L&D Professionals

Are you okay? Colored stickers with the inscription. Mental health of employees at work. Team care for colleagues

Why suicide prevention training is needed now more than ever 

Ellie MacDonald

Equip teams with the skills to spot warning signs and save lives, urges Ellie MacDonald   ONS figures released recently show that suicide rates are the highest they’ve been since 1999. We lost a staggering 6,069 people to suicide in the UK alone in 2023 and this has a detrimental impact not only on people’s lives but economically, costing employers billions of pounds each year in employment productivity losses.  Next time something feels off – a colleague doesn’t seem themselves –…

Friendly mentor coach training diverse staff, learning corporate software

Enterprise has a problem with AI training. How can it be personally applicable and scalable at the same time?  

Josh Wöhle

Organisations face a false choice between reach and relevance when it comes to AI training – Josh Wöhle reveals why this challenge extends beyond business efficiency to broader societal impact AI is the new Microsoft Office in the workplace. It’s a must-have. The World Economic Forum predicts that 75% of companies plan to adopt AI technologies by 2027. But – and it’s a big but – there’s a significant gap between what people learn about AI in theory and how they actually…

Bold, prominent text "ADHD" in large, clear sans-serif font, center-aligned on a vibrant abstract background, high contrast

ADHD in the workplace: Challenges, misconceptions and the path to inclusion 

Nicole Nadler

With a few practical adjustments, organisations can create workplaces where employees with ADHD truly thrive – Nicole Nadler explains  If you’re an employer or manage a team, odds are someone in your organisation may have ADHD. While the disorder impacts everyone differently, knowing the symptoms and how they present themselves is vital.   ADHD can be categorised as inattentive, which involves difficulties in maintaining focus, organisational challenges and/or forgetfulness. There is also hyperactive, which is traditionally seen as being unable to sit…

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How to showcase the value of L&D to C-suite leaders 

Collin Poage

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?…

A woman wearing glasses is looking at a computer screen. She is wearing a colorful outfit and she is focused on her work

Negative sentiment, positive impact: AI in the digital workplace

Chris Ciauri

Despite AI’s potential to combat digital noise, streamline workflows and transform workplaces, employees remain uneasy – Chris Ciauri examines how leaders can address these concerns Enterprise leaders need no convincing of AI’s potential to maximise the performance of their organisations. Yet the prospect of widespread AI in the workplace is a source of unease for many employees.   When tools designed to make work easier start having the opposite effect, our approach must evolve  Much of that concern stems from anxiety…

Work-life balance An illustration of a person balancing work and personal life on a scale.

A week in the life of: A champion of women’s professional growth

Gaëlle Delmas-Watson

Discover how Gaëlle Delmas-Watson balances business, family and wellbeing, building a company that drives change  It’s Monday,10 September, 6am. The alarm goes off – it’s time to get moving! I’m Gaëlle Watson: champion of gender equality, founder of SyncSkills Performance (a company specialising in digital learning design and facilitation), mother of two boys, and recreational jogger.   In just over a month, it will be 10 years since I launched SyncSkills and, last week, my eldest son started secondary school.…

Female counselor demonstrating empathy during a breakthrough session with a client

We’re all in this together: Senior management and mental health in the workplace

Daniel Shore

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. …

Ger Driesen - white male with grey hair, wearing a suit, smiling.

TJ interviews: L&D Trend Catcher, Ger Driesen 

A trend what? Trend watching is easy, it’s what you do that makes the difference and Ger Driesen explains to Jo just what is involves Training Journal: What is a trend catcher and what does it involve?  Ger Driesen: Trend-watching is easy, you watch and then…? I introduced the term ‘trend catcher’; grabbing a trend, trying to understand it well and then translate it to what it could mean for your own profession – in my case, learning and development. …

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Bridging the digital skills gap in-house: 3 tips for senior leaders 

Emma-Claire Kavanagh

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…

The inscription diversity equity and inclusion is surrounded by colored cubes.

Navigating DEI trends: A strategic opportunity for UK companies  

Reshma Sheikh

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…