Leading Learning Podcast

Megan Torrance is CEO—chief energy officer—at TorranceLearning, a full-stack learning services firm. TorranceLearning also provide professional development for the learning and development industry, including the free xAPI Learning Cohort, which they ran before handing the baton to the Learning Guild. Megan is an evangelist for xAPI and has over 25 years of consulting, instructional design, and project management experience. She’s also the author of Agile for Instructional Designers: Iterative Project Management to Achieve Results and Making Sense of xAPI. In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Megan about all things xAPI: what it is, what it promises above and beyond SCORM, and real-world examples of what it looks like in action. They also talk about cmi5 and why most learning business professionals should care about it (but not too much), what can be done with data and analytics, human learning versus adult learning, and much more. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode319.

Understanding the value your learning business delivers with its range of offerings is hugely insightful. But objectively evaluating the value of your products can be a challenge. That’s why we created the Product Value Profile, a free tool that offers a way to assess and visually represent the value you currently deliver with a specific product or product line and the perception of that value in the market. In this third episode in our informal series on tools for learning businesses, we explain what the Product Value Profile is and how to use it. We also discuss how it can be used in conjunction with the Value Ramp, and to inform decisions about pricing. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode318.

Pricing plays a fundamental role in the success of all learning businesses. But determining appropriate prices can be complex. Dr. Michael Tatonetti is founder and CEO of Pricing for Associations, where he helps associations navigate these pricing complexities. As a certified association executive (CAE) and certified pricing professional (CPP), he speaks, trains, and consults on value-based pricing. In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb and Michael talk about value-based pricing, including approaches and tools to use; sponsorship; value propositions; pricing online offerings; addressing cannibalization concerns; and much more. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode317.

Shelley Osborne is head of learning experience at Modal, an employee education platform built with cohort-based, hands-on, and expert guidance for critical skills. She’s also the author of The Upskilling Imperative: Five Ways to Make Learning Core to the Way We Work. In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with return guest Shelley about cohort-based learning, including what it is, why it’s so valuable, how to do it well, and how to scale it. They also talk about mastery learning, psychological safety, and the future of learning. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode316.

Pricing is a perennial challenge for learning businesses. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply put, what you are able to charge for your offerings depends on the value your prospective customers place on them. And once you really understand the value of your products and services, figuring out how to price them becomes much easier. In this installment of out tool talks, an informal series on tools for learning businesses, we revisit the Tagoras Value Ramp™, a simple but powerful tool for assessing your education offerings. We explain why to use it, what it is, and how to use it. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode315.

We all know that books play a critical role in both personal and professional learning. They have the power to transform your life and help you achieve your potential in all areas of life. And when it comes to lifelong learning, there are quite a few that stand out as classics. In fact, Jerel Bonner, managing director and co-founder of Corralling Chaos, recently reached out to us to share the particular books he’s found most valuable in his work focused on creating authentic leaders and high-performing teams. In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with return guest Jerel about four classic books he believes to be essential career resources: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport, Mindset by Carol Dweck, and Grit by Angela Duckworth. They discuss key concepts from each and how to use them to maximize their impact and value. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode314.

Jaimie Francis is vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce. This nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening the nation’s educational standards and the quality of its workforce.  In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Jaimie about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management initiative and its related TPM Academy and National Learning Network. They also discuss general challenges and opportunities in workforce development and ways learning businesses can foster effective collaboration with employers. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode313.

Over the years, we’ve created a variety of tools aimed at helping elevate learning businesses. And while we’ve mentioned them in various places before, we’ve decided to shine the spotlight on each one in an informal series we’re calling “Tool Talks”. These episodes, which will air in between interviews over the next few months, will showcase how and why to use each tool. In this first installment of Tool Talks, we’re highlighting the Market Insight Matrix. We explain what it is, why you should use it, and the three stages and three activities that support its framework. We also offer specific examples of what learning businesses can do throughout each step in the market assessment process. Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode312.

As a seasoned adult education and leadership expert, Debra Zabloudil is the recently appointed vice president of learning at the American Society of Association Executives. ASAE is a professional society with more than 44,000 members that educates and develops association professionals at all stages of their careers.  In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Debra about her priorities as she steps into the role of leading ASAE’s learning portfolio, her philosophy of learning, and the important work to be done in diversity, equity, and inclusion. They also discuss the power of peer-to-peer learning, the importance of focusing on learning outcomes, and the imperative to keenly understand your audience.  Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode311.

Stephanie Mercado is CEO of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), whose mission is to prepare a coordinated, competent workforce to lead and advance healthcare quality across the continuum of healthcare. They believe that workforce readiness and healthcare quality competencies are key to achieving quality, safety, equity, and value in healthcare.   In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Stephanie about NAHQ certifications, competency frameworks, and their solutions-based approach to building their learning portfolio. They also discuss workforce development, partnerships with employers in academia, and the value in asking, “If your organization ceased to exist tomorrow, would anyone start the organization again and why?” Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode310.