The Learning Hack podcast

The Chair of iVentiv's upcoming Learning Futures conference talks AI, performance and L&D complacency.

John Helmer speaks with Charles Jennings, managing director of Duntroon Consultants and a founding partner of the 70:20:10 Institute. Charles has over 40 years of experience in corporate learning and performance improvement and is widely known for advocating the 70:20:10 framework. The conversation delves into the future of workplace learning, exploring how L&D professionals can evolve their strategies to drive organizational success in a rapidly changing environment.

Charles shares his thoughts on generative AI and its potential role in reshaping learning. He also discusses the importance of shifting focus from individual learning to team performance, emphasizing that teams are the "atomic units" of delivery in any organization.

The episode further explores the current obsession with skills mapping and competency frameworks, with Charles offering a more holistic approach. He challenges the idea that skills development alone can drive organizational excellence and highlights the broader systemic factors that contribute to high performance.

• 00:00 - Start
• 03:16 - Is his a 'restless intelligence?'
• 06:19 - Will Gen AI prevent or reinforce bad habits in L&D
• 09:39 - Implications of AI for L&D's role in the organisation
• 12:54 - The 'skills obsession' of L&D
• 17:17 - Are skills mapping exercises a waste of money
• 21:08 - Are we getting any better at thinking systemically
• 25:52 - Performance support: what are we waiting for
• 35:26 - Teams and social media
• 39:56 - Introducing the iVentiv conference Charles is Chairing
• 45:27 - Who does he follow?
• 50:41 – End

Sponsor link:

• https://iventiv.com/learninghack

Follow Charles

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charles-jennings
• 70:20:10 Institute: https://702010institute.com/
• Duntroon: http://www.duntroon.com/
• Blog: https://charles-jennings.blogspot.com/

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

How a top CLO, author and podcaster transforms learning strategy.

In this special 100th episode of The Learning Hack podcast, we celebrate a milestone by diving deep into curiosity and corporate learning with Simon Brown, Global Learning and Development Leader at EY and best-selling author of The Curious Advantage. Simon, formerly CLO at Novartis, shares his insights on the pivotal role curiosity plays in driving personal and organizational growth. We explore how AI is reshaping learning landscapes, and Simon offers invaluable lessons on fostering innovation, building effective learning strategies, and navigating rapid change. Join us for an engaging conversation that marks our centenary episode with a true thought leader.

• 00:00 - Start
• 00:41 - Intro
• 03:26 - Why curiosity?
• 11:22 - Simon's journey to top CLO
• 16:09 - How did he form his team at Novartis?
• 21:15 - How did he get the resources and C-Suite buy-in for the change?
• 26:58 - How specific is his take on strategy to the sectors he has worked in?
• 31:34 - His role at EY
• 36:07 - Is there substance behind the skills hype?
• 39:34 - Will AI-driven learning shut down curiosity?
• 47:47 - How does he pursue his own learning, and what sources does he follow?
• 53:25 - End

Sponsor link:

• https://iventiv.com/learninghack

Follow Simon

• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/simoncbrown1
• The Curious Advantage (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/0fhW2Xj66JcumYeh6gljZ
• The Curious Advantage (book): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53731453-the-curious-advantage

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Learning Technologies London is Europe's leading showcase of organisational learning and the technology used to support learning at work. John Helmer visited the show and talked to a rich mix of the most interesting people he found there: the analyst, the ingenue, the philosopher, the CLO, the keynoter, the vendor, the budget holder and the pirate (yarr!). The result is a snapshot of the industry, and a deep dive into key themes and insights shaping the future of the learning profession.

• 00:00:00 - Start
• 00:00:48 - Intro
• 00:03:01 - Adam Lacey
• 00:08:19 - Hannah Frame
• 00:20:12 - Julian Stodd
• 00:29:42 - Paul Matthews
• 00:37:44 - Thimon de Jong
• 00:51:38 - Lauren Waldman
• 01:02:44 - Egle Vinauskaite
• 01:16:06 - Dani Johnson
• 01:27:31 - David Perring
• 01:46:16 - Caroline Ford
• 02:19:52 - Don Taylor
• 02:30:21 - End

Follow John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

An award-winning learning designer reflects on 30 episodes of our sister podcast, Great Minds on Learning.

