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Leadership is built through conversations, trust, and the willingness to learn from failure. In this episode, author Gregory Archbold discusses the lessons behind his book, Fail, Fight, Finish. From the power of listening first to creating buy-in during change, he shares practical leadership strategies that every manager, mentor, and learning professional can put into practice.

Show Notes:Author Gregory Archbolddiscusses trust, mentorship, communication, and leading through change. His key points include:

• Leadership begins with listening. Great leaders ask questions, create space for others to contribute, and speak last to build trust and develop future leaders.
• Mentorship is earned, not assigned. Strong mentoring relationships grow over time through curiosity, consistency, and a genuine commitment to learning.
• Create shared ownership during change. Leaders gain buy-in by involving people in developing solutions rather than presenting fully formed decisions.
• Challenge processes that no longer serve a purpose. Don't continue doing something simply because "we've always done it that way." Regularly evaluate whether processes still create value.
• Never become "content lazy." Leadership growth requires continuous learning through reading, mentoring, reflection, and seeking feedback—especially after receiving a promotion.

Learn more aboutGregory Archbold's book, Fail, Fight, Finish: Leadership Lessons You Don't Learn in the Classroom.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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What happens when AI makes creating learning content easier than ever? According to 7taps co-founder Ezra Charm, that's when the real work of learning and development begins. In this episode, Ezra joins the Powered by Learning team to discuss why the future of L&D is about more than creating content—it's about driving engagement, improving performance, and measuring impact.

Show Notes:

From the rise of the "LMS-less learner" to the role of AI in modern learning strategies, 7tap’s Ezra Charm shares why learning professionals have an opportunity to become more valuable than ever. Here are some of Ezra's top takeaways.

• AI is shifting L&D's role from content creation to performance improvement. As authoring becomes easier, learning professionals can focus on driving behavior change and demonstrating business value.
• Organizations don't have a content problem—they have an engagement problem. Success depends on delivering learning when and where employees need it, not simply creating more courses.
• Learning should meet employees where they work. Today's "LMS-less learner" expects learning to be accessible on any device, in the flow of work, rather than requiring a trip back into the LMS.
• Microlearning works because it's grounded in learning science. By respecting cognitive load, spaced repetition, and mobile-first behaviors, organizations can improve retention and application.
• The future of L&D is measuring impact. Learning teams that can connect training to business outcomes will move from being viewed as cost centers to strategic business partners.

Learn more about 7taps

Read more about d'Vinci's partnership with 7taps

About Ezra Charm:

Ezra Charm is Co-Founder and COO of 7taps, where he's spent years building the brand and go-to-market engine for the microlearning platform. A marketing leader with deep startup experience, he's known for challenging conventional L&D thinking and pushing teams to focus on business outcomes over completion metrics.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Artificial intelligence has made translation faster and more accessible than ever, but it isn’t the right solution for every learning project. Interpro Translation Solutions’ Nicholas Strozza, CEO, and Beshar Bahjat, Chief Technology Officer discuss how AI is changing translation, where human expertise remains essential, and what L&D leaders should consider when creating equitable learning experiences for multilingual audiences.

Show Notes:

Nicholas Strozza and Beshar Bahjat of Interpro Translation Solutions discuss the evolving role of AI in translation, the difference between translation and localization, and how organizations can balance speed, cost, quality, and learner experience when delivering training across languages. Key points include:

• Translation and localization are not the same thing. Translation converts content from one language to another, while localization adapts the entire learner experience—including language variations, imagery, audio, cultural references, and regional preferences.
• AI is a powerful starting point, not always a finished product. For many projects, AI can accelerate translation, but human review remains critical when accuracy, brand reputation, compliance, or learner safety are at stake.
• The right approach depends on your goals. Organizations should evaluate audience, content type, language, risk level, and long-term translation needs before deciding how much AI or human involvement is appropriate.
• Learning equity matters. Learners who speak another language deserve the same high-quality experience as English-speaking learners. Poor translations can negatively impact comprehension, engagement, accessibility, and training outcomes.
• Human expertise remains essential in the age of AI. Professional linguists increasingly serve as reviewers, editors, and quality experts who ensure translated content reflects local language, culture, terminology, and organizational standards.

Learn more about Interpro Translation Solutions

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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As Ollie's Bargain Outlet continues its rapid expansion across the United States, learning and development plays a critical role in preparing leaders at every level to succeed. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Navia Lee, Senior Manager of Training at Ollie's Bargain Outlet shares how her team supports more than 670 stores through leadership development, scalable training programs, and a growing culture of learning.

Show Notes: Navia Lee from Ollie's Bargain Outlet share how their leaders build capabilities in team members. Her insights include these key points.

• Leadership development happens in everyday moments. One of Ollie's key leadership messages is "Build riders, not dependents." The focus is on helping leaders move beyond simply providing answers and instead develop critical thinking, judgment, and capability in others.
• Training must be practical, scalable, and immediately applicable. With hundreds of stores and rapid growth, Ollie's prioritizes learning experiences that can be used right away. Content is intentionally concise, focused, and designed for real-world retail environments.
• Ollie's University is creating consistency across the organization. The company's new learning management system provides foundational training, role-based learning pathways, reporting capabilities, and sustainment tools that reinforce learning long after formal training events conclude.
• The most effective leadership programs prioritize application over presentation. Programs like Rising Stars have evolved from presentation-heavy sessions to blended learning experiences that combine self-paced learning, real-world assignments, peer discussions, and facilitated debriefs.
• AI is helping a lean L&D team move faster and smarter. Navia's team uses AI to streamline course development, create engaging content featuring Ollie's brand characters, analyze survey feedback, and increase efficiency—all while maintaining responsible governance and data security.

Learn more about Ollie's Bargain Outlet

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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From hands-on training and change management strategies to executive sponsorship and employee engagement, our guests Allison Meadows and Taylor Tagg explore practical lessons from Stratas Foods’ successful three-and-a-half-year ERP implementation. Learn how this leading supplier of fats, oils, mayonnaise, dressings and sauces kept their people at the center of the process to transform their business.

Show Notes:

Guests Allison Meadows and Taylor Tagg explore how Stratas Foods aligned training, change management, and executive support to implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that impacted all 1,200 employees.

• Change management and L&D must work together. Taylor Tagg explained that while learning and development and change management often operate differently, both rely heavily on listening, communication, and supporting employees through uncertainty.
• Hands-on learning drives adoption. Stratas Foods discovered that employees learned best by “getting in the sandbox” and practicing in real-world scenarios instead of relying solely on traditional instruction.
• Employee involvement increases buy-in. Allison Meadows shared how training became more effective when employees helped shape tools and job aids, transforming resistance into collaboration.
• Executive sponsorship is critical to success. Taylor emphasized that strong support from company leadership—including resources, visibility, and alignment—was essential to completing the transformation on time and under budget.
• Successful change focuses on people, not just processes. Both guests stressed that organizations can become overly focused on systems and workflows, but lasting change happens when employees feel supported, connected, and included throughout the process.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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What does it take to deliver impactful learning in a global, highly regulated industry? Tim Greiner, Senior Director of USP Education at the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a global nonprofit that sets quality standards for medicines, food, and dietary supplements, shares how USP delivers education at scale to ensure those standards are applied effectively across industries and regions to improve quality and protect public health.

Show Notes:

Senior Education Director Tim Greiner explains how USP delivers training that improves quality and performance. Key takeaways from the conversation include:

• Impact over completion: In regulated environments, training success is measured by behavior change and improved quality practices—not just course completion.
• Design for diverse, global audiences: Effective programs balance modalities, regional preferences, and roles (regulators, manufacturers, students) without overcomplicating delivery.
• Blended learning drives stronger outcomes: Live and live-virtual experiences tend to have the highest impact, especially when paired with self-paced resources for reinforcement.
• Operational discipline matters at scale: Managing global training requires strong processes—centralized content, regular reviews, and alignment with evolving standards.
• Microlearning in the flow of work is the future: Delivering targeted learning at the exact moment of need can significantly increase retention, application, and overall impact.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Education is key to preventing damage to underground infrastructure and keeping workers and communities safe. In this episode, Common Ground Alliance’s Erika Lee and Lisa O’Leary share how their Excavator Damage Prevention curriculum is using data-driven training to change behavior and reduce risk.

Show Notes:

CGA’s Erika Lee and Lisa O’Leary discuss how their comprehensive training curriculum is tackling the root causes of damage through education, accessibility, and industry collaboration. Their key points include:

• Education is the first line of defense against excavation damage: Erika Lee emphasized that if workers don’t understand risks and best practices, “we’re really not setting them up for success.”
• Failure to contact 811 remains the leading cause of damage: The top root cause year over year is not calling 811 before digging—highlighting a major opportunity for behavior change.
• Up to 65% of damage incidents are preventable through behavior change: The majority of incidents are tied to excavator actions that can be improved through targeted training, according to Erika.
• Microlearning and accessibility are key to adoption: Lisa O’Leary shared that short, 5–7 minute modules and mobile-friendly access make it easier for workers in the field to engage with training.
• Collaboration and consensus drive better outcomes: Common Ground Alliance’s consensus-based approach ensures diverse stakeholders align on best practices—strengthening both the curriculum and industry impact.

Learn more about Common Ground Alliance's education program.

Explore d'Vinci's work with Common Ground Alliance.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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How do you deliver consistent training across a global manufacturing workforce without losing the human element? McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavor and spice, is tackling that challenge head-on. Regional Training and Development Leader Courtney Johnson Wasylenko explains how structured onboarding, on-the-job learning, and career pathways come together to support growth at scale.

Show Notes:

Courtney Johnson Wasylenko shares a practical, human-centered approach to building skills, confidence, and long-term careers. Her key points include:

• Standardization + flexibility is key: McCormick establishes consistent training frameworks across sites while allowing for local customization to reflect unique equipment, teams, and challenges.
• Onboarding builds both skills and community: A structured five-day onboarding program introduces culture, safety, and quality—while helping new hires form connections that support long-term success.
• Learning happens best on the job: Hands-on training, repetition, and immediate application are prioritized over classroom instruction to improve retention and real-world performance.
• Career pathways drive engagement and retention: Clear, flexible growth paths—including both vertical and lateral movement—help employees see a future within the organization and stay motivated.
• AI is a tool—not a replacement: AI is improving efficiency and access to information, but human oversight, strong content systems, and thoughtful implementation are critical to making it meaningful.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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At kdc/one, learning is more than a support function—it’s a driver of business performance. In this episode, kdc/one’s Director of Learning and Development Sharron Northern shares how she’s building a global strategy that simplifies complexity, aligns with business goals, and creates real demand for development.

Show Notes:

Kdc/one’s Sharron Northern focuses on simplifying systems, focusing on leaders and creating meaningful learning experiences to drive engagement and performance. Her top takeaways include:

• Start with what leaders care about. Align learning initiatives to real business priorities to quickly build trust and demonstrate value.
• Create a “pull” for learning—not just push. When learning solves real problems, leaders actively seek it out, increasing engagement and impact.
• Simplify to scale. Breaking down complex systems and focusing on clear priorities enables global organizations to move faster and more effectively.
• Integrate learning into performance systems. Embedding development into performance management ensures learning is reinforced, measured, and sustained.
• Design for engagement and application. Interactive elements like role play, peer discussion, and even gamification—when used intentionally—drive retention and behavior change.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Artificial intelligence is changing how learning teams work, but Chick-fil-A Learning Partner Lauren LePage believes the future of L&D goes well beyond automation. Hear her thoughtful perspective on how AI combined with human insight, care, and curiosity can efficiently deliver more strategic and creative learning solutions.

Show Notes:

Chick-fil-A’s Lauren LePage explores what it takes to use AI responsibly without losing the human connection that makes learning experiences truly resonate. Here are her key takeaways.

• AI should support learning strategy, not replace human judgment. Lauren makes the case that AI can be valuable for automation, speed, and creativity, but L&D professionals still carry the responsibility of making sure training is accurate, meaningful, and behaviorally sound.
• Human connection is not optional in L&D. Lauren emphasizes that while AI can help execute strategy, humans are the ones who build culture, create trust, and shape remarkable learning experiences.
• Not every use of AI requires the same level of human involvement. She introduces the idea of human “in the loop,” “on the loop,” and “outside the loop,” helping L&D practitioners think more clearly about when people should direct, review, or limit AI’s role.
• AI can save time in content development and scenario building. Lauren shares practical examples of using AI to support content creation, generate questions, surface answers from complex documents, and build realistic learning scenarios more efficiently.
• Great learning starts with curiosity and emotional readiness. Lauren reminds listeners that learners do not become true learners just because they show up. It takes intentional design, human understanding, and subtle moments that spark curiosity and create the conditions for learning to happen.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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The 2026 Learning and Development Global Sentiment Survey is here, and lead researcher and author Donald H. Taylor joins us to unpack insights from more than 3,500 L&D professionals worldwide. This year’s survey shows rising pressure to demonstrate value, evolving perspectives on AI, and the challenges shaping the future of the profession.

Show Notes:

Donald Taylor discusses what this year’s results reveal about the state of L&D and why the future of L&D may depend on stronger relationships, smarter use of data, and a willingness to rethink familiar approaches.

• L&D leaders are being asked to do more with less. Don said budget pressure remains a major theme, with many professionals focused on proving value while protecting their teams and resources.
• AI is still dominant, but the conversation is maturing. Don noted that AI is no longer just about faster content creation. More leaders are thinking about how it can support skills, practice, simulation, and new kinds of learning experiences.
• Showing value is now a top concern. According to Don, this has risen to an all-time high, driven in part by concern over jobs, budgets, and the need to connect learning more clearly to performance.
• Data matters, but relationships matter just as much. Don emphasized that L&D cannot make better use of data without building trust and relationships across the organization. Access to useful business data depends on those connections.
• The most confident L&D leaders are better networked. Don observed that the people most ready to take action and try new things are often the ones with stronger internal and external networks to support them.

Read the 2026 Global L&D Sentiment Survey

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Law enforcement training has to evolve as fast as the world officers work in. In this episode of Powered by Learning, ILEETA Executive Director Ray Merlin and Deputy Director Joe Willis share how ILEETA supports a global “tribe of trainers” focused on instructor excellence, year-round learning, and a conference built to recharge and raise the standard.

Show Notes:

ILEETA’s Ray Merlin and Joe Willisexplain ILEETA’s mission to inspire excellence across the training ecosystem. Their key takeaways include:

1. ILEETA’s “north star” is instructor excellence—not just topics. Joe emphasizes that ILEETA is “a community that happens to have an outstanding conference,” built to elevate instructorship year-round.
2. Law enforcement training pressure isn’t one issue—it’s everything, across roles. Ray notes that the training ecosystem spans far beyond patrol (corrections, federal, military, dispatch, and more), and the goal is continuous improvement in performance.
3. The best modality is intentional blended learning—synthetic + live, with pre- and post-learning. Joe highlights that VR/AR/simulators and distance learning are powerful, but they work best when designed to set up instruction and reinforce learning afterward.
4. Just-in-time refreshers matter because forgetting is real. Joe points to the value of quick, well-designed “bump” resources (the way people use short videos for quick help) to support recall and performance in the field.
5. The biggest opportunity is staying relevant by connecting “pockets of excellence.” Ray frames it as ongoing evolution and professionalism; Joe adds that ILEETA helps connect emerging research and field innovations by bringing the right people together to “connect the dots.”

Learn more about ILEETA

Learn more about d'Vinici's work in law enforcement

Editor’s Note: Edward J. Nowicki, who is referenced in this episode, was the founder of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. Harvey Hedden, who is also referred to, is the immediate past executive director. Learn more about ILEETA’s leadership team.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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What does it take to scale disability inclusion across an entire workforce? In this episode, National Organization on Disability leaders Beth Sirull and Sara Walsh explain how the EnAble Learning digital training system helps organizations embed inclusion, adaptability, and workforce readiness into their everyday operations.

Show Notes:

Beth Sirull and Sara Walsh of the National Organization on Disability share how their new EnAble Learning courses are helping organizations of all sizes create welcoming, productive workplaces through engaging, accessible online training. Here are some of their key points:

• Disability inclusion is a business imperative, not philanthropy. Beth Sirull shared that companies fully integrating disability inclusion hire twice as many people with disabilities—and promote five times as many—demonstrating measurable business impact.
• Most disabilities are invisible—and often undisclosed. Beth emphasized that the majority of disabilities are not visible, and disclosure rates are low due to stigma, making proactive inclusion essential.
• Scalable, on-demand training increases access and impact. Sara Walsh explained that EnAble Learning was created to make high-quality disability inclusion training accessible to organizations of all sizes, especially those unable to support in-person sessions.
• Engagement and relevance were non-negotiable in the digital experience. Sara noted that the courses were intentionally designed to be interactive, practical, and manager-focused—avoiding “click-through” compliance training in favor of meaningful learning.
• Inclusion benefits everyone—and anyone can join the disability community at any time. Sara pointed out that disability is a community anyone may become part of at any stage of life, reinforcing why inclusive practices matter across the entire workforce.

Learn more about National Organization on Disability's enAble Learning

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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What happens when decades of trusted learning and development expertise meet purpose-built AI? In this episode, Ken Taylor, CEO of Training Industry, and Amanda Longo, Vice President of Brand Strategy, explore TIA, Training Industry’s new AI-powered assistant, designed specifically for L&D professionals to support learning strategy and performance.

