Traditional L&D teams often struggle to prove their value—but at Comcast, Martha Soehren built a Talent Development function that drove measurable business impact at scale. In this episode, Martha shares how her team aligned with strategic priorities, built trusted stakeholder relationships, and embedded governance to keep L&D at the heart of business conversations. She also explains how data, storytelling, and a focus on succession planning helped elevate the function’s credibility across the organisation. Packed with hard-won insights from leading L&D in one of the world’s largest companies, this episode is essential listening for L&D leaders ready to lead with influence and impact. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Build strategic alignment through an executive learning council. Design learning solutions with clear business metric analysis incorporated. For impact, use data in your storytelling. Once you get senior executives on side they will stand up for you when you are not at the table. At all levels, people should mentor others and develop talent. BEST MOMENTS "You can never over communicate to those senior executives." “By having that data and telling the story of the way things were being done, I got a lot of buy in." "Care about your people and the people around you, get the job done and do it right, and always act with integrity." Martha Soehren Bio Martha Soehren is the former Chief Talent Development Officer and SVP at Comcast Cable, where she led enterprise-wide learning and talent initiatives for nearly 15 years. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a background that spans 25 years in the U.S. Army, Martha brings deep expertise in instructional design, workforce planning, and organisational effectiveness to her corporate roles. She has served on numerous boards, including ATD, the Wharton/UPenn Doctorate of Learning Advisory Board, and SCTE, and is a recognized industry leader—named one of CableFax’s Most Powerful Women in Cable and a recipient of the WICT Liberty Award. Martha continues to contribute to the field through thought leadership, mentoring, and active participation in the Elliott Masie Learning Consortium. https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-soehren-phd-a012074/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. CONTACT METHOD https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special live episode recorded with a virtual audience, host David James is joined by an all-star panel of Learning & Development leaders - Laura Overton, Donald Clark, and Gemma Paterson - for a dynamic conversation on the future of workplace learning. Together, they explore: Whether "Learning & Development" is the wrong name for the profession. The growing shift from learning-centric to performance-focused strategies—and why this remains a point of contention. How AI is transforming productivity and reshaping L&D approaches. Real-life examples of how leading organizations are navigating this evolution. This episode pulls no punches as it challenges long-held assumptions in L&D and sparks essential questions about the direction of the profession. Tune in for sharp insights, bold ideas, and practical takeaways from some of the most influential voices in the field. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on intentional impact rather than just delivering courses Ask stakeholders “what are you trying to change?” Seek out the ultra-keen or those who are desperate for change. Stop worrying about the ethics of using AI, it´s an effective productivity tool, so use it. L&D needs to have the tough conversations. BEST MOMENTS “The word learning has turned into a noun rather than a process.” “Intentional impact is the thing that really drives me.” "That AI on the sly thing, it´s not enough.” "If you still call yourself L&D in 5 years ... you're defining yourself as sort of milky weak." GUESTS Laura Overton Laura is an award-winning L&D analyst and co-author of Evidence-Informed Learning Design. As the founder of Towards Maturity and a champion of research-led practice, Laura has spent her career helping organizations unlock the potential of workplace learning through data, insight, and innovation. Donald Clark Donald is a learning technology entrepreneur, author, and advocate for the use of AI in education. With decades of experience in digital learning, he is the CEO of Wildfire Learning and a former CEO and founder of Epic Group. He is known for his bold perspectives on the future of learning, captured in his books like Artificial Intelligence for Learning and his influential blog. Gemma Paterson Gemma is Head of Culture Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group, where she leads work that reimagines how culture, learning, and innovation intersect in large organizations. With a background in digital learning and organizational development, Gemma is passionate about creating environments that foster curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful change at scale. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of 1000s of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home CONTACT METHOD  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

How do you continuously reinvent L&D while working with the same stakeholders and navigating constant change? In this episode, Avinash Chadarana, Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group, shares the realities of leading L&D over the long haul—building from scratch, overcoming challenges like budget cuts and COVID, and evolving with a geographically dispersed remote team. We dive into the biggest shifts in L&D over the past few decades, the ongoing challenge of moving stakeholders beyond just training requests, and how AI is shaping the future of workforce development. Avinash also shares his principles for staying relevant and ensuring his team does the same. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Develop an intrapreneurial culture to encourage employees to generate innovative ideas. Ask what we are here to achieve, not what we are here to deliver. Make sure everyone knows what success looks like. Empower performance. Leverage localised generative AI. Align learning and development initiatives directly with business outcomes. Join the dots for stakeholders so they truly understand what L&D can do for them. BEST MOMENTS “Lead by outcomes, not by hours logged.” “See what's coming up and stop being in reactive mode.” “With AI we have gone past that point of fetishization or it being novel. We're hearing actual success stories.” GUEST BIO Avinash Chandarana is a visionary global L&D leader with over 25 years of experience shaping workplace learning. As Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group - a leading global engagement and marketing agency - he founded the MCI Institute in 2008, transforming employee development for 2,500 staff across 60 offices in 31 countries. A recognised Fellow of the Learning & Performance Institute (LPI), Avinash combines human-centred design with cutting-edge technology, including AI, to optimise learning experiences and drive business impact. A true global nomad, his career spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with successful projects in 33+ countries. Beyond leading L&D, he is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and moderator, holding credentials from MIT Sloan and INSEAD in neuroscience, leadership, and management. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashc VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. CONTACT METHOD  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

