The Learning & Development Podcast: The #1 L&D Show

The opportunity with digital L&D has always been to achieve more but when online learning has been resisted by employees and with eLearning being tarnished by poor click-next courses, it seemed the opportunity was beyond us. However, by pivoting to Agile, working closely with their clients and leading with resources Sebastian and his team at Vitality Health address almost 10x the number of projects they could before; they’ve achieved real results, and grown their team because of their success. So it is possible. Find out how in this episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Resource L&D customised L&D reduces training time by 56%.
• Effective training that does not take people away from their jobs for long is what businesses want.
• To be truly relevant and up to date training needs to be created fast. Sebastian´s team do it in about 7 days.
• Sit down with your client and use data and guided processes to help them to identify the critical tasks and the steps the training needs to cover.
• Trust the end user to tell you what they need and be guided by them when tweaking the training.
• Analyse after every release and make adjustments to make the training better, based on feedback from your client and trainees.
• The training you provide needs to be fluid and able to evolve as the business does.
• You want people to be able to dip in and out of your training resources to address small skill gaps without having to take a full-blown course, every time.
• The tools the L&D department provide should not be limited to courses or handouts. Things like calculators and other modern resources can be provided too.
• L&D has to be an integral part of the business. It plays a role in delivering the right product at the right time to the customer.

BEST MOMENTS

'L&D departments can demonstrate value'

'Identify what needs to be done, not what people need to know.'

'The number one thing for us is to be able to support our staff members to be able to do their job as quickly and efficiently as possible.'

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

Sebastian Tindall

Sebastian is Head of L&D at Vitality Health and has also held strategic roles in Santander Bank and The Co-Operative Bank. Over recent years his work with global L&D functions in South Africa, India and the USA have catalysed his passion for creating a diverse range of innovative high impact learning solutions.

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

The step-up into L&D leadership can often be underestimated because it’s hard to understand unless you’re doing it. Too often L&D professionals bemoan the absence of the conditions for change but this is where leadership comes in. In this episode, we discuss what it means to become a leader of an L&D function, what the new expectations are, what a leader needs to do, and how to bring people with them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Successful L&D teaches people the skills they need to solve problems the business faces.
• L&D is about creating business solutions.
• When your L&D strategy is resisted, show true leadership. Stand your ground and negotiate for the type of L&D you know the business actually needs.
• Don´t wait for the perfect conditions to modernise. Take the lead instead.
• Establish where people are on the learning development readiness scale and tailor what you offer to that individual's needs.
• Facilitation is a key component of successful L&D. In the podcast, Paul explains how he uses book clubs to break down barriers and facilitate change.
• Getting people to learn together is fantastic for team building and reducing the hierarchy.
• You can´t force change. Guidance, support, and two-way conversations are essential when leading people to do things differently.
• Give people what they ask for, add something extra, then watch them adopt and use those new techniques and skills.
• Be humble enough to recognise that you do not know it all.
• Develop your network. It is great to have someone to turn to for counsel.

BEST MOMENTS

'You are not developing learning and development solutions. You´re developing business solutions.'

'Ask where do they sit on the learning and development readiness scale, tailor that story to their needs and bring them on the journey.'

'The art of negotiation is getting a deal. '

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Scrum by Jeff Sutherland

ABOUT THE GUEST

Paul Smith

Paul is Head of Learning & Organisational Development at Retail Prodigy Group in Melbourne Australia, having relocated from London whilst working with Apple. Since then, Paul has led Learning and Talent functions with BUPA Australia, Momentis, CPA Australia, and Officeworks.

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board. 

CONTACT METHOD 

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ 
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

Stepping up to L&D Manager can be both exciting and daunting but we can all learn from those who’ve done it already. In this episode, Jack describes his role, his assimilation, and his development, alongside the expectations and experiences that have helped him establish himself at this new level. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Becoming a manager is a huge change. You actually are changing your career when you take on a management role.
• Don´t spend too much time continuing to do the work you did and were good at before. If you do you will stretch yourself too thin.
• You need to manage your profile in your organisation to make sure you get credit for what you do.
• Jack spends about 20% of his time supporting and developing his team.
• A big chunk of the role is providing air cover for your team. Managing expectations, keeping them away from the stress, etc.
• Your team must know what is going on in the business as a whole. What its goals and priorities are.
• Pause regularly to think about the problems you are trying to solve and check you are on track.
• You need to put your internal customers at the heart of everything you do.
• To prepare to become an L&D Manager, benchmark yourself and work to fill any gaps.
• Step out and push yourself to develop and practice management and leadership skills.
• When you first become a manager you may need to push to be included in the right conversations.