Show Notes:

Ken Taylor and Amanda Longo from Training Industry share the benefits of their organization’s AI Agent TIA including these key points:

• TIA is built for L&D and nothing else. Unlike general AI tools, TIA is trained exclusively on Training Industry’s vetted content, including research reports, articles, webinars, and expert contributions. This ensures responses are relevant, credible, and grounded in the realities of learning and development work.
• Transparency and attribution are non-negotiable. A core design principle of TIA is showing users exactly where information comes from. Every response is sourced, allowing learning leaders to explore original articles, compare perspectives, and build confidence in the guidance they receive.
• Guardrails matter for trust and quality. TIA is intentionally limited to Training Industry’s content ecosystem. If the answer isn’t there, TIA says so—reducing AI hallucinations and reinforcing integrity over convenience.
• TIA supports preparation, not content creation. TIA isn’t meant to replace instructional designers or subject matter experts. Instead, it helps learning leaders think through structure, strategy, and next steps—making the human work faster and more informed.
• AI works best when paired with community. TIA is designed to complement Training Industry’s peer and expert network. Learning leaders can use AI-generated insights as a springboard into conversations with practitioners, contributors, and Training Industry staff—turning AI into a catalyst for connected learning.

Related Articles:

[Product Demo] Meet Tia, Your AI Agent for Solving L&D Challenges

How Training Industry Turned Two Decades of Knowledge Into an AI Agent: A Case Study

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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When done well, learning design grabs participants’ attention like a great marketing campaign and engages them emotionally and intellectually to make learning stick. That’s the premise of “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro,” a book written by our guests Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann. In this episode, you will learn how to elevate traditional training approaches with marketing tools such as learner personas, journey mapping, and content strategy that come together in high impact learning campaigns.

Show Notes: Co-authors Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann share some of the top takeaways from their book, “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro,” to help you create experiences that learners crave.

• L&D can learn a lot from marketing. Marketers know the value of making an emotional connection with their audience —L&D should too. Applying marketing principles can help learning designers create experiences that boost performance and influence behavior.
• Learner personas are foundational, not optional. Understanding who learners are, what they need, and what motivates them is critical to designing content that resonates and sticks.
• Journey mapping helps deliver learning at the right moment. Mapping the learner journey allows L&D teams to support employees before, during, and after key moments—not just during formal training events.
• Content strategy drives behavior change. When personas, journey maps, and content strategy work together, learning becomes more targeted, improving proficiency and long-term behavior change.
• It all comes together in a Learning Campaign. Smaller, well-timed content—resources, nudges, and reinforcements—create more impact than one-time standalone training events.
• Success is measured beyond completion rates. True learning impact shows up in measuring performance, confidence, and on-the-job behavior—not just in LMS reports.

Learn more about Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro

Connect with Mike

Connect with Bianca

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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What does it take to build a learning culture that truly sticks? Brad Garfinkel, Vice President of Learning and Development at Members 1st Federal Credit Union shares how a clearly defined culture — grounded in the belief that “we is greater than me” — shapes everything from onboarding and frontline training to leadership development and career pathways.

Show Notes:

Members 1st VP of Learning and Development Brad Garfinkel offers many practical, inspirational and actionable ways to make learning an integral part of any organization.

• Culture must be embedded from day one: At Members 1st, learning starts on day one with a consistent message: culture isn’t a slogan — it’s a daily practice reinforced through onboarding, training, and coaching.
• “We is greater than me” drives learning design: This simple but powerful mindset shapes how training is built, delivered, and reinforced, helping employees see their role within a larger team and mission.
• Listening builds credibility for L&D: Brad’s organization-wide listening tour helped reposition learning and development as a strategic partner, not just a support function for frontline roles.
• Personalized pathways outperform one-size-fits-all training: By using flexible learning pathways, hybrid delivery models, and hands-on coaching, Members 1st meets learners where they are — and accelerates growth.
• Career exploration fuels engagement and retention: Programs like leadership development tracks and internal apprenticeships allow employees to explore new roles, build skills, and envision long-term careers within the organization.

Read the book Brad referenced, Attitude is Everything : 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action By Keith Harrell

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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What happens when classic instructional design models meet cutting-edge AI tools? In this episode of Powered by Learning, Transcarent's Director of Learning and Development Sheldon Thomas talks about applying the ADDIE model to a modern healthcare call center environment, from multi-stage onboarding to AI-enabled simulations. Learn how his team balances speed, personalization, and strong design to deliver training that actually changes performance.

Show Notes:

Transcarent's Director of Learning and Development Sheldon Thomas shares how his team uses AI-driven role plays, performance coaching, and thoughtful design to prepare team members for complex member conversations. His key takeaways include:

• Align L&D to business outcomes. Sheldon shares how Transcarent’s learning strategy mirrors the company’s mission to improve member health outcomes—using the ADDIE model to connect learner needs, performance metrics, and measurable impact.
• Design a multi-layered onboarding journey. New Performance Development Coaches move through a blended learning experience that combines instructor-led training, self-paced eLearning, performance development coaches, and a “cocooning” phase with supervisors to build both competence and confidence.
• Use AI role plays to make practice realistic and scalable. AI-driven simulations on Udemy’s platform allow health guides to practice complex conversations, demonstrate empathy, and navigate systems in a realistic, time-bound environment—without pulling live agents off the phones.
• Balance interactivity with meaningful design. While AI tools in Storyline and Rise accelerate development, Sheldon emphasizes that true design goes beyond uploading content—it’s about curating experiences that are both Interactive and genuinely engaging.
• Look ahead to real-time, personalized performance support. Sheldon envisions AI delivering just-in-time coaching immediately after calls and targeting specific skill gaps, moving beyond one-size-fits-all training to truly personalized learning in the flow of work.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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How does a three-person L&D team support 23,000 associates across seven states? In this episode, Chris Chappell, Director of Learning & Development at Weis Markets, shares how servant leadership, clear career paths, and just-in-time video microlearning are elevating the employee experience—and the customer experience—across retail, manufacturing, and logistics.

Show Notes:

Weis Market’s Chris Chappell offers many key takeaways to empower team members to succeed. His top points include:

• Lead as a servant, not a boss. Chris Chappell centers L&D on servant leadership—meeting associates’ needs, anchoring to mission, and role-modeling behaviors so people trust and follow.
• Career paths + strong leadership = retention. Provide clear growth paths and accountable leaders. Weis Markets’ leadership development now spans five levels and correlates with higher engagement and reduced turnover that is 20–25 points lower than retail averages.
• Make learning “in the moment.” Snapshot video microlearning—accessed via QR codes embedded in SOPs—powers fast cross-training (e.g., moving a bakery associate to deli) and reduces friction during call-offs.
• Do fewer things, better. “Ruthless prioritization” keeps work aligned to mission, strategy, core operations, and compliance. The team consolidated ~1,798 courses to ~800 and is rebuilding high-value content for mobile delivery in Workday Learning.
• Build a distributed training network. Centralize standards and content, then empower expert trainers across departments to deliver. Add feedback loops with structured homework and report-outs so learners hold themselves accountable.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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The advertising agency business is rapidly changing making learning and development more essential than ever. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Sean McGlade, Senior Vice President of Talent and Learning Solutions at the 4As, shares how the association provides agencies of all sizes with innovative learning experiences that keep their business leaders, media strategists and technical and creative teams ahead of the competition.

4As Sean McGlade explains how hisorganization equips member agencies to upskill talent, embrace AI, and build future-ready teams. Here are some of his key takeaways.

• Learning is a stabilizer during change. Communicating and investing in L&D helps employees feel supported and confident as industries evolve.
• AI is reshaping roles—and training must evolve too. The 4As is using AI to personalize on-demand learning and enhance creativity while keeping the human element central.
• Cohort and community learning strengthen culture. Bringing learners together fosters engagement, inclusion, and real-world application.
• Subscription models reduce barriers to professional development. The 4As new approach simplifies access to learning while meeting agencies where they are.
• Partnerships and curation amplify impact. A small but mighty L&D team at the 4As collaborates with subject-matter experts and members to deliver relevant, high-quality training at scale.

Learn more about the 4As

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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UGI Corporation’s Global Enterprise Lead, Learning & Development Wendy Laverty shares how “Breakthrough Thinking” is reshaping leadership, structure, and strategy at UGI. She explains how a series of workshops with team members has encouraged intentional reflection, language, and a culture of curiosity that’s unlocking new solutions and sustainable change.

Show Notes:

UGI’s Wendy Laverty shares many inspirational and actionable ways to inspire better thinking that leads to sustainable change. Her key points include:

• Breakthrough Thinking is intentional, not accidental. Leaders at UGI are asking “I wonder why/if/how…” to challenge assumptions, see blind spots, and design new pathways instead of defaulting to past practice.
• Language shapes outcomes. Words “get caught like colds.” The way leaders speak influences mindsets, behaviors, and results—so UGI is practicing saying the future they intend to create, then aligning actions to it.
• Structure enables speed. AmeriGas (a UGI company) shifted to a decentralized, pod-based model—returning authority to frontline managers, running weekly problem-solving calls, and using focus groups to surface gaps and improve the system.
• Trust + feedback fuel change.Transparent, authentic feedback sessions—and a bias toward curiosity over criticism—are building a culture where learning is continuous and leaders model the behavior they want to see.
• Lead with “both–and” and look ahead to AI-first learning. UGI equips leaders to hold healthy polarities (e.g., candor and diplomacy) and is exploring AI-first learning approaches to personalize development and drive measurable business results.

Wendy recommends the following books:

Navigating Polarities Using Thinking Transformation

Learning Revolution

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Our guest Mike Kaput of SmarterX takes us inside the new AI Academy, a membership-based learning platform for organizations and individuals. Find out how their AI Academy delivers AI literacy for all—through frameworks, certifications, and personalized learning journeys that help organizations roll out AI training responsibly and at scale.

Show Notes:

Mike Kaput, Chief Content Officer at SmarterX explains how they are creating and distributing learning experiences in a fast-moving environment. Some of his key points include:

• AI literacy is step one for everyone. Every role needs a baseline understanding of what AI is, what it can do, and how to apply it—before tools or advanced use cases.
• Teach frameworks, not prescriptions. Because AI changes fast, focus training on durable models and principles learners can reuse as tools evolve.
• Blend evergreen with “live” learning. Pair on-demand eLearning courses (Foundations → Piloting → Scaling) with timely elements—Academy Live sessions, weekly gen-AI app reviews, and community—to keep skills current.
• Make it measurable and meaningful. Certification paths include quizzes and final exams; departmental/industry tracks signal practical, job-relevant competence (with digital badging on the roadmap).

About SmarterX:

SmarterX is an AI research and education firm and parent company of AI Academy, The Artificial Intelligence Show, and Marketing AI Institute. Learn more about the AI Academy.

Listen to The Artificial Intelligence Show

About Mike Kaput:

Mike Kaput is a marketing and business AI expert, speaker, and author. In his role as Marketing AI Institute’s Chief Content Officer, he uses dozens of powerful AI tools daily to increase productivity and performance across hundreds of use cases. And his actionable talks can teach you and your team how to do the same thing. Mike’s talks help companies of every size in any industry to capture massive productivity and performance gains using practical AI knowledge, use cases, and tools. They also make AI approachable and accessible for professionals at every level and in every function.The result is that companies in every industry—including The Financial Times, Vimeo, and Vodafone—have come away from Mike’s talks armed with everything they need to start building a competitive advantage with AI.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Powered by Learning with a special conversation with past podcast guests Dr. Kristal Walker, Marjorie Van Roon, Ajay Pangarkar, Robyn DeFelice, and Connie Malamed. Together, we reflect on the past five years in L&D—AI’s promise (and limits), the rise of data-informed decisions, accountability for performance and ROI, and the renewed push for personalized, human-centered learning. Listen for an energizing look at where L&D is headed—and how your organization can evolve.

Show Notes:

Our podcast guests and co-hosts share practical perspectives you can use now while looking ahead to the future of L&D.

• AI is a powerful assistant and creative partner—use it to draft content, visuals, questions, and interactions, but always apply expert human review to ensure accuracy and instructional soundness. - Connie Malamed, Mastering Instructional Design Community
• The real shift is toward data and performance—L&D must tighten its partnership with the business, lead with data-informed decisions, and mature its advisory role. - Robyn DeFelice, Learning Strategist
• Treat AI as an accelerator, not a replacement—let it handle the basics so teams can focus on human-centered elements; expect growing emphasis on professional upskilling and certifications to keep a “seat at the table.” - Dr. Kristal Walker, VP Employee Wellbeing, Sweetwater
• Accountability is rising—L&D must show performance and financial impact. Build financial literacy to demonstrate value or risk losing resources to other priorities. - Ajay Pangarkar, Author & Speaker
• AI boosts brainstorming, editing, translation, and recommendations, but watch for bias, hallucinations, and cultural nuance; learners prefer shorter, visual, sometimes in-person experiences, and Gen Alpha will amplify demand for interactive, gamified learning. - Marjorie Van Roon, Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Best Buy Canada

The d’Vinci co-hosts also shared some important key points:

• AI is still in its early days for L&D—what matters most is balancing ethical use with creating better, higher-impact learning. Instructional designers must remain the “human check and balance” to avoid bias, hallucinations, or copyright issues. - Luke Kempski, d’Vinci CEO
• AI works best as a creative partner and brainstorming tool. At d’Vinci, teams use it across functions—from design to strategy to development—but always within clear governance policies that align with client expectations. - Mason Scuderi, d’Vinci President
• The rising learner demand for convenient, relevant, and personal training is pushing L&D professionals to grow their own design and consulting skills. The biggest opportunity ahead is balancing business impact with meaningful learner experiences. Jenny Fedullo, d’Vinci Learning Experience Director

Read the extended show notes and get links to past Powered by Learning podcast episodes featuring today's guest on d'Vinci's website.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Instructional design isn’t just about what learners know—it’s about what they can do. In this episode, Dr. Karl Kapp discusses his new book, Action First Learning, and why engagement, application, and challenge are essential for lasting impact.

Show Notes:

Karl Kapp challenges traditional instructional design methods and introduces ideas that inspire lasting behavior change from learners. His key takeaways include:

• Design for Application, Not Absorption: Action First Learning emphasizes giving learners opportunities to apply concepts right away. By focusing on real-world tasks and challenges from the start, training becomes more relevant, memorable, and impactful.
• Desirable Difficulties Improve Retention: Learning that feels too easy may not stick. Struggles—when designed well—lead to deeper understanding, stronger memory, and long-term performance.
• Reflection Is Essential for Learning: Without intentional reflection, learners may have experiences but miss the lessons. Instruction should include built-in prompts or creative methods to encourage personal reflection.
• Effective Learning Doesn’t Require Expensive Tech: High-impact learning experiences can be created using simple tools like card games, role-plays, or branching scenarios. It's the design, not the delivery method, that matters most.
• Gamification Is Evolving—And So Should We: Today’s most effective gamified learning emphasizes strategy, feedback, and motivation—not just points and badges. The future lies in designing experiences, not rewards.

Read more from Dr. Karl Kapp

Beyond Gamification: A Move Toward Action-First Learning (published by ATD)

Action First Learning (plus Instructor’s Guide, Learning Tools, and Coloring Page published by ATD)

Actions Speak Louder than Words: Why Action First Learning is the Key to Real World Preparedness (Published in Training Industry)

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Designing training that is engaging, compassionate and informative is key for instructional designer Hallie Martyniuk, principal at TD3 Consulting. She shares how working in crime victim services has shaped her approach to designing learning about subjects that need to be addressed with sensitivity.

Show Notes:

Instructional Designer and educator HallieMartyniuk shares advice on handling the challenges of delivering effective training on some of the most sensitive topics imaginable including sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse. Her key points include:

• Trauma-Informed Design Is Essential: When creating training around sensitive topics like sexual violence or abuse, it’s critical to assume learners may have personal experience with trauma. Being trauma-informed means balancing emotional content with careensuring that scenarios serve clear learning objective.
• Make Training Relevant Through Real-Life Scenarios: Adult learners need to see how training applies to their day-to-day roles. Even with dry content like policy and procedure, Hallie recommends integrating realistic situations to make the material more engaging and memorable.
• Engagement Goes Beyond Clicking ‘Next’: Poorly designed e-learning often feels like a glorified PowerPoint. The best training starts with real-life context, asks questions, and builds in critical thinking to keep learners actively involved.
• Work Closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Instructional designers don’t need to be experts in every topic—but they do need to ask the right questions. Hallie stresses collaborating with SMEs to understand key concepts, vocabulary, and cultural nuances.
• Support Learners Beyond the Screen: Sensitive training content can trigger emotional responses. Designers should plan for this by offering resources like hotlines or support contacts in the “where to go” section and preparing facilitators to handle disclosures with compassion and care.

Hallie Martyniuk serves as a consultant for one of d’Vinci’s educational products, Mandated Reporter Academy.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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When every second counts, the right training can make all the difference. Ken Zipovsky, Grants Manager and Technology Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, joins us to share how the Pennsylvania Virtual Training Network (PAVTN) is transforming law enforcement education. Discover how online training helps officers stay prepared, adapt to new technology, and meet evolving community expectations.

Show Notes:

Ken Zipovsky from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police shares how PAVTN ensures officers have the skills and confidence they need. His key points include the following:

• Training Saves Lives – Ongoing, quality training ensures officers respond effectively, ethically, and safely in high-pressure situations.
• Technology is a Game-Changer – From body cameras to VR simulations, modern tools demand updated training strategies.
• Flexibility Matters – Online platforms like PAVTN make training accessible anytime, reducing scheduling and logistical challenges.
• Microlearning & Scenario-Based Training are the Future – Short, targeted learning moments and real-world simulations improve knowledge retention and decision-making.
• Data Drives Improvement – Reporting tools help justify funding, identify training gaps, and shape future initiatives for law enforcement education.

Learn more about d’Vinci’s work with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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When Penske Logistics set out to build a training curriculum for operations managers, they decided to go beyond eLearning and job aids—they added a powerful new tool: internal podcasts. Pat Schneider, Senior L&D Consultant at Penske Logistics shares how his team uses podcasts to bring authentic leadership voices to the forefront of learning.

Show Notes: Penske Logistics is using storytelling to connect daily tasks with strategic goals. Pat Schneider shares how podcasting is reshaping learning at his company and how others can use this tool to educate learners.

