Opinion
How to showcase the value of L&D to C-suite leaders
Savvy learning leaders align L&D with strategic business objectives to maximise its impact on organisations – Collin Poage explores how to effectively demonstrate L&D’s value to leadership The role of L&D is changing. According to Gartner: “Learning and development functions face growing pressure to deliver critical skills in an environment of fast-changing skills needs, heightened employee expectations, and economic uncertainty.” Learning leaders need to answer the question: “How does learning help advance our entire organisation?” How can your company cope?…
We’re all in this together: Senior management and mental health in the workplace
Effective leadership training must go beyond technical skills, incorporating soft skills like listening and empathy – Daniel Shore explains why these are key to building resilient, supportive teams Mental health was once considered a taboo topic, rarely discussed in the workplace. While this stigma still exists in some organisations, attitudes towards mental health have changed. Many employers have, to varying degrees, started to recognise the importance of providing a supportive and collaborative environment that prioritises the wellbeing of their employees. …
Bridging the digital skills gap in-house: 3 tips for senior leaders
Smart leaders are turning to their teams to grow in-house digital skills and stay competitive – Emma-Claire Kavanagh shows you how The digital skills gap is reportedly costing the UK economy as much as £63bn a year in lost revenue, according to a recent report by the Prince’s Trust, and our research at BIE shows that maintaining digital knowledge is a top people-priority for business leaders over the next five years. A reverse-mentoring strategy can be an effective way to…
Navigating DEI trends: A strategic opportunity for UK companies
By enhancing DEI strategies, UK firms can set themselves apart, fostering inclusivity that drives growth – Reshma Sheikh explains As major US firms like Harley Davidson, Brown-Forman and Molson Coors Beverage Co scale back their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts due to financial pressures and shifting political climates, UK businesses face a pivotal moment. UK firms can not only drive innovation and attract top talent, but also strengthen their brand reputation and stakeholder trust This evolving landscape presents…
Gamifying extended reality training: Taking workplace L&D to the next level
Innovative training through gamification and XR increases productivity, creating safer, immersive, and engaging learning experiences – Ben Bennett explores the potential successes The gamification of workplace training and professional development has emerged as a transformative force in the corporate landscape, revolutionising how organisations approach employee learning and skill enhancement. Gamification is applying game mechanics or elements to a non-gaming environment, in this case learning systems, platforms or interventions. 61% of those who receive non-gamified training feel bored and unproductive…
From BBC News to events: Mastering professional video with just an iPhone
Convenience meets quality with fast, discreet, powerful video on smartphones for your next learning intervention – Kevin Davids shares his approach and why he filmed World of Learning 2024 with a mobile device “The best camera is the one you have with you” is often attributed to Chase Jarvis from his 2009 book, where he included photos captured with an early iPhone. Since then, technology has evolved in leaps and bounds, making this quote truer today than ever before. That’s…
Beyond busy work – building a culture of continuous learning and empowerment for true productivity
‘Productivity theatre’ is the illusion of work, without the impact. Overcome this with skills development – Paula Fryer introduces some ideas to start you off A culture of continuous learning, fuelled by empowerment, is far more beneficial than one focused on tedious tasks and appearances, which can be achieved through upskilling. The traditional workday has evolved—from a strict 9-to-5 in the office, to fully virtual during the pandemic, and now a hybrid mix. Along the way, our views of productivity…
Navigating zero-hours contract regulations: What UK employers and workers need to know
Legislation introduced in Parliament to upgrade workers’ rights includes a reshaping of zero-hours work regulations. Pete Taylor offers his perspective on the proposed changes As October progresses, the recruitment and HR industries are focused on the detail of the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which is set to impact thousands of businesses and employees across the UK in the coming months. Zero-hours contracts remain a central topic of discussion around the Bill, specifically Labour’s plans to give workers on zero hours…
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out about training trends
Social ecosystems, AI and measurement were in full force at The Business of Training Conference – our double agent Gaëlle Delmas-Watson sent back this classified report Mission: The Business of Training ConferenceLocation: London, MI6’s historical birthplaceDate: 17 October 2024Status: Mission Completed This assignment took place at the historical birthplace of MI6, the British government intelligence agency. The building is steeped in history, reminding us all that knowledge and learning are often “constricted by legacy systems, institutions, structure, and associated meaning,” as…
Diversifying work settings: The growing trend of workcations
Do you fancy taking a break from your work environment, but not the work itself? Try a workcation – remote working from a holiday destination When flexible remote working became the norm, employees worldwide began reaping the benefits of a more relaxed schedule, improved productivity, and enhanced mental health. A study by Microsoft found that 70% of workers globally want flexible remote work options to continue. Gen Z is spearheading a new trend called ‘workcations’ which offer the opportunity to…
Want smart, useful L&D insight in your inbox (without the fluff)?
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for Editor-only commentary, and exclusive insight that isn’t published anywhere else online.
If you want a quick roundup of what matters, fresh ideas you can use, and the best new reads from Training Journal, this is where it lands
It’s free, only takes a minute, and you can unsubscribe any time.