BEST MOMENTS

'What we get back from working with the team, is brilliant '

'Progressing as a manager is a career change'

'We´ve just not got all of the answers. But we are willing to go and seek them'

'Don´t wait to get your seat at the table. Pull up a chair or ask for it. '

ABOUT THE GUEST

Jack Lockhart Bio

Jack is Learning Experience and Performance Manager at PerfectHome, having progressed to manager-level via L&D roles at Virgin Media and The Training Foundation. Jack is a prominent voice on social media relating to modern L&D practices and approaches that drive demonstrable value to organisations. 

You can follow and connect with Jack via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacklockhart/

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board. 

CONTACT METHOD 

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ 
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

Starting your career in L&D can be exciting and daunting. Where do you start? Which skills are important? What pitfalls must you avoid? Especially in these times when the whole profession has shifted and digital approaches are transforming the practice. In this episode, Lexie Hockaday (Junior L&D Product Manager) explores her own journey and development, alongside her line manager, Anne-Marie Burbidge (Head of Learning & Development).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There are many ways into L&D. Not everyone has to do a learning apprenticeship.
• Spend time out in the business building up your understanding of how things actually work.
• Focus on what the business is trying to achieve so that you can deliver effective training.
• Follow up on your trainees to ensure that what you offer is delivering results.
• Digital resources enable you to curate content, constantly update it and deliver training fast.
• Learn to utilise the data you can extract from the tech systems you use.
• In many cases, light solutions e.g. a short how-to video is the answer, rather than a full-blown course.

BEST MOMENTS

'One of the beauties of learning and development is you can come in from any number of routes.'

'I always start with what´s the why, what are people and the business trying to do? '

'Keep the end-user, the human, the person at the heart of everything you do. '

'I see learning and development as part of the overall employee experience. '

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Anne-Marie Burbidge Bio

Anne-Marie is Head of Learning & Development at Utility Warehouse, a UK-based multiservice utility provider, and draws on 15 years experience of running L&D teams. Anne-Marie is keenly interested in Agile principles and understanding how data can help us, using a range of tools and approaches to understand what's really going in order to grow capability and confidence effectively.

Lexie Hockaday Bio

Lexie is Junior L&D Product Manager at Utility Warehouse and - at the point of recording - is studying on the CIPD Level 5 Qualification in Learning & Development.

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

Is a Learning Culture essential if an organisation is to realise the potential of its people or is it, perhaps, a false nirvana? In this episode, it is explored when and how it becomes possible to develop a Learning Culture, we bust some myths around it and seek to empower L&D to begin it’s progression right now rather than wait for the perfect conditions - because those will never arrive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A learning culture has tended to mean that companies believe their learning departments or content is adequate. However, these are merely provisions.
• A learning culture is the point at where people can access learning at any time with no barriers to entry, and where access is encouraged.
• Before we develop a learning culture, it's essential to switch the conversation from learning performance and results, and not delaying the progress by thinking we have to change the culture first.
• No CEO will ever lose sleep over how many people have not completed courses. We need to be using measurements and metrics that business managers understand.

BEST MOMENTS

'It is literally the lifeblood of the company'

'That is not a learning culture - that is a provision'

'I believe there is so much more than people completing courses and happy sheets'

'We're seeing much more of a "need to have" than a "nice to have"'

 VALUABLE RESOURC ES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

A multi-award winning Learning leader with experience of heading up international Learning & Talent functions. Having worked across different organisations and sectors, Dr Hannah Gore has in-depth - as well as hands-on - knowledge of what it means to successfully align L&D with business outcomes and select the most appropriate approaches in order to make a demonstrable difference. Now a consultant, lecturer and Board Director at the eLearning Network, Hannah is an influential figure in L&D, helping to promote Learning Cultures as a way of achieving real results.