• Podcasts Fill the Strategy-Tactic Gap: Podcasts offered Penske Logistics a way to connect high-level strategic themes to day-to-day operational tactics—complementing eLearning and job aids.
• Authenticity Drives Engagement: Informal, conversation-style podcasts made leadership insights more relatable and encouraged repeat listening from learners.
• Pre-Interviews Build Rapport and Quality: Conducting pre-recording interviews helped guests feel at ease, ensured technical readiness, and fostered authentic discussion.
• Metrics and Feedback Matter: The Penske Logistics team uses listener analytics and learner feedback to refine their content, improve engagement, and track success.
• Put Learners First: From topic selection to guest preparation, every decision is grounded in learner needs—ensuring relevance and impact.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Members of Central PA ATD’s leadership—Phyllis Metzler, Gina Sweeney, and Robyn DeFelice talk about the power of community, mentorship, and stepping up to lead. Discover how joining and volunteering with ATD helped them grow their careers and their networks—and how it can do the same for you.

Show Notes: The current, past and future presidents of the Central PA Chapter of ATD share their journeys with the organization and how being involved has helped shape them as professionals. Their key takeaways include:

• You don’t have to lead to learn – Phyllis Metzler emphasized that no matter your level of involvement—attending events, volunteering, or joining the board—you will get something out of the experience.
• Volunteering fuels growth – Robyn DeFelice shared how volunteering with ATD reignited her passion and helped her reconnect with the real-world challenges of learning professionals, breaking the isolation of independent consulting.
• Professional groups are “backstage passes” to the industry – Gina Sweeney described her involvement with Central PA ATD as a way to stay current, share challenges, and exchange ideas that lead to better solutions at work.
• Leadership is a shared journey – The guests all stressed that stepping into a leadership role isn’t about knowing everything—it's about being supported by a strong team and being willing to grow. “No one lets you fail,” Phyllis reassured.
• One small step can lead to big impact – Whether it’s attending a local event, joining a coffee chat, or volunteering to greet others at a conference, each leader encouraged listeners to “just show up” and see where it leads.

Learn more about the Central PA Chapter of ATD

Discover ATD

Check out ATD's Talent Development Capability Model

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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At Flagger Force, safety is more than policy—it’s their culture. And it starts with smart, accessible training and open communication. Luke Lazar and Leslie McRobbie of Flagger Force, an industry-leading, short-term traffic control company, share how their “In the Zone” app and FF Learn microlearning program are keeping thousands of field employees engaged, informed, and safe every single day.

Show Notes:

Chances are that if you drive in a region where Flagger Force is working, their team members have guided you safely through a construction zone. Luke Lazar and Leslie McRobbie of Flagger Force share how innovative strategies—from mobile apps to microlearning—are enhancing safety, engagement, and company culture. Key takeaways include:

• Meet Learners Where They Are—Literally: Use mobile-first platforms for communication and training with employees in the field. Choose tools that mimic social apps your employees already use for easy adoption and engagement.
• Keep It Short, Consistent, and Relevant: Build a regular cadence of bite-sized content. Prioritize clarity, brevity, and usefulness over length and formality.
• Listen First, Then Train: Actively monitor employee feedback channels. Use those insights to shape or update training in real-time.
• Create Clear, Structured Learning Pathways: Map out clear development tracks with self-paced content and targeted skill-building that employees can follow at their own speed.
• Use Technology to Reinforce Confidence in the Field: Consider QR codes, AR, or interactive guides to offer just-in-time training—especially for tools, processes, or tasks that aren’t used every day.

About Flagger Force

Flagger Force is a Safety-Driven®, industry-leading, short-term traffic control company serving the eastern United States. We leverage our best-in-class resources and expertise to support the nation’s expanding utilities, telecommunications, and other infrastructure-centered needs. We are committed to keeping our communities moving and that goes beyond traffic control. We strive to provide career and personal growth opportunities and give back to the communities where we live and work.

Learn more about Flagger Force microlearning technology partner, EduMe.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Find out how Mid Penn Bank is reimagining workforce development with Mid Penn University. University Director and VP Scott Bostjancic shares how a visionary leadership team, high-end tech, and a commitment to personalized, skills-based learning are transforming training—and empowering employees at every level to grow their careers.

Show Notes:

Scott Bostjancic, Vice President and Director of Mid Penn University at Mid Penn Bank shares these takeaways to build a successful skills-based training program.

• Secure Executive Champions Early: Get buy-in from leadership to elevate learning from a support function to a strategic priority. Mid Penn’s success starts with a CEO and executive team who believe in the value of education. Engage your leaders, align on a shared vision, and make learning part of the company’s growth strategy.
• Build a Scalable Learning Model with a Small, Focused Team: Create processes that empower a lean team to deliver high-volume, high-quality training.You don’t need a huge staff—Mid Penn’s six-person team runs 500+ instructor-led classes annually by partnering with internal experts and standardizing course creation and delivery.
• Make Culture Part of Your Learning Strategy: Train not just for skills, but for values and behaviors that define your organization.Mid Penn embeds cultural training into its programs to reinforce what sets the bank apart. Develop courses that teach not only the “how” but also the “why” behind your company’s way of doing business.
• Use Technology to Eliminate Geographic Barriers: Invest in virtual tools and smart classrooms that support blended learning.Mid Penn leverages WebEx-enabled spaces, smart boards, and video content to train employees across regions. Design learning environments that feel just as engaging remotely as in person.
• Leverage AI to Drive Personalized, Skills-Based Development: Implement an LMS with AI capabilities to recommend content and map career growth. Mid Penn’s LMS helps employees build skills through personalized recommendations and supports the shift to a skills-based organization. Use AI to streamline performance reviews, development plans, and upskilling.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Digital cohort-based learning programs that combine live sessions with interactive assignments and peer collaboration are increasing in popularity especially in leadership development. This is apparent in Brandon Hall Group’s recent study “Igniting the Leadership Spark.” TheirPrincipal Analyst Matt Pittman shares his insights on the study and what’s behind the growth of cohort-based approaches.

Show Notes:

Brandon Hall Group Principal Analyst Matt Pittman shares the best practices that make up digital cohort-based leadership development.

• Cohort-Based Learning Is Here to Stay: Adoption of digital cohort-based learning has jumped from 27% in 2020 to 69% in 2024, driven by the need for scalable, cost-effective leadership development in remote and hybrid environments.
• Technology Simplicity and Integration Are Crucial: Success hinges on a user-friendly tech stack—ideally with a single access point for learners—that integrates live sessions, asynchronous content, collaboration tools, and progress tracking.
• Design for Engagement, Not Just Delivery: Virtual cohorts must be structured with interactivity in mind. Tools like breakout rooms, polls, whiteboards, and gamification help enhance engagement, as long as they align with learning objectives.
• Facilitators Need New Skills and Support: Leading digital cohorts requires facilitators to be tech-savvy and when possible supported by producers or moderators who can manage live session logistics, ensuring smooth learner experiences.
• Long-Term Impact Measurement Is Essential: Beyond course completion, organizations should evaluate leadership growth by tracking outcomes like internal promotions, retention, and on-the-job performance over time.

Read “Leveraging Cohort-Based Learning for Leader Development”

Learn more about the Brandon Hall Group

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Donald Taylor, longtime learning and development leader and chair of the Learning Technologies Conference, unpacks the findings from the 2025 L&D Global Sentiment Survey. Hear what surprised him most, why AI remains a dominant focus, and how L&D professionals are responding to increasing pressure to prove value and do more with less.

SHOW NOTES:

Donald Taylor shares a timely look at where the industry is heading—and why it matters. His key takeaways include:

AI Dominates—AgainFor the second year in a row, AI received unprecedented support in the L&D Global Sentiment Survey, signaling not just hype but real momentum in how professionals are exploring its potential—especially for internal efficiencies.

Value Matters More Than Ever"Showing value" made a strong comeback in this year’s survey results, reflecting a growing urgency among L&D teams to demonstrate their impact in measurable terms, especially in resource-constrained environments.

Data-Driven Strategy Is RisingThe most popular trends—including upskilling, reskilling, and learning analytics—require robust data strategies. L&D is shifting from delivery methods to understanding workforce capabilities at a deeper level.

The "Do More With Less" RealityResource limitations were the fastest-growing challenge cited by respondents. As budgets tighten, L&D professionals are being asked to deliver greater impact with fewer people, tools, and time.

Building Relationships Is Still FoundationalAmid all the tech shifts, Taylor emphasizes that personal connection remains essential. Strategic L&D leaders build credibility by getting out of their offices, listening to business needs, and aligning learning to organizational goals.

Read more about the 2025 Global L&D Sentiment Survey

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Lee Travis, Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environment at Equix, discusses how organizations can move beyond compliance and embed safety into their culture. He shares how leadership visibility, effective communication, and personal connection make safety training more meaningful—and how every role in an organization plays a part in keeping people safe.

Show Notes:

Lee Travis has more than 30 years of experience in the health, safety and environment training area and shares best practices for empowering team members to make safety a priority every day. Here are some of his key takeaways.

• Safety Culture Starts with Leadership: Creating a strong safety culture takes effort—and then more effort. Leaders must be visibly engaged, empower employees, and reinforce safe behaviors to embed safety into the DNA of the organization.
• Make Safety Personal: The most impactful safety training connects to people’s lives. Lee encourages people by asking, “Why do you work safely?” to tap into personal motivations, making training more meaningful and behavior-changing.
• Bridge the Gap Between Office and Field: Everyone plays a role in safety, even if they’re not in high-risk environments. Real stories—from control room operators to credit card admins—show how cross-functional awareness builds a unified safety mindset.
• Micro-Training and Tailgate Talks Work: Traditional training has its place, but short, focused sessions in the field (like morning tailgates) are also effective. These bite-sized interactions keep safety top-of-mind and relevant to daily tasks.
• Use Tools That Empower Learners: Centralized training records and self-service access to learning platforms help close compliance gaps. When employees own their training progress, completion rates rise and accountability increases.

Learn more about d'Vinci's custom eLearning and LMS work in the safety and damage prevention industry on our website.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Organizations often turn to soft skills training to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce. Andrea Laus, CEO of SkillGym, explains how AI-driven role-playing simulations are transforming leadership development, sales training, and customer engagement —turning practice into performance.

Show Notes:

Andrea Laus explains how AI-driven role-playing simulations provides real-time feedback, emotional insights, and data-driven coaching. His key takeaways include the following:

• Soft Skills Training Needs to Be a Process, Not an Event: Traditional one-time training isn't enough—improving soft skills requires ongoing practice and reinforcement, just like going to the gym. Consistency is key.
• Emotional Feedback Enhances Self-Awareness: SkillGym captures the emotional response of conversation partners, helping learners understand how their words and behaviors impact others—bridging the gap between intention and perception.
• AI-Powered Role-Playing Delivers Measurable Results: SkillGym connects training outcomes with quantifiable metrics, ensuring learners see clear progress. Studies show that employees who train with SkillGym outperform their peers in sales, leadership effectiveness, and customer engagement.
• Customizable Scenarios Improve Organizational Alignment: Organizations can create tailored role-play experiences that reflect their unique values, challenges, and communication strategies, ensuring training is relevant and scalable.
• Continuous Learning is the Future: Instead of training before work begins, Andrea advocates for learning on the go, integrating AI-driven role-playing into daily workflows for real-time skill application and reflection.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Learning doesn't stop when formal training ends—it continues in the flow of work. On this episode of Powered by Learning, Chief Learning Evangelist and Co-Founder of Apply Synergies Bob Mosher discusses the Five Moments of Need and how organizations can embed learning into the workplace to drive real performance outcomes.

Show Notes:

Here are some of the key points from our interview with Bob Mosher about the Five Moments of Need framework.

• The Five Moments of Need Framework Enhances Workplace Learning: Traditional training focuses on acquiring new knowledge, but real learning happens when employees apply their skills on the job. The Five Moments of Need—New, More, Apply, Change, and Solve—help organizations create a more effective learning ecosystem.
• A Performance-First Mindset Leads to Better Outcomes: Organizations should shift from a "training-first" mindset to a "performance-first" approach. This means embedding learning into the flow of work rather than relying solely on formal training sessions.
• Measuring Learning Impact with Business KPIs: Learning should be tied to measurable business outcomes, not just completion rates or assessment scores. Mosher emphasized the importance of workflow learning dashboards that correlate learning consumption with performance improvements.
• Regulated Industries Can Still Embrace Workflow Learning: Compliance training is necessary, but it doesn’t have to be limited to traditional classroom settings. By embedding learning into daily tasks, organizations—especially those in highly regulated industries—can enhance retention and reduce errors.
• AI is Revolutionizing Learning and Performance Support: AI is playing a growing role in workplace learning by reducing the time SMEs spend creating content and enhancing real-time, in-the-moment learning with digital coaching and performance support tools. However, ensuring AI-generated content is contextual and accurate remains a key challenge.

Listen to Bob Mosher's podcast.

Learn more about the Five Moments of Need

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Simulation-based training is transforming learning in high-stakes environments like healthcare. Joe Corvino, senior client executive with Laerdal Medical Corporation, a company at the forefront of healthcare simulation, shares how Laerdal’s innovative solutions—like their maternity and resuscitation simulators—are enhancing skill development and ultimately saving lives.

Show Notes:

Simulation is transforming healthcare training and saving lives. Here are the top takeaways from our conversation with Joe Corvino of Laerdal Medical.

• Simulation Enhances Competence & Emergency Preparedness – High-fidelity simulations help healthcare professionals develop critical skills in real-life scenarios, improving decision-making and response times in high-stakes situations.
• Technology is Advancing Training Effectiveness – From high-fidelity mannequins that breathe and bleed to AI-powered conversational simulations and VR-based learning, technology is making medical training more realistic and accessible.
• Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) is Revolutionizing CPR Training – Research shows that CPR skills deteriorate within months, but Laerdal’s RQI program helps healthcare professionals maintain competence through frequent, low-dose training rather than traditional classroom sessions.
• Simulation is Expanding Beyond Healthcare – While healthcare is a major focus, simulation-based training is applicable across industries, providing safe, immersive environments for learning in aviation, emergency response, and beyond.

Learn more about Laerdal Medical

Connect with Joe Corvino

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Discover how to master the future of learning by empowering your potential with generative AI. AI expert Josh Cavalier discusses how to leverage top AI technologies in L&D and offers practical advice to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.

Show Notes:

Josh Cavalier unpacks the power of personalization, emotional intelligence, and AI-driven tools that are revolutionizing instructional design. Key takeaways include:

• Balancing Human Expertise with AI Integration: To successfully integrate AI into instructional design, professionals must maintain a deep understanding of foundational technologies like large language models and diffusion models while preserving human expertise and skills.
• The Evolution of Personalization in Learning: AI enables learning content to break free from traditional LMS "boxes," delivering personalized, trackable experiences tailored to individual preferences and accessibility needs, from video tutorials to printable checklists.
• Mastering Prompt Design: Prompting is the cornerstone of effective AI communication. Developing skills in crafting precise and purposeful prompts is crucial for professionals looking to optimize AI-driven workflows and enhance learning outcomes.
• AI's Role in Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability: Multimodal AI, capable of analyzing biometric and emotional data, is poised to revolutionize learning by adapting to a learner’s emotional state and stress levels, ensuring content is delivered at the right time for maximum engagement and retention.
• Future Trends in AI and Learning Platforms: The consolidation of human capital management systems with LMS and LXP platforms, powered by AI agents, will reshape onboarding, skill tracking, and performance improvement, emphasizing the importance of staying curious and proactive in exploring emerging technologies.

Learn more about Josh Cavalier https://www.joshcavalier.com/

Read How AI is Transforming the Innovation Landscape in Learning & Development by d’Vinci’s Mason Scuderi

Read How to Customize ChatGPT to Get the Results You Want by d’Vinci’s Jenica Jones

Read Enhancing Instructional Design: The Synergy of AI and Human Expertise by d’Vinci’s Jenica Jones

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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With up to six generations active in today's workforce, how can organizations deliver learning experiences that truly resonate? Our guest Steve Goble shares insights on bridging generational gaps through intentional listening, personalized training paths, and adaptable strategies. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, learn how to embrace differences, build stronger teams, and inspire continuous growth.

Show Notes:

Steve Goble offers practical tips for creating impactful learning experiences that drive growth and connection across your workforce. His key takeaways include:

• Listen First: Successful training starts with listening to employees' needs and preferences to create programs that resonate.
• Embrace Generational Strengths: Recognize and leverage the unique strengths each generation brings to the workforce.
• Personalize Learning Paths: Avoid one-size-fits-all training by offering flexible, personalized learning options.
• Foster Engagement Through Communication: Build trust by communicating training plans clearly and setting expectations for future growth.
• Adapt and Innovate: Encourage teams to embrace new technologies and learning approaches while allowing space for trial and error.

Learn more about The Goble Group.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Learn how PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union) leveraged innovative training methods, gamification, and change champions to help team members across the organization navigate and embrace change. Jeff Fetterman, Director of Talent Development, and Sandra Holzgen, Chief Human Resources Officer at PSECU, share their journey of implementing Workday, a new enterprise resource planning system.

Show Notes:

PSECU’s Jeff Fetterman and Sandra Holzgen share these innovative and people-focused strategies that defined PSECU's successful Workday rollout.

