Opinion
Designing for growth and outcomes: How the legal sector is rethinking the role of the office
The legal office is getting a glow-up. From hybrid work hacks to smarter spaces that impress clients and keep staff happy, Adrian Gleeson explores how law firms are rethinking their environments. This isn’t about adding beanbags and pool tables. It’s about designing spaces that drive performance, loyalty and long-term success Like many other sectors, law firms are facing pressure to perform on more fronts than ever – in attracting and retaining top talent, meeting hybrid working expectations, strengthening client relationships,…
Creating interactive learning experiences with AI
AI is revolutionising how we learn. From branching scenarios to digital avatars and virtual coaches, Marlon Fuentes explores how personalisation, interactivity and neuroscience are combining to create more effective training. The future of learning isn’t just digital, it’s intelligent, immersive and evolving as fast as the workplace. Are you ready? The future of work is being reshaped by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, necessitating continuous learning and adaptation. By 2030, while automation is projected to displace 92…
Forget AI efficiency — creativity is the real workplace edge
As AI transforms the workplace, the spotlight shifts to soft skills — creativity, empathy and adaptability — that machines can’t replicate. L&D professionals play a vital role in nurturing uniquely human traits, preparing employees to keep pace with change, and to thrive in it. The future of work is deeply, defiantly human. AI may be changing the game, shaking up the way we work and making everything more efficient, but here’s the thing: the more AI takes over the routine,…
Training is the new branding: how development drives employer reputation
Training isn’t just a nice perk – it’s a strategic pillar of employer branding. From onboarding to leadership, development shapes perception, performance, and staff retention. This article from Lucas Marshall and Jason Braun explores how outcome-based learning and smart design can future-proof your brand, boost ROI, and create truly aspirational workplaces. Employment branding is big business. According to a report from LinkedIn’s Talent Solutions division, 75% of job seekers consider an employer’s brand before even applying for a job, while…
Coaching at a crossroads – how AI is transforming the support we give at work
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 meeting the needs of hybrid workers, Gen Z employees and career changers. The demand for personalised learning and development tools has surged as the workplace evolves. With hybrid working, a growing Gen Z workforce, and frequent career transitions, organisations are…
AI in the Civil Service: opportunity, risk and the future
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 at the Transforming L&D in the Public Sector conference. The wheels of politics are famous for turning at a speed all their own. Whitehall corridors buzz with discussions about the flavour of the month, but the distance between that and…
How to handle difficult conversations without losing learner trust
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 on how the learning professional can implement this approach. Training and coaching individuals and teams in organisations isn’t easy – whether as a learning and development professional working within an organisation, or as someone serving external clients. The learning and…
Influence or manipulation? Why mindful manoeuvring is a leadership skill no one’s teaching
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 plain sight—and it’s time we made it teachable. When a former tech executive recently shared that she had used “manipulation” to pivot her career, the reaction online was swift—equal parts shock and curiosity. The word “manipulation” triggered something. And rightly…
We should all be training our teams in the use of AI – the why and the how
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 must do to close the training gap and build AI-ready cultures Last year multiple states including Connecticut, California, Mississippi, and Maryland announced plans to help facilitate AI training for workers. Connecticut has gone the furthest – launching a free Citizens…
In-house training vs. outsourcing: A breakdown of pros and cons
Should you keep training internal to the organisation or bring in the experts for an objective approach? Mia Barnes weighs up the practical, cultural and financial trade-offs that shape effective learning strategies – and why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to developing confident, capable teams that deliver on performance Organisations want well-trained staff, and employees want to feel confident about stepping into a new role. Deciding whether to provide in-house or outsourced training is a key step in…
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