You can follow and connect with Hannah via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahgore/

Twitter: @HRGore

Website: https://drhannahgore.com/

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

Sukh Pabial recently conducted some research to understand the impact of COVID-19 - and subsequent restrictions - on L&D. In this episode, the results of this research are shared and explored in order to help understand where we are now and where we, as a profession, should prepare to go.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The furlough scheme saw to it that many jobs were saved, but for those in L&D, if robust remote learning methods were not implemented, then a huge proportion of workforces could not be developed while furloughed.
• The shift to remote development has been significant. 85% of workforce learning is now done digitally and virtually.
• Everyone who pivoted from their original existing L&D strategy and content delivery, to one more focussed upon needs and priorities, created a huge contrast to the way things worked previously – an as-and-when framework.
• From a professional capability perspective, the shift to digital and virtual has been transformative.

BEST MOMENTS

'The overall finding is that 85% shift to virtual’

‘This has left a huge population who cannot access skills development’

‘I think our “solutions” are so insubstantial that they require support from elsewhere’

‘This has allowed them to make the shift they wanted to make’

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

Sukhvinder (Sukh) Pabial is a senior Learning & Organisational Development leader who, as CLO of Challenging Frontiers, actively works to progress the thinking and practice of L&D. Sukh’s interests lie in L&D strategy and consultation, innovation in business, positive psychology and emotional intelligence.

Sukh is an occupational psychologist by education, and has extensively studied the fields of positive psychology and emotional intelligence. 

Twitter @sukhpabial

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukhvinder-pabial-01113b1b/

How Has COVID Impacted L&D? Research Results: https://challengingfrontiers.com/impact-covid19-ld

Website: https://challengingfrontiers.com/

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

Design Thinking is an emerging trend in Learning & Development but one that can easily be misunderstood or misappropriated - but it can also be incredibly powerful. In this episode we dive deep into what it is, how it can help L&D and how to use it.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Approaching problems from the perspective of the user, and being informed by data, is a way to solve real business problems.
• Design is not one single thing, but a collection of choices that come together to create a better experience.
• In order to best understand how to create design as a way of thinking, we must conceive of it as an investment in time and understanding.
• Far too many people jump upon buzzwords in order to make it seem as though they are being proactive. But this is the root cause behind the misconceptions that are keeping L&D in the past

BEST MOMENTS

'We should be saying design... as a way of thinking...'

'Design is an approach that people can use to solve big problems'

'Change can't travel throughout our profession because of the mis-branding'

'If we understand the thought behind the problem, we don't need a piece of e-learning'

 VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Danny Seals is Director of Design, Experience & Innovation at GP Strategies and the purpose of his work is to create impactful change through using good design. He pulls from various design disciplines and mindsets such as human centred design, design thinking, service design, system thinking and experience design. 

You can follow and connect with Danny via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyseals/

With a background in the engineering and aerospace sectors, Tim Brind understands ROI and how to add value; an approach that combines performance consulting with human centred design to ensure the production of innovative, user-centric learning experiences and creative problem solving.

You can follow and connect with Tim via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-brind-81707513/

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

The digital skills gap within L&D has been called out as one of only 4 areas that could be critically holding back organisations and unless we recognise this and develop ourselves then we’ll continue to be part of the problem rather than those at the forefront of addressing it. In this episode, we discuss the difference between what L&D perceive to be digital and the opportunity that it actually presents.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Having the right mind-set is a prerequisite of success. You can't succeed in digital initiatives without a good mindset as it limits your chances.
• L&D has taken a long time to warm to themes of remote development, but this thawing of attitudes has been greatly sped up by the impact of lockdown. Remote is now seen as the norm, and so L&D has begun to fully embrace the possibilities.
• We do not necessarily make the most of the connection theme. We tend to think of it as being connected to a system, or connected to an instructor, but while they are important, this is limiting.
• It is incumbent upon us to measure success not in the number of clicks or downloads of software, but the success and penetration of ideas and learning.

