Previously we saw Larry who has just got his first job as a learning and development manager at a non-profit organisation. He is due to meet up with the company's leadership team where he will have to tell them his immediate and longer term plans not only for his team, but also for the whole organisation. Though Larry has his ideas he has decided to meet up with his mentor Brian for any help. So right now Brian and Larry are meeting at a Starbucks branch at Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford, London. Brian takes the time to congratulate Larry on his new job, while he thanks Brian for encouraging him to go for the job. After the niceties, Larry goes straight to the point. He tells Brian about his pending meeting with the company's leadership team and what is expected of him. Brian in his typical coaching style asks Larry what he is going to do. Larry tells Brian he is going to develop a training plan for the company, Brian follows up with more questions, what will the training plan consist of? Why is he creating a training plan? After much discussion it is clear that what Larry really means by a training plan is a catalogue of courses that he believes will satisfy the learning needs of the company. Not suprising Brian does not agree with him, and suggests that he should create a learning and development strategy, or a learning strategy as Brian prefers to call it. Larry asks Brian what a learning strategy is, and Brian tells him that it is an action plan which outlines how learning and development will be used to support the organisation's strategy. He further explains that the goal of a learning strategy is to align investment in learning and development with the goals of the organisation. Larry likes the idea and he decides to go and prepare for the meeting with the leadership team which is in two days time. He promises to show Brian his preparation for feedback. They drink up, say their goodbyes and go their separate ways. Larry is glad that he has something better than a training plan to present to the leadership team.
