CIPD

Are outdated and ineffective learning models holding your organisation back? CIPD research found that less than half of L&D practitioners are integrating new learning concepts into practice. Theories about effective learning, together with insights from behavioural science and neuroscience, can inform and shape the design of effective and engaging learning. Yet, wrapping your brain around all these theories can feel overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. Join our podcast presenter Nigel Cassidy, Michelle Parry-Slater, Commercial Content Learning Manager at CIPD and Carl Crisostomo, Digital Learning Consultant at Carl Learns, as we delve into the world of learning theory and find out how it can breathe new life into your organisation’s L&D programme.

Organisations are significant contributors to the causes of climate change with businesses responsible for an estimated 17% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. While averting a planetary crisis is reason enough to act with urgency, there is also a compelling business case for doing so. So, what role must business leaders and people professionals play in embedding environmental sustainability within their organisation and what are the consequences of taking no action at all? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Dr Jan Maskell, Business Psychologist; James Robey, Global Head of Corporate Sustainability at Capgemini; and George May, Managing Director at Bio-Bean – as we explore how your organisation (regardless of size), can be proactive in delivering real change.

Organisations must constantly adapt to an everchanging environment. This may include evolving customer demands, new technologies, increased competition, and even a global crisis. Many have negotiated their way through the pandemic by reflex – adjusting practices on the fly to align with government guidance and the latest developments. But as we look to build for the longer term, does change management require a different approach? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Melanie Franklin, Founder and Principal of Agile Change and Nick Williams, change management expert and CIPD Board Member, as we discuss change implementation, the behavioural barriers, and how people professionals can lead and help organisations to embrace change.

In the face of the global pandemic, learning professionals have had to adjust swiftly to sweeping changes to how people work and connect and critically rethink learning delivery. However, a high level of uncertainty remains about what the future holds, with just 18% of organisations expecting learning strategy, investment, and resourcing to return to pre-pandemic levels. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, David Hayden, Digital Learning Portfolio Manager at the CIPD and Stella Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Learning officer at Stellar Labs, as we explore how learning practice adapted to overcome pandemic-induced challenges and to seize the opportunity for rethinking learning, to better fulfil the requirements of changing organisations. -------- Stella Collins MSc FITOL is co-founder and Chief Learning Officer at Stellar Labs, one of the Brain Ladies and the author of ‘Neuroscience for Learning and Development’. She has a clear understanding of the challenges faced by organisations in upskilling and reskilling their people, especially with digital change being so high on the agenda. Stella and her team pragmatically apply principles from neuroscience and psychology to consult, design and build practical performance focused solutions with measurable ROI. She has trained thousands of learning professionals in brain-friendly principles over more than 20 years in L&D. www.stellarlabs.eu | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellacollins/ Book: Neuroscience for Learning and Development https://www.koganpage.com/product/neuroscience-for-learning-and-development-9780749493264 Course: 6th July - ‘Transform your learning culture’ https://get.stellarlabs.eu/learning-culture-crash-course

Is the human brain wired for a digital working? Virtual platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams are instrumental in bridging the communications gap between homeworkers, but how can we set healthy boundaries for digital tools, so they don’t fuel harmful working practices? With the expected rise in hybrid working and the impending return to the workplace, healthy, sustainable implementation is key, and identifying stress factors will help keep digital fatigue at bay. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Jonny Gifford, Senior Advisor for Organisational Behaviour at CIPD, Nilufar Ahmed, Lecturer in Social Sciences at the University of Bristol, and Marc Weedon, Sr. Director of Human Resources at Zuora, as we explore the pitfalls of working in a digital context, and how to foster a healthy relationship with communication tools for future work.

The pandemic has accelerated the evolution of the workplace, perhaps years before many organisations were ready to take the leap. But as we begin our recovery from the pandemic businesses will have a big decision to make. Do we want to return to a ‘tweaked’ version of normality or are organisations prepared to map out a bold new vision for how we work and better utilise the physical workplace? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, David D’Souza, Membership Director at CIPD, Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive at Demos, and Rachel King, People Director at Camelot, as we explore how business can reimagine and modernise three key elements of work; the physical workplace, working practices and working relationships.

Are we too busy to learn? Is there a strong case for L&D in a cost-conscious environment? There is increasing demand on organisational departments to justify their spending and deliver measurable value. As a result, there is a steadily growing trend for L&D teams to present evidence-based practice to demonstrate growth and impact. Without tangible evidence, it is becoming increasingly harder for L&D professionals to inform strategic decision making or budget considerations. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning at the CIPD, Laura Overton, co-creator of Emerging Stronger, and Owen Ferguson, Chief Product Officer at Emerald Works, to hear how L&D professionals are moving to adopt evidence-based practice that drives forward impact.

Is it time to tear up the HR playbook? Should the people profession be less fixated on rules, and instead, lead by principles? We are seeing seismic shifts in the world of work, not just in what our physical workplace looks like, but in what our expectations of work are. But is the people profession – so frequently labelled ‘risk-averse’ – ready to step up, release the handbrake and seize the opportunity to drive organisations forward and make progress where it’s needed? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Yetunde Hofmann, Managing Director at Synchrony Development Consulting, Caroline Parsons, HR Director and Director of Shared Services at WSP Middle East, and Geoff Trickey, Managing Director at PCL, as we explore how people practitioners can take well-calculated risks and seize opportunities.

Over the past 12 months many organisations in the UK and across the globe switched to survival mode. Whether that was due to a sudden surge in demand for key services or having to adapt operations as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, no business remained unscathed. One thing that is abundantly clear is that our working lives will not be returning to ‘normal’. The pandemic presented an opportunity for employees to reconsider how they work and whether it’s conducive to work-life balance. But are organisations prepared to make the necessary changes that contribute towards building a braver, fairer and more equal world? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Neil Morrison, Group HR Director at Severn Trent PLC, Deborah Lee, Group Engagement Director, Compass Group and Brad Taylor, Director of People at CIPD, as we take our first steps into 2021 and explore the key anticipated shifts in people practice as we recover and rebuild better and fairer organisations.

In the last year or so there has been growing debate and conversation around the benefits of soft skills in the workplace and the essential or core skills we will increasingly need. The events of 2020 have prompted greater shows of empathy, teamwork and problem solving, but can getting these ‘softer’ skills right pay dividends in the long-term and do we need to value these skills more within our organisations? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Rebekah Wallis, Director of People and Corporate Responsibility at Ricoh UK, Phil Lowe, Leadership Development Specialist and Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Adviser at CIPD, to unpack how a greater emphasis on nurturing, utilising and measuring the effectiveness of soft skills can benefit your organisation.