Category For freelancers, consultants & small businesses

Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Last update before the fun!

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With just a couple of weeks to go, Kirsty Lewis shares the emotional highs, financial lows and last-minute wins as SOFest edges closer. From surprise sponsors to sparkly outfit dilemmas, here’s a raw and real behind-the-scenes glimpse at the planning,…

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Unlocking frontline performance: The next evolution in enterprise learning

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The hidden majority that is underserved by traditional L&D efforts are the frontline workers that power most industries. This partner article explores how compliance training, mobile learning, and early development can evolve from tick-box exercises into performance drivers that unlock…

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Coaching at a crossroads – how AI is transforming the support we give at work

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With demand for personalised coaching soaring and the growing need in our changing world, human capacity is being stretched thin. Laurel McKenzie explores how AI can support – not replace – human coaches, helping organisations scale development efforts ethically while…

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AI in the Civil Service: opportunity, risk and the future

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AI is reshaping how the Civil Service works—but how do we harness its power without losing sight of critical human-centred governance? Sam Isaacson explores the risks, rewards and responsibilities of integrating AI into public sector practice ahead of his session…

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Attention is earned, not given – what L&D needs to learn from marketing

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Marketers know how to grab attention and inspire action in people — so why isn’t L&D learning from their approaches and methods? In this smart crossover, Ricci Masero shares how marketing’s best strategies, approaches tactics can supercharge learning engagement, from…

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How to handle difficult conversations without losing learner trust

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Training and coaching can surface emotions, resistance, and of course, personal baggage. But with curiosity, empathy, and assertiveness, learning professionals can turn tension into transformation—and build deeper trust with their clients. Cliff Lansley explores three types of empathy and advises…

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Influence or manipulation? Why mindful manoeuvring is a leadership skill no one’s teaching

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Influence happens—intentionally or not and it’s the engine of modern leadership. Caitlin Collins unpacks the line between guiding and manipulating at work, revealing why leaders need more than authority to truly move people. This is the leadership skill hiding in…

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L&Ds role in meeting expectations of early career professionals

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Emily Goldsack and Alanna Harrington explore how learning and development can be the deciding factor for early career talent. Their research reveals what young professionals expect from employers — from onboarding through to long-term growth — and how L&D can…

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How to stretch your budget to achieve high-impact L&D

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Tight budgets don’t have to mean low impact. Steve Macaulay shares smart, strategic ways to do more with less in your L&D department, so you can look at boosting learning, increasing performance, and sparking innovation – without breaking the bank.…

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We should all be training our teams in the use of AI – the why and the how

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With US public institutions stepping up AI training, it’s time for businesses to ask: why aren’t we doing the same? This piece by Grant Polachek explores why interest in AI is high but usage is low — and what leaders…

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