The Learning & Development Podcast

In this episode, Kevin Yates - widely known as the L&D Detective® - joins David to explore why measuring impact remains one of the most persistent challenges in Learning & Development, and how L&D can finally start getting it right. Together, they unpack why reporting on learning activity isn’t enough, what it really means to uncover evidence of performance impact, and how L&D must evolve to contribute meaningfully within the wider performance ecosystem. Kevin outlines the flaws in traditional training needs analysis, introduces his Workplace Performance Investigation Framework, and explains how business metrics—not LMS data—must become the cornerstone of meaningful measurement. Kevin also shares how L&D teams can use tools like the Performance Impact Blueprint and Instructional Design for Performance to plan for outcomes from the outset, and why embracing the identity of ‘impact investigators’ is critical for L&D’s future. If you’re serious about proving learning’s contribution to business performance, this episode is unmissable. KEY TAKEAWAYS The "village" approach is central to performance. L&D should measure collective, not isolated, impact. LMS data is easy to get, but it does not truly measure the impact on business performance. The 6 questions for business performance and 6 for human performance, in the framework, uncover the true needs behind a training request. Because improving performance involves many teams, a project management approach helps organize everyone’s roles, tasks, and contributions toward a shared business goal. BEST MOMENTS “It takes a village to impact workplace performance." “We must define impact. Before we can investigate it.” "Designing for performance is very different than designing for training." Kevin M. Yates Bio Kevin M. Yates is globally recognised as the L&D Detective®, known for investigating the impact of training and learning on workplace performance. With over 25 years of experience across major brands like McDonald’s, Meta, and Grant Thornton, Kevin brings a practical, data-driven approach to measuring learning’s contribution to business results. His work empowers L&D teams to go beyond activity metrics and uncover real evidence of performance impact. Kevin is also the founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit tackling food insecurity with the same focus on measurable outcomes. You can follow and connect with Kevin via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/ Book: https://kevinmyates.com/detective-kit Website: https://kevinmyates.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. CONTACT METHOD Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

For many L&D teams, compliance training is a necessary burden—dominated by tick-box exercises, clunky e-learning, and endless chasing. But it doesn’t have to be this way - even in highly regulated industries! In this episode, Nick Taylor, Head of Learning at Ishida Europe, shares how his team has reimagined compliance as a practical, performance-oriented part of everyday work. Drawing on his experience transitioning from less regulated sectors into one where compliance is non-negotiable, Nick explores how to balance regulatory demands with business needs and employee experience. He explains how his team integrates compliance into role-based learning, navigates multiple stakeholder voices, and uses collaborative learning principles to target risk in the flow of work. Nick also shares how his team has tackled the operational pain points of compliance - through automation, shared accountability, and a clear mindset shift that has transformed how the L&D function works. For L&D professionals tired of compliance being a drag on time, creativity, and credibility, this episode offers a smarter, more human approach to getting it right. KEY TAKEAWAYS Get compliance, processes, systems, and learning foundations right before tackling advanced initiatives.  Clearly define compliance courses, their validity, who needs them and when in their work journey. Effective compliance training requires balancing the needs of legal, compliance, line managers, and end users. Scenario-based compliance training with actors and short, relevant talks are effective. Engage emotions. Automate and train your L&D team in basic data analysis. BEST MOMENTS “The consequences of us not doing this right ... could be as severe as somebody losing their life.”    “Training really is only such a small percentage of the impact of behaviour.”    “Good data in, good data out - is the powerhouse.”  Nick Taylor Bio Nick Taylor is an experienced Learning and Development leader with a strong track record of building high-impact L&D functions across diverse industries. He is currently Head of Learning at Ishida Europe, a global manufacturer operating in a tightly regulated environment, where he leads efforts to integrate compliance and capability development into day-to-day performance. Before joining Ishida, Nick held senior L&D roles at organisations including Howsy, Wagamama and Pizza Hut. This broad sector experience - from hospitality to manufacturing - has shaped his pragmatic, people-first approach to learning, where business relevance and learner experience go hand in hand. VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD   https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

Guus van Deelen, a seasoned L&D leader and author of *Organising L&D for Results,* discusses transformative strategies for Learning and Development teams. He highlights the pitfalls of traditional L&D structures and the necessity for strategic alignment with business goals. Guus introduces practical tools like the L&D Quick Scan and emphasizes structured experimentation for impactful results. He also addresses the importance of L&D professionals immersing themselves in their organizations to tailor effective solutions and advocates for redefining L&D's role as a proactive partner.

