Category For freelancers, consultants & small businesses

Second, third, fourth career: How job pivots are redefining the future of work

Text sign showing It's time for a new job

With such global uncertainty, big skills gaps and longer working lives, more people are pivoting careers. INTOO research shows 41% have switched direction and 35% lack a defined path. Owen Morgan explains how upskilling, coaching and outplacement support boost satisfaction,…

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Curiosity over assumption: decoding digital body language in teams

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Body language has always been tricky. Crossed arms, raised eyebrows, leaning in or looking away; all signals we interpret constantly, sometimes accurately, sometimes disastrously. Whilst we’ve had telecommunication for a long time, Covid transformed our work and learning spaces to…

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The future of frameworks is integration, not competition

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Ben Satchwell explores why well-intentioned frameworks often cause confusion rather than clarity. Drawing on common mistakes and missed opportunities, he shows how better integration, rather than wholesale replacement, can unlock value. One global reference for digital skills, SFIA9, offers a…

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Finally, a conference for self-employed folk in L&D!

The inaugural Free Spirits LIVE! virtual event next month is designed for L&D independent L&D professionals who crave connection, clarity and practical support. With a lively online community, real-time sessions and a laser focus on freelance life, it promises something…

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The power of psychological safety in uncertain times

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Psychological safety helps people speak up, share ideas, and learn from mistakes, essential in fast-moving workplaces. It’s not about removing fear but creating trust and openness. Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan explore what psychological safety looks like, why it matters,…

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A real-world approach to the employer skills gap

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For many organisations trying to reduce their skills gap, recruitment along is not working. The recruitment process is often uncertain and expensive, and yet investment in employee training to redress the skills shortage is falling. Isn’t it time for employers…

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Unicorns, rainbows and the reality of building a community

Community - work together

In this candid reflection, founder Kim Ellis shares how a spark of an idea during a Welsh getaway became L&D Free Spirits – a supportive, slightly cheeky hub for self-employed professionals in learning and development. From big lessons to even…

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Talk saves lives – why suicide needs to be part of your wellbeing strategy

Yellow ribbon for world suicide prevention day

Suicide remains a taboo topic in many workplaces, yet managers are often the first line of support. Joseph Conway shares why it’s vital we break the silence, and how organisations can foster safer, more compassionate environments where people feel heard,…

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Remote work works: how clarity, connection and trust fuel success

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Remote work isn’t just a legacy of the pandemic, it’s a powerful way to collaborate when done with intention. Nassia Katroutsou shares how her global teams built trust, accountability and performance through clarity, connection and agile practices, proving remote work…

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Stop building and hoping: why client-first thinking is reshaping IT and training

The phrase "customer needs" displayed on a puzzle piece. To explore or comprehend the needs and desires.

Clients are navigating a perfect storm of regulation, deeper cyber threats and complex AI disruption. Valerie Merrill explores why off-the-shelf training and tech no longer cut it, and how providers must shift towards customised, compliance-savvy solutions that reflect the real…

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