Episode description

The consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have been dramatic and far-reaching. Many organisations and even industries have faced existential threats. But the situation has also provided L&D with huge opportunities. In this episode Robb Sayers explains how these opportunities have presented themselves to him and how he sees L&D progressing from here. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lockdown has allowed certain activities in development to be brought forward, with the aim of increasing engagement, and investment in skills and capabilities.
• People aren’t always interested in how they learn. They simply want to learn. By improving their skills, they make their jobs easier and more intuitive. 
• It is our role in L&D, to look at the landscape as we return, and do our best to provide disruptive thinking. We must talk about the things that we do not wish to return to.
• Fundamentally, onboarding should be condensed to two objectives: 
  • To help someone feel as though they’re welcome and that they have joined the right organisation
  • To help that person achieve efficiency in their role at speed
• The biggest learning we’ve all taken from 2020 is that the world can change in an instant. We will walk forward from this period with a greater ability to be ready for change.

BEST MOMENTS

‘We learn most when we’re muddling along’

‘If you change the context in which people operate, everything else changes’

‘People want the stuff that’s going to help them when they need it’

’The world around us has changed, and therefore you have to adapt'

VALUABLE RESOURC ES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

ABOUT THE GUEST

Robb is UK Capability Lead for Viiv Healthcare, having held various People Development roles at GlaxoSmithKline, including the position of Director of Learning Capabilities.

You can follow and connect with Robb via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robb-sayers-1b896225/

 ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/
• Website: https://www.looop.co/