Laura Overton provided the closing keynote at World of Learning 2014 (Birmingham, UK), sharing why it's important to prioritise the alignment of learning to business needs instead of focusing on the latest fads and technologies.

1. Business Transformation Through Learning Innovation
Linking Learning to Business
Turning talk into action!
1st October 2014
LauraOverton www.towardsmaturity.org/BenchmarkToday

2. Why did you come to WOL 2014?
1) New ideas for delivering learning
2) New ideas for building talent
3) New ideas for making budget go
further
4) New technology ideas
5) Benchmarks with peers
22
9
2
4%
5
11%
17%
8
48%
20%
1 2 3 4 5

3. Have you achieved your objectives?
1)Yes
2)No
42
7
1 2
86%
14%

4. What do your business leaders want you to take
away from this conference?
1) Add more value
2) Help manage change
3) They don’t know I am here
4) To make us more efficient
67%
33
4
10
2
1 2 3 4
8%
20%
4%

5. Business leaders are hungry for what you can
bring them…they just don’t know it yet.

6. What is on our leaders’ minds?
Technology
is the biggest external
force shaping business today
Talent
93% of CEOs recognise the need to change
strategy for attracting talent
Change
Three factors underpin strong business performance in any business:
1. An engaged workforce
2. The ability to continually implement change
3. Finding and nurturing the next generation of leaders

7. Does modernised learning make a difference?

8. YesYesYes
Learning innovation, done well,
delivers bottom-line results:
9% reduction in attrition
14% increase in productivity
12% improvement in time
to competency
17% cost reduction
www.towardsmaturity.org/2014benchmark

9. How do we know?
10 years of research
3,500 L&D leaders
44+ Countries
1.5 million data points every year
= An evidence-based
approach to modernising
learning
Freely available with
thanks to Industry
Ambassadors

10. Distilling the Wisdom of the Crowds:
The New Learning Agenda
10 years of research into L&D good practice has shown us that in order to create firm foundations for success, top performing organisations show us that we need
a New Learning Agenda; one that is shared by business and learning stakeholders. This New Learning Agenda outlines nine action areas to help businesses build
talent, drive performance, support change and improve agility. for more details, visit: www.towardsmaturity.org/2013benchmark

11. Remodelling Learning
Integrate
Learning
& Talent
Transform
Training
Develop
Learning
Culture
Distilling the Wisdom of the Crowds:
The New Learning Agenda

12. Remodelling Learning
Distilling the Wisdom of the Crowds:
Integrate
Learning
& Talent
Transform
Training
Develop
Learning
Culture
The New Learning Agenda
Respond Faster Simplify
Flexible
Learning
Boosting Agility

13. Remodelling Learning
Distilling the Wisdom of the Crowds:
Integrate
Learning
& Talent
Transform
Training
Develop
Learning
Culture
Respond Faster Simplify
Flexible
Learning
Boosting Agility
Equip L&D as
Agents of Change
Link, not barrier
Building L&D Skills
The New Learning Agenda

14. What have you learned that will make the
biggest difference back in your workplace?

15. Distilling the Wisdom of the Crowds:
What is the biggest difference between mediocre and
successful learning strategies?
2 Way
Business
Alignment
Customer
Activated Learning
the Business Case
Making
Listening to Learners vs.
Assumption
Alignment
to need
(organisational and individual)
The New Learning Agenda

16. Definition of Alignment:
Arrange in a straight line or in correct
relative position
Create a position of agreement or
alliance
Alignment is not a one-way street. It’s
not just about making sure that you
have all your ducks in a row; it’s also
about making sure your business and
customers recognise this fact and
recognise that you have real value to
offer; it’s about seeing eye to eye.’

17. Aligned organisations enjoy
5x
As many business benefits
Download the details of these 7 habits here:
www.towardsmaturity.org/in-focus2014/alignment

18. What Progress Are We Making?
61%
2013
(avg)
60%
2014
(avg)
97%
Top learning
companies
in 2014
63%
46% 2012
2011
(avg)
(avg)
What % of L&D leaders are confident that their learning provision support the skills their business needs?

19. Aligning To Individual Need
88%of learners like to learn at their
own pace
62%agree that their manager makes
time for them to learn at work
65%agree that they are motivated
by using technologies that allow them to
network and learn with others
www.towardsmaturity.org/learnervoice1
Our recommendation is to
be brave, challenge and take
risks but keep your focus.
Do one thing, do it well then
move on!
Jason Pitfield, L&D Manager LV=
Yet only 1/3 of L&D leaders know how their staff
actually learn at work…
www.towardsmaturity.org/2014benchmark

20. How?
Business Learning
By starting a two-way conversation…

21. How?
To business leaders, we say: To learning leaders, we say:
• Look beyond the course
• Be open to doing things
Business differently
Learning
• Demand that your L&D focuses
on outcomes
• Embrace L&D as a partner in
change
• Build relationships at the
heart of the business
• Reflect business priorities in
everything you do
• Dare to be different
• Demonstrate value
• Future proof yourself

22. “Continually swapping recipes doesn’t
guarantee that we can cook!”
Time for action.
Head of L&D, British Council

23. Are You Walking Away Today With A Proactive Plan Of Action?
1) Yes
2) No
3) Not yet
26
3
14
1 2 3
60%
7%
33%

24. If you do nothing else this year…
LINK LEARNING TO BUSINESS
(not to fads and technologies!)
Do this!

25. It’s time for action.
Over to you…
Visit towardsmaturity.org for free
resources and insights to stimulate
conversation in your organisation