• Effective Change Management Strategies: PSECU's success in implementing Workday stemmed from an early focus on change management, utilizing the ADCAR model and appreciative inquiry to build awareness, desire, and engagement across all levels of the organization
• Training and Engagement Excellence: The team employed hands-on, interactive training methods like gamification, escape rooms, and micro-learning to ensure employees were equipped to use Workday effectively, training over 900 employees in just one week
• The Role of Change Champions: PSECU mobilized a team of 80 change champions and agents who acted as key influencers and facilitators, offering real-time support and ensuring widespread adoption of the new system.
• Tailored Support for Success: By implementing a "white glove" service, including live Teams support channels and in-person assistance, PSECU ensured employees could navigate the transition with confidence, minimizing resistance and post-implementation challenges.
• Lessons in Large-Scale Implementation: Emphasizing early engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and iterative feedback, PSECU not only delivered their project on time but also set a foundation for continued optimization and success in future phases.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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ROI methodology helps organizations ensure their training investments drive measurable results. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Dr. Patti Phillips, CEO of ROI Institute explains how to embed ROI into program design, maximize organizational value, and unlock the power of data-driven decision-making.

Show Notes:

Patti Phillips, CEO at ROI Institute shares best practices for measuring ROI in training. Her takeaways include the following:

Start with ROI in Mind: Designing a program with clear ROI objectives from the outset increases the likelihood of achieving positive results and simplifies the evaluation process.

Involve All Stakeholders: Engaging managers and stakeholders in the ROI process ensures support for implementation and helps learners apply their new skills effectively.

Methodology Matters: Surveys, interviews, and other data collection tools are essential but should be carefully designed to gather meaningful, objective data.

Use ROI for Strategic Decisions: ROI methodology allows organizations to make informed choices about resource allocation by evaluating the financial impact of their training investments.

ROI Institute offers free resources like the ROI Estimator, along with certification programs and tools, to support organizations in building their ROI capability.

Learn more about the ROI Institute

Check out the ROI Estimator

Connect with the ROI Institute on LinkedIn

Connect with Patti on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/pattipphillips

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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In this episode of Powered by Learning, Ajay Pangarkar, co-author of Learning Metrics: How to Measure the Impact of Organizational Learning, joins us to discuss why measuring learning outcomes is crucial for aligning L&D with business goals. He shares powerful insights into how L&D professionals can connect learning to performance metrics, creating measurable value that resonates across the organization.

Show Notes:

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation with author Ajay Pangarkar.

Accountability Drives Organizational Value: L&D must focus on delivering measurable results tied to business goals; when budgets are cut, it often reflects a lack of demonstrated value.

Align Metrics with Organizational Goals: Successful L&D metrics should connect learning outcomes with operational and performance metrics rather than relying solely on internal benchmarks.

Engagement Across Levels of the Organization is Essential: Gaining buy-in requires engaging three key groups: senior leaders, mid-level managers, and the learners themselves.

Mission-Driven Learning: When unsure of L&D’s focus, professionals should look to the organization’s mission to align training objectives with core business needs.

Use Performance Metrics as a Roadmap: L&D teams should assess and utilize existing organizational performance metrics to identify and address specific pain points, ensuring learning initiatives drive tangible improvements.

Read more:

How to Measure the Impact of Organizational Learning by Ajay Pangarkar for Training Industry

Order Learning Metrics by Ajay Pangarkar and Teresa Kirkwood

Powered by Learning listener discount code: KOGANPAGE20

Learning Metrics is a practical book for L&D professionals which answers these questions and provides guidance for measuring and communicating the impact of L&D activity in the business. It covers how to measure participant engagement with learning, learning retention and changes in employee performance post-learning. There is also guidance on how to measure on-the-job behavior change as a result of learning, as well as metrics for measuring the organizational impact of learning. This book also has essential guidance on how to use learning analytics to assess the return on investment (ROI) of learning and how to use these results to adopt a data-driven approach and map learning metrics to organizational KPIs. Learning Metrics also includes guidance on how to communicate the impact of the company's learning and development activity to all business stakeholders.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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In this episode, we explore the practical ways AI can be integrated into learning and development workflows, from evaluating tools to establishing best practices for both internal teams and client projects. d’Vinci President Mason Scuderi and Lead eLearning Specialist Jenica Jones explore how organizations can responsibly harness AI’s potential to improve learner outcomes.

Show Notes:

Mason Scuderi and Jenica Jones share valuable insights on how AI is used to improve workflows, enhance creativity, and streamline instructional design, while emphasizing the importance of transparency, data privacy, and human oversight. Their key take aways include:

• AI Streamlines Everyday Tasks: AI tools at d'Vinci are used for various tasks like drafting emails, creating some voiceovers, and writing eLearning script drafts, significantly improving efficiency and quality.
• Transparency and Privacy Are Essential: d'Vinci emphasizes safeguarding client data and being transparent about AI use, ensuring responsible implementation in both internal processes and client work.
• AI Is a Creative Partner, Not a Replacement: AI is viewed as a valuable tool that accelerates tasks like content creation, but human oversight is crucial to make decisions, refine outputs and ensure accuracy.
• Tailoring AI to Individual Needs: Customizing AI tools like ChatGPT to fit personal writing styles and organizational goals helps d'Vinci teams get more effective results in their projects.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptation: d'Vinci’s AI journey includes regularly testing and updating tools, sharing peer experiences, and documenting best practices to ensure ongoing improvement and innovation.

Read How AI is Transforming the Innovation Landscape in Learning & Development, by Mason Scuderi.

Read How to Customize ChatGPT to Get the Results You Want by Jenica Jones

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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The impact of AI on workplace learning continues to grow and evolve. In this episode, Tom Whelan, director of research at Training Industry, shares his latest research on AI in workplace learning and discusses how companies are using AI to enhance training personalization, streamline content creation, and increase employee engagement.

Show Notes:

Training Industry’s Tom Whelan shares his insights on the evolution of AI in L&D including these key points.

• AI in Learning is Shifting Towards Use Cases: Companies are moving beyond the hype of AI, focusing on practical applications like personalized learning, simulations, and content localization.
• Adoption of AI Varies Across Organizations: While some organizations are fully embracing AI for training, others are cautiously dipping their toes, often influenced by factors like infrastructure and readiness.
• Personalization is Key: AI can greatly enhance the personalization of training, allowing learners to engage with content tailored to their specific needs and previous performance data.
• Data is Crucial for AI Success: The effectiveness of AI in training depends heavily on the quality and management of data, including ensuring it’s clean and relevant for making meaningful decisions.
• AI Empowers Learning Designers, Not Replaces Them: AI tools can accelerate course creation and content development, but human expertise is still essential to guide and refine the final product.

Read about Training Industry's resources on AI

Get Training Industry's eBook: The AI Revolution in L&D: Tomorrow's Training Today

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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From entry-level roles to advanced leadership positions, Senior Director Talent Development at 84 Lumber Sue Kasko shares how the company’s commitment to training — from the hands-on Lumber Camp experience to cutting-edge digital learning tools — is transforming the employee journey.

Show Notes:

84 Lumber’s Sue Kasko explains how their culture of promoting from within and innovative approaches to learning, like Lumber Camp and career lattices, drive employee engagement and development. Her key takeaways include the following:

• Focus on Developing Talent: 84 Lumber is deeply committed to promoting from within, with nearly 100% of store managers and higher-level leaders starting in entry-level positions, creating a culture of continuous learning and career development.
• Diverse Training Methods: The company employs a variety of training methods, including classroom learning, online courses, videos, and in-person sessions like Lumber Camp, ensuring that employees receive relevant, contextual training tailored to their roles.
• Managers as Trainers: 84 Lumber empowers its managers to take on the role of trainers, providing on-the-job guidance and support, which helps adapt learning to specific market conditions and individual employee needs.
• Innovative Learning Tools: The company uses microlearning techniques such as "Five Minute Foundations" videos and mobile apps that provide quick, accessible training, helping employees keep up with ever-evolving product knowledge and skills.
• Focus on Durable Learning: 84 Lumber incorporates durable learning principles into their programs, aiming to make learning stickier and more impactful by connecting training content to real-world applications and employee experiences.

ABOUT 84 LUMBER

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Co. is the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 320 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in 33 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. A certified national women’s business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy, 84 Lumber was named as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 by Newsweek and was named one of America’s Top Retailers 2024 by USA Today. The company was also recognized as one of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2023 by Forbes. The company also made the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2023. For more information, visit www.84lumber.com.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Digital credentialing can help motivate, educate and inspire learners. Torrie Raish, a digital credentials expert, joins us to explain all you need to consider before implementing a credentialing program.

Torrie Raish shares the challenges and benefits of launching a digital credentialing program.

• Purpose and Value of Digital Credentials: When creating a digital credential program, it's crucial to understand its purpose and the value it brings to both the learners and those viewing it, such as employers or institutions.
• Recognizing Learning: Digital credentials are powerful tools for capturing learning that might otherwise go unrecognized, providing more detailed insights into specific skills and competencies compared to traditional degrees.
• Key Benefits for Learners and Employers: Digital credentials provide learners with stackable, portable proof of skills, and help employers identify specific, verifiable competencies in candidates, especially in fast-evolving fields.
• Essential Considerations for Building a Program: When designing a digital credential system, it’s crucial to define its purpose, align it with learning outcomes, and ensure it integrates well with existing systems, including HR and educational platforms.
• AI's Role in Digital Credentialing: Artificial Intelligence is enhancing digital credentialing in areas such as credential creation, assessment, and verification, making the process more efficient and scalable.

About Torrie Raish:

Victoria Raish is a senior leader in the field of online learning and microlearning with a particular interest in the crossover space between traditional academia and innovative educational applications. She has her Ph.D. in learning, design, and technology from Penn State University and a master’s degree from The University of Southern California. She works for Nexford University as a senior learning designer and was previously a tenured faculty member for Penn State University. She got her start in digital credentials as an intern for a NASA Educational Services Provider grant project developing badges for teacher professional development. From there she took on leadership roles with IMS Global (EdTech1), the Association for College and Research Libraries, and at her places of employment to elevate the visibility of digital credentials. Combined with several publications, Victoria has established her role as an expert in the space.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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FutureThink CEO Lisa Bodell knows how to get an audience’s attention. The renowned speaker and author shares her thoughts on engaging learners and creating memorable learning experiences that launch innovation.

Show Notes:

FutureThink CEO Lisa Bodell shared her experiences in educating and motivating an audience to make long-term change in the workplace. Key points include:

• Experiential and Accelerated Learning: Lisa emphasizes that the secret to effective teaching lies in how it's delivered. Courses need to be experiential and fast-paced, catering to the current need for quick, engaging learning.
• Simplicity First, Innovation Second: At FutureThink, Lisa first teaches simplicity before moving to innovation. This approach helps learners create the time and mental space necessary for creativity.
• Impact of COVID on Learning: COVID-19 drastically accelerated the shift towards virtual, flexible learning modalities. FutureThink had to adapt quickly, ensuring that learning experiences remained interactive and practical in this new environment.
• In-Person Learning Still Crucial: Despite the rise of virtual learning, Lisa believes that in-person interactions remain vital for building trust, fostering collaboration, and enhancing creativity in learning environments.
• Improv and Learning: Lisa incorporates improv techniques in training to make learning more engaging and interactive. This approach helps facilitators connect with their audience and create a more dynamic and inclusive learning experience.

Learn more about Lisa Bodell

Why Simple Wins
Kill the Company: End the Status Quo, Start an Innovation Revolution
Follow Lisa on X
Follow Lisa on LinkedIn
View clips of Lisa’s presentations
Visit FutureThink

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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To address a growing need for skilled workers, West Shore Home launched a comprehensive training program to recruit, train, and grow its workforce. Chief Development Officer Josh Wood shares how the home remodeling company with more than 3,000 employees across 21 states develops and nurtures talent to serve their valued customers.

Show Notes: West Shore Home’s Josh Wood shares how the company’s training supports internal growth and development.

• Training and Development Initiatives: West Shore Home has significantly invested in training and development, starting with on-the-job training and expanding to a comprehensive program. This includes a dedicated training center which supports the company's growth and enhances employee skills.
• Addressing the Skills Gap in the Trades: Josh emphasized the challenge of finding skilled talent in the trades, particularly as the industry faces a "graying out" with more retirements than new entrants. West Shore Home's solution is to develop its own talent through robust training programs.
• Career Pathways and Employee Retention: The company offers clear career pathways, enabling employees to progress from entry-level positions to leadership roles. This approach has resulted in lower turnover rates, particularly among installers, and provides opportunities for employees to control their own career growth.
• Creating a Positive Learning Environment: West Shore Home places a strong emphasis on creating a compelling and positive learning environment. Their state-of-the-art training facilities, coupled with a culture of pride and excellence, motivate employees to engage in training and strive for personal and professional growth.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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From role-playing to reducing learner anxiety, avatars offer significant benefits to learners. Garima Gupta shares how thoughtfully-designed avatars can play an important role in eLearning and significantly enhance learning experiences.

Show Notes:

Garima Gupta explains that avatars play a crucial role in making eLearning experiences engaging and relatable and help to humanize the content and make it more interactive for learners. She offered these additional key points.

• Customization and Personalization: Customizing and personalizing avatars to reflect the diversity of the learner population can enhance the connection and relevance of the content.
• Planning for Avatars Early On: Don’t think of using avatars as an afterthought but instead plan for how best to use them when you create your storyboard.
• Benefits of Avatars in eLearning: Avatars bring learning stories to life, and that is one of their biggest benefits. They have the unique ability to speak directly to the learner.
• Providing a Safe Place to Learn: Using avatars in eLearning can be more effective than in-person training because it provides a safe and personal training environment to interact with an avatar.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Professional associations provide specialized learning solutions across their member organizations presenting a variety of opportunities and challenges. Cathy Butler, the EVP of Talent, Equity, and Learning Solutions at the 4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies), explains how the association adds value to its members through comprehensive and innovative training programs.

Show Notes:

4A’s Cathy Butler shares the importance of fostering a learning culture that goes beyond traditional training and development. She offers many key points in her interview.

• Build a Holistic Learning Culture: Deliver learning offerings that provide professional development to individuals while advancing member organizations.
• Establish Comprehensive Training Programs: The 4A's offers a wide range of training programs, from early career development and new manager training to certification programs in specialized areas like media and Generative AI. These programs are designed to meet the varied needs of their members and adapt to industry changes.
• Generative AI Certification: The 4A's has introduced a certification program for Generative AI, reflecting the growing demand for skills in this area. The program includes self-paced learning,live instruction, and networking with a peer cohort providing a comprehensive learning experience that caters to different learning styles.
• Create Innovative Business Models: To address underutilization of training programs, the 4A's is piloting a subscription model that offers unlimited access to a selection of training programs. This model aims to provide flexibility and encourage more frequent use of training resources by members.
• Integrate Talent, Equity, and Learning: Cathy Butler's role at the 4A's integrates talent development, equity, and learning . This approach emphasizes creating inclusive environments that address the career development needs of diverse groups, fostering a more equitable industry.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Before embarking on the design of a performance-based certification program, it's essential to consider key steps to prevent common mistakes. Our guest, Judy Hale, a seasoned speaker, author, and principal at Hale Associates, delves into this topic in her acclaimed book, "Performance Based Certification: How to Design a Valid, Defensible, Cost-Effective Program."

Show Notes:

Guest Judy Hale offers many actionable steps to take when designing a certification program.

• Certification is a Means, Not an End: Judy emphasizes that certification should be seen as a vehicle to achieve specific outcomes, rather than just a goal . Organizations need to clearly define the problem they are solving and the desired outcomes before designing a certification program.
• The Importance of a Thorough Job Analysis: A key step in creating a defensible certification program is conducting a comprehensive job analysis. This helps ensure the certification is aligned with actual job requirements and includes input from all relevant stakeholders.
• Customization is Crucial: Certification programs must be tailored to the specific needs of the industry and the target audience. Judy highlights the differences in certification requirements across various industries, illustrating the necessity of customization.
• Leveraging Technology and Best Practices: Judy discusses the increasing role of technology, including AI and virtual reality, in developing and administering certification programs. Additionally, she emphasizes best practices like ensuring cost-feasibility and focusing on performance-based assessments to create effective and sustainable certification systems.

Learn more about Judy Hale

Judy Hale’s Books

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Asking better questions is a critical part of any needs analysis. Speaker and Coach Mike Simmons and d'Vinci Director, Learning Experience Jenny Fedullo, guide you through what questions to ask and when to ask them to make your training more impactful.

Show Notes:

There are many simple, yet thought-provoking steps to execute a better needs analysis and ensure improved training outcomes. Key takeaways include:

• Defining the Problem Clearly: Establishing a precise definition of the problem is crucial. Misunderstandings often arise from varied perspectives. Ensure alignment within the team by asking clarifying questions to validate and agree on the problem's specifics.
• Understanding the Stakeholders: Identify who has the problem, who is impacted by it, and who cares about it. Engaging these stakeholders brings diverse perspectives and resources, which can bridge gaps and garner necessary support and buy-in for solutions.
• Analyzing the Root Causes: Employ root cause analysis by repeatedly asking why the problem persists. This helps in distinguishing between symptoms and root causes, allowing for more effective and focused problem-solving. It also helps determine if a problem is worth solving or if it's unsolvable within current constraints.
• Establishing Clear Timelines: Set defined timelines to create urgency and accountability. Use frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix and 30-60-90-day plans to break down goals into manageable chunks, ensuring consistent progress and momentum toward the desired outcome.
• Implementing a Structured Approach: Use a systematic framework with steps involving what, who, why, how, and when. This methodical approach ensures comprehensive problem-solving and strategic planning, aligning short-term actions with long-term objectives, and adapting as needed based on regular reflection and assessment.

Learn more about Mike Simmons on his website.

Check out Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
Read about the COM-B Model for Behavior Change

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Developing accessible training includes making it available in the languages your learners speak. In this episode, we talk to Nick Strozza and Larry Pilotto from Interpro Translation Services to understand how to ensure that eLearning translations are successful.

Show notes:

Interpro Translation Services shares best practices for eLearning translations, including the importance of early collaboration on the project.

