In this episode, Greg Arthur hosts a lively discussion with Sarah Wood and Paul Morgan on the nuances of measuring ROI in L&D. They explore why traditional metrics often fall short and how organisations can better understand the real impact of their learning initiatives.

Key Topics

1. Differentiating between learning impact and financial ROI
2. The importance of measuring behaviour change, not just activity completion
3. The role of organisational culture in shaping learning outcomes
4. Practical approaches to quantifying value beyond financial metrics
5. The myth of quick ROI from isolated learning interventions
6. How to foster honest conversations about measurement challenges
7. The danger of over-complicating simple problems in L&D
8. The importance of community sharing real, transparent results
9. Strategies for starting conversations that uncover true organisational needs
10. Building pragmatic, evidence-based learning strategies aligned with business outcomes

Timestamps

1. (00:00) - Introduction to the focus on ROI in learning
2. (02:39) - The challenge of measuring ROI in learning activities
3. (04:23) - How ROI in learning is tied to business impact
4. (08:00) - Beyond financial metrics: understanding emotional and cultural value
5. (12:15) - Rethinking onboarding for measurable impact
6. (16:16) - The influence of organisational culture on learning outcomes
7. (23:10) - Using simple, targeted data to measure error reduction
8. (28:00) - The significance of relevance in learning content
9. (33:10) - Practicing pragmatic measurement approaches
10. (39:20) - The importance of partnering with business teams for results
11. (45:17) - The need for community transparency in success and failure
12. (55:46) - Honest conversations about the real impact of learning initiatives
13. (60:09) - Practical tips for starting measurement conversations

Additional Notes

1. Emphasise simple, practical measurement methods over complex data models
2. Cultivate honest dialogues with stakeholders about what can and cannot be measured
3. Focus on impact areas like engagement, behavior, and culture as well as financial outcomes
4. Recognize the importance of community sharing of successes and lessons learned
5. Be pragmatic: start conversations, ask “what if we did nothing,” and adjust strategies accordingly

This episode challenges traditional notions of ROI and encourages learning professionals to adopt more flexible, honest, and impactful measurement practices. Let’s stop over-complicating and start focusing on what truly moves the needle.