Independent Professionals

Diverse Modern Office: Black Businesswoman

How to build a fairer leadership pipeline for everyone 

SarahDanzl

Sarah Danzl discusses how organisations can create more equitable leadership opportunities  Organisations have made some progress in building more representative boards and C-suites, with the latest Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey & Co finding that it’s at the highest level since the report began. Yet, we still have a vacuum at the lower rungs of the career ladder, notably in middle management and director roles. For every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, 87 women were promoted…

Book review glass cliff

The Glass Cliff – book review  

Natalie Savery

Book: The Glass CliffAuthor: Sophie Williams I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that a book about women in leadership being under-represented and undermined was released the day before International Women’s Day. The day where women and their contributions are celebrated is an annual reminder that there is still much to do around equity and inclusion, but nothing quite prepared me for the bleak reality provided by Sophie Williams in this book.   I found myself looking forward to starting the next…

Learning Technologies 2024 preview – is it all about AI?

Martin Couzins

Martin Couzins and Jo Cook explore what’s coming up at the Learning Technologies conference and exhibition this week AI is going to dominate this week’s Learning Technologies conference and exhibition. So it seems only fitting that Training Journal used AI to summarise the hot topics you can expect to hear being discussed. We took Whimsical within ChatGPT and asked it to summarise Learning Technologies’ interview with conference chair Donald Taylor. As you can see AI features but that’s not all.…

African businesswoman using analytics data

Data deficiency: how inaccurate reporting undermines the UK labour market

Nichola Hay

Nichola Hay explains why capturing workforce data on a wide range of L&D initiatives is an economic necessity It was recently reported that workforce data provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has “a long way to go” when it comes to providing an accurate depiction of the current state of the UK labour market.      With the right data, the Government could identify where the UK’s skills gaps are at present, and where they could appear in future  Part…

Unlock your potential

Unlocking talent in the age of AI  

Gerry Griffin

Gerry Griffin debunks AI myths, explores real-world applications, and highlights its potential for data-driven insights to enhance human potential   The hysteria around AI can make it hard to tell fact from fiction. Listen to the doomsayers and you could be forgiven for thinking your replacement by a machine is both imminent and inevitable. But, once you get beyond the headlines, mostly generated by tech companies clawing back a dip in share price, the truth is markedly different. AI can provide…

Diversity, equity, inclusion DEI

The business case for diversity: from recruitment to retention

Yves Schneuwly

Yves Schneuwly offers practical tips to weave DEI values into every aspect of your employee experience Creating a diverse and inclusive environment at work has a positive impact for many reasons. It contributes to an ethical and equal company culture, but it also brings forth a multitude of additional advantages. A study by McKinsey found that companies whose executive teams are diverse have a 12% higher chance of financial success.   Embed DEI values into your training for staff at all…

Psychological Safety

My whole self – creating psychologically safe cultures at work

Simon Blake

Simon Blake on the importance of feeling valued and empowered to be our ‘whole self’ at work When I feel safe at work, I am me without worrying about whether I am being judged. And when I am confident about that, I can be innovative. I push and stretch myself, and explore new ideas because my focus is on my work, not on worrying about what other people think of me.   This extract is not verbatim, but captures the essence of the…

Chatbot, digital conversation, AI

The role of AI in training feedback analysis

Chris Wigglesworth

With its ability to quickly summarise survey answers, recognise trends and identify areas for improvement, AI can revolutionise training feedback analysis, writes Chris Wigglesworth Have you ever looked at the pile of feedback survey responses and wondered how you’ll find the time to pick out the relevant points that you can act on to improve your training programmes? Well, the answer lies in the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to analyse large volumes of content.   AI allows…

Top view of podcast recording equipment on rustic wooden table with words new podcast episode written on spiral notepad

TJ podcast: AI and L&D: enhancing human capability – episode 314

Jo Cook

This episode gathers insights from L&D leaders on AI’s transformative role in training and performance. It explores AI literacy, the evaluation of tools, and the ethical use of technology, emphasising AI as both a tool and teammate. The discussion underscores the importance of human insight in leveraging AI to enhance learning outcomes. Speakers include: ⁠ Trish Uhl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paul Westlake⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cathy Hoy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ginette Tessier⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Erica Farmer⁠⁠⁠⁠Stella Collins⁠⁠⁠⁠Liz Naylor⁠⁠⁠⁠Emma Weber⁠⁠⁠⁠Matthew Borg⁠⁠⁠⁠Binnaz Cubukcu⁠⁠⁠Viddhi Devani⁠⁠Stella Lee⁠⁠Bob Mosher⁠⁠Lior Locher⁠ Links from the discussion: ⁠Editor’s blog – don’t rush to…

Concept of education and success

Bridging the gap with killer communications: a dive into why you should be ‘selling’ your learning offer

Kerry Jary

Kerry Jary looks at why you can build it, but they might not come and the importance of more than just creating great training In today’s dynamic business world, the phrase “knowledge is power” couldn’t be more relevant. As businesses strive to stay ahead of the curve, investing in employee learning has emerged as a critical strategy for success. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about offering learning opportunities; it’s about selling them to your employees.   First off, let’s…