16. Data Literacy and Business Acumen for L&D with Dr. Alaina Szlachta

Data literacy and business acumen are important concepts for the L&D professional who works (or wants to work) as a more Strategic Business Partner. In this episode, Dr. Alaina Szlachta helps us break down and simplify both concepts. She also offers a few questions to ask when learning more and an activity to get started.    You'll hear:

• The need to change L&D's brand to one of measurable business impact
• An explanation of both data literacy and business acumen for L&D
• How to develop skills surrounding data literacy
• The importance of understanding your organization's business model
• The need for curiosity as a critical skill
• The difference between evaluation and measurement
• Why measurement should be continuous and sustainable
• An exercise to determine L&D alignment to business goals
• And more!

Dr. Alaina Szlachta, an academic-turned-entrepreneur, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in data enablement. Drawing on her background as a researcher and public health educator, she partners with learning and operations teams to integrate measurement and evaluation systems into their daily practices. She is also the author of an upcoming ATD Press book, "Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring," a resource written to make Measurement & Evaluation easier and more accessible for anyone - regardless of their expertise.    Find and connect with Dr. Alaina Szlachta here:

• LinkedIn
• Website: dralaina.com
• Book: Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring
• Measurement and Evaluation Weekly Virtual MeetUp

Find and connect with Jess Almlie here: 

• LinkedIn 
• Subscribe to the L&D Must Change Newsletter 
• Almlie Consulting

  Additional Links from the Show: 

• Book: Alilgning Instructional Design with Business Goals: Make the Case and Deliver Results by Kristopher Newbauer
• Book: Partner for Performance: Strategically Aligning Learning and Development by Ingrid Guerra-Lopez and Karen Hicks