L&D has long been focused on behaviour change—but what if that’s the wrong goal? In this episode, Carl Binder challenges conventional wisdom and makes the case for shifting our focus from behaviours to work outputs—the measurable accomplishments that drive business results. Carl explains why this approach is more effective, how L&D teams can correctly identify and measure accomplishments, and what it takes to implement this thinking at scale. He also shares practical strategies for redesigning onboarding, leveraging non-training interventions, and aligning managers to focus on performance outcomes rather than just competency models. For L&D professionals looking to elevate their impact, this conversation offers a roadmap to making learning more business-critical, measurable, and effective. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS When you focus on results, L&D delivers. There is no incompatibility with focusing on work outputs and changing behaviours, one leads to the other. Competency models are too subjective. The relationship between organizational results, outputs and behaviour is dynamic. When managers focus on what needs to be produced, providing feedback to change behaviours is easier. Each individual should have a performance map. Ask yourself if this training were successful what is it that I expect the participants to be able to produce? Stop asking what skills they will learn. This simple change in language is powerful. Fully map your processes. Use the Six Boxes® model. BEST MOMENTS “Figure out the purpose before you define the behaviour.” “Don´t just spray and pray.” “Behaviour might change but accomplishments are typically more stable.” “There is a “the emperor has no clothes” problem here.” Carl Binder Bio Carl Binder is a leading expert in performance improvement and the founder of The Performance Thinking Network. With a background in behavioural psychology and decades of experience in organisational learning, he has helped businesses worldwide shift their focus from behaviour change to measurable work accomplishments. Originally a student of B.F. Skinner, Carl has applied behavioural science to real-world business challenges, developing practical frameworks for performance mapping, onboarding, and enterprise-wide capability building. His work empowers L&D and business leaders to drive tangible results by focusing on what truly matters—performance outcomes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarlbinder/ http://www.performancethinking.com/ YouTube Channel (“Performance Improvement Insights”): www.PerformanceThinking.tv Study Guides for YouTube webinars: https://bit.ly/CarlStudyGuides  - Fluency Based instruction research and applications: www.Fluency.org - Performance Consulting certification program (“Performance Thinking® Practitioner Program):  https://www.sixboxes.com/Virtual-Practitioner-Program.html CONTACT DAVID L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan. Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline. Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact. For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential.  Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress. Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence. L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners. Get out from behind your desk. Use the same language as stakeholders.  L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs. Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech. BEST MOMENTS "What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future." "Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy." "It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things." "We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact." "Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI." Dani Johnson Bio Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology.  Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine.  Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University.  RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done. You can follow or contact Dani at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/ Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required) - Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, we’re turning the tables! Host of The Learning Hack podcast, John Helmer, takes over the mic to interview our very own David James about 360Learning’s new L&D Maturity Model. With a wealth of experience in the learning industry, John brings a sharp, inquisitive lens to this conversation, challenging David on why L&D needs another maturity model, how it’s been developed, and what makes it different from the many that have come before. If you’ve ever wondered how to push your team forward and make a lasting impact, this episode is for you. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS The Maturity Model was built collaboratively. The model covers the 5 stages L&D goes through to reach maturity and become the engine that transforms their businesses. To truly impact the business, you need to anticipate business needs and train people for them in advance – the transformative stage. Stakeholders will resist your working transformatively. David explains why and how to overcome this. If you don´t understand the work you can´t deliver a solution. Open your conversations with “How´s business?” PR the hell out of everything and the impact you deliver. Use AI. David explains how. BEST MOMENTS “This is the lived experience of bouncing against stakeholders.” “It starts with the strategy rather than the learning.” “Be persistently consistent.” VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home John Helmer  John Helmer is a writer, podcaster and communications strategy expert specialising in learning, training and education, with a focus on digital technology innovation. He runs two highly successful podcasts, The Learning Hack and Great Minds on Learning. He has led many programmes bringing together thought leaders and practitioners for knowledge sharing and debate, and writes for and edits numerous blogs, as well as producing many white papers and research reports (including articles for peer-reviewed journals). A pioneer in digital marketing, he co-created and promoted more than thirty training courses on using the internet for marketing and business. He is also a novelist, lyricist for Marillion, has been on Top of Pops, and won a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival. https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer https://www.johnhelmerconsulting.com DAVID JONES David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

