Marketing For Learning®

Ashley Hinchcliffe, marketing strategist and founder of MAAS Marketing with 13 years in learning technology, explores the attention economy at work. Short takes on dopamine and novelty, interruptions and the twenty-minute recovery cost. Practical tactics like personas, triggers, spaced repetition and protected learning time. A lively look at marketing thinking applied to learner engagement and attention management.

In a world of constant change, staying visible is crucial for L&D teams. Silence damages trust and engagement, especially during restructuring. They discuss the importance of authentic messaging over sugar-coated communication. Multi-channel campaigns and understanding audience needs are key to making a lasting impact. The hosts emphasize the value of consistent communication and creating a supportive learning culture. Overall, disruption offers an opportunity for L&D to stand out, build relationships, and resonate with employees.

Dr Serena Gonsalves-Fersch, Global Head of Talent and researcher on learning in fast-growing firms, and Lori Niles-Hofmann, author and EdTech transformation strategist. They unpack the eight levers that make learning tech work. They debate data-informed versus data-obsessed approaches, how agents and automation can help (with human oversight), and why context beats content for real adoption.

Learning and Development doesn't need chaos; it requires structure and strategy. Discover the importance of understanding your audience as the first step to success. Learn how alignment and effective experience design can drive real relevance. Explore why measuring impact is vital for proving value, making marketing essential rather than optional. This conversation provides a blueprint to create continuous, impactful change through the People Impact Loop, emphasizing that effective design is the key to success.

Nelson Sivalingam, CEO of HowNow and author of 'Learning at Speed', dives into the crucial connection between learning and business outcomes. He critiques traditional metrics for falling short and emphasizes the need for defining impact in Learning and Development. The discussion covers bridging the skills gap through role-specific assessments and the importance of measurable outcomes over mere completion rates. Nelson advocates for a strategic approach that aligns learning initiatives with organizational goals, shaping a more effective L&D landscape.

Discover the hidden complexities behind impactful learning campaigns. Learn why successful initiatives require ongoing engagement, not just a launch. Explore how L&D can borrow tactics from marketing, politics, and behavioral science to drive action. Dive into strategies that cater to diverse learner types, ensuring everyone stays motivated. Understand the importance of continuous reminders without being repetitive, and navigate stakeholder dynamics for smoother project approvals. Lastly, find out how a 'Campaign in a Box' can streamline your efforts with customizable resources.

Tom McDowall, the head of Evolve L&D, dives deep into the future of learning experience design. He passionately argues that learning isn't ineffective due to laziness but rather poor experiences. The discussion reveals why adding more content doesn’t always yield better results and emphasizes the importance of frictionless, user-led learning journeys. McDowall draws connections between L&D and UX design, advocating for strategies that prioritize employee engagement and experimentation. This is a must-listen for anyone tired of subpar learning solutions!

Discover why treating learners as real people is crucial in Learning and Development. Dive into the importance of understanding audience motivations beyond just job titles. Learn how to ask the right questions and gather meaningful insights to craft impactful learning experiences. Unpack the significance of branding through examples like Coca-Cola and explore the transformation of boring initiatives into engaging ones. Crafting accurate learner personas can elevate overall engagement and strategy—it's all about relevance and connection!

Heather Burright, a Learning and Development consultant specializing in instructional design, joins the conversation to challenge the status quo in L&D. She argues that the real issue isn't a lack of content, but rather a lack of curiosity. The discussion reveals that identifying root problems is crucial for driving change. Heather shares insights on building trust with stakeholders and emphasizes the power of asking better questions to produce better learning outcomes. This enlightening talk encourages L&D professionals to shift from content creation to truly understanding needs.

Dive into the world of impactful learning as the hosts challenge L&D teams to break free from mundane activities. Discover why aligning training with business goals is crucial and how treating learners as subscribers fosters deeper engagement. Learn the importance of long-term strategies over fleeting initiatives and uncover a three-step framework to measure success effectively. Plus, find out how to evaluate the People Impact Loop using qualitative and quantitative insights, paving the way for meaningful training transformations.