The Learning & Development Podcast

In this episode, Craig Friedman, author of Enterprise Skills Unlocked, joins David to explore what it really means to build a skills-based organisation, and why now is the critical moment for change. Together, they unpack the macro forces reshaping work, the difference between skills-based and role-based approaches, and the most compelling business cases driving adoption. Craig shares where organisations should start, the role (and pitfalls) of technology, and how governance and measurement come into play when scaling globally. He also offers practical advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed by the scale of transformation, with clear steps to move from ideas to action. If you’re curious about how skills can unlock new ways to manage, develop, and empower talent, this episode is essential listening. 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 It is now possible to manage and develop skills at a truly granular level, enabling real-time, targeted learning pathways tailored to each employee or business need instead of just for broad roles. An integrated ecosystem of HR technology - including talent marketplaces, skills intelligence tools, and performance and learning management systems - enables true skills-based talent management. You can match the right person to the right project or task, instantly and precisely. To have real impact, organizations must ground skills initiatives in urgent business objectives. BEST MOMENTS “This is a technology driven HR transformation, essentially …. we have access to a new level of skills data that we actually can manage.” “It shifts talent from being a headcount management exercise to a capability management exercise, a giant step closer to business alignment.” “No matter what anybody tells you, there is no one system that does it all.” Craig Friedman Craig Friedman has 30 years of experience as a human capital and talent advisor, executive, and entrepreneur. He specializes in skills-based talent strategies, learning operating models, change management, and performance consulting. A Senior Talent Strategist at St. Charles Consulting Group, Craig partners with CHROs and CLOs to align global talent strategies, supporting Fortune 500 companies and four of the five largest professional services firms.   He spent 15 years at Deloitte, leading talent development for the U.S. Tax practice and earning several national and international learning awards. Craig also co-led Deloitte’s clinician change adoption practice and helped establish corporate universities for regional health systems.  Craig’s background includes launching two eLearning start-ups and earning two U.S. patents for innovations in online education. He holds an M.A. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University and dual undergraduate degrees from Tufts University in Human Factors Engineering and English.  Craig is the author of the new book Enterprise Skills Unlocked: A Blueprint for Building a Skills-Based Organization.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-w-friedman-8950841 Book: https://stccg.com/enterprise-skills-unlocked-2/ cfriedman@stccg.com https://stccg.com/ HOST RESOURCES https://twitter.com/davidinlearning  https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective L&D Master Class: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Candice Mitchell, a learning and development consultant and founder of the Talent Development Academy, dives into the urgent need for L&D professionals to evolve beyond outdated expectations. She highlights how reliance on traditional training methods risks obsolescence in the age of AI. Candice emphasizes strategic skills like business acumen and emotional intelligence as vital for relevance. Her Impact Toolkit and five-spoke model offer practical insights for transforming L&D roles from reactive order-takers to strategic partners.

Egle Vinauskaite, a learning and development expert and author of 'The Race for Impact,' dives into the seismic shifts AI is causing in L&D. She discusses how teams must move from experimentation to practical implementation, addressing barriers like skills and privacy. Egle introduces her Transformation Triangle, outlining three innovative models for L&D evolution: Skills Authority, Enablement Partner, and Adaptation Engine. She emphasizes that standing still is risky, urging L&D to integrate AI effectively to maintain relevance and drive business value.

In this engaging discussion, Jess Almlie, a seasoned L&D leader and author of 'L&D Order Taker No More', draws on her over 20 years of experience to help L&D teams elevate their roles. She tackles the pitfalls of being reactive, emphasizing the need for strategic partnership over mere content creation. Jess introduces valuable tools like the 'Order Taker Assessment' and shares insights on navigating organizational politics while building trust. Listeners gain actionable advice to transform their approach and drive meaningful organizational impact.

Kevin M. Yates, the L&D Detective®, shares his expertise on measuring Learning and Development impact. He emphasizes that traditional metrics fall short, urging L&D to focus on collective performance rather than isolated data. Yates introduces his Workplace Performance Investigation Framework, detailing 12 key questions to uncover true training needs. He advocates for a village mindset and collaboration across teams to enhance measurement strategies. This insightful discussion underscores the need for L&D to evolve as 'impact investigators' to align with business outcomes.

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.