Last week, I had the privilege of attending Learning Live—an event that falls slightly outside my usual scope. The main reason I was there was to support my esteemed colleague, Jo, Head of People, Culture and Learning here at ResourceiT. Jo was part of a panel discussion alongside other industry leaders, including Serena Gonsalves-Fersch, Global Head of Talent at SoftwareOne, and Lisa Molan, Product Marketing Director at LinkedIn – to say she was in good company would be an understatement!
The panel addressed the top five challenges facing learning leaders today. What stood out to me was the commonality of these challenges, with everyone sharing similar struggles. It’s always reassuring to know that many of us are navigating similar obstacles in the learning and development space.
There were a few takeout’s that really stood out for me:
Accessible Learning
A prominent theme was the need for customised learning paths. Learning is not a one-size-fits-all process with individuals instead requiring different approaches. The idea is that learners should be able to access content tailored to their unique needs, whether that’s learning different skills, using various platforms, or progressing at their own pace. In line with this, LinkedIn has introduced a framework to help with upskilling employees on AI across a wide range of roles and levels of proficiency. The framework tailors learning to fit the unique requirements of individual roles and then the different levels within those roles. It has curated learning paths featuring more than 50 LinkedIn Learning courses that can help lead your organisation’s AI upskilling efforts, making learning both accessible and adaptive.
This really struck a chord with me, as it mirrors the flexibility we offer through ResourceiT’s PowerUP training. Our courses are designed to be as adaptable as possible, whether that means delivering 60-minute virtual sessions, 2.5-hour workshops, or full-day, in-person training. Each course can be scaled and customised to meet the specific needs of our clients.
ROI and Impact Measurement
Measuring the return on investment (ROI) and impact of learning initiatives is an ongoing challenge, much like in marketing. For both disciplines, outcomes are rarely the result of a single effort—they rely on a mix of factors, including strong alignment with other teams, like sales or management.
In the context of learning, ensuring that the goals of the learning team are closely aligned with organisational objectives is crucial. Success hinges on collaboration and understanding between learning leaders and management to ensure the initiatives drive meaningful and impactful results.
Understanding your audience
Jo made a particularly impactful point during the discussion about the importance of understanding your audience to enhance engagement. When designing training programs, it’s essential to focus on the tools and knowledge that people are using in their daily roles and bringing it to life through real-world examples. This approach increases the relevance of the material, which in turn boosts retention and engagement—capturing that “use it or lose it” principle.
One interesting suggestion was to have the most engaged participants map out and share their learning journey. Not only does this deepen their personal understanding, but it also enhances the experience for others. When people see the real benefits of learning, it can inspire less engaged individuals to become more involved in their own development.
I previously touched on the power of our PowerUP training sessions. If you’d like to learn more about our PowerUP training sessions and how we can tailor them to meet your organisation’s needs, feel free to reach out – I’d love the opportunity to chat with you in more detail.