For the first time ever, The Learning & Development Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in New York! In this special episode, I sit down with Julianne Gill, Director of Learning & Development at Smile Brands, to explore what it truly takes to build an L&D function that delivers measurable impact. Julianne shares insights from her career journey, how she assessed and transformed L&D at Smile Brands, and the pivotal role of performance consulting and collaborative learning in making L&D a strategic business driver.  Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS L&D leaders need to think strategically to truly help the business. Seek real customer feedback. If you don´t know what people really think you can´t improve. Focus on how people really learn. It is always evolving. The L&D department needs to learn and evolve themselves. Collaborative learning works. Always partner with subject matter experts. Where possible update what they have already created, then get them to edit it. Start by helping people to achieve their KPIs. Educate yourself about performance consulting. Focus on outcomes. Be smart with people´s time. When you have different perspectives and experiences in the room you achieve more. BEST MOMENTS “You need to show value pretty quickly.” “You are telling them their baby is ugly, and nobody likes to be told that their baby is ugly.” “When training is the absolute wrong solution, you're going to waste a lot of money.” “I can turn anything into a $ sign.” “Start with the data.” “Take the wins when you can and work your way around.” Julianne Gill Bio Julianne is an innovative Learning, Development, Talent Acquisition, & Knowledge Management leader with a track record of success in leading complex initiatives. Julianne has deep expertise in training design & strategy, performance improvement, business planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, operational efficiencies, leadership development, and change management with a proven history of building and leading high performing teams. Through leadership and collaboration, Julianne has successfully developed and executed programs and improved operational workflows that lead to performance improvement and achievement of strategic goals. VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

In a time when organisations must adapt and evolve more rapidly than ever, the role of learning is at a crossroads. In this episode, Nigel Paine, author of The Great Reset: Unlocking the Power of Organisational Learning, shares his vision for transforming L&D into a strategic driver of culture, leadership, and inclusion-focused change. Nigel outlines the dimensions of organisational learning, the five values that underpin it, and the critical questions that leaders must ask to shift from transactional L&D to a more holistic and impactful approach. He also discusses the role of generative AI in reshaping learning and how L&D professionals can rise to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing landscape. With philosophical reflections and practical guidance, this conversation provides a roadmap for those ready to reset their thinking, elevate their practice, and embrace a bold vision for the future of learning. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Sharing and supporting is a component of agile organisations.  Provide people with the freedom to work holistically and across departments. Ensure your systems are relevant. Create a culture of trust so people are free to support each other. Use team targets instead of individual ones. Set benchmarks to prove you have achieved it. Empower people to look after their own development and remove barriers. AI can be a personal development engineer for each person. Inclusion genuinely brings different perspectives. BEST MOMENTS  “I don't believe you can rely on individuals being smart enough ... We need collective intelligence.” “Value decency and human kindness.” “Detoxify your culture.” “The 5 values create an agenda for action.” “AI is going to be life enhancing.” “Build credibility based on making meaningful impacts.” Nigel Paine Bio Nigel Paine is a renowned author, speaker, and thought leader in the field of L&D. He is a passionate advocate for innovative, people-centred approaches to organisational development. As the author of several influential books, Nigel challenges L&D professionals to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace the profound potential of learning to shape culture, foster leadership, and drive inclusion. Nigel’s career spans senior leadership roles, consulting with global organisations, and teaching at institutions such as the University of Chicago and IE Business School.  Twitter: @ebase https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelpaine Book: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-great-reset Use the discount code: LDAP10 https://www.nigelpaine.com VALUABLE RESOURCES L&D Master Class: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James has been a People Development professional for 20+ years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  David is Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD    https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog

Too often, L&D delivers learning solutions that fail to drive real behaviour change. But why does this happen, and how can we design interventions that truly make an impact? In this episode, learning design expert Julie Dirksen unpacks the science behind effective learning and what actually motivates people to apply what they’ve learned. Julie explores the biggest reasons training fails, the role of attention and habit formation, and how L&D can move beyond information delivery to solving real performance challenges. She also shares strategies for diagnosing root causes, overcoming engagement barriers, and designing for complex skill development. With practical insights and research-backed strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for L&D professionals looking to create learning that sticks—and that leaders take seriously as a driver of business success. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model   KEY TAKEAWAYS When people do not see the value in the action they do not do it. If what you are asking for is not viable people won´t do it e.g. They can´t see their work clearly while wearing safety glasses. Learning does not have to be short; it has to be relevant. User testing learning before rollout is effective. Teaching people how to examine and solve problems is powerful. Create opportunities for feedback to reinforce learning. AI can help you in ways humans can´t. Break down why the behaviour is not happening. BEST MOMENTS “They know the right actions to take, yet it’s still not happening.” “Sometimes people don't see the value in the action.” “AI can pull out what is successful and then use that as a model.”   Julie Dirksen's Bio Julie Dirksen is an expert in instructional design, learning science, and behaviour change. She is the author of Design For How People Learn and a sought-after consultant who helps organisations create learning experiences that drive real performance improvement. With a background in UX, game design, and cognitive psychology, Julie focuses on bridging the gap between what we teach and what people actually do. Through her work, she equips L&D professionals with the tools to design learning that truly sticks. You can follow and contact Julie via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen/ Blog: http://usablelearning.wordpress.com/ Website: https://usablelearning.com/   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

