The Business of Learning

The Business of Learning, Episode 60: Leading Learning in 2023

To kick of season 6 of “The Business of Learning,” we spoke with Kristin Davis, CPTM, training supervisor for the Wake County Government, Lauren Harris, CPTM, assistant director of training and development at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Amber Hancharick, CPTM, education and training manager at Northwest Bank, to learn what it takes to manage a thriving training function in 2023.

Tune in for expert insights on:

• How the training manager job role has evolved in recent years.
• The skills learning leaders need to manage training in 2023.
• How to mitigate burnout and prioritize your well-being as a busy training manager.

The Business of Learning, Episode 59: Building a Strategic Training Function

Ongoing Training Industry research has found that strategic alignment is the most important process capability of great training organizations. The training function is expected to support the business by delivering programs and initiatives that improve human performance and, as a result, business outcomes. However, building a strategic training function can be a challenge, especially as business needs shift and evolve.

In this episode of The Business of Learning, we sat down with Heather Balcerek, talent development program manager at Amazon, and Michael Poll, an experienced learning and development professional who has led learning functions in industries including pharmaceuticals, insurance, technology, oil and gas, and higher education, to hear what it takes to build a strategic training function.

The Business of Learning, Episode 58: Learning Tech, Simplified - How to Select and Manage Learning Technologies and Tools

Navigating the world of learning technologies can be daunting, to say the least. From tried-and-true learning management systems (LMSs) to virtual and augmented reality solutions, there’s no shortage of learning technologies on the market. However, selecting and managing learning technologies remains a challenge for even experienced learning leaders.

In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Kim Davis, CPTM, senior manager of comprehensive and innovative faculty development programs at the American College of Surgeons and an instructor for Training Industry’s Managing Remote Learning Certificate course, and Ted Schmitz, LMS program manager at Alight solutions, to learn more on:

• How to evaluate and select learning technologies strategically.
• The LMS integration process.
• How to gain buy-in to purchase a new learning technology.

The Business of Learning, Special Episode: Transformative Learning in the New World of Work

The world of work has transformed over the past few years, and the pace of change facing businesses around the world shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. In order to support employees in this new world of work, it makes sense that we need to transform our learning and development offerings, too. But how can learning leaders evolve their offerings to support modern learners, and what role does unlearning play in setting them up for success?

In this episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by Canvas, we spoke with Bruce Landry, managing partner and chief experience officer at Canvas, and Dr. Susan Gray, chief creative officer at Canvas, to find out the answers to these questions and more.

The Business of Learning, Episode 57: Thrive in the Age of Digital Transformation With Training and Development

Digital transformation is disrupting the way we work and learn, and many companies are struggling to keep pace. The digital skills gap continues to widen, and learning and development (L&D) leaders are tasked with delivering innovative programs and solutions that can help them navigate digital disruption and thrive in the future of work.

In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Dr. Kim Tran, vice president and head of talent management at Allstate, and Stephanie Woerner, principal research scientist of MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research, to learn more about how training and development can support organizations in the age of digital transformation. 

The Business of Learning, Special Episode: L&D at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – An Inside Look

In today's fast-paced business environment, a learning culture is a strategic business advantage. However, creating a  learning culture can seem daunting for even seasoned learning leaders.

This episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by KPMG Learning Services, offers an inside look at how the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (the "V.A.") created a culture of learning and growth by partnering with KPMG Learning Services. 

The Business of Learning, Episode 56: Learning Across the Employee Lifecycle - How Training Can Improve the Employee Experience

Employee engagement and retention remain two top challenges for business across industries. Learning and development (L&D) leaders can help by delivering training across the employee lifecycle, ensuring that learners receive the development opportunities they’re looking for — no matter where they are in their career journeys.

In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Dana Baker, Degreed engagement manager at Cisco, and Andy Schuster ,CPTM, senior training manager at Growmark, to learn more about delivering training across the employee lifecycle. 

The Business of Learning, Episode 55: How Training Can Support a Human-centered Workplace

Today's world of work is more human centered than ever. This brings both challenges ⁠— such as the increased need for soft (i.e., human) skills ⁠— and opportunities ⁠— such as greater flexibility in how we work and learn, as well as a greater emphasis on employee wellness and well-being.

In this episode of the Business of Learning, we spoke with Jen Dudeck, chief people officer at RedHat, and Bayan Qoul, CPTM, learning and development (L&D) specialist at Expedia Group, to learn more about how training can support a human-centered workplace. 

The Business of Learning, Episode 54: Learning Leader or Undercover Detective? Identifying Training Needs

Training Industry research has found that diagnostics — the process of identifying performance needs and determine whether or not training can solve them — is a key process capability of great training organizations. However, identifying training needs isn't easy ... especially in today's globally dispersed business environment.

To learn how learning leaders can channel their undercover detective persona and identify true learning needs, we spoke with Training Industry's Training Needs Assessment Certificate course instructor and learning and development (L&D) consultant Dr. Kate Hixson, along with Alexandra Kubebatu, CPTM, an instructional designer at USAA and Gifty Abagre-Laryea, CPTM, U.S. training manager at World Relief. 

The Business of Learning, Special Episode: Deliver Future-forward Training With AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already transformed how we shop, watch movies and surf the internet. Now, it's set to transform learning and development (L&D) — for the better. In this special episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by CYPHER Learning, we spoke with Graham Glass, founder and chief executive officer of CYPHER Learning, to learn more about AI-powered learning.

Listen now to learn more on: 

• How AI can help create personalized learning journeys. 
• How to begin adopting AI into your training programs. 
• How AI can deliver more effective training at scale.