This episode features a deep dive into the history of learning theory with Leonard Houx, Director of Learning Design at the Cambridge Education Group. Host John Helmer and Houx embark on an intellectual journey through the evolution of educational philosophy, touching on the contributions of ancient Greeks, German idealists, and the foundational concepts of modern education systems.

• 00:00:00 - Start
• 00:00:36 - Intro
• 00:03:12 - Reflections on Great Minds on Learning
• 00:10:22 - The Greeks
• 00:39:02 - Separating the knower from the known
• 00:53:28 - The German Idealists
• 01:10:47 - Hegel & recognition
• 01:20:07 - Previewing next season of Great Minds on Learning
• 01:32:19 - End

Sponsor event:

• Celebrating its 25th year, the Learning Technologies conference & exhibition 17-18 April 2024 is Europe's leading workplace learning event. Register today at https://www.learningtechnologies.co.uk/

Follow Leonard

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardhoux
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

What does the intense focus on AI in learning today have to say about the future of L&D?

Don Taylor is a well-recognised commentator and thinker in the fields of workplace learning and supporting technologies. He speaks world-wide, and has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, started in 2014, provides a unique perspective on L&D trends from over 100 countries, asking the question, what's going to be hot in L&D? No surprise, perhaps, that the answer this year was AI. But the scale of the vote for AI was unprecedented, and raises serious questions about the future of L&D.

• 00:00 - Start
• 01:06 - Intro
• 03:39 - An unprecedented survey result
• 06:07 - Has any other tech ever dominated the survey quite so much?
• 08:42 - How has the sentiment about AI changed over time?
• 21:13 - Are we on the verge of a 'correction' to AI enthusiasm?
• 28:37 - What does the survey tell us about L&D challenges?
• 32:27 - With all the focus on AI, what are we NOT focusing on?
• 36:38 - Preview of Learning Technologies Ex & Conf, London
• 45:56 - Who does Don draw inspiration from?
• 51:30 - End

Sponsor event:

• Celebrating its 25th year, the Learning Technologies conference & exhibition 17-18 April 2024 is Europe's leading workplace learning event. Register today at https://www.learningtechnologies.co.uk/

Sponsor event:

• Webinar: Designing a Successful Learning Content Strategy with Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann on 9 April 2024, register now at: https://hubs.la/Q02qdB160 The Mindtools visualization of GSS over time:
• https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gent-ahmetaj_lndtrends-data-ai-activity-7165807077620195328-SftU

Follow Don

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldhtaylor
• Website: http://www.donaldhtaylor.co.uk/

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Turning uncertainty from a problem into an opportunity.

We are living in a time of great uncertainty. Economies are still suffering the effects of Covid. Countries that are home to nearly half the world's population will hold elections in 2024. Meanwhile the climate is going mad, and geopolitics seem balanced on a knife edge. How do we cope with all this uncertainty in our personal and working lives? Katherine Templar Lewis and Sam Conniff are uncertainty experts, who bring their learning in neuroscience, psychology, history and social entrepreneurship to bear in helping organizations and individuals improve uncertainty tolerance.

• 0:00:00 - Start
• 00:00:31 - Intro
• 00:03:16 - Is uncertainty more than just a trend?
• 00:12:23 - Where does all this uncertainty come from
• 00:20:42 - How can we deal with uncertainty?
• 00:30:09 - Is AI increasing uncertainty?
• 00:38:22 - Be more pirate to profit from uncertainty
• 00:44:45 - Practical advice for coping with uncertainty
• 01:02:12 - End

Sponsor event:

• 21st March is World Learning Content Clean-up Day: https://www.anewspring.com/articles/introducing-world-learning-content-cleanup-day

Follow Katherine

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ktemplarlewis
• Website (company): https://www.kindastudios.com/

Follow Sam

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samconniff
• Website (company): http://www.samconniff.com/
• Website (company): http://www.uncertaintyexperts.com/
• Website (company): http://www.bemorepirate.com/

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

In the age of AI, what do we need humans for?

The latest advances in AI are highlighting human capabilities, and particularly shortcomings, in a way that causes us once again to re-evaluate what it is to be human. Rob Hubbard is Founder of LearningAge Solutions, an award-winning provider of digital learning services that practices what it calls human-centred learning. What exactly does that mean in the age of AI – and what does the future, for people who want to continue to work and provide value in the learning industries, look like?