• Early Engagement is Key: Engage with your translation partner early in the project to accommodate localization needs and ensure translations are not an afterthought.
• Localization vs. Translation: Understanding the difference between localization and translation is important. Localization adapts content beyond direct translation, considering cultural nuances, graphics, and formatting to make content feel native to the audience.
• Comprehensive Planning: Accurately scope the translation project to avoid surprises. This includes analyzing all elements of eLearning courses, such as audio, video, and text, and to plan for any challenges.
• Technology and Trends: Embracing emerging technologies and trends in translation, like translation memory tools and AI, can enhance the efficiency and consistency of translated content, though human oversight remains essential for quality.

Read “eLearning Translation: Creating Linguistically Inclusive eLearning” by Angeline Evans

Read “A Crash Course in eLearning Translation: Introduction and Benefits,” by Interpro Translation Services

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Successful L&D projects just don’t happen. They require effective communication, team alignment, and empathy to drive business outcomes. Penske’s Learning & Development Manager Laurie Strauss and Project Manager Samantha Thompson share their team’s best practices for project management and why they focus on the people before the process.

Show Notes:

Here are the key takeaways from Laurie Strauss and Samantha Thompson's discussion about L&D project management.

• Focus on People over Process: They advocate for a mindset shift where project management is centered around taking care of people, which ultimately leads to more efficient processes and successful project outcomes.
• Clear Communication and Alignment: Laurie and Samantha share that unclear expectations and poor alignment among project partners can significantly slow down a project. Set clear roles and expectations from the beginning to avoid delays and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
• Slow Down to Speed Up Approach: Laurie stresses that in a fast-paced world with urgent requests, it's essential to take the time to slow down initially to set the project up for success. Rushing into a project without proper planning and communication can lead to inefficiencies and setbacks down the line.
• Utilization of Automation and Tools: Leveraging automation tools like Smartsheet can streamline processes, increase efficiency, and provide real-time visibility into project status. By having all project information centralized in one platform, teams can reduce manual tasks, avoid surprises, and better manage data.
• Empathy and Support for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Recognizing that SMEs have other responsibilities besides the project, it's crucial to support them throughout the process. This involves clear communication, setting realistic expectations, and providing necessary support to ensure their success. This benefits the overall success of the project and fosters positive relationships for future collaborations.

Learn more about Smartsheet, the project management tool Penske uses.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Leadership plays an instrumental role in the success of any organization. That’s why D&H Distributors values leadership training. Megan Garrett, director of L&D and DE&I shares how her team built a leadership training program from the ground up and how it’s contributing to measurable growth of team members and their company.

Show Notes:

Megan Garrett shares her journey of building a leadership training program and offers these key points.

• Strategic Approach to Competencies: D&H Distributors took a strategic approach by identifying key competencies applicable across the organization. These competencies serve as a foundation for training initiatives, ensuring that employees at different levels have the skills necessary to meet organizational expectations.
• Real-world Application in Training: Leadership training participants gain valuable experience by working on hands-on projects and honing executive presentation skills that are applicable to their roles.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Megan stresses the importance of adapting to change because of the dynamic nature of their learning initiatives. From refreshing leadership competencies to upcoming initiatives like a new sales curriculum, the commitment to continuous learning reflects the organization's adaptability to evolving needs and industry trends.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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For twenty years, The Learning Guild has helped shape the conversation for learning professionals. Learning Guild CEO David Kelly shares his perspective on the evolution of the training industry, the role of new technologies, and emerging opportunities for industry leaders.

Show Notes:

David explores the shifting dynamics of how organizations approach learning and development. Here are some of his key takeaways.

• Training in the Flow of Work: David reminds us that the most disruptive way to train someone is to take them off the job and have them attend training. When possible, providing learning and support resources in the flow of their work is a better solution.
• Providing Training ROI: He suggests that we focus on how learning initiatives impact the business metrics that matter most to the organization to demonstrate value.
• Data-Informed Learning Strategy: David advises that we capture and use data that aligns with the metrics already valued by the organization. Instead of being overwhelmed by the vast possibilities of data, he suggests understanding what data the organization is paying attention to and connecting learning efforts to those metrics.
• Evolution of Workflow Learning: David emphasizes that technology, particularly platforms supporting workflow learning, has caught up with the promise, creating exciting opportunities for learning and development professionals to enhance performance and problem-solving.
• Generative AI and the Future: He acknowledges the potential of generative AI in accelerating the adoption and application of workflow learning. While optimistic about AI’s use, he also emphasizes the need for careful consideration in how these technologies are used and understanding their impact on the field of learning and development.

Learn more about the Learning Guilds’ HR & Tech Conference

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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The user experience is more than just usability. In this episode, learning experience and design consultant Connie Malamed shares practical methods for improving the effectiveness of eLearning.

Show Notes:

Connie Malamed shares tips for learning experience design including:

Importance of User Experience (UX): User experience is the totality of a person's interaction with a product or learning event. This includes factors like engagement, satisfaction, and even support from managers and other who contribute to a positive learner experience.

Common Mistakes in Usability: One prevalent mistake is thefailure to use interviews and surveys to better understand the learner, their need for the learning and how they will apply it.

Think Aloud Method: Connie introduces the Think Aloud method as an effective and inexpensive approach to gather learner feedback. By observing individuals as they perform specific tasks and express their thoughts aloud, designers gain insights into user experiences, preferences, and potential challenges.

Creating User Personas: Developing user personas is a valuable practice in instructional design. While some critics argue about potential stereotyping, Connie suggests breaking the audience into subgroups and using personas to humanize the approach. This method helps designers understand their audience's characteristics and needs.

Tools for Improved Usability: Connie recommends tools borrowed from user experience design and design thinking. These include personas, empathy maps, journey maps, and storyboards. These tools contribute to a more inclusive and accessible design process, enhancing the overall usability of e-learning projects.

Visit Connie's eLearning Coach website

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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The right combination of strategic planning, organizational development, and training can lead to success. In this episode, Monica Gould, President of Strategic Consulting Partners, shares how meaningful learning experiences can engage a workforce.

Show Notes:

These takeaways reflect Monica Gould's insights into effective learning strategies, organizational development, and the importance of customization and measurement in training initiatives.

• Create meaningful learning experiences: Consider shifting from traditional lecture-based learning to more meaningful learning experiences. Gould says that adults prefer to learn through engaging training and hands-on experiences rather than passive lectures.
• Engage and develop a workforce: Align learning initiatives with the organization's strategy and vision to help build organizational capacity.
• Tailor solutions to get results: Provide customized solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of each audience. By understanding the organization’s culture, concerns, and workforce dynamics, you can create personalized learning experiences that are more effective than generic, off-the-shelf training.
• Measure impact for continuous improvement: Measure the impact of training beyond immediate feedback. Using the Kirkpatrick model, assess behavioral changes, employee retention improvements, promotions, and cultural shifts. This data-driven approach allows for continuous improvement and helps organizations see the long-term effectiveness of the learning programs.

Learn more about Strategic Consulting Partners

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Educating external audiences presents some unique challenges compared to internal, employee training. In this interview, Thought Industries CEO and Co-Founder Barry Kelly discusses the complexity of pricing strategies, the importance of brand continuity, and the need to use the right LMS to support learners outside of your organization.

Show Notes:
Thought Industries CEO and Co-Founder Barry Kelly shares best practices for creating learning experiences for external audiences including the following:

• External Training Complexity: Providing external training for distributors, re-sellers, and customers requires understanding their unique needs, languages, and currencies.
• Learning as a Competitive Differentiator: Businesses can provide training as a competitive differentiator by using training to distinguish their product or service from other providers.
• Monetization Strategies: Organizations need to decide whether training is included with their product or service or whether their training has the value that enables them to charge extra for it.
• Critical Differences in External Learning Management Systems (LMS): There are many distinctions for an LMS for external learners including the possibility of e-commerce tools, integrations with external systems (CRM, content management, etc.), front-end mechanisms for content promotion, and the robustness required for handling large-scale external learning operations.
• Brand Continuity and Learning Experience: The importance of brand continuity in external learning experiences takes center stage. The quality and reflection of brand values in every aspect, from content delivery to personalized targeting, has become critical for success.

Learn more about Thought Industries
Download The State of External Enterprise Learning Report 2023
Read Barry Kelly and Daniel Quick's book, Customer Education Playbook

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Students at Harrisburg University (HU) are learning how to evaluate and leverage technology to create engaging experiences. Charles Palmer, Executive Director, Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies and Program Chair and Associate Professor, Interactive Media shares how the lessons learned at the University can be applied to new approaches in eLearning development.

Show Notes:
HU's Charles Palmer offered a thoughtful approach to using technologies to improve the learning experience including these takeaways:

• Engaging learners in active learning experiences and practical application can be more effective than traditional lectures.
• Virtual reality can enhance the learning experience and prepare learners for success on the job. Creating safe environments for learners to fail and learn from their mistakes is crucial.
• The integration of generative AI into training can make eLearning development more efficient, allowing for more creative approaches such as gamification.
• AI tools can be valuable in various aspects of teaching and learning, from generating rubrics to enhancing reading assignments and simulating coaching scenarios.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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As you design and develop learning experiences, AI can be a powerful ally. In this episode, Jenessa Jacobs, director of training at Second Avenue offers ways you can use artificial intelligence.

Show Notes:AI enthusiast Jenessa Jacobs shared these insights about leveraging artificial intelligence to improve your L&D work.

• Utilize AI as a Partner: Treat AI as if it were another knowledgeable person in the room. Use it to bounce ideas off of, discuss topics, and seek assistance in various aspects of your work.
• Save Brain Power: AI can be a valuable tool to save your cognitive resources for more critical tasks. Let AI handle repetitive or time-consuming tasks, such as generating content, analyzing data, or creating visuals.
• Apply AI Across the ADDIE Model: AI can be integrated into all phases of the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model for instructional design. For example, AI can assist in analysis by identifying gaps and variables, help design content, generate scripts and visuals, and evaluate training effectiveness by analyzing data and generating reports.
• Confidence and Competence: Building confidence and competence in using AI is crucial. Start small, explore AI tools, and gradually integrate them into your workflow. Proofreading, verifying AI-generated content, and citing sources are essential practices.
• Align with Organizational Goals: Always connect AI usage to your organization's business goals and objectives. Ensure that AI helps you achieve those goals and improves efficiency in your learning and development processes.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Learning and development professionals are finding new ways to leverage the power of artificial intelligence every day. Michelle Echevarria, director of learning and development at JBS International and an early champion of AI, shares some best practices for using AI in the L&D industry.

SHOW NOTES:

Michelle Echevarria offers many ideas for using AI in your daily L&D work including the following:

• AI Integration is Inevitable: AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in the field of learning and development. While it's still in its early stages, it's essential to recognize that AI will become an integral part of L&D processes in the future.
• AI Can Enhance Efficiency: AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly enhance efficiency in instructional design and development. They can assist in creating prompts, generating outlines, and even providing initial drafts of content, reducing upfront development time.
• Experiment and Learn: Don't be afraid to experiment with AI tools. Start small, explore different applications, and learn what works best for your team and organization. It's a learning process for everyone, and the possibilities are vast.
• Mind Guardrails and Bias: While using AI, be mindful of ethical considerations. Avoid sharing sensitive, personally identifiable information with AI tools, and always implement a human checkpoint to ensure the quality and accuracy of AI-generated content. Additionally, be aware of biases in AI and take steps to address them.
• The Future of AI in L&D: AI will likely become an integral and inconspicuous part of everyday L&D tools and processes. Just as social media and the internet are now seamlessly integrated into our lives, AI will be embedded in software and development practices, offering limitless possibilities for innovation and efficiency in learning and development.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Making the move from instructor-led training to eLearning can be a massive undertaking but as our guests David Grodzicki and Jared Morgan from StoneX explain, having a learning strategy based on tried and true techniques is half the battle.

Show Notes:

David Grodzicki and Jared Morgan share their journey launching the StoneX eLearning Risk Management Academy and offer advice for other learning leaders embarking on a large-scale learning project. These takeaways emphasize the importance of careful planning, collaboration with SMEs, and taking a learner-centric approach when converting instructor-led training to an online format.

• Importance of Learning Objectives: Creating clear and performance-based learning objectives is essential for the success of any eLearning project. They guide the content development process and help in assessing the effectiveness of the training.
• Involvement of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Collaborating closely with SMEs is crucial for gathering domain-specific knowledge and ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the content. It's essential to respect their expertise while also gently guiding them towards effective eLearning content.
• Diverse Instructional Methods: Employing a variety of instructional methods, such as animated scenarios, SME videos, gamification, and interactive elements, can enhance engagement and learning outcomes for online learners. These methods help create a dynamic and engaging learning experience.
• Beginning with the End in Mind: Starting the project with a clear vision of the desired learning outcomes and the needs of the target audience is critical. Taking the time to plan and strategize in the early stages can prevent issues and rework later in the project.
• Continued Support and Engagement: After launching an eLearning program, it's important to provide ongoing support and opportunities for learners to ask questions, seek clarification, and further enhance their knowledge. This ensures that learners can fully benefit from the training.

Learn more about the StoneX eLearning Risk Management Academy

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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As the training industry evolves and grows in an ever-changing marketplace, Training Industry helps learning leaders evolve with insights, education, and best practices. Training Industry CEO Ken Taylor shares the state of the market and discusses how AI will help shape the future of L&D.

Show Notes:

Ken Taylor offered many insights about the state of the training industry including these key insights:

• High-performing organizations invest more in leadership development than underperforming companies.
• Learning leaders are increasingly investing in learning technologies, such as AI systems, authoring tools, and coaching platforms. AI can speed up course development and improve learning experiences.
• While generative AI can speed up course development, it's recognized that human expertise is still essential to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
• Cohort-based learning platforms are being utilized to scale programs quickly and build a sense of community among learners. These platforms allow for more engagement and collaboration among learners during and after the learning process.
• Learning leaders are increasingly being integrated into organizational change initiatives and strategic decision-making. Their expertise is being sought to facilitate organizational shifts and drive positive impacts.

Related resources from Training Industry:

The Future of L&D is Bright: A Bright Idea from TICE 2023, by Sarah Gallo
Learn more about TICE

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Entrepreneur, eLearning Pioneer and Udemy Vice-President, Leadership Development Alan Todd shares his reflections on the past, present and future of making learning a competitive advantage.

Show Notes:Here are some of Alan Todd's key takeways.

• Research shows that the number one reason people leave a job is because of their frontline supervisor so the need for good manager training not only supports the manager, but it can also have a positive impact on many team members.
• Beyond quantitative measurements, define and evaluate qualitative measurements to show the impact of learning on organizational performance
• Non-intrusive data mining with the assistance of tools like Chat GPT can help provide data to evaluate learning.
• If learning is greater than change, you are an innovator and you win in the marketplace. If learning is less than the rate of change, then we're climbing someone else's learning curve and we're lagging behind.
• At least a third of the learning outcomes are explained by what happens before the learning experience we create, and then another third by what happens after the structured experience so pay more attention to those befores and afters.
• Connecting people to content can be lonely and isolating, but when you connect people to people, it's human. When you bring a human component to e-learning, it becomes more engaging, more natural, more accountable.

Listen to Alan Todd on his podcast Leading Up with Udemy.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Developing an organizational learning strategy before you create a learning experience can make all the difference in team motivation, engagement and retention. In this interview, Washington, D.C. Department of Health Chief Learning Officer Adaora Otiji shares the steps to take to be successful and accomplish your organizational goals.

Show notes: Adaora Otiji shared the benefits of creating an organizational learning strategy and outlines the process including these tips:

• Think of your learning strategy as a story with a beginning, middle and end. Tell your story and back it up with evidence to prove why the strategy is important.
• By putting a learning strategy in place, it sets a mutual understanding and commitment to creating the best space and expectations for development of an organization.
• A solid learning strategy not only provides a roadmap for the training department, it helps get buy in from the C-Suite and sets expectations for learners.
• Don’t forget to identify key actions in your learning strategy as it helps establish timelines.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Hundreds of learning leaders came together at the Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) to discuss the latest industry trends and challenges. In this episode, several conference attendees shared how they engage learners and how they're beginning to embrace AI's potential to drive employee growth and organizational success.

Show Notes: The learning leaders interviewed in this episode shared many challenges and opportunities including ways to navigate the use of artificial intelligence.

• L&D leaders must transition from order takers to solutions architects, defining their focus amidst competing demands.
• AI is seen as a valuable partner, helping to streamline processes, create engaging content, and improve learner experiences.
• AI enables better speech modeling for scenario-based training, particularly in customer service to handle high-tension scenarios.
• AI-driven characters and real-life simulations provide personalized learning experiences, increasing engagement and effectiveness.
• Overall, the key to success in today's rapidly changing learning landscape is to embrace flexibility, remain curious, and prioritize human connections. Despite technological advances, L&D professionals play a crucial role in guiding learners and shaping their development journey.

Special thanks to the guests who appeared in this episode.

Robert Smith, Curriculum Designer, Discover Financial Services

Michelle Echevarria, Director of Learning and Development, JBS International, Inc.

Loren Sanders, Senior Manager, Enterprise Learning, CVS Health

Amanda Himes, Senior Talent Development Program Manager, Krause Group

Janessa Jacobs, Director of Learning and Development, Second Avenue

Paul Smith, Head of Co-Worker Development, Baker Construction Enterprises

Lydia Gil, Learning and Development Specialist, Options for All

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Virtual Reality (VR) will play a major role in the future of experiential learning. In part two of our conversation with Sozo Labs CEO Jason Haddock, we explore the myths of VR and learn how organizations can best put this tool into action to improve learning and retention.

Show Notes: VR expert and frontier technologist Jason Haddock shared the following about using VR in training.

• VR has the potential to be a game-changer in modern education - the first technology that has the ability to fundamentally change the way we learn.
• VR is a proven way of addressing some of the critical obstacles to building highly skilled, confident and effective employees at scale, all without dramatically high costs.
• Technology should be a tool that allows you to do something in a more efficient and engaging way.
• VR can revolutionize how soft skills training is delivered.

