Independent Professionals

Zoomed-in view of a social media manager responding to comments and queries on a brands post, fostering community engagement

A week in the life of: A Learning Community Manager

Sheridan Webb

Being a Community Manager is a full-time role, with technical and topic talent needed – as Sheridan Webb explains Learning socially, as part of a community is not only an enjoyable way to learn, it’s also pretty effective! But unless it’s very small, every community needs managing. Many people totally underestimate what goes into running a learning community; it’s not really something that can be done as a side hustle. Many people tried that during the pandemic and soon had…

Seedling are growing from the rich soil. Concept of business growth, profit, development and success.

A week in the life of: A Leadership Development Manager

Andy McConville

What’s involved in contemporary leadership development? Andy McConville shares about training, support and other responsibilities I’m one of the lucky ones, I really love my job. It’s fair to say that Leadership Capability isn’t often recognised, let alone invested in, when it comes to outsourcers, so I am privileged to be trusted with the opportunity to develop leaders. And, as readers of TJ know, it’s absolutely the right thing to do. Admittedly, growing up, I didn’t necessarily dream that one…

Make It Human – book review 

Donna Ward-Higgs

A lost sense of humanity creates unhappy humans – this books focuses on a different future! Reviewed by Donna Ward-Higgs  Book: Make It Human, a visionfor happier, healthier, more human workplacesAuthor: Sarah McLellan Sarah McLellan’s ‘Vision for happier, healthier, more human workplaces’ is a wonderful exploration of what is required to create organisational environments where people can thrive. The author begins by sharing an imagined future world of work for her daughter before exploring our currently reality and what has…

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A week in the life of: The CEO of a learning business community and Learning Network board member

Kim Ellis

Kim Ellis shares about L&D Free Spirits that serves freelancers and small businesses in L&D Hi everyone, my name is Kim, and I have been in the amazing L&D world for nearly 20 years. For the past seven of those, I have been self-employed as the Chief Learning Architect of Go Ginger Learning Solutions. When the first Covid lockdowns happened in 2020, I suggested hosting coffee mornings for members of The Learning Network (LN). I then started editing their newsletter…

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A week in the life of: The Editor of Training Journal

Jo Cook

What does being the Editor of a learning content website involve? Jo Cook enlightens us I developed a desire to write when I was 12 years old and was always drawn to periodicals rather than newspapers or novels. I have no idea why; it just seemed to happen naturally. My role for Training Journal is part time (currently just one and a half days a week) and, being the creative person I am (my mum would say awkward), I’m flexible…

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AI in coaching: A tool for the many, but not a replacement for the few

Markus Bernhardt

AI is reshaping coaching, making personalised development accessible. But will we lose the human touch? Markus Bernhardt and Teresa Rose take us on a journey to discover Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, and coaching is no exception. Once a domain reserved for senior executives, coaching is now being democratised thanks to AI-driven tools that make personalised professional development more accessible to employees at all levels. AI’s capabilities extend beyond mere scalability, as recent studies suggest that large language…

Businesswoman building a growing financial chart

The future of work: From skills-based to capability-driven

Ben Satchwell

Discover how shifting the emphasis from skills to capabilities fosters growth, innovation and mental wellness with Ben Satchwell Skills, skills, skills. We’re hearing a lot about the skills revolution. Should we become a skills-based organisation or a skills-driven organisation? Are we going to do away with traditional job roles and descriptions, segment everyone by their technical skills and simply deliver our performance outcomes based on fluid and dynamic projects?  I’m not so sure.  From the conversations I have, organisations are realising…

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Why your brainstorming sessions fail: How to unlock your team’s true creative potential

Chris Griffiths

Discover how strategies like daydreaming breaks, eliminating groupthink, and BrainSprinting can boost your team’s creativity with Chris Griffiths and Caragh Medlicott  In an ideal world, brainstorming sessions would always be fruitful. Everyone would come together, ideas would fly, and you’d leave with ideas aplenty and clear plans for implementation. Sadly, an ideal world isn’t quite where we live. Still, do not despair! As with anything in life, the strategy we bring to a task can have a huge impact on…

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Navigating zero-hours contract regulations: What UK employers and workers need to know 

Pete Taylor

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…

Dr Lynda Shaw by photographer Pennie Withers - white woman with blond hair relaxing on a chair

TJ interviews: Cognitive neuroscientist and C-suite mentor Dr Lynda Shaw

Jo Cook

How can leaders use neuroscience and psychology to improve business? Dr Lynda Shaw shares insights from her expertise in cognitive neuroscience and psychology and experiences as an adventurer in Antarctica trekker of mountains in six of seven continents Training Journal: How did you get into neuroscience and psychology? Dr Lynda Shaw: I have worked in several sectors including as an airline cabin crew, a gym owner and a personal trainer, but then my father died.  He had previously told me…