Features
The new workforce challenge: Blending digital skills with human expertise
Bridge the Gen Z skills gap with early-career development focused on tech and human skills, writes Pete Humphreys In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations face a critical challenge: developing talent that can thrive in the digital age while maintaining essential human skills. This challenge is particularly acute when it comes to integrating Generation Z, those born during the mid-1990s and early 2010s, into the workplace as the skills gap between education and employment continues to widen. Prioritising early-career development can yield…
The impactful learning experiences of both reality and unreality
Want to create standout training programmes? Mixing realistic and unrealistic experiences could be the answer, as Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan explain Many L&D professionals already recognise the value of using realistic experiences to enhance training programmes. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, these experiences can significantly improve learning outcomes. This is almost second nature for many L&D professionals. However, there are times when introducing elements of unreality can encourage new thinking, spark creativity, and develop essential new skills. Incorporating…
Strengthening the backbone: Manager training is crucial for organisational health
Helping managers thrive is essential for team engagement and organisational success. René Janssen explains how comprehensive training provides the tools to address today’s challenges When you’re a manager, the pressure comes from all sides. Including balancing organisational goals, team dynamics and individual performance amid the complexities of modern work environments. These challenges tend to accumulate quickly and, if left unaddressed, can significantly increase the risk of burnout. Investing in a manager is investing in the entire organisation’s wellbeing Managers are…
The third wheel: the complex relationship between organisations, vendors and consultants
Struggling with vendor issues? A consultant’s sharp insight and unbiased advice can turn things around, as Andrew Jacobs explains You know that awkward moment when you’re in a restaurant and you see a couple at another table having a difficult conversation? You can tell by their body language; they’re detached and not really listening to each other. You’ll see one of them (usually a man) trying to impress the other with grandiose statements about the future. All the while, the…
Elevating Learning Operations: Mastering the LearnOps Maturity model
Your four-step guide to transforming L&D from support function to key driver of business success, by Ryan Austin In today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape, learning and development (L&D) is increasingly being recognised as a strategic function vital to an organisation’s growth and sustainability. However, many organisations struggle to move beyond basic, reactive L&D operations. The LearnOps Maturity model provides a comprehensive roadmap for elevating L&D from a support function, or in some cases a cost centre, to becoming a…
The venture capitalist’s guide to HR strategies
Discover how empathy, technology and Gen Z insights can effectively attract and retain top talent in startups and established companies, with expert tips from venture capitalist Victor Orlovski Human resources is crucial to the functionality of an organisation, particularly startups. In my role as a venture capitalist (VC), I’ve observed how the people profession extends beyond administrative management and training to significantly influence talent acquisition. My involvement with various startups has afforded me insights into effective people strategies essential for…
Empathy in action: Immersive learning as a catalyst for inclusion
Immersive learning creates engaging, realistic and empathetic learning experiences that help to boost workplace inclusion. Paul Anderson-Walsh explains There are lots of different learning activities to engage the brain, and they have varying impacts on our understanding, short and long term memory encoding and recall. I am certain that many of us spend too much time reading and too little time reflecting. If we split our reading time in half – dedicating one part to reading and the other to…
Regulation in the coaching industry: Navigating the path to professionalism
The rapid expansion of the UK coaching industry has raised questions about quality and oversight. Andy Chandler explores whether regulation is the solution to maintaining professionalism in this growing field The coaching industry in the UK has experienced remarkable growth over the past few decades, expanding into various niches, including executive coaching, life coaching, and wellness coaching. However, with this expansion comes a significant challenge: the lack of standardised regulation and oversight. Regulation could serve to elevate the credibility of…
What is the Kirkpatrick model? A comprehensive guide for L&D professionals
The Kirkpatrick assessment model evaluates the effectiveness of training programmes. Learn how to use it with these tips from Eleanor Hecks The Kirkpatrick model is an evaluation tool that has set many learning and development (L&D) professionals up for success. It is a proven method that training managers have used to increase skills and knowledge across various workplace topics. Whether new to the model or looking to refine evaluation practices, understanding this assessment model in-depth is the first step to maximising the success of…
Unlocking hope and belonging: The hidden keys to employee wellbeing and retention
The impact of hope, belonging and manager support in transforming employee wellbeing and mental health. Insights from Brad Smith Research has shown that resilience offers organisations many competitive advantages. Highly resilient staff are much less likely to mention burnout, compensation, work-life balance, or lack of purpose as motives for quit intentions compared to their less resilient colleagues. Other psychological resources that can help buffer against such strains, and facilitate employee thriving, resilience and performance, are hope and belonging. These crucial yet…
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