Listen to Part One of our interview with Jason Haddock, The Opportunities and Challenges of VR.

Read more about Sozo Labs
Read Jason's blog, Reality Bytes

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Learning and development professionals are leveraging the power of virtual reality to build immersive learning experiences. In part one of our interview, Sozo Labs CEO Jason Haddock discusses the opportunities and the challenges of VR in organizational training.

Show Notes:Our guest Jason Haddock offers great food for thought on how and when to use VR in training. His key points include the following:

• If you haven't yet experienced VR, get a headset and try it out. Then you can start to imagine the ways in which you can use VR in training.
• VR allows you to simulate the work environment and therefore can provide critical training in a safe environment before an employee gets on the job.
• VR helps learners adapt quickly since VR takes you through the learning and application processes to help you master the material.
• Being able to do the same process over and over again with VR until you feel that you've mastered it, is an incredibly powerful way to train.

Coming up: Join us for Part 2 of our interview with Jason Haddock where we'll discuss how to leverage VR in learning experiences.

Read more about Sozo Labs
Read Jason's blog, Reality Bytes

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Delivering a welcoming and engaging onboarding experience can positively impact your organization’s effectiveness and retention. Wendi Walker-Schmidt, Assistant Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at National Life Group, shares best practices that will change the way you think about new employee orientation and onboarding

Show Notes:
Wendi Walker-Schmidt shares advice on delivering effective orientation and onboarding programs that engage new hires and improve retention. Her key points include:

• Acknowledge that new team members may have anxiety, fear, and excitement when they start at a new company. L&D professionals can boost their chances of success with a strong and welcoming experience.
• Don't overload new hires with too much information during orientation. Consider rolling out information over a defined period of time to make it more digestible and relevant.
• Onboarding is not a one-time event. Think about it as creating a first-year experience that builds engagement in stages as employees performs their jobs.

Read Wendi Walker-Schmidt's article: Onboarding Effects on Employee Engagement and Retention.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Storytelling can help learning and development professionals create and deliver more engaging and effective training. Robyn Shumer, a global lead with Johnson & Johnson’s Mental Health Diplomats Employee Resource Group, shares how telling a personal story can inspire and educate learners.

Show Notes:
Here are some of Robyn Shumer's key takeaways.

• If you're a training or a workshop facilitator, you can connect with learners when you have an emotional story to tell.
• Information wrapped in an emotional story is more likely to be remembered.
• An organization's stories, such as the story of its founding, can help instill culture and help engage team members in the organization's values and mission.

Watch Robyn Shumer's Ted Talk, "What's Your Story?"
Learn more about Robyn on her website.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Most L&D professionals measure training after it’s over but what if you could predict the success of a learning program in advance? Author Ken Phillips, CEO of The Phillips Group, shares how predictive learning analytics can change the learner’s experience and the outcomes for an organization.

SHOW NOTES:

Ken Phillips shared many actionable items in his interview including the following:

• Predictive learning analytics can help tell you which learners are most likely to apply what they’ve learned in a training program and which ones weren’t. It also helps predict which managers are most likely to support the training.
• Predictive learning analytics can significantly reduce the amount of scrap training, or training that’s delivered but not applied directly back to the job.
• Traditional measurement and evaluation typically is backwards-looking and it is most focused on training programs. Predictive learning analytics is forward-looking and examines what’s likely to happen after the training concludes.

Learn more about Ken Phillip's book, Evaluate Learning With Predictive Learning Analytics on TD.org.

Read about Ken's talk at the #ATD23 Conference in San Diego.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Mandated reporters are people required by law to report suspected instances of child abuse. To know how to do this, they need training.

Creating a successful mandated reporter learning experience is an ever-evolving process when you use research to improve its effectiveness. Our guest, Dr. Benjamin Levi, is the founder of iLook Out for Child Abuse and shares how his passion for continuous learning helps make effective training that keeps kids safe.

Show Notes:

Dr. Benjamin Levi blends his experience as a practicing physician with his quest to keep children safe from child abuse. He does this by leading a team to build research-based training that is getting results across the country. He shared these key points and others during this interview.

• Gamification can add a level of interactivity and engagement with learners by releasing dopamine.
• Microlearning is a great approach in mandated reporter training because accessibility and feasibility are key to education.
• One of the most powerful things educators can do is to tailor training to the individual so you’re delivering training that provides relevant information based on the learner’s needs.

Connect with Dr. Benjamin Levi

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Today’s instructional designers come from a variety of professional backgrounds and those past experiences can be a strength in how they approach L&D. In this episode, Authors Megan Kohler and Chris Gamrat share lessons from stories in their new book, The Multidisciplinary Instructional Designer: Integrating Specialized Skills into Design Toolkits.

SHOW NOTES:

Authors Megan Kohler and Chris Gamrat encourage L&D professionals to identify the skills and talents they bring to the job from past experiences and for teams to look at the collective value of diverse experiences. They shared many takeaways including:

• Despite their shared academic preparation and theoretical foundations, many instructional designers come to the profession with knowledge from a diverse range of other subject areas, career tracks, creative practices, or intellectual pursuits.
• Some of this misunderstanding of instructional design is due to a limited understanding of learning, what it is, when and how it can occur, and people’s roles both in formal and informal learning.
• Instructional designers can apply key concepts, strategies, and lessons learned from a variety of disciplines from the social sciences, arts and humanities, and STEM – to their practice.
• By looking for inspiration across disciplines and from the world at large, instructional designers will emerge with robust and revitalized toolkits, ready to enrich their approach to teaching and learning.

For more information about the book, please visit the publisher's website.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Learner engagementis more than a learner’s interactions during the training. It begins before the learning experience and continues after it's over. Training and Learning Manager Tiffany McLean, from law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, shares some ways to increase learner engagement to improve training results.

Show Notes:

• Listen to your learners. Ask questions and think of new, creative ways to engage them.
• Build learner personas of people in your organization to keep the learners top of mind when creating learning programs.
• Use recognition during and after learning to reward good thinking and accomplishments.
• Consider the user experience when creating eLearning and make sure your instructional design is clean and interactive.

Listen to Tiffany's Powered by Learning interview on Developing Training with Diversity and Inclusion in Mind.

About Warner Norcross + Judd:
Warner Norcross + Judd is a corporate law firm with more than 230 attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout Michigan.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Creating accessible learning can seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be according to learning architect Shawn Wunder. It’s as easy as taking five steps to make your websites and eLearning accessible for all.

Show Notes:

Accessibility expert Shawn Wunder discussed the importance of accessibility and shared advice on how to make your online learning content more accessible today.

• The time to think about accessibility is before you start your project.
• If you can’t take every accessibility step, make the effort to take as many as you can.
• Creating accessible learning is not a project - it is a process. If you build a framework for how you approach accessibility once, it gets easier with future applications.

Related Article:
Accessibility: Making It a Priority, Not an Afterthought
by d'Vinci Lead eLearning Specialist Jenica Jones

Color Tools for Accessbility:

Web Aim
https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/

Adobe Color
https://color.adobe.com/create/color-contrast-analyzer

Accessibility Tools:

Wave
https://wave.webaim.org/

Automated Accessibility Testing Tool (PayPal)
https://github.com/paypal/AATT

SortSite
https://www.powermapper.com/products/sortsite/

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Keeping its student-centered mission top of mind helps focus the importance of training at Milton Hershey School, a private residential school for Pre-K through 12th grade children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Craig Wrights, director of training & organizational development at Milton Hershey School shares how they create meaningful and impactful adult learning for the benefit of the kids they serve.

Show Notes:

• Milton Hershey School focuses time on onboarding and reboarding team members to ensure everyone is aligned with the mission and vision of the school.
• The school'scentral training function provides the core and mandatory training for all the employees, and it also supports a wide variety of other training functions to support their adult learners.
• Milton Hershey School's approach to leadership training includes a cohort model program that lasts eight months and ends with a "Shark Tank"- style idea pitch.

Learn more about Milton Hershey School Discover more about Catherine Hershey SchoolPowered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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To make microlearning successful in your organization you must first understand what it can and can’t do. Learning Strategist, Consultant and Author Dr. Robyn DeFelice explains how to think about microlearning as part of your overall training goals and not just a way to deliver training.

Show notes:In this interview, Robyn DeFelice stresses how and when to successfully use microlearning and makes these key points.

• Microlearning is much more than creating short-form training. If the only thinking behind the learning is to make it short, the training may miss the mark.
• As a method for training, microlearning can help you achieve performance goals, but it is not a replacement for all other learning formats and approaches. It often works best as a complement to a larger training program.
• To determine when and how to use microlearning, start with the purpose and potential of the training. Are you seeking to change behavior? Ask yourself why you want to use microlearning and what you hope to get out of it.

Read more about microlearning in these resources from our guest, Dr. Robyn DeFelice.

Behind The Scenes: The Making of Microlearning Campaigns

Advocating for Microlearning: Lead with Purpose and Potential

Is Microlearning a Concept, Method, or Product? It’s all 3!

Turn L&D Teams into Performance-Driven Microlearning Masters

The Push-Pull of Leading Motivation Using Microlearning

Register for the Learning Guild Microlearning Conference to Watch Robyn's Presentation - Make Performance-Driven Microlearning Work for Your Organization on February 6 and 7

Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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While you may think of improv as entertainment, you may not know how it can be used in training teams to adapt to change. In this episode, Fairplay Communications' Andy Eninger and Scott Zoll explain how improv can create a safe space for growth and dialogue in your organization.

Show Notes:
Fairplay Communications offers suggestions that organizations can implement to facilitate better communications, learning, and growth. Their key points include the following:

• The tenets of improv help learning leaders address business challenges. Using improv increases flexibility, creativity, and the ability to look beyond barriers to find opportunity and possibility in the moment.
• When improvising, there is a need to focus on others and to be in support of others. In the business world, the same applies as to how we show up and how we create the space for others to show up.
• Skills learned from practicing improvisation help corporate leaders better engage with team members in person and in a hybrid work environment, improving talent retention.

Learn more about Fairplay Communications on their website.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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Learner leaders are tackling challenges head on including how best to train a hybrid workforce, how to use microlearning, and how to put the learner first. We spoke to several thought leaders at the ATD Central PA 75th Anniversary event to see how they are taking new approaches to learning.

Show Notes:The guests on this episode shared many helpful approaches to improving learning, including these key points.

• There are cases where in-person learning is more effective and situations where virtual learning works best. Examine your training programs to decide which environment is most conducive to learning.
• Rethink long-form in-person training to see what could possibly be done in a more efficient and engaging way.
• Short-form microlearning will help engage your learners but consider it as part of your overall training program - not a new way to educate on every topic.
• One guest reminds listeners to focus on the learner and be quick, be agile, and be flexible.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

Special thanks to the guests on this episode:

• Adam White, Penn State Health
• Phyliss Vasbinder, PSECU
• Deb Ellenberg, Sandler Training
• Alixandra Moyer, Phoenix Contact
• Rob Hoitt, West Virginia ATD
• Chelsea Leffler, Talent Metrics
• Sy Islam, Talent Metrics
• Jesmin Mejia, L'Oréal
• Scott Bostjancic, Mid Penn Bank

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of America trains staff and volunteers at 4,300 local clubs reaching more than four million young people.  Director of Learning Design Yvette Francis explains how learning advances the organization's mission and impacts lives.

Show Notes:  
Whether you influence learning at a non-profit or for-profit organization, these takeaways from Yvette Francis will help.

• All decisions made about learning topics, content, and learning formats are guided by the organization's mission.
• Organizations that invest in learning can have greater success in positively impacting their constituents.
• Microlearning is even more important when you're trying to train staff and volunteers with non-traditional schedules.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about how you can get involved with The Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.

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No matter how good your training is, the learning won’t stick without support from leadership. Jennifer Recla, Director of Organizational Learning and Development at the healthcare company Colorado Access, shares how her organization supports employees throughout their learning journeys to make training more impactful and the business outcomes better.

SHOW NOTES:

Jennifer Recla offers best practices that L&D professionals can implement to leverage leadership to support learning. Her key takeaways include:

• Find strategies and creative ways to influence people. Look for champions across the organization to help influence attention to training in the workforce.
• Learn why people are not engaging with training to find ways to improve the next learning experience for employees.
• Reward growth and development that comes from training and not just for getting training done.
• Stay flexible and patient as you change your learning culture. Change doesn’t happen overnight but celebrate the small wins along the way.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Podcasts continue to grow in popularity with more than two million currently available. But can podcasts also work as a training tool? In this episode, PGT Innovations Digital Learning Administrator Sherri Connor shares how this leading window and door manufacturer’s podcast has become an important part of their learning and development program.

Show Notes:

PGT’s Sherri Connor shares how her company’s podcast trains employees, builds brand awareness, and even reaches customers. Here are some of her key points on starting a learning podcast.

• A training podcast can play an important part of a training program and it can complement other training modalities.
• Keep your learner in mind when creating podcast topics and keep the content short and easily consumable.
• Consider adding some learning podcasts to your LMS to better track listening and help shape future training opportunities.
• Every podcast producer has his or her own process, but Sherri prefers to record podcasts in bulk and then focus on editing to keep on a regular schedule of posting.

About PGT Innovations:

Founded in 1980, PGT® Innovations is the nation’s leading manufacturer and supplier of residential impact-resistant windows and doors. After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the company partnered with building officials in Miami-Dade and helped develop construction code requirements which are still among the most stringent in the nation.

PGT® Innovations employs nearly 2,500 team members at its manufacturing, glass plant, and delivery fleet facilities in Venice and Ft. Myers, Florida, and sells through a network of independent distributors. The company’s total line of custom windows and doors are now sold throughout the eastern U.S. and a growing international market, including the Caribbean, South America, and Australia.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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You may think of accounting and tax firms as working “by the books,” but when it comes to training, global accounting firm KPMG is leveraging innovative technology to engage and educate their global workforce. Vaughan O’Leary, Interactive Learning Apps Program Manager at KPMG, shares how his company’s Globerunner Cup is training team members and connecting associates around the world through gamification.

Shownotes: KPMG’s Globerunner Cup is an example of how a company can use gamification to inspire employees to invest time in training. In this podcast, Vaughan O’Leary and Jenny Kerwin offer these best practices to consider before using gamification:

• Make sure gamification is right for all your learners. Consider alternative approaches for learners who don’t want to participate in the game elements.
• Set training and business goals so you can measure the effectiveness of the gamified learning experience.
• Evaluate if your gamified learning will live within eLearning modules or be a part of your organization’s LMS to increase use of your training offerings.
• Listen to learner feedback to evolve and improve how your organization uses gamification to make the experience even more relevant and impactful.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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The pandemic has forced training leaders to pivot and re-examine how best to educate their organizations. While there are challenges to training in a hybrid work environment, it also presents some real opportunities. We interviewed L&D leaders at the Training Industry Conference & Expo to learn how they are navigating training in today’s work environment.

Show Notes:

The learning leaders interviewed in our podcast shared the challenges and successes of training in a hybrid world. Some of the key points include the following:

• Engage your learners online by keeping content fresh with polls, videos, and games.
• Overcome “Zoom” fatigue by varying the modes and format of online training and online meetings. Breakout rooms can add variety to a large group dynamic.
• Use bite-size pieces of learning online to keep learners engaged and look for opportunities to maximize learning of different types when groups are together in person.

Special thanks to the following guests for sharing their thoughts in our podcast.

Karissa Williams, Senior Sales Trainer, Direct Auto

Kathryn Kelly, Director of Engagement, SCORE

Matthew Mortensen, Instructional Designer, First Energy, First Energy

Michelle Thill, Manager of Training and Development, DaVita Kidney Care

Aaron Roseum, Learning Architect, Cleveland-Cliffs

Jennifer Recla, Director of Organizational Learning and Development, Colorado Access

Davida O’Brien, Tourism Standards and Training Manager, Bermuda Tourism Authority

Related podcasts: L&D Trends from TICE and L&D Leaders Share Views on Today's Training Industry

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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While learning leaders have different training goals and educate various audiences, they share common challenges to engage learners and get results. We spoke to attendees at the Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) to hear about their greatest challenges and successes.

Show Notes: The L&D leaders featured in this episode shared issues and solutions related to understanding the ROI of training, finding enough time for training, and aligning training with business goals. Some of their key takeaways include the following:

• Measurement should not be an afterthought in training. Think about how you’re going to measure results as you develop a course.
• Set expectations with leadership. If you say the training will take a week, it should take a week and you should be able to identify results. The C-Suite wants to see return on investment and you want to be able to provide that.
• Consider creating a learning toolkit to support managers so they can help team members continue the learning after the training is over.
• Using training tools, such as a podcast, can help break through the clutter and engage learners to get results.

Special thanks to the following learning leaders who appeared on our podcast:

Loren Sanders, Sr. Manager Enterprise Learning and Development, CVS Health

Matthew Mortensen, Instructional Designer, First Energy

Jennifer Recla, Director of Organizational Learning and Development, Colorado Access

Sherry Connor, Digital Learning Administrator, PGT Innovations

Pamela King, CPTM, Technical Training Specialist, Broward County

Yvette Francis, Director of Learning Design, Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Michelle Thill, Manager of Training and Development, DaVita Kidney Care

Coming up: We’ll hear from TICE attendees about training in a hybrid environment on our next episode!

Related podcast: L&D Trends from TICE

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Retaining talented team members is a critical part of any company’s long-term success. At The Hershey Company, they’re taking strategic steps and leveraging technology to skill their workforce for the future. Leanna Meiser, Director, Enterprise Learning & Organizational Change Management discusses how L&D leaders can shift their thinking from “learning” to “skilling” their workforce.

Show Notes:

Leanna Meiser discusses how companies can grow their talent pipeline by not only seeking fresh talent, but by developing the skills of existing team members. She offered these and other key takeaways.

