Decisions, Decisions: How L&D Can Use Data to Gain Insight on Learning

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by Hallie Boger | April 22, 2019

Everyone needs to make a snap decision at some point their careers. There’s no data to base it on, no time to wait for it. So we follow our instincts, relying on our experience and know-how to make the call. But, deep down, we know that decisions are smarter if they’re informed by data. And there’s proof to support this gut feeling. In April 2017, Boston Consulting Group looked at the top 10 market cap companies and discovered that the top five positions were all held by data-driven companies: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook. A sixth data-driven company (Alibaba) rounded […]

How L&D Can Create More Effective Learner-Driven Experiences

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by Marisa Plowman | April 8, 2019

Today’s employees are increasingly driving their own learning experiences, so much so that those of us who are L&D professionals may ask ourselves what role we will be playing in the new DIY learning environment. The truth is that our role is evolving. Some of our work will shift from being in front of our learners to working behind the scenes, providing an “invisible hand” to guide our learners to ensure that their learning experiences are more effective. The good news: Today’s employees want to learn One of the most positive aspects of the learner-driven revolution is just how driven […]

What Cooking Can Teach You About Innovation and Creativity

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by Lizeth Aranda | April 4, 2019

The first time I made chocolate chip cookies they were so hard my husband nearly broke a tooth. When I was recently married, I decided to try a new cookie recipe: a simple chocolate chip cookie. As it was the first time I prepared them, I looked for a recipe and followed it to the letter. The smell and appearance of the cookies were spectacular, but when they cooled down and I gave them a taste they were rock hard! Luckily, not everything I’ve cooked has been a failure. I’ve been cooking since I was 12 years old and I […]

From Office Space to the Workforce of the Future

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by Marisa Plowman | April 2, 2019

On February 19, 1999, the cult-classic Office Space hit the big screen in the United States. It’s been 20 years since the endless jokes of “Can I have my stapler?” and “Mmmm yeah, I’m going to need you to go ahead and …” were embedded into the dialogue at just about any workplace. Fast forward 20 years and it’s astounding to see not just what has changed but also what has stayed the same. Re-watching the film today brings both a sense of nostalgia for what was and familiarity for what still is. There are some easy comparisons to make […]

Make Learning a Habit

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by Robert Jones | March 28, 2019

Forward-thinking organizations increasingly recognize that building a culture of learning is essential, and that 21st century “survive and thrive” requires employees who are continually acquiring new skills and knowledge. As recently as a few years ago, L&D could forge a culture of learning by providing formal, structured learning opportunities that took place in the classroom, online, or in blended mode. This approach still plays an important role, but as employees take on greater ownership of their personal and professional growth, L&D needs to make sure that they’re supporting their workforce’s DIY learning efforts. And that means putting the resources in […]