Reskilling is high on the agenda for many organisations, but how do you do it reliably—and at scale? In this episode, Molly Howes returns to share the incredible progress of the Aviva Foundry, an ambitious initiative to upskill employees from Customer Support roles into Digital careers, alongside Alex Price, who was a successful participant in the program. They discuss what’s changed since their last appearance, the processes that have made large-scale reskilling successful, and how they’ve ensured employees aren’t just exposed to learning but are truly ready for new roles. They also dive into the challenges of expanding the program internationally, launching new initiatives like the Data Upskilling Bootcamp, and securing buy-in from stakeholders. Packed with insights and real-world lessons, this episode is essential for L&D professionals looking to move beyond training and deliver reskilling programs that change lives and drive business success. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS The Aviva Foundry trains people for emerging roles and reskills those whose roles are no longer needed. The Foundry is available to anyone who wants to retrain. The key is really understanding the skills stakeholders need and focusing on the way your organisation works. Learners are supported by people who do the role they are training for and apply what they learn in practical ways. Colleagues that reskill bring something fresh to their new roles. The Foundry approach is now in Canada and works there too. Take the leap and set up your own Foundry. BEST MOMENTS “If those roles are no longer there for them, they get the opportunity to re-skill.” “This isn't us hand-picking people … this is people saying I want to learn.” “You have to build that trust.” “We knew that if we started making that progress, we'd learn.” Molly Howes  Molly is Foundry and GenAI Capability Lead at Aviva having joined the company in 2015 and transitioned into roles including Team Leader and Digital Product Owner. The Aviva Foundry being a learning community, developing the knowledge and skills Aviva need to succeed in an increasingly digitised world. Alex Price Alex is Group Brand Expression & Design Manager at Aviva having successfully transitioned from a Broker Development Associate via the Aviva Foundry program. VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

As remote and hybrid work redefine the modern workplace, leadership must evolve to meet new challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Wayne Turmel, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader: Revised Rules for Remarkable Remote and Hybrid Leadership, shares invaluable insights on leading in this new era. Wayne explores how leadership has fundamentally changed, the unique challenges of asynchronous and hybrid environments, and what leaders can do to foster strong team cultures and productive collaboration. Packed with actionable advice, this conversation offers a roadmap for leaders and organizations navigating the complexities of remote and hybrid work. See the full agenda for L&D Next, which runs from March 3rd to 6th and register for free today at https://360learning.com/l-and-d-next/2025/ KEY TAKEAWAYS For many, leading long-distance is the new norm. Despite pushback, remote and hybrid working is here to stay. We need to move from monitoring activity to monitoring output. Get back to first principles. Some types of work are best done remotely, while other tasks are better done in the office. Build a strong culture – ensure remote workers work collaboratively and network internally.  Have good one to one conversations with remote workers and don’t leave them out of group discussions.  Remote workers need to actively demonstrate their value and seek out training and development opportunities. BEST MOMENTS “We are in the middle of the most seismic workplace change since the 1920s and 30s.” “What we do as leaders hasn't radically changed. How we do it has.” “Micromanagement never worked great, and it's actually impossible to do in the modern workplace.” “We need to move from monitoring activity to monitoring output.” Wayne Turmel Wayne Turmel is the co-author of The Long-Distance Leader and a recognized authority on leadership in remote and hybrid work environments. As co-founder of the Remote Leadership Institute, Wayne has dedicated his career to equipping leaders with the skills and strategies needed to thrive in distributed workplaces. With decades of experience in communication and leadership training, he has written multiple books on leadership, team collaboration, and professional development. Wayne is a sought-after speaker and podcast host, known for his practical advice and engaging storytelling that resonates with leaders across industries. https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneturmel Book and special offers: https://longdistanceworklife.com/long-distance-leader Kevin Eikenberry Group https://kevineikenberry.com VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Maturity Model: https://360learning.com/maturity-model/ L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Maturity Model: https://360learning.com/maturity-model/ L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

