Does employee attitude matter more than ability?

How should HR professionals distinguish between candidates – should experience outrank enthusiasm every time? The skill vs. will debate, or the attitude vs. aptitude debate, is something often discussed in HR and recruitment circles. It is important to us, for many reasons, that we make the right decision when it comes to hiring. After all, […]
“The traditional competencies required for L&D are important but no longer sufficient,” – Donald H Taylor

The Learning and Performance Institute recently re-launched its Capability Map, a self-assessment tool for L&D professionals to benchmark and develop their skills. We caught up with Donald H Taylor, Chairman of the LPI, to find out more about the Map and how it can support L&D as the industry undergoes transformation. What was the ethos behind […]
Crisis management: what makes a good leader?

It seems like forever since I took in my camera film to the chemist for developing or paid for anything by cheque. A clear reminder of the impact digital has on our everyday lives. How organisations operate and how they interact with customers is almost unrecognisable from just 10 years ago. But there is one […]
Debunking the emotional intelligence myth

Getting to grips with your emotional intelligence may be easier than you think. It just takes an open mind and self-belief. Think of a time when you were in flow. Either on your own, or in a group or team. One of those times when things just seemed to happen really naturally and easily. When you […]
Most-read TrainingZone articles of 2018

Here’s a roundup of the most-read TrainingZone articles and reports in 2018. Topics span leadership, soft skills, digital learning transformation, neuroscience and more. Check the list and make sure you haven’t missed out on what your peers have already read! Which TrainingZone articles grabbed the attention of L&D professionals in 2018? Explore our list of top 10 […]
E-learning: how to develop emotional intelligence skills

Training people in emotional intelligence online can be a highly successful way to develop individuals, but it needs to be supported offline to reap the greatest benefits. With budgets for training and development being continually cut, it is important that any training intervention can be shown to add value to an organisation or to contribute […]
Top 7 Perfect Content Marketing Strategies in 2019

Content is fundamental to sustain in online space. Despite the huge growth in internet marketing, the onslaught of various brands, huge use of graphics, etc. content still rules the game. There is no alternative to sound content. But, despite the strength and pull of the content, a wrong marketing strategy can make the things fall […]
New year resolutions for L&D teams

In order to maintain a competitive edge in 2019 and beyond, companies need to invest in staff training to retain talent, but they also must prepare for the challenges of Industry 4.0. With a new year comes new challenges and opportunities. For corporate L&D teams, the year ahead is set to be both an exciting and challenging one […]
How to become an effective delegator

Do you delegate tasks without due consideration, only to be disappointed by the results? If so, perhaps it’s time to stop and rethink the way you respond. I get to hear the frustrations of many leaders in my line of work, and there’s a common theme in what they complain about: Why do I get so many […]
Why a learner-centred approach to training never dates

Learning by doing is one of the tenets of the 70:20:10 methodology, and it continues to be one of the most powerful tools when it comes to training new starters. I am often amazed at how Learning & Development practices and experiences haven’t changed much, despite dramatic changes in the workplace. Technology, learner demands and differences […]
Development strategy: how to implement creative change

Why introducing new skills and behaviours to key individuals is the first step to creative cultural transformation. Making creative thinking commercial has long been a challenge for team management and wider training activities. The first step to overcome this challenge is focusing on cultural change. However, with an already difficult objective in place and teamed […]
The importance of cultivating soft skills

The rise of artificial intelligence and its widespread applications have made soft skills such as creativity and emotional intelligence more important than ever. But companies need to personalise training to empower this 21st century workforce. Author of Sapiens and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Yuval Harari warns us that the kinds of skills we need as […]
Post-Brexit: businesses must focus on L&D

The post-Brexit economy will undoubtedly change the way businesses operate in the UK. Whichever side of the debate you’re on, one thing that should unite different industries is the importance of investing in training, to ensure a sustainable workforce. Recent weeks have seen Brexit barely leave the headlines. It’s at the forefront of everyone’s minds, with businesses, in particular, […]
How to create a powerful learning strategy

Are you feeling daunted by the prospect of having to write a strategy for 2019? Well, thanks to leading research into the future of learning there is plenty of fantastic data to support your work and hopefully inject a bit of inspiration. I love this time of year, and not just because of the festive season! […]
Systems coaching: how can it enhance your team’s performance?

Usually it’s only those teams that underperform – or who are wholly dysfunctional – that become a target for team development. But the truth is that any team, at every level, can improve. Working in teams is fraught with difficulty because humans are complex, emotional beings. We’re all influenced by the other people in our […]
Tips for Training Better Sales Managers

Cold-calling. If you’re any type of salesman, then you know what the word means. It is the solicitation of business from potential customers who have had no prior contact with the salesperson conducting the call. It means that you’re contacting strangers and asking them if they need a new car. Studies show that only 2% […]
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the IT Market

In 2018, there have been many job options for everyone and they are high paying as well. Presence of a variety of job opportunities sometimes makes it difficult to choose the one that is most lucrative and high-in-demand. So, if you are one of those who is looking for the best job that can give […]
Why you should invest in training – even if staff decide to leave

Justifying investment in training may seem difficult if staff leave to work for a competitor, so it’s important to understand why developing a talented workforce will ultimately benefit your industry. It’s a common business problem: how can companies encourage and provide professional development programmes without the risk of making their key staff more attractive to rivals? This is a particularly prominent issue in the […]
Single Tasking – The Most Important Skill For 2019

Want to know the most important skill you will need to master in 2019? It’s got nothing to do with big data, virtual reality, AI, digital learning or any of the other “buzzword” related topics doing the rounds. Yes, master this and you will really get ahead. Want to know what this super power skill is? Well, […]
Essential presentation skills for introverts

There are lots of ways you can make public speaking less stressful but the key to success is ensuring you’re fully prepared before, during and after your presentation. Those of us who try to go through life unnoticed will often panic at the thought of having to give a presentation. It doesn’t matter if it’s to […]