• There’s a difference between learning and skilling. Skilling sees behavior-changing outcomes, setting the employee up for professional growth.
• The talent supply shortage is real for most companies, so the need to engage and retain a workforce is critical. Deep, functional skill building of existing employees is part of the solution to talent supply.
• Great onboarding and ongoing learning across the enterprise play a vital role in setting team members up for success.
• Consider new technologies, when appropriate, to help upskill team members with meaningful experiences to grow their careers.

Learn more about d'Vinci's ecoLearn® mentioned in this episode.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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At the recent Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) in Raleigh, N.C., more than 400 learning leaders reunited to talk about the state of the training industry and discuss best practices for L&D. d'Vinci President Mason Scuderi was at the conference and shares his quick takeaways.

Show Notes:
Mason Scuderi provides insights from the conference keynotes and sessions including these key points.

• Out of 350 companies surveyed by Training Industry, a majority reported a plan to increase training budgets.
• Most companies shared that the biggest training priorities are around compliance, learning experience, DE&I, leadership effectiveness, and hybrid learning.
• While the need for C-Suite buy-in still remains, companies surveyed reported a shift in thinking as training has more of a seat at the table.
• Training and development can play a huge role in employee engagement, wellness, and retention, which in turn, helps offset the great need for talent recruitment.

Coming up! We interviewed TICE attendees at the conference about the latest trends and challenges they're facing. Listen for their insights on a future episode of Powered by Learning!

Read Mason's article on TrainingIndustry.com - "Purchase With Confidence: The Ultimate Guide to Learning Experience Technologies"

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Gamification can create engaging learning experiences that increase learning and retention. Intel’s Learning & Development Consultant Usha Chazhiyat shares best practices for any organization looking to integrate gamification into the learning experience.

Show Notes:

Intel’s Usha Chazhiyat has develop a recipe for successfully using gamification to engage and educate learners. She offers advice on how to get started and build on learning solutions that leverage technology to teach.

• Start using gamification in a small pilot project to see what works with your learners before incorporating into more eLearning.
• Use a variety of gaming techniques such as trivia games, to more complex scenario-based experiences.
• Try to create new learning experiences using previous templates when developing new courses with gamification.
• Consider a variety of gamification approaches to meet the different educational needs of your learners.

About Usha Chazhiyat:

Usha Chazhiyat is the learning innovation strategist for Intel Corporation and is passionate about utilizing technology and immersive methodologies to build engaging and effective learning experiences for adult learners. Usha is a former software engineer turned learning leader and has many achievements in leading organizational efforts in learning at Intel to adopt engaging learning trends including gamified learning. She has 16 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies like Intel Corporation and Hewlett Packard in building expertise through people management, project management and software engineering.

Learn more about Karl Kapp’s book mentioned in this episode. The Gamification of Learning and Instruction Fieldbook: Ideas into Practice

Learn more about using Articulate Storyline 360 mentioned by Usha as a gamification development tool.

See how we partner with Sandy Hook Promise.

Explore adult and K12 educational outreach on SandyHookPromise.org

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Educating the public requires an integrated approach to engage and inform so that’s why POZ Magazine leveraged online assessment tools and eLearning courses to educate people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Ian Anderson, president of Smart + Strong, and Oriol Gutierrez, editorial director for Smart + Strong and editor-in-chief for POZ Magazine join us with more.

Show Notes:

Ian Anderson and Oriol Gutierrez from POZ Magazine use eLearning as one way to reach the public. They offer tips about their ongoing journey to educate a global audience.

• Providing eLearning modules and self-assessment tools was a logical next step to engage and educate the public.
• eLearning created another avenue to complement the website, magazine and other educational resources by providing learning on demand.
• Using relatable images in the eLearning modules helps make complex subject matter more understandable.

Learn more about POZ Magazine

Read about d’Vinci’s work for POZ

Discover more about Unlocking Life’s Code, the educational website mentioned at the end of the podcast.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Keeping the learner in mind when designing eLearning courses is key to engaging them and driving organizational success. Highmark Health's Learning Architect Angela Sample, Ph.D.  discusses best practices for using empathetic principles in instructional design.

Show Notes:

• Empathetic principles can be complementary to learning experience design principles
• Focus on the importance of designing a solution that's human-centered to truly engage learners.
• Create learner profiles that consider the learner's feelings. Then, be willing to pivot your training approach to align with their cognitive and emotional states.
• Communicate to management that creating training with the learner in mind will actually yield better ROI.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about Learning Experience Design referenced in this episode.   

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Engaging adult learners can start with lessons learned years ago in the classroom. In this Powered by Learning episode, teacher-turned L&D professional Maggie Layfield shares how to use K-12 teaching strategies to engage adult learners, create meaningful assessments, and increase retention.

SHOW NOTES:

Maggie Layfield of NetSupport shared her passion for using K12 learning approaches with adult learners. Her key takeaways include:

• All students will be in the workforce someday soon. It makes sense we should adopt successful K-12 classroom strategies in the corporate environment.
• Think back to the best teachers you ever had and some words for them such as caring, patience, passion. These traits connect back to engagement in the classroom and can translate into educating adults.
• You can increase employee engagement and performance through modern instructional best practices built on foundations of K-12 learning.
• Set the right expectations with learners so they understand what they are learning and why they are learning it.

Read more: Using K-12 Teaching Strategies to Boost Employee Engagement

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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It’s not often that we talk to someone who invented a fresh approach to instructional design. In this Powered by Learning episode, Catherine Mattiske, managing director at Inner Genius, shares how her ID9 intelligent design approach delivers results.

Show Notes:

In her interview, author, speaker and L&D professional Catherine Mattiske shares practical takeaways and inspirational ideas to shape your next learning solution.

• If people don't apply their learning if they don't take action, if their learning transfer doesn't happen, then learning has not taken place.
• When you get the instructional design right and focus on the learner, you will see learning outcomes that improve performance.
• Start with observable learning objectives based on Bloom's taxonomy and when you get those objectives right, make a plan to measure them.
• Remember that it’s not your course, it’s the learners’ course. Don’t rely on your personal preferences and always keep the learner top of mind.

Learn about ID9® Intelligent Design

Follow Catherine Mattiske:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Learn more about Inner Genius

Read: Unlock Inner Genius: Power Your Path to Extraordinary Success

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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After two years of almost exclusively online learning, L&D leaders are navigating the new normal in training and figuring out how to maximize the blend of online and in-person learning. According to Learning Consultant Ian Townley, the learning journey exists now in multiple locations. In this episode, we discuss where learning goes from here and how best to transfer learning to improved performance.

Show Notes:

Practical Training Transfer is a global company that helps translate learning into behavior and results. Co-founder Ian Townley shares his thoughts from years of research on learning transfer and retention. Some of his key takeaways include the following:

• Viewing learning as a journey and integrate learning experiences based on learning location and over time.
• To get the most value out of in-person experiences, include the types of activities that can be done best in-person, like role playing, and offer virtual learning experiences that can best be done remotely and asynchronously.
• Focus instructional design investments on the learning that drives business rather than “nice-to-know” training.

Additional Information:

Learn more about Practical Training Transfer

Read Learning Design Consideration for the Hybrid Working Environment, by Ian Townley

Connect with Ian Townley

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Promoteint.com

Rehearsal.com

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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Even before the pandemic forced learning leaders to rethink their training programs, Constellation Brands, maker of many leading wine, beer, and spirits, was pivoting to ensure learners were set up for success. In this Powered by Learning episode, d'Vinci client Maggie Romanovich of Constellation Brands, talks with our Client Solutions Consultant Angeline Evans about the changes they’ve made to impact learner engagement, retention, and the bottom line.

Show Notes:Director of Learning & Development, Wine & Spirits at Constellation Brands Maggie Romanovich shares how L&D continues to evolve and grow to make training relevant and impactful for every individual. Some of her key takeaways include:

• Remember that confidence and competency should work together in lockstep.
• Give people an opportunity to imagine how they’re going to use what they’re learning now in their actual job tomorrow.
• Don’t put people through unnecessary learning. Seek out opportunities to use learning to set team members up for success.
• Your learners are your most important stakeholders. Find champions to help gain buy in for learning.

Learn more about ecoLearn® LMS

Read Level Set and Level Up: A Learner-Centric Approach to Training in a Virtual Environment by Angeline Evans with Maggie Romanovich, Constellation Brands

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

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When it was time to transform the learning and development culture at The GIANT Company, learning leaders knew they had to focus on the learner journey. In this episode, Anthony Amadure, Manager Learning Organizational Development at The GIANT Company, talks to d'Vinci Learning Experience Director Jenny Fedullo about the innovative changes they made.

Show Notes:Anthony Amadure transformed their learning and development culture by building a framework that focused on ensuring employees could access the training they needed to learn and grow at The GIANT Company. 

• The journey model assesses each team member to determine what level they are at and what skills are needed to take them to the next level.
• The GIANT Company focused on learning labs with classes they built within GIANT University.
• The company prepares team members for the future through a talent development program that prepares employees for what’s next in their career.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide. 

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When you move beyond designing a learning event to creating a learning experience, you can amplify your performance outcomes. This is how Marybeth (MB) Weiss, VP of People and Culture approaches her work at FORME, an at-home fitness technology company. She explains in her conversation with d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski.

Show Notes: 
Combining her experiences as a learning designer and personal trainer, MB Weiss recommends putting the learner at the center of a comprehensive learning solution. Here are some key points from her interview.

• Build brand and company loyalty by delivering a learning experience through multiple learning touchpoints not just a single learning event.
• Consider the learner's social and environmental factors, as well as the latest news and social trends, to inform your themes and delivery methods.
• Make social learning part of the experience in order to increase engagement and improve results.

Learn more about FORME on their website.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts.

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In order for learning leaders to be true strategic business leaders, they must know how training works with marketing, sales, IT and other areas of an organization. Ajay Pangarkar, a partner at CentralKnowledge, a leading workforce performance consultancy, provides thought-provoking insights about how L&D leaders can improve organizational performance and achieve targeted business and operational objectives.

Show Notes:

Ajay Pangarkar delivers good advice to re-center learning leaders and focus them on getting results. He offers many suggestions including:

• L&D, like other functions must focus on delivering solutions that improve the organization’s performance.
• Be active in uncovering performance issues that learning solutions can positively impact rather than just taking orders to develop training programs.
• Use defined performance objectives to evaluate training investments instead of trying to prove a true return on investment.
• Try to use technology to deliver learning and support at the point of performance which is where and when people need it the most.

Gain more insights from Ajay Panjarkar.

Ajay Pangarkar LinkedIn Learning Courses

Ajay Pangarkar elearning Industry Library of Articles

About CentralKnoledge:

CentralKnowledge is a leading workforce performance consultancy that develop and deliver learning solutions contributing to improving organizational performance and achieving targeted business and operational objectives. Under Ajay’s guidance, the team leverages leading technologies by developing real-time learning opportunities to ensure improved employee performance. Their unique consultative approach guides learning leaders through the selection and implementation of innovative learning approaches, on-demand e-learning solutions, and award-winning assessment strategies.

Powered by Learning earned an Award of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio category from The Communicator Awards and a Silver Davey Award for Educational Podcast. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts.

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Learning leaders are often focused on content in training solutions but sometimes do not put the same emphasis on how the course is designed. In this episode of Powered by Learning, d’Vinci Learning Solutions Director Jenny Fedullo and Visual Design Director Melissa Wimbish explain how to marry art and science to create impactful learning experiences.

Show Notes:

• In order to motivate a learner, you have to get their attention. Grab their attention, and keep their attention. One way we do that is through visual design.
• The first step is often to brainstorm about the learning solutions project. When you're brainstorming, the idea should be generated freely by all individuals within the group. Keep in mind that every idea matters.
• Use a learning solutions creative brief to align on the project’s goals before discussing your design. The information captured in the brief will guide design principles at the same time that you create the learning content.
• Typography and color are really a key step when you're establishing that visual hierarchy of content. They're used to complement the brand. They're extremely important for not only word emphasis but also visual design direction for the user.
• Integrating impactful design doesn’t have to break the budget. Depending on your learners and the objectives of your course, you can scale design to meet their needs and stay on budget.

Download our Learning Solutions Creative Brief template to drive better results with your next project.

Watch this short video to see how d'Vinci can help you revolutionize learning experiences.

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Successful training starts with a good marketing plan according to Bruce Chen, CEO of KochaSoft Canada, a division of a cloud tech company focused on building learning and training products for the enterprise. In this Powered by Learning episode, Bruce shares some keys to motivating employees to learn and the benefits the training can have for the organizations.

Show Notes:

• Upskilling is the major driver for organizations wanting to invest in IT training. It helps retain and develop existing employees versus hiring new ones.
• Clearly define your targeted learners and then reach them on communications channels they currently use.
• Connect your training with content you know employees already consume and position your training as relief for their pain points.
• Consider using embedded customizable learning content templates to simplify content development and speed up distribution.
• Focus on innovation such as an LMS that uses artificial intelligence to provide learners with personal training and certification recommendations.

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At CVS Health, they put their whole heart into serving their customers and that service begins with their commitment to learning and development. CVS Health’s Senior Manager, Enterprise Learning and Development Loren Sanders explains how good training drives employee and customer loyalty and retail performance.

Show Notes:

Loren Sanders shares the best practices at CVS Health and explains how their commitment to the customer is front and center in all their training. Key points include:

• Customer care representatives go through empathy training to learn how to listen better before responding to customers. Understanding what a customer may be going through helps associates always respond with empathy.
• The need to be more responsive and flexible due to the pandemic has also led CVS Health to make training more accessible when and where it’s needed most.
• CVS Health measures training throughout the employee’s journey to build a stronger workforce and increase employee retention.
• Data and measurement continue to be critical to L&D at CVS Health. Their goal is to have coaching, learning, and support available at the point of performance for employees in various job roles.

Powered by Learning received the Award of Distinction from the 2021 Communicator Awards and is named to the Top 40 L&D Podcast list with Feedspot.

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In order to help customers make good buying decisions, Best Buy Canada advisers need to be well trained on the products that they sell. In this Powered by Learning episode, Marjorie Van Roon, Senior Manager, Learning and Development at Best Buy Canada, talks to d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski about how the right training can drive retail performance.

Show Notes:

• Well trained people are at the heart of what makes a great shopping experience at Best Buy Canada. Marjorie Van Roon offers key takeaways including these points:
• Best Buy Canada trains its advisers using customer personas so that they can assist buyers, no matter what their level of technical expertise and regardless of where they are in the buying journey.
• In addition to company training, advisors receive training directly from the product vendors which increases their expertise and  creates a sense of pride among team members.
• Employees are motivated to complete a certification journey each year and are incentivized to take additional training to compete for prizes.
• Best Buy Canada measure training impact with the Net Promoter Score and through customer feedback.

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Adaptive Learning benefits both the learner and an organization’s bottom line. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Craig Joiner, Senior Vice President, Brand Experience at Fulcrum Labs dispels some myths about Adaptive Learning and explains how organizations can put it to work to achieve their goals.

Show Notes:

Craig Joiner breaks down the barriers to Adaptive Learning in this episode of Powered by Learning. His key points include:

• Adaptive Learning is like a high-tech version of one-to-one coaching. It should challenge each learner just above their current knowledge level to boost confidence and push toward subject mastery.
• Remember that Adaptive Learning isn’t a magic bullet. It integrates a variety of training best practices including competency-based learning, microlearning, and personalized learning.
• Adaptive Learning helps learners avoid taking training they don’t need. Instead, they invest their learning time in areas where they need more knowledge and skills.
• If you’re new to Adaptive Learning, you may want to start with a pilot with a small defined number of learning objectives that need to be delivered to a relatively large number of learners.

Read more about Adaptive Learning in this Training Industry article written by Fulcrum Labs Founder Patrick Weir.

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At The Cincinnati Insurance Company, they’re taking training to a new level by using just-in-time learning, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) to help team members be more confident on the job and more efficient in their work. In this Powered by Learning podcast episode, Tricia Inderhees, Learning and Development Consultant Manager of Cincinnati Insurance shares the best way to create innovative learning programs that get results.

Show Notes:

Tricia Inderhees of Cincinnati Insurance offers great advice for organizations looking to improve learning and development through innovative training. Her key points include the following:

• Before picking a learning modality, look at your audience, the subject, and content to determine if instructor-led, online learning, or a blend is the best approach.
• Virtual reality can provide learning experiences in simulated environments that help team members learn in a safe environment and do their jobs better.
• Virtual reality is a supplement to other forms of training and not a replacement for in person training.
• Don’t be afraid of VR and AR. Start doing your research to find the best way to pilot it in your organization.

Powered by Learning received the Award of Distinction from the 2021 Communicator Awards and is named to the Top 40 L&D Podcast list with Feedspot.

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Providence is a large, West Coast, health system with more than 117,000 employees that need training. In this Powered by Learning podcast, Darci Hall, chief learning officer, and Johnny Hamilton, senior design and innovation consultant, talk to d’Vinci Learning Solutions Director Jenny Fedullo about innovative ways to upskill current employees to stay relevant in current positions while building competencies for future opportunities.

Show Notes:

Darci Hall and Johnny Hamilton from Providence shared many practical tips for upskilling your workforce including the following:

• Think big and start small when trying new learning approaches and technologies.
• Use microlearning to fill identified, individual learning gaps
• Providing engaging learning experiences is critical to re-skilling and upskilling a workforce.
• Targeted training helps retain employees and provides them with career growth in your organization.
• Combine ongoing performance measurement and goal setting with adaptive learning technology to get the best results.
• Rapidly build skills using the Push-Anchor-Pull approach. Content is pushed so workers build core knowledge, are anchored so they can practice their new skills, and pulled to apply their skills in the flow of work.

Learn more about the products mentioned in this podcast.