In this special live episode, with guests Lisa Christensen, Hillary Miller and Christopher Lind, we explore their experience and deep expertise on the topics of L&D strategy and team structures - and it’s a masterclass of a conversation.  Register for L&D Next 3rd - 6th March for free today at https://360learning.com/l-and-d-next/2025/ KEY TAKEAWAYS Understand what L&D is there to achieve. Team structures have to evolve and be flexible. L&D structure has to be right for achieving L&D aims, so it may be different from other teams in the organisation. Build adaptable teams by focusing on skillsets. Leverage data and hone in on one KPI. Understand which relationships and functions you need to focus on. That will evolve. Work holistically with other areas of the business. BEST MOMENTS “I've never seen a truly centralized model, ever.” “We can get hung up on the hierarchy of things and miss out.” “You gotta know who your players are, their bench strengths.” “We need better data capabilities in learning.” “Figure out what they care about and then lean on that.” Lisa Christensen  Lisa leads McKinsey & Company's Learning Design and Development Center of Excellence, a global team of design experts, designing and building the learning that develops McKinsey Partners and professionals, enabling them to deliver incredible client impact. Lisa founded and leads McKinsey's Learning Research and Innovation Lab and sits on the global learning leadership team. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisachristensen Christopher Lind  Christopher Lind is a dynamic leader at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience, serving as an executive advisor, AI ethicist and sought-after voice in the L&D space. As a former Chief Learning Officer for ChenMed and GE Healthcare, Christopher has led transformative learning strategies that enhance workforce capability and business performance. A prominent commentator, speaker, and thought leader, he is known for his forward-thinking approach to digital learning, AI, and the evolving role of technology in talent development. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind Future Focused: https://christopherlind.substack.com Hillary Miller  Hillary Miller is a seasoned Learning & Development leader currently heading L&D at HCA Healthcare. With a passion for driving workforce capability and business impact, she brings extensive experience in healthcare education and leadership development. Previously, as Chief Learning Officer at Penn State Health, Hillary led enterprise-wide learning strategies, fostering a culture of continuous development and innovation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarybmiller VALUABLE RESOURCES https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Maturity Model: https://360learning.com/maturity-model/ L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

As generative AI continues to evolve from novelty to everyday adoption, its transformative potential for Learning & Development is becoming increasingly clear. In this episode, Sean Bengry, a senior L&D leader, shares his experiences and insights on harnessing AI to drive impact and innovation in our field. Sean discusses the pivotal moment that revealed the power of generative AI, offers jaw-dropping demonstrations of its current capabilities, and explores its applications in personalised learning and talent development. From enhancing human understanding  to redefining L&D’s core aims, this conversation is packed with practical examples and forward-thinking strategies. With actionable advice and a look at the industry’s leading AI adoption, Sean provides a roadmap for L&D professionals ready to embrace this game-changing technology and rethink what’s possible. See the full agenda for L&D Week March 3rd to 6th and register for free today at https://360learning.com/l-and-d-next/2025/ KEY TAKEAWAYS AI can create content that is designed to specifically appeal to and engage with each person. A lot of what we do is gathering data from one place, reworking it and sharing it for application. AI is very good at this e.g. Notebook LM podcast feature. Most people have still not explored how AI can help them to do their L&D job. You can use voice and your camera to interface with AI. Tell AI to take on personas to explore, test and get feedback for your ideas. There are ways around any issues related to putting your business data into AI. AI enables you to get down to the micro level and create content to close very specific skills gaps. Be curious and start small. BEST MOMENTS “AI provides real impact.” “It was a new mode of content synthesis that I had never seen before.” “The more data you can put in there around who a person is … the more AI can personalise that learning information.” VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home Sean Bengry Bio Sean Bengry is a senior Learning & Development leader with a passion for driving innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower organisations and their people. Currently the Director of Learning Transformation & Technology at DaVita Kidney Care, Sean leads strategic initiatives to enhance talent development and organisational growth. At the forefront of L&D transformation, Sean is known for his forward-thinking insights and ability to inspire action, helping organisations navigate the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving learning landscape. Connect with Sean via: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbengry/ ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Maturity Model: https://360learning.com/maturity-model/ L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

