Features
From cost centre to strategic asset — what gives L&D a seat at the strategy table?
L&D isn’t just about courses and compliance. In a world of constant change, it can be a powerful driver of growth and resilience. Jennie Marshall explores five ways learning teams can move from support function to strategic partner and earn the credibility they need to impact people, outcomes and organisations. For years, learning and development has wrestled with a perception problem. It’s often been seen as the department that organises training sessions, rolls out compliance modules, and occasionally delivers a…
From resistance to uptake: Close skills gaps with AI-enabled learning
AI-based learning platforms promise speed, personalisation and measurable impact. Ian Howell from FutureLearn explores how LXPs remove barriers, match challenge to ability and deliver just-in-time microlearning. He shows how data identifies skills gaps, predicts retention risks and builds motivation through autonomy, competence and relevance; turning L&D into a responsive engine. With skills needs evolving faster than ever, businesses face a critical challenge: how to deliver learning that keeps pace. Unfortunately, many training programmes still waste valuable time and resources, failing…
From preference to performance: adapting training for new hires
Onboarding is evolving fast: Eleanor Hecks shows leaders must tailor training to diverse learning preferences, neurodiversity and hybrid work. Use analytics, microlearning, translation and gamification to personalise pathways, boost engagement and prove ROI through retention and performance. Prioritise accessibility, mentorship, coaching to embed continuous learning and resilience from day one. The business world is changing dramatically, requiring leaders to quickly identify and adjust to new hires’ learning preferences and streamline onboarding. A heightened focus on personalised instruction and adaptive training…
From slow lanes to sprints: how Agile transformed our L&D delivery
Doubling output without burning out, Nassia Katroutsou shares how Agile project management reshaped her L&D team’s approach to course creation. Through clear preparation, sprint cycles and regular SME feedback, they boosted speed and quality, proving that with the right mindset, even small teams can deliver big, sustainably and with impact. When I first took over a small team of instructional designers, our content delivery cycles were slow and unpredictable. The company’s products and processes were complex, the audiences incredibly diverse…
Curiosity over assumption: decoding digital body language in teams
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 be even more digital and virtual. Jo Cook shares more. Much of our professional life now is hybrid, online, and text based. That means our digital body language (DBL) — the emojis we use, the speed of our responses, whether…
When CEOs quiet quit: A playbook for executive re-engagement
CEO turnover surged in 2024, with disengagement at the top threatening transformation. Nick Petschek argues that we must move beyond traditional support roles to become active catalysts of change: spotting early signs of executive withdrawal, reigniting urgency, and embedding engagement as a strategic capability in today’s fast-moving, AI-driven business landscape. CEO turnover hit a five year high in 2024, with average tenure dropping from 8.4 to 6.7 years. One in four CEO transitions in EMEA during 2024 were unplanned due…
The power of psychological safety in uncertain times
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, and how leaders can create a culture that supports it. Do you feel safe to speak up at work? Can you ask questions, raise concerns, and offer new ideas without hesitation? If not, you’re not alone, and your organisation could…
A real-world approach to the employer skills gap
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 to re-evaluate developing their existing talent? Wojciech Walczak discusses how. At the start of 2024, the ONS reported that there were 934,000 job vacancies in the UK, a figure that still remained above pre-Covid-19 levels. Compounding this need, Open University…
Unicorns, rainbows and the reality of building a community
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 bigger ambitions, this is a story of community, courage and connection. It’s been 84 years… Bonus points if you recognised the quote from the Titanic film. Actually, it’s been 21 months, but sometimes it feels like 84 years. And while…
Talk saves lives – why suicide needs to be part of your wellbeing strategy
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, supported and able to seek help before it’s too late. Whether it’s remote or in-person, work is where most people dedicate the majority of their time. This makes managers and leaders not only highly influential in shaping the employee experience,…
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