Becky Willis, founder of Tractus Learning and WillLearn Consulting, specializes in implementing effective digital learning. In this discussion, she delves into the crowded learning technology market, addressing the evolution from LMSs to LXPs. Becky emphasizes the importance of aligning stakeholder needs and creating collaborative tech ecosystems. She critiques outdated systems, highlights the potential of AI, and insists on the necessity of starting with strategy over software. A must-listen for anyone rethinking their L&D approach!

Martha Soehren, former Chief Talent Development Officer at Comcast Cable, brings rich experience in instructional design and workforce planning. She discusses how her team achieved measurable business impact by aligning with strategic priorities and building trusted relationships. With insights on data-driven storytelling and effective governance, she highlights the importance of securing executive support for L&D initiatives. Martha emphasizes mentoring and succession planning as vital components in elevating organizational talent development.

Join industry leaders Donald Clark, a learning tech entrepreneur advocating for AI in education; Laura Overton, an award-winning L&D analyst; and Gemma Paterson, a culture innovation expert, as they challenge the future of workplace learning. They discuss the potential rebranding of L&D, the shift towards performance-focused strategies, and how AI can enhance organizational productivity. The conversation is packed with real-life examples and bold ideas, urging L&D professionals to prioritize intentional impact, meaningful changes, and brave conversations.

Avinash Chadarana, Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group, brings over 25 years of experience in shaping workplace learning. He discusses how to continuously innovate L&D while managing remote teams and overcoming challenges, like budget cuts and the pandemic. Avinash emphasizes the importance of aligning training with business outcomes and encourages fostering an intrapreneurial culture. He also explores the transformative role of AI in modern learning, advocating for a focus on outcomes rather than hours logged.

Carl Binder, a leading expert in performance improvement and founder of The Performance Thinking Network, challenges the traditional focus of Learning & Development on behavior change. He advocates for prioritizing measurable accomplishments that directly impact business outcomes. Binder shares practical strategies for effective onboarding and emphasizes the importance of managerial alignment in achieving performance goals. By shifting the focus from competency models to real work outputs, L&D can become more impactful and measurable, transforming organizational effectiveness.

Traditional L&D strategies rely too much on hope. Hope that training will stick, hope that stakeholders will engage, and hope that impact will follow. But as Dani Johnson of RedThread Research explains in this episode, hope isn’t a plan. Drawing on insights from the latest report, Dani outlines why L&D’s influence in strategic business discussions is declining - and what leaders must do to reverse the trend. She breaks down the five essential elements of a progressive L&D strategy, from organisational alignment and stakeholder engagement to tech, data, and operational discipline. Dani also explores the tension between consistency and adaptability, how to move beyond training requests to real business conversations, and why outdated approaches to learning persist despite their lack of impact. For L&D professionals ready to move from reactive to strategic, this episode offers a clear, research-backed blueprint for building a modern, credible, and business-aligned L&D function. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Hope is not a strategy – intentionality is essential.  Don´t just drift, create a business need driven strategy, follow it and measure progress. Dani´s study shows that L&D is increasingly losing strategic influence. L&D needs to shift from being order-takers to being business partners. Get out from behind your desk. Use the same language as stakeholders.  L&D needs to provide stability but also be flexible enough to quickly meet emerging needs. Tech and data are strategic levers, not just tools. Buy the right tech. BEST MOMENTS "What has gotten us here is not going to get us into the future." "Be intentional about making that strategy and then delivering on that strategy." "It is time to quit looking at old models and traditional ways of doing things." "We are here for a planned, demonstrable impact." "Two big things are driving this integration of technology and data: the first is skills... the second is AI." Dani Johnson Bio Dani is Co-founder and Principal Analyst at RedThread Research, where she explores the intersection of people, practices, and technology.  Prior to RedThread, Dani led the Learning and Career research practice at Bersin, Deloitte. Her work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal, CLO Magazine, Employment Relations and HR Magazine.  Dani holds an MBA and dual degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University.  RedThread is known for its bold, unbiased research on topics like DEIB, learning, performance, and people analytics—helping leaders rethink how work gets done. You can follow or contact Dani at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-johnson/ Direct link to infographic: https://members.redthreadresearch.com/posts/infographic-the-building-blocks-of-a-future-ready-ld-strategy (free membership required) - Membership Link: https://redthreadresearch.com/pricing VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this engaging conversation, John Helmer, a writer and podcaster specialized in learning strategies, interviews David James about the innovative L&D Maturity Model. They tackle why the industry needs this new model and its unique collaborative development. John probes into how L&D should proactively align with business needs and the transformative potential of anticipating future demands. The duo also highlights the importance of shifting focus from mere learning delivery to actual performance enhancement and overcoming resistance from stakeholders.