Coffee briefing: Brain maps, negative feedback & talent management at Disney
This weekly L&D briefing covers key topics across talent management, education, and workplace development, including Disney’s approach to talent, feedback strategies, AI in learning, and brain mapping research.
It is (not) business as usual for careers advice under the new government
The new government under Theresa May has an opportunity to revitalize careers advice and skills policies, building on existing initiatives like the Apprenticeship Levy and Careers & Enterprise Company. However, schools still lack a coherent careers strategy, and success will depend on strengthening partnerships between employers and educational institutions to improve youth employment outcomes.
Eight ways women can get more career-savvy
Women often focus on doing their job well but overlook strategic career planning. Learn eight practical ways to become more career-savvy, including developing a clear strategy, seeking opportunities, building networks, investing in skills, and understanding how others perceive you.
Memorable Sales Techniques
The author seeks memorable sales stories—both positive experiences with exceptional salespeople and negative encounters that frustrated or angered customers. Share your tales to help compile real-world examples of effective and ineffective sales techniques.
Soft Skills Secrets: Lady Diana
Lady Diana possessed remarkable soft skills that made her one of the world’s most beloved figures. Her ability to identify with ordinary people, maintain an enigmatic yet authentic presence, and champion the underprivileged endeared her to millions despite her royal status.
Strengthening the route to apprenticeships
The Government’s Apprenticeship Levy aims to increase apprenticeship starts, but stronger links between schools and employers are essential. Early careers guidance and work experience starting from age 11 can better prepare young people for employment than current programmes.
The Consumer Learner at Work: Is L&D Ready?
Employees are becoming “consumer learners” who proactively seek out learning opportunities rather than passively receiving training. L&D professionals must understand how modern workers learn across digital and workplace environments, as 70% currently fail to do so, leaving organizations unprepared for this fundamental shift.
The five elements of a modern training ecosystem
A modern training ecosystem requires five key elements to overcome attention span challenges: microtraining that breaks content into manageable chunks, ubiquitous accessibility like a utility, organizational alignment, realistic practice scenarios, and emotionally engaging delivery methods.
Training Cycle video recommendations
Looking for an engaging video explanation of training cycles? This guide recommends short, entertaining resources that break down training cycle concepts in an easy-to-understand format perfect for learners of all levels.
How to maximize your compliance training impact
Maximize compliance training impact by implementing burst learning modules, creating memorable campaigns, using thoughtful gamification, and incorporating real employee scenarios. These strategies help organizations deliver personalized, engaging training within budget constraints while improving knowledge retention and regulatory adherence.
Help with coaching workshop
Seeking coaching workshop ideas and activities focused on engaging retail store teams. If you have exercises or resources for manager coaching training, please share your suggestions.
Encouraging women into STEM – what can we do?
Increasing women’s representation in STEM requires a mindset shift starting at home, where parents should expose girls to science, technology, puzzles, and problem-solving activities from an early age. Schools, universities, and employers also play crucial roles in creating opportunities and changing perceptions of STEM careers.
Soft skills secrets: let’s look at President John F Kennedy
John F. Kennedy used powerful soft skills to connect with Americans, including relatability, humor, and an emphasis on commonality. Born into privilege, JFK deliberately highlighted his Irish immigrant heritage and spoke of being “President of all the people” to bridge the power distance between himself and voters.
Bring on the intrapreneurs
Mature businesses can revitalize growth by cultivating intrapreneurship—empowering employees to develop new ideas and commercial ventures within the organization. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs who start external businesses, intrapreneurs harness innovation and entrepreneurial energy to compete in changing markets while leveraging existing corporate resources.
Sales Training – Looking for a provider to deliver Sales Training & Closing the Deal
A multinational recycling company seeks a sales training provider to help their European team improve closing techniques, value proposition communication, price defense, and upselling. The provider must deliver training across multiple European countries and potentially in different languages.
How Is Stress Affecting You?
Stress is now the leading cause of workplace sickness, affecting one in five workers and accounting for 35% of work-related ill-health cases. Workload, management style, and workplace relationships are key triggers, causing physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that damage both employee wellbeing and organizational performance.
So you want to be an eLearning Developer?
Learn what skills and qualifications you need to succeed as an eLearning developer. This guide covers the essential competencies hiring managers expect, from instructional design and Adobe tools to project management and communication skills that modern learning developers must master.
A or B?
A survey of 907 people asked which training room layout they preferred: one with only documents and papers, or one with fidgeting materials and interactive items. Results showed 75% preferred the room with materials, while 14% preferred minimal distractions, and 11% gave conditional answers based on context.
Have You Asked Yourself These 5 Questions About YOUR Development?
Reflect on five essential questions about your personal development: How much time do you invest in self-improvement? Where do you want to be? How do you learn best? What matters most to you? And what challenges will push you forward?
It’s my 25th Anniversary!
The author celebrates 25 years of experience in training and development, working with children, young people, adults, and staff. They reflect on what drives passion for learning and development work.