The Business of Learning

Digital transformation is disrupting the way we work and learn, and many companies are struggling to keep pace. The digital skills gap continues to widen, and learning and development (L&D) leaders are tasked with delivering innovative programs and solutions that can help them navigate digital disruption and thrive in the future of work. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Dr. Kim Tran, vice president and head of talent management at Allstate, and Stephanie Woerner, principal research scientist of MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research, to learn more about how training and development can support organizations in the age of digital transformation. 

In today's fast-paced business environment, a learning culture is a strategic business advantage. However, creating a  learning culture can seem daunting for even seasoned learning leaders. This episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by KPMG Learning Services, offers an inside look at how the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (the "V.A.") created a culture of learning and growth by partnering with KPMG Learning Services. 

Employee engagement and retention remain two top challenges for business across industries. Learning and development (L&D) leaders can help by delivering training across the employee lifecycle, ensuring that learners receive the development opportunities they’re looking for — no matter where they are in their career journeys. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Dana Baker, Degreed engagement manager at Cisco, and Andy Schuster ,CPTM, senior training manager at Growmark, to learn more about delivering training across the employee lifecycle. 

Today's world of work is more human centered than ever. This brings both challenges ⁠— such as the increased need for soft (i.e., human) skills ⁠— and opportunities ⁠— such as greater flexibility in how we work and learn, as well as a greater emphasis on employee wellness and well-being. In this episode of the Business of Learning, we spoke with Jen Dudeck, chief people officer at RedHat, and Bayan Qoul, CPTM, learning and development (L&D) specialist at Expedia Group, to learn more about how training can support a human-centered workplace. 

Training Industry research has found that diagnostics — the process of identifying performance needs and determine whether or not training can solve them — is a key process capability of great training organizations. However, identifying training needs isn't easy ... especially in today's globally dispersed business environment. To learn how learning leaders can channel their undercover detective persona and identify true learning needs, we spoke with Training Industry's Training Needs Assessment Certificate course instructor and learning and development (L&D) consultant Dr. Kate Hixson, along with Alexandra Kubebatu, CPTM, an instructional designer at USAA and Gifty Abagre-Laryea, CPTM, U.S. training manager at World Relief. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already transformed how we shop, watch movies and surf the internet. Now, it's set to transform learning and development (L&D) — for the better. In this special episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by CYPHER Learning, we spoke with Graham Glass, founder and chief executive officer of CYPHER Learning, to learn more about AI-powered learning. Listen now to learn more on:  How AI can help create personalized learning journeys.  How to begin adopting AI into your training programs.  How AI can deliver more effective training at scale. 

Today's business environment is marked by rapid shifts in how we work and learn, and businesses across industries need effective leaders who can guide their teams into the future. However, developing leaders who can succeed despite these shifts isn't easy. Fortunately, leadership — just like any other skill — can be learned through ongoing training and development. In this episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by Sounding Board, Inc., we spoke with Lori Mazan, co-founder, president and chief coaching officer at Sounding Board Inc., to learn more about leadership coaching and development. 

To stay competitive in today’s rapidly shifting market, companies can’t rely on a once-a-quarter course or workshop to upskill and reskill employees. The most successful organizations are weaving learning into employees’ daily workflows. In this episode, we spoke with Steve Young, global head of employee experience and leadership assessments at Caterpillar, and Heer Kansal, global technical L&D leader at Novelis, to learn more about learning in the flow of work. 

Learning has the power to drive change, especially when it’s made accessible to learners from diverse groups, or when its goal is to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the organization. To learn how training can help drive a more inclusive future of work, we spoke with Anson Green, senior manager of economic opportunity at Tyson Foods, Lori Spicer Robertson, vice president of DEI at Saks Fifth Avenue and founder and chief joymaker at Wundher, and Alaina Doyle, learning and development director at Wells Fargo.  Listen now for insights on:  What we mean by "equitable learning." What effective allyship looks like in today's business environment. How can organizations remain accountable and committed to advancing equitable work and learning. 

From the rise of remote and hybrid work to digital transformation and its resulting demand for a digitally fluent workforce, organizations are relying on learning and development (L&D) more than ever before.  In episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by Execonline, we spoke with Stephen Bailey, chief executive officer of ExecOnline. Stephen, to learn how L&D can help drive and sustain business growth during times of change.