Where Innovation and Measurable Results happen. We help businesses realize the real benefit of their training programs.
The confusion and noise surrounding learning measurement often creates frustration in learning professionals. Personally, I believe the inability of learning leaders to agree on clear learning measurement standards is an embarrassment to the industry. Don’t we know enough about our discipline, methods, and impact, to convey our results in a creditable way?
Sadly, our reliance on employee opinion surveys to tell us if we are doing our job well, is a clear indication that we do not. [Read more…]
I’ve talked on this site many times about SMEs—the subject matter experts that L&D teams often rely on for content. I’ve also discussed how SMEs, due to their topical expertise, frequently are absorbed by L&D departments, becoming key players or team members. These folks provide rich wells of content that benefit learners, so the progression from SME to L&D makes sense. While this integration may be a good fit, it’s wise to follow best practices and heed a few truisms as you integrate SMEs into L&D roles. [Read more…]
In business, respect is currency. Without it, no one takes you seriously. With it, you gain opportunity and play a crucial role in business success. Because of this need, raising the professional profile of our customers is a main goal of eParamus. We’ve seen many L&D leaders lose respect when they fail to fulfill the call of their profession. It’s our job to enable learning teams to design effective programs and be able to articulate results. Yet L&D leaders lose respect when they cannot prove the effectiveness of their work. [Read more…]
L&D leaders and their teams have been on a roller-coaster ride since (at least) 2008 and the Great Recession. When the economy pulls back, training and development are often the first casualties. L&D budgets and staff get cut when short-sighted companies believe learning to be a luxury.
However, just like a roller coaster, once an economy experiences a steep dive there’s a slower, creaking rise to the next peak. The employment outlook is cresting that next peak. As of January 2019, the U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.0 percent. In fact, unemployment is the lowest it’s been in 30 years. A tight labor market is good news for workers, but it can complicate day-to-day operations for employers. During a tight labor market, employers recall the true value of the learning and development function. There are four major reasons why a tight labor market gives L&D team a chance to showcase their business value. [Read more…]
Learning professionals are essential to organizational success because they build employee capability that drives business results. They create programs that generate employee skills, change performance, and lead to improved business outcomes. [Read more…]
Over the past several years I have noticed an increase in roles responsible for the evaluation and analysis of learning programs. This change reflects how learning professionals focus on data more now than ever. L&D job titles like Learning Analytics Director, Learning Measurement and Evaluation Analyst, or Learning Impact Director have become commonplace.
I attribute the increase in these roles to companies recognizing a business need to quantify the value of learning programs. This is logical as the spend for learning in the U.S. in the past year— including payroll and spending on external products and services—was $87.6 billion! [Read more…]
What do I measure? For even the most experienced learning professionals, this question is the sticking point. It’s where most L&D professionals struggle when they try to create measurable learning. This question has been and remains a source of confusion for so many in our profession. [Read more…]
Generic vs. Specific
Reactive vs. Strategic
Unmeasured vs. Measured
Order-Taker vs. Business Partner
Where do you land on the scale of learning team efficacy and maturity? [Read more…]
I like to keep my eye on industry and business trends. There is a foundation of knowledge that all skilled L&D teams need, but trends do affect our profession. They often impact how we approach our own jobs and practices.
Let’s examine some common business trends having an impact on the L&D profession. [Read more…]
The learning profession is running on a streak of optimism. In the annual survey of the Chief Learning Officer Business Intelligence Board, 57% of executives surveyed say that their spending plans for the next 12 to 18 months will increase, while another 28% say spending plans will stay the same. An article about the survey results notes that since 2015, most learning leaders have reported positive feelings about their spending plans. That’s always good to see. I hope your L&D operation is among those feeling optimistic, especially as you consider your L&D budget planning for the new year. [Read more…]
I can point to a test score that is directly tied to a question that is directly related to a job standard.
I can actually see if the connection was made.
eParamus was the only vendor able to do that.
Paige Goss, Director of Operations at The Select Group
As an educator, time after time, I see that when budgets get tight, often education is the first thing to go. This program helped me articulate the value of the department and the value of education.
Marilyn Pearson Morales, PhD, RN-BC, FNP
UNC Health Care Director Nursing Professional Development, Practice and Research