Opinion
From soft skills to survival skills: Rethinking human capability in the age of AI
Kalindi Hawkins explores how organisations can develop human-centred capabilities to thrive in an AI-driven world. Moving beyond digital upskilling, she shares five practical strategies for building adaptability, resilience, and leadership in uncertainty. This approach turns learning into a strategic asset that fuels transformation, not just transactions, in today’s fast-changing landscape. In a workplace shaped by artificial intelligence, the skills once called “soft” are now the core human advantage. As AI automates tasks and analyses data faster than any person could,…
How to move a cost centre to a profit centre
Russell Wardrop highlights that learning and development is too often seen as a discretionary cost rather than a strategic investment with business impact. When programmes are designed to drive commercial outcomes, they don’t just inform — they transform. The ROI comes when learning delivers behaviour change and boosts the bottom line. In today’s business climate, every organisation is under pressure to do more with less. Leaders sharpen their pencils, scrutinise spreadsheets, and look for costs to cut in the name…
Can strategic growth and people-first values truly go hand in hand?
High growth can strain culture, yet scaling with intent keeps people, clients and communities front and centre. Invest in learning, wellbeing and inclusive leadership; align acquisitions to values; embed in local economies; measure performance, not just speed. Heidi Thompson argues that the real challenge is to grow while protecting values. It is well documented that a strict growth mindset can often come at the expense of a people-first culture, demonstrated in McKinsey research, which shows that many high-growth companies struggle…
Beyond company cars: building an inclusive mobility value proposition
Corporate mobility is shifting from cars and reimbursements to an employee-centred, cross-functional strategy. With regulation tightening and expectations rising, HR, Finance, CSR and operations must align to balance cost, carbon and experience. Dan Boiangiu argues that, done well, mobility strengthens business brand, people inclusion, retention and performance—not just transport. For many years, corporate mobility was defined narrowly as fleet management and expense reimbursement. Cars were allocated to sales teams or senior executives, while the rest of the workforce relied on…
Second, third, fourth career: How job pivots are redefining the future of work
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, resilience and business performance, as multi-career journeys become the norm. When faced with role dissatisfaction including feelings of burnout, stagnation and a lack of fulfilment, some workers may feel it’s time for a career pivot. According to INTOO UK &…
Speak up: how English boosts performance, confidence and competitiveness
As the UK welcomes EU workers through the youth mobility scheme, English proficiency is emerging as a critical workplace skill. Dr Christopher McCormick explores how tech-enabled development solutions unlocks collaboration, productivity, innovation and growth. It’s not just for employees and organisations, but for national economies competing on the global stage. The UK’s new youth mobility scheme is opening doors for more EU nationals to join the workforce. For businesses, this is a clear opportunity to gain new talent, perspectives, and…
Neurodiversity at work: how inclusive policies drive success
Professor Adam Boddison OBE talks about APM’s latest survey that reveals nearly all project managers see clear benefits from adjusting policies to support neurodivergent staff. This National Inclusion Week, the findings highlight a profession already making progress while still seeking better guidance to ensure even greater inclusivity across the industry. An overwhelming majority of project managers believe their company has directly benefited from extra adjustments to accommodate neurodivergent staff, a survey conducted by the Association for Project Management (APM) has…
From theory to action – the real reason training doesn’t change behaviour
Sad fact: most training doesn’t lead to lasting behaviour change, and the stats prove it. Tim Samuels explores why too much theory and too little practice is to blame, and offers simple, memorable solutions that actually work. If L&D really wants to shift performance, it’s time to stop over-complicating things. The most important point about any learning and development program is surely this: Does it result in any changes in behaviour? Looking at almost any stats related to this issue,…
Stop building and hoping: why client-first thinking is reshaping IT and training
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 challenges facing today’s organisations and the people who power them. The maxim “if you build it, they will come” has long shaped the ambitions of IT innovators and training providers. Also, as trainers we do have preferences over the courses…
Forget quiet quitting! Revenge quitting is the new workplace wake-up call
Dr Ryne Sherman explores the rise of revenge quitting, where frustrated employees walk away, but with impact, not silence. Driven by unmet needs around purpose, safety, and leadership, today’s workforce is pushing back. Here’s what organisations must do to retain talent, and why quick fixes just won’t cut it anymore. We’ll wish for quiet quitting as we’ve entered a new era of bold exits where frustrated employees aren’t just handing in their notice—they’re making sure it’s heard loud and clear.…
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