Fulcram Labs – Adaptive Learning Technology

Degreed – Learning Experience Platform

Qstream – Microlearning Platform

Additional valuable links:

• MICROLEARNING IN THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE by: Johnny Hamilton, Darci Hall, and Theresa Hamilton
•Article: Push-Anchor-Pull approach
•Article: The Future of Workplace Learning
•LinkedIn Group: The Future of Workplace Learning

About Providence:

The 120,000 caregivers (all employees) serve in 52 hospitals, 1,085 clinics and a comprehensive range of health and social services across Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. As a comprehensive health care organization, we are serving more people, advancing best practices and continuing our more than 100-year tradition of serving the poor and vulnerable. Delivering services across seven states, Providence is committed to touching millions of more lives and enhancing the health of the American West to transform care for the next generation and beyond. Learn more at www.Providence.org.

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Video and animation can foster a deeper level of engagement with your learners. But how do you shape strategic videos that inform, inspire, and reinforce learning objectives? d’Vinci Client Solutions Consultant Angeline Evans shares her expertise on using video to engage learners in this episode of Powered by Learning with hosts Susan Cort and Luke Kempski.

Show Notes:

• Use video to communicate change with a trusted voice, such as a company CEO or a subject matter expert to make sure that people know why the training is relevant to them.
• Consider using scenarios to help teach soft skills and provide opportunities to learn context around applying soft skills.
• Use video to simplify tasks or to teach more hands-on skills.
• Use video interviews with subject matter experts or peers to connect with the learners, and to do demos.
• Using animated characters can help illustrate a scene when it’s difficult to use real people or when you’re trying to accomplish a diverse and relatable look.
• Video is great for microlearning and building in interactions. It’s also easy to distribute across multiple platforms, including mobile.

Powered by Learning received the Award of Distinction from the 2021 Communicator Awards and is named to the Top 40 L&D Podcast list with Feedspot.

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By building learning relationships and alliances, IBM has increased its impact on its partners and customers. In this Powered by Learning podcast, d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski talks to Sonia Malik, the Learning Alliances Manager and Strategist at IBM, to see how learning relationships can benefit the company and a targeted learner community.  

Show Notes:

IBM  Learning Alliances Manager and Strategist Sonia Malik talks about the value of learning relationships and how they can help an organization reach learners and achieve its business goals. Some of her key takeaways include these points:

• IBM is able to reach millions of learners by building alliances and partnerships.
• The company incentivizes learners by providing opportunities to earn badges or micro credentials.
• IBM has pivoted to respond to the changing needs of learners as a result of the pandemic, remote working, and shifting demands in the workforce.
• IBM supports micro-learning because short bursts of learning help people learn better. Educators should look at the learning journey versus one-time learning to have greater impact.

Powered by Learning received the Award of Distinction from the 2021 Communicator Awards and is named to the Top 40 L&D Podcast list with Feedspot.

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At global entertainment company Discovery, innovative visual design is paramount to successfully training the advertising sales team. Michael Friis-Jensen, Manager, Digital Training Manager at Discovery shares Discovery’s best practices for visual design and how to apply the principles to ensure quality and effectiveness in training.

Show Notes:

In this interview, Michael Friis-Jensen discusses the different approaches to visual design and how it helps Discovery both engage young learners and help its salesforce. Key points include:

• Be sure to use gamification in training but keep it simple. Don’t waste time on games that need a lot of explanation because it takes away from the learning.
• Remember the three second rule. If learners can’t absorb the text and visuals on your screen in three seconds, there’s probably too much information!
• Make sure all stock images are realistic and that images represent diverse audiences.
• When you use icons, make sure learners don’t have to work too hard to figure out what they mean.

Powered by Learning received the Award of Distinction from the 2021 Communicator Awards and is named to the Top 40 L&D Podcast list with Feedspot.

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Customer education is increasingly important in the sales value chain and customer experience. In this podcast, Daniel Quick, VP of Learning Strategies at Thought Industries, talks to d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski about how educating customers can provide your organization with a competitive advantage. Thought Industries is the world’s leading B2B customer education and extended enterprise platform vendor.

Show notes:The connection between the customer and training is impacting sales and shaping how companies do business. Thought Industries VP of Learning Strategies Daniel Quick provides insight on the evolution of customer training and how it is being used to engage prospective and existing customers.

• Customer training is being driven by a subscription economy from SaaS (Software as a Service) to XaaS (Everything as a Service). Because of this, the value of learning is even more important.
• Educate your customers before they are customers. Consumers are attracted to brands that provide solid customer education and, in many cases, that helps drive sales. Good customer education can be a company’s differentiator.
• Because of the increased need for customer training experts, learning professionals have many more career opportunities.
• Customer education offerings create synergy between marketing and training professionals. Integrating marketing and training builds more enduring customer relationships.

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In this Powered by Learning podcast, d'Vinci CEO Luke Kempski talks with Dr. Keith Mann, Vice President, Continuing Certification at The American Board of Pediatrics about what’s involved in certifying medical professionals and what L&D professionals can learn from it. You'll find out how providing maintenance of certification activities to pediatricians delivers meaningful and sustainable change in healthcare.

Show Notes:Dr. Keith Mann shares how the American Board of Pediatrics has evolved the way in which it does assessments and certifications to benefit the physician, the healthcare practice and the patient. His experiences and findings reach beyond the medical world and are relevant for any training department looking to take learning, assessment and certification to a new level. Dr. Mann shares many points including the following:

• Integrating learning with the assessment to give greater value to the training and greater impact to the improvement in your organization.
• Using spaced learning and micro learning to engage the learner and make the training more impactful. ABP accomplishes this with their Question of the Week training activity.
• Seek out learners who can also help create the assessments and the activities. Tap into their expertise and help increase the credibility of the training.
• Assessment based activities with built in learning components can improve outcomes in your organization and beyond. ABP uses research gained from assessments to address the disparity in healthcare to underserved populations.

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From launching a new brand identity to navigating the pandemic, hear how the Rite Aid Corporation stepped up to the challenge to educate team members across the country. Learning and Talent Development Director Emily Steinkamp shares how successful training helped empower more than 50,000 employees at close to 2500 stores to better serve its customers.

Show Notes:

Rite Aid Learning and Talent Development Director Emily Steinkamp shares how they empower team members across the retail chain to embrace change and provide excellent customer service every day. She offers advice on leveraging training to impact the bottom line including these points:

• Arm your organizations’ leaders with the skills they need to convey the importance of training to workers across the organization.
• Find ambassadors across the organization to champion the training needed in their departments.
• Leverage the latest rapid development tools such as Vyond and Articulate Rise 360, to deliver micro learning in the moment of need.
• Learning and development leaders are like puzzle makers, because they're really the ones who are listening to all the departments and aggregating what the organization’s needs are to create the most meaningful, impactful training.

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At Capital Blue Cross, a leading health insurance provider in Pennsylvania, sales training is much like sales – fast-paced and relevant. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Capital Blue Cross Senior Talent Management Consultant Ryan Sweeney shares his organization’s secrets for successful sales training.

Show Notes:There are many important factors to consider when developing impactful sales training. Capital Blue Cross Senior Talent Management Consultant Ryan Sweeney shared these and other best practices.

• Make sure to bring your focus on member service, member wellness and the company’s brand into all sales training so that they make it a part of how they talk to customers and build relationships.
• When creating sales training, make it accessible and short. Be certain to make the training immediately applicable, too.
• Take some of the ways in which we have pivoted with training during the pandemic and carry best practices into non-pandemic times. Learning how to build relationships through virtual presentations is critical for sales people.
• Consider setting up a sales council or group that allows other departments to interact with sales team members to share learning and build cohesive teams.

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Learning Experience Design (LXD) is a shift in thinking that is learner-focused and helps you ensure that your learning solution is on strategy. In this episode of Powered by Learning, d’Vinci Learning Solutions Director Jenny Fedullo talks with Jenica Jones, Senior eLearning Specialist at d’Vinci about the principles of LXD and how organizations can implement them to achieve powerful results. 

Show Notes:

In this conversation, Jenica Jones explains how to use Learning Experience Design thinking to improve training and development. She offers advice to learning leaders including the following:

• When you use LXD, outcomes will improve and you’ll create more meaningful learning experiences for learners
• LXD leads to better learning outcomes and return on investment.
• The best of learning instructional design and the best of our design principles make for a successful learning experience.

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The key to customer retention at international franchise chain Duck Donuts is more than simply providing a delicious product. It’s about baking in extraordinary customer service with every transaction. Director of Operations and Training Marissa Heath explains how team member training leads to memorable, award-winning customer service and employee retention.

Show Notes:

Duck Donuts recently captured the #1 spot on Newsweek’s America’s Best Customer Service 2021 list in the category of “Catering, Restaurants and Leisure - Doughnut Chains.” In this interview, Director of Operations and Training Marissa Heath shares how training supports the company’s commitment to excellent customer service.

• Training and development and customer service are connected to the circle of success in a company.
• Consistency, quality, and guest service are key components to succeed.
• Training and education must continue past those initial onboarding events. Training must be an ongoing mindset that's embraced by the whole company.
• Go above and beyond expectations every day to attract and keep new guests and new team members.

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Read more about Duck Donut’s Newsweek Award:

https://www.newsweek.com/americas-best-customer-service-2021

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At Turkey Hill Dairy, talent development is a key ingredient to creating a high-performing organization. In this Powered by Learning podcast episode, Grayce Langheine, Manager, Talent Management & Culture Development, Turkey Hill Dairy, shares how she and her team help inspire close to 1,000 workers every day.

Show Notes:In this episode, you'll learn more about the connection between training and performance. Grayce Langheine, Manager, Talent Management & Culture Development, Turkey Hill Dairy shares these take-aways and more.

• Be committed to training employees, regardless of their position. Any team member should be able to access any training course to support a positive learning culture.
• Make learning open and not mandatory to inspire people to want to learn
• Have learning paths for team members that lead to opportunities for them to progress in their careers
• A strong learning and talent development function can lead to higher retention rates

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Megan Garrett, the Director of Learning and Development at D&H Distributing, talks about she’s establishing an L&D function in an organization that didn’t previously have one. With support from leadership, Megan is developing a department from the ground up at this $4 billion dollar privately-held company. Learn how to gain internal support for your learning initiatives and training programs in this Powered by Learning podcast episode.

Show Notes:

In this episode, D&H Distributing Learning and Development Director Megan Garrett shares how she’s building an L&D function from scratch. She offers valuable advice including these key points: 

• While building a new learning department or offering, focus on a key project to get things started.
• To help create your learning strategy, take the time to meet with people across the organization to discover what challenges they have and how training can impact their business goals.
• Create competency teams across the organization to better understand what training is needed and in what area of the business.  Don’t overpromise. Give yourself enough time to build out your new L&D department. You can’t accomplish everything in a month or two.
• Connect performance metrics with the training programs you're proposing. This will help your leadership see the business value of investments in learning and development.

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Training plays an important role in supporting diversity and inclusion efforts at organizations. But, how do we authentically represent diverse audiences and create meaningful training that resonates with the target audience? In this episode of Powered by Learning, d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski talks with Tiffany McLean, the learning and development manager at General RV Center, where she develops learning strategy for more than 1,500 employees in six states and 12 locations. Ms. McLean is also the author of the article “Developing Training with Diversity & Inclusion in Mind,” that was published in Training Industry Magazine.

Show Notes:Tiffany McLean has a passion for infusing diversity, equity and inclusion into the training she executes at RV General. An author on the topic of keeping diversity top of mind in L&D, Tiffany shares these key points and more.

• Learning & Development leaders influence people’s career development so you must be extra conscious about D&I to make sure all team members are included.
• Go beyond creating a learning persona and also meet with diverse team members in different roles so you can make training relevant to everyone.
• Get comfortable being uncomfortable and get to know people of different backgrounds so you have a broader perspective as you develop learning and development and influence peoples’ careers.

Read Tiffany McLean's article "Developing Training with Diversity and Inclusion in Mind" on TrainingIndustry.com.

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Launching a new product requires collaboration, strategy and cooperation from team members across an organization. In this episode of Powered by Learning, d'Vinci Learning Solutions Director Jenny Fedullo and Host Susan Cort talk to Judi Bader of Inspire Brands, to learn how training is at the center of any successful product launch.

Show Notes:

Senior Director of Learning & Ops Experience at Inspire Brands Judi Bader leads the training that launches new products at Arby’s and other restaurant brands every couple of weeks. The rapid-pace product rollout schedules require discipline, strategy and collaboration to have everything in line before the new product hits the street. Judi shares these and other insights in her interview.

• It’s critical that marketing shares the vision with training for the new product launch and that there is trust between the two groups.
• Develop and commit to your product launch timeline to set the right expectations for all departments involved in the launch and for the learner who needs to communicate about the new product to the customers.
• Build in time for making changes in the launch schedule in case something changes with the product along the way. Being able to adapt quickly is key to keeping to your launch timeline.

Learn more about Arby’s and Inspire Brands

Connect with Judi Bader

Watch Arby’s has the Learning to Support its Brand

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Getting to know the audience is a critical first step before creating a learning solution – whether it's an in-person classroom training, eLearning course, video, or performance support piece. The demographics of the audience – like the learner’s generation – can play a big role in how they will receive that training. In this episode of Powered by Learning, d'Vinci's Lead Project Manager/Instructional Designer and Host Susan Cort talk to Amber Aziza, an award-winning Certified Master Trainer and speaker.

Show Notes:

Amber Aziza talks about the training preferences and characteristics of the different generational groups and what you can do to improve your training programs for every learner on your team. Some of Amber’s key points include:

• Develop training that is incredibly interactive and entertaining to retain attention of your team, regardless of their generation.
• Build a diverse training team of people from different backgrounds, ages and experiences to make sure your training resonates across your workforce.
• Create generational checklists to make sure each training initiative will be well received by your workforce, regardless of their generation.
• Don’t be afraid to push the envelope on being creative in training. Every generation will appreciate the effort you make to engage them.
• Focus on the individual learner because not all learner behave according to the characteristics of their generation.

Learn more about Amber Aziza.

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Episode Notes:

Technology and systems are critical to running efficient operations at a large company. d’Vinci CEO Luke Kempski talks to Lisa Browning, Manager, Learning & Development Systems at The Hershey Company as she prepares training for an enterprise rollout of SAP S/4HANA . Lisa describes how systems training makes employees more productive across the organization and improves the bottom line.

Show Notes:

As she prepares for the enterprise rollout of SAP S/4HANA, Lisa Browning, Manager, Learning & Development Systems at The Hershey Company, makes key points related to best practices for successful systems training and rollouts.

• Align the learning modality to provide the right context at the right time for the learner.
• Define KPIs so you know what results you’re trying to achieve and can measure at established dates in the process.
• Successful learning must be an organization-wide priority that is tied to performance.
• Change management and communications teams are integral to the success of a system rollout.
• Look for tools like SAP Enable Now to create system simulations and handouts to support learning and expedite use of new systems.

Learn more about The Hershey Company

Connect with Lisa Browning

Learn more about d'Vinci Interactive

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As the learning industry evolves, so has the role of the instructional designer. Renowned learning experience designer, author and coach Connie Malamed, discusses the shift from Instructional Design to Learning Experience Design and the value it brings to the learner with host Susan Cort and co-host Jenica Jones.

Show Notes:

eLearning Coach Connie Malamed helped coin the phrase “Learning Experience Design” yet many in the industry struggle with explaining the difference between LXD and ID (Instructional Design). In this podcast, Connie makes the following statements about LXD:

• Learning Experience Design is human-centered with the focus always on the learner.
• Learning experience design takes all of the research, UI/UX, and all of the best things that Instructional Designers have learned over the years and creates a new mindset and new experience for learning.
• Learning can be a true experience and not just a one-time event. Instructional Designers work to create a learning journey to get the best results for the learner.

Connect with Connie Malamed on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniemalamed/

Download Connie’s free eBook: Writing for Instructional Designers at http://theelearningcoach.com/

Listen to Connie’s Podcasts: http://theelearningcoach.com/category/podcasts/

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In this episode, learn from Dr. Janet Lockhart-Jones, a Leadership Strategist, Speaker, Executive Coach, and Corporate Trainer, as she shares best practices for creating successful virtual training events. Dr. Lockhart-Jones offers the dos and don’ts for hosting your next VILT session with Powered by Learning Host Susan Cort and co-host Jenny Fedullo. 

Show Notes:

Dr. Janet Lockhart-Jones is no stranger to virtual training. Now more than ever before, understanding the art and science of engaging an audience virtually is critical to successful learning. Dr. Lockhart-Jones offers the best practices to make your virtual training sessions work.

• Skip the long group intros to get right into the training
• Utilize break out groups, chats, polls to encourage discussion
• Engage the learner with pre-work before the virtual session
• Know the pros and cons of the virtual platform you use and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Connect with Janet Lockhart Jones

Read her article, "From Crisis to Opportunity - Live Virtual Training is prime for Center Stage."

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In this first d'Vinci podcast, hear how the makers of iconic brands including Robert Mondavi Winery, SVEDKA Vodka and Corona Beer educate internal team members and commercial partners to build brands, expand distribution, and increase sales. Andi Carey the Director of Wine & Spirits Education from Constellation Brands joins host Susan Cort and co-host Angeline Evans to share how their training ensures that everyone is talking about their brands.

Show Notes:

At Constellation Brands, the L&D team works seamlessly with the sales enablement team to get the best tools across the sales organization. In this episode, d’Vinci Lead Project Manager/Instructional Designer Angeline Evans talks to Andi Carey, the director of Wine & Spirits Education to learn how the company’s learning academy is impacting sales through training. You’ll hear these points and more:

• The story matters in your training. Connect the learner to the brand for more impact.
• Curate content that is meaningful and easy for learners to consume and digest.
• Create a formal tone of voice document and keep your mission, vision and goals in mind with each training solution.