• 00:00 - Start
• 00:31 - Intro
• 03:06 - What does he mean by 'Human-centred Learning'?
• 11:13 - What is technology telling us about our strengths & weaknesses as humans?
• 23:45 - Mindfulness and attention
• 27:11 - Human thinking vs machine thinking
• 31:00 - Dealing with the shortcomings of technology
• 41:45 - Advice for employees in the new future of work
• 52:16 - Who does he follow?
• 57:41 - End

Sponsor event:

• 21st March is World Learning Content Clean-up Day: https://www.anewspring.com/articles/introducing-world-learning-content-cleanup-day

Follow Rob

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robhubbard16
• Website (company): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robhubbard16
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Does the way we talk about learning improve our understanding – or hold it back?

The language of learning is charged with resonant abstract nouns that mobilize professionals around new ideas and concepts. But are these concepts really so new in all cases – and do they provide a focus for practical action? To what extent is the debate driven by the commercial imperatives of Learntech vendors rather than the real needs of employees and students? Peter Manniche Riber is Head of Digital Learning at Novo Nordisk, Europe's most valuable company, and a formidable critic of this 'buzzword bingo'. He talks to John Helmer about the language of learning. Does it help or hinder?

• 00:00:00 - Start
• 00:00:33 - Intro
• 00:03:19 - Is the language we use in learning fit for purpose?
• 00:09:06 - Peter's Top 3 buzzword dislikes
• 00:12:34 - Drilling into those top 3 buzzword hates
• 00:26:17 - Digital Transformation
• 00:36:35 - Gamification
• 00:38:41 - GenAI and the language of learning
• 00:49:51 - The language of L&D
• 01:05:42 – End

Sponsor event:

• AI & Training Design Masterclass with Dr. Philippa Hardman presented by aNewSpring, sign up at: https://hubs.la/Q02f-8PZ0

Follow Peter

• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/peter-manniche-riber-5565628b
• Email: [email protected]

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

Can business professionals perform better with improv skills?

We admire great improvisers in music (Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix, etc.) while tending to be suspicious of leaders in business and government who seem to be 'making it up as they go along'. But are we right to think that way? Berlin-based Belina Raffy runs a consultancy and training company that helps people in organisations develop improvisation ability. She's lived in many different countries including the UK, and worked in Finance before finding her vocation as a learning person. Institutions she has studied at include Ithaca College New York, the Chinese University in Hong Kong and Cranfield School of Management. Does this peripatetic early life, we wanted to find out, perhaps hold the key to her skills as an improviser?

00:00 - Start 00:33 - Intro 03:10 - What use is improv to serious business people? 11:04 - How relevant are her exercises to the working situation? 21:27 - Leadership, improv and integrity 27:38 - Theoretical underpinnings of improv? 39:59 - Belina's journey in learning 50:47 - End

Sponsor event: AI & Training Design Masterclass with Dr. Philippa Hardman presented by aNewSpring, sign up at: https://hubs.la/Q02f-8PZ0 Book mentioned in the discussion: The Dawn of Everything. (2023, August 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dawn_of_Everything Follow Belina Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/belina-raffy Website (company): http://www.maffick.com/

@Maffick (Twitter for Maffick)

@BelinaRaffy (Twitter for Belina) Email: [email protected] Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack

What is the best approach to using AI for learning in an organisation?

My guest this time on the Learning Hack thinks that it's really important to know what problem you are trying to solve with AI in order to use it effectively for learning. The product has to come before the product. Egle Vinauskaite is the award-winning director of the learning innovation consultancy Nodes. Her expertise in learning, behavioural science, and technology has made her a sought-after edtech advisor by top startups and blue-chip companies. In this fascinating discussion, Egle describes how AI is ushering in entirely new ways of doing things in the world of learning and edtech.

00:33 - Intro 02:47 - What is 'product mindset'? 11:22 - How well does the interface between buyers and sellers function? 22:17 - Generative AI and learning 40:01 - Egle's journey in learning 46:56 - End

Sponsor event: AI & Training Design Masterclass with Dr. Philippa Hardman presented by aNewSpring, sign up at: https://hubs.la/Q02f-8PZ0 Mentioned in the discussion: Ethan Mollick: https://mgmt.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/emollick/ Follow Egle Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/vinauskaite Website (company): https://www.nodes.works/ Email: [email protected] Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/ Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LearningHack/