-series on Measuring Impact with Kevin answering questions about how we plan to make a measurable difference rather than leaving it to chance or trying to retrospectively seek value once we’ve delivered an agreed - if not largely hopeful - solution.
Published 07/24/23
We’ve both been in Learning & Development (or Training, as it was known) since the 1990s. It seems that so much has changed and yet so much remains the same. I.e., Classroom training was the primary means of development, tech was emerging but seen as supplementary (and perhaps inferior), and we struggled to demonstrate our value beyond attendance and satisfaction. And yet the nature of work has evolved, technology has advanced enormously, employee expectations have shifted, and work...
Published 07/10/23
Have you ever wanted to hear learning experts with different views explore ways in which they disagree? Respectfully, of course.
Published 06/26/23
What does a pivot to performance-oriented L&D look like in a fast-paced high street environment? In this episode, Lila Warren, Global Head of Retail Academy at Pret a Manger, shares her motivations and approaches to affecting performance with learning solutions designed to make a meaningful impact.
Published 06/12/23
Measuring impact is notoriously difficult but without it, our profession cannot progress, and we won’t fulfil our potential. There is a huge role for Learning & Development in the upskilling and reskilling efforts required to plug the skills gap, but we won’t do that without holding ourselves accountable for actual impact. In this episode, our panel explores what this means and the practical steps it will take us to make a planned and meaningful impact.
Published 05/29/23
In 2021, Michelle published her book, The L&D Handbook, aimed at providing practical steps and tools for L&D professionals wanting to move away from traditional classroom teaching but not sure where to start. Since then, the need for this pivot has only increased. In this episode, we explore what L&D can do to make a greater impact in what is likely to be a tough time for all.
Published 05/15/23