In a world where skills gaps are widening and job demands are evolving at unprecedented rates, understanding how to gain a "skills advantage" is critical for organizations to stay competitive. In this episode, Anish Lalchandani, author of The Skills Advantage, delves into his insights on bridging skills gaps, building resilient teams, and preparing organizations for the future. Anish walks us through his approach, discussing how the right skills strategy can shift a team from good to exceptional and position L&D as a driver of business transformation. Whether you're a leader looking to upskill your team or an L&D professional aiming to create a sustainable skills strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. KEY TAKEAWAYS The established approach to L&D is no longer enough. L&D needs to go beyond business alignment and take the lead in equipping our businesses to thrive in the future.  You don´t have the wrong people, they have the wrong skills. Employees need to be convinced that upskilling benefits them and the business.  A huge proportion of executive transitions fail, and we need to address this. What is going on in the market and industry helps you identify future skill needs. Use technology to help with your data analysis and become more agile. When you demonstrate impact, you get permission to do more. BEST MOMENTS “The established approach to L&D is no longer enough.” “Reskilling is a long-term game, start now.” “We need to hold ourselves accountable to actual upskilling and not just providing learning.” “You don´t have the wrong people, they have the wrong skills.” “The risk of relying on firing and hiring is extraordinary.” Anish Lalchandani Bio Anish Lalchandani is the author of the book ‘The Skills Advantage: A Human-Centered, Sustainable and Scalable Approach to Reskilling’. Having held leadership roles at leading firms like A.P. Moller Maersk (current), General Electric, Standard Chartered Bank and other organizations, he has developed extensive expertise in Talent, OD, Leadership and HR Strategy. In addition to being a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, he is also a certified professional coach and mentor to start-up founders. Several publications, including Economic Times, Thinkers360, LeadersHum and HRD, rate him as one of the top influencers in HR and the Future of Work. You can follow and connect with Anish via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishlalchandanichro The Skills Advantage Quiz: https://form.jotform.com/240295107435453 The Skills Advantage Book: https://www.anishlalchandani.com/book VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment. David is the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With nearly 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company. CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

Stepping into a new L&D leadership role is challenging, and establishing both yourself and your team can be even harder. It’s not just about filling gaps—it’s about aligning your vision with the business’s needs and building a strategy that delivers tangible results. In this episode, Sam Allen, Global Head of Learning and Development at Ideagen, shares how he has navigated this journey, from understanding the company’s culture and expectations to creating an L&D strategy that drives real performance. Sam talks about the key steps to establishing yourself in a new L&D role: how to build trust with stakeholders, identify the right learning needs, and bring your team on the journey. If you're a new L&D leader or looking to reposition your team, this episode offers real-world insights into how to take L&D from a function to a business partner. KEY TAKEAWAYS Work really hard to understand where the business you have joined is going. Identify the decision makers and sit down with each one to find out what their priorities are and where they are heading. To do this you need an effective way to take notes and analyse what you learn. Assess how your team currently performs. Make it clear to everyone what your approach to L&D is. Acquire the right tools for your L&D team and for your stakeholders. Set up self-serving learning resources that enable departments to fill skill gaps themselves. Break skills content down to enable truly targeted learning. Establishing yourself is about creating a strategy that truly drives business impact. BEST MOMENTS “How capable are the team members within that organisational structure?” “Build credible relationships with stakeholders.” “Create content where there are gaps.” Sam Allen Bio Sam Allen is the Global Head of Learning and Development at Ideagen, where he leads the company’s L&D strategy to drive performance, capability, and career growth. Before joining Ideagen, Sam was the Interim Head of L&D (Central Functions) at Cazoo, where he established the central L&D function, delivering leadership programs and automating onboarding and compliance. Before that, Sam founded Insightful People, partnering with businesses to deliver strategic L&D projects. He also held senior L&D roles at Whitbread, developing management teams, and at Argos, where he led the L&D strategy for IT, Digital, and Marketing, supporting around 500 colleagues and delivering high-potential and leadership development programs. Throughout his career, Sam has been committed to transforming L&D into a strategic driver of business performance. VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

The Talent Fueled Enterprise seeks to provide insight into key disruptors driving an imperative for talent in organizations. The book also provides a fresh perspective on how leaders should consider navigating the evolving landscape of talent management. It challenges the conventional framework for talent management, urging leaders to reimagine how they perceive, nurture, and leverage the people within their organizations.  In this episode, we unpack what this means for organisations, their Talent teams and the workforce. KEY TAKEAWAYS A talent-fuelled enterprise provides a skills deal that works for employees as well as the organization. Talented employees are no longer willing to only serve the business they want to develop skills that also progress their careers. If you don´t give people the chance to learn they will go elsewhere. A talent-fuelled enterprise values and cultivates the entire organization. Identify what makes performance sustainable, adaptable and scalable. Hire for agility, people who learn and adapt. Ongoing transformation has to be part of a company´s DNA. L&D has to start setting the agenda. Developing the workforce of tomorrow is an essential investment. L&D needs to develop itself to be able to deliver a talent-fuelled workforce. Mike explains how in the episode. BEST MOMENTS “The talent-fuelled enterprise is one that's …. going to cultivate, and it's going to celebrate that wealth of talent, that already exists in the organization .” “Skills are the currency of the organization …  it's also the currency of the people themselves.” “Talent is something that we need to rethink.” “It's really about our ability as professionals to be a good business partner and to be curious and to go and study.” Mike Ohata Bio Mike Ohata is the author of the book The Talent Fuelled Enterprise and has a career-long history of transforming Big Four and Fortune 15 organizations through talent frameworks, comprehensive people development, and workforce solutions.  During his 26-year executive career, Mike strategically navigated Microsoft Corporation and KPMG through disruption and challenges, honoured with the LearningElite Gold Award for pioneering exemplary learning and development strategies at KPMG.  The Talent-Fuelled Enterprise was written for leaders who aspire to build a culture that truly embraces continuous learning and a workplace that is based on trust and collaboration.  You can follow and connect with Mike via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeohata/ The Talent Fuelled Enterprise book (discount code for listeners: DJPODCAST30):   https://a.co/d/c2Ppn3N VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/ ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/ Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/ L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