BEST MOMENTS

'Part of it's about how you organise. Part of it's about how you take decisions'

'L&D is starting to warm to these themes now'

'It's been a huge area of growth, and I don't think it's going to stop'

'These are themes from my working history that I still think are very valid'

 VALUABLE RESOURC ES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

Myles is an experienced consultant, senior manager and general manager of online and digital business in the private and public sector. He has a particular depth of experience in digital transformation, leading the development of digital and online learning and products in the corporate and education worlds with extensive experience of digital learning strategy, managing implementation and digital product strategy and design.

You can follow and connect with Myles via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-runham/

Twitter: @MylesRun

Blog: https://mylesrunham.com/blog/

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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

As podcasting grows, in terms of listeners and the number of podcasts available, the opportunity for internal use in organisations is also growing. This has been an area that many in L&D have been experimenting with as a new channel and another modern way of sharing messages and insights. In this episode we explore examples of what’s working well in some organisations and tips for getting going with podcasting.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing areas of content development. They are swift to deploy in service of a defined need.
• If seeking to deploy podcast content, we should always aim to experiment rather than launch as a new commitment. This can lead to the feeling of wearing a millstone.
• Podcast listening is up 40% over the last three years. At Podbean alone, over 100,000 podcasts were begun in 2020.
• There is no gatekeeper for the world of podcasting, allowing for a surfeit of creativity. This also allows listeners to tune in to more specific niches.

BEST MOMENTS

'A lot of people found their creative vibe during lockdown'

'See if it gets you the results you seek, and not just some attention'

'More Americans listen to podcasts every week that attend religious services'

'Podcasts really foster independent creation'

 VALUABLE RESOURC ES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

Shannon works with podcasters and organisations running internal communications and training podcasts, to support their efforts and address their needs. In addition Shannon run community outreach: interviews, social media, events, collaborations, and sponsorships. She also speaks at podcasting and employee development/training/HR conferences on various aspects of podcasting.

You can follow and connect with Shannon via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmartinwrites/

‘Podcasting for Learning and Development & Internal Communications’ LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13872219/

Podbean Blog: https://blog.podbean.com/

 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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/

If addressing Skills Gaps was as easy as plugging in a new platform filled with categorised content then L&D wouldn’t be recognised as part of the Skills Gap problem rather than addressing it. Yes, that’s right, Organisational Learning is deemed under-skilled at addressing ‘broad-based re-skilling efforts’. So how did we get here and how do we sort ourselves out? These questions - and many more are explored in this episode.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Training and learning are different things. We are creating a flawed system through our own educational institutions. We are taught the basics, but not taught how to apply these lessons.
• The industrial strategy council has highlighted that five million workers could become acutely underskilled in basic digital skills by 2030.
• Skills gaps are impacted both positively and negatively by more factors that many realise, including the political landscape and economic requirements of any given territory.
• Approximately, we spend 44 billion pounds per year on L&D, and yet the returns do not seem to be worth the investment.

BEST MOMENTS

'We're not addressing a skills gap - it's just keeping a nice chat going'

'We can't just go out and recruit to make this business successful - we're going to have to grow some'

'As a learning profession we have turned the other way'

'What is the outcome that we deliver, year on year, for that spend?'

 VALUABLE RESOURC ES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

Industrial Strategy Council ‘UK Skills Mismatch 2030’ Research Paper - https://industrialstrategycouncil.org/uk-skills-mismatch-2030-research-paper

UK’s Digital Skills Gap Poses Risk To Economic Recovery - https://news.microsoft.com/en-gb/2020/11/23/uks-digital-skills-gap-poses-risk-to-economic-recovery-research-reveals/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Simon is a modern and experienced Executive-level People Leader who has delivered meaningful commercial Change and Transformation via appropriate Learning, Organisational Development and Talent initiatives. Simon has a varied history and experience of working in different sectors and economic climates. From start-up to large multi-national companies, including NBC Universal, Fujitsu, Sonnedix and NatWest / RBS. 

You can follow and connect with Simon via:

Twitter: @simon1gibson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongibsonlearning/

 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 Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/