Many of us fall into L&D - and some of us make sacrifices in order to do so. At a time when many of us have faced layoffs and unexpected setbacks, we wanted to spotlight career journeys that had tough times and what our guests did to overcome these. In this episode, I’m speaking with Jennifer Sutherland, Global Leader of Culture, Learning & Development at Trustwave, about her incredible career and the lessons we can all learn from her. KEY TAKEAWAYS Very few people follow a linear path into L&D. This is good because they bring varied business skills to the role. If you do not have any training or L&D experience to put on your resume seek it out. Jennifer shares several ways to do that. Be authentic, especially during presentations, and develop your own style. Listen to feedback but recognise who the outliers are and factor that in before deciding whether to pivot. Take your time when switching roles. Lots of L&D professionals inadvertently end up in a role that is not a good fit for them. Use other L&D professionals as a sounding board and help each other. Understand how humans learn and stay up to date with the research. Stay curious and stay up to date with the tech. Build good relationships with all stakeholders and network. BEST MOMENTS “You created the opportunity that helped you gather the experience that you needed to be taken seriously by those L&D hiring managers.” “Words matter … how you fill in the silence is so critical.” “Frankly, that role was not the right fit for me.” “The career path that I'm on looks bananas, but gave  me all these skills, resources, knowledge, community and networks.” “Create your own sandwich of tech to create what you need.” “The world limits you already. Don't be the one that limits yourself.”   Jennifer Sutherland Bio Jennifer is the Global Leader of Culture, Learning & Development at Trustwave, where she is responsible for driving employee engagement and developing enriching learning experiences. Her team focuses on initiatives such as change management and sales enablement, essential for a dynamic global workforce across EMEA, APAC, and North America. Concurrently, as an Adjunct Professor at Davenport University, Jennifer leverages her expertise to educate the next generation in HR and Learning & Development.  You can follow and connect with Jennifer via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifernsutherland Website: https://sutherlandtalentsolutions.com The Nonlinear Training Career article - https://trainingindustry.com/magazine/spring-2024/the-nonlinear-training-career https://www.toastmasters.org   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

L&D can sometimes fail to make sense to even the most seasoned L&D leader but what about our colleagues in other departments? What do they make of our products and approaches? What do they make of our inability to equate our spend and effort to ROI? Well Ajay Pangarkar can tell us. His frustrations with L&D had him lean in from his Accounting background and tell us. But not just by heckling. But by giving us advice. In this episode, Ajay will tell us how we’re perceived and what we can do to better measure the impact of what we do. KEY TAKEAWAYS Using business terminology, you are not 100% familiar with undermines your credibility. Knowledge is now genuinely driving businesses, so L&D is seen as far more important. Focus on the end result. Use the Kaizen approach – keep asking why. Become a listener, get into people´s heads and skill them up in a non-intrusive way. Data analytics is essential to L&D. Work with your financial team to deliver your business case. BEST MOMENTS “With all respect and love for Learning and Development, they  are the nerds in the schoolyard trying to fit in with the cool kids.” “Nobody in the organization cares about learning. They care about the doing.” “We are in the golden age of L&D.” “I always say they cut their budget because you didn't deliver value.” Ajay Pangarkar Bio Ajay is the author of four books, with the most recent titled, “Learning Metrics: How to Measure the Impact of Organizational Learning" (Kogan Page). He’s an award-winning author receiving multiple prestigious TrainingIndustry Readership and Editors’ Award, eLearning Magazine’s Learning Champion, and the World Training Development Congress named Ajay their “Distinguished Trainer”. He is a broadcast media commentator addressing workplace performance issues and contributor to leading international publications. Ajay is also a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA, FCMA), Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP), and a world-renowned workplace performance authority on integrating employee performance strategies within operational environments.  On top of all this, he is a professor at the Sprott School of Business (Carleton University) and Smith School of Business (Queens University) as well as being actively involved with workplace learning working closely with LinkedIn Learning. You can follow and connect with Ajay via: Twitter: @bizlearningdude LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajaypangarkar/ Book: https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/learning-metrics-9781398615366 VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/ ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/ Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/ L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

When we have an opportunity to understand L&D and Leadership trends from global L&D experts we should take them, right? On the eve of DevLearn, David Kelly (Chairman of the Learning Guild) gives us his perspective on the things we should be paying attention to as well as the areas we should be focusing our development on. KEY TAKEAWAYS Technology is changing the L&D landscape and we need to evolve with it, but this is something L&D has always done, the same conversations are happening the circumstances are just slightly different. L&D can sometimes be one of the first departments to be downsized if a company just looks at them as a cost centre, rather than how they should be looking at them, as a performance partner that is connected to driving the organisation forward. Mixed reality is very powerful, AR and VR can be good solutions to specific problems but their advantages and speed have slowed down, with AI taking a lot of attention away from development.  Whilst AI is impacting many areas of almost all organisations, it’s important to understand where your organisation sits on takeup and where you can fit into that and act accordingly. L&D can appear to be susceptible to 'trends' but this isn't negative. Those who work in L&D are naturally curious and are looking for ways to help and support people's growth which naturally lends itself to new ideas and tools.  As the world develops and changes around us, so does how we learn, are our education and learning models keeping up pace? Leadership is something that is given by others and it isn't a set of traits but skills that can be learnt. Leadership is about what we do, rather than who we are. You can be an effective leader at any level of an organisation; it's about how you approach the job you are assigned.  A modern L&D organisation always needs to be looking to what's next, what does the L&D need to look like to support the organisation in the future.  BEST MOMENTS 'I was always very involved in my career at giving back to the industry’ ‘The industry is in the exact same space it’s been for 20 years’ ‘I can tell you that the industry is growing rapidly…doesn’t make a difference where I am working for an organisation where I am seen as a cost that needs to be mitigated' 'AI is sucking all the energy out of the room' 'Hype is nothing more than shared energy, but what is driving that energy' 'We don't want to do something because it's cool but because it can make a difference' 'My focus in leadership in the L&D space is removing the role from the equation and focusing more on the environment that learning exists' David Kelly Bio As Chairman of the Learning Guild, David Kelly constantly explores the convergence of learning and technology, demonstrating a profound commitment to transforming workplaces and enriching lives through innovative learning strategies. With over two decades of experience in learning and performance leadership and consulting, he brings his passion to life in his daily work building events and resources with the Guild and as a dynamic speaker and writer, inspiring others to view their work through a fresh, technology-enhanced lens. You can follow and connect with David via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lnddave/ Learning Guild Website: https://www.learningguild.com/ DevLearn: https://devlearn.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/ ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/ Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/ L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/

A governance structure in L&D is a move from implicit to explicit practices. It brings rigour and structure to decision-making practices that would otherwise be nebulous and ill-defined. It is a recognition that L&D is, fundamentally, a strategic function – equally critical for the organisation’s growth and for its survival in turbulent times. But it doesn’t exist in every L&D team.  In this episode, Noah and Tom break down why it is essential and how we, as L&D, get to grips with it.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Governance aligns L&D more closely with business objectives and ensures consistent, scalable impact. The decision on where the L&D budget is spent has to be made by the business so that the budget can be allocated to training that generates profit. Governance includes careful management of your key constituencies and relationships. Alignment, communication, consistency, planning, measurement, execution, tracking, and project management are all equally important. Ask yourself what does better look like? Properly define what you are aiming for. New technologies are not always better, be sure to properly assess them. Good governance is never 100% done, it is an ongoing process. Taking a “solid core, flexible edges” approach to governance works well for most organizations. Be brave. It´s worth a little bit of pain to make big gains.   BEST MOMENTS “Governance is about aligning learning to the strategic objectives and needs of the business… so that you can demonstrate the value of that learning function.” “You have to create consistency in the learner experience .” “AI is going to be a lightning rod.” “Shiny object syndrome  is the enemy of good governance.” “We not only define what governance is, but we define what's what it's not.”   Noah Rabinowitz Bio With 25+ years of experience in learning and leadership development, Noah has been Chief Learning Officer at Intel and Moderna and consulted globally with Korn Ferry and Deloitte. He specializes in innovative learning strategies, executive development, and large-scale digital upskilling programs, driving impactful results across industries. Tom Kupetis Bio Tom brings over 25 years of management consulting and learning solutions experience with Fortune 500 companies. As Executive Vice President at St. Charles Consulting Group, he oversees the firm’s go-to-market strategy. Previously, he held senior roles at Xerox Learning Services and Intellinex LLC (EY subsidiary). Report: https://learningforum.substack.com/p/clo-lift-governance-as-a-strategic   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/   ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/  L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective/ Blog: https://360learning.com/blog/ L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home/