Aligning learning and development (L&D) and the business has been a perennial goal for L&D. Still, research continues to show there is a meaning gap. To close this gap, L&D must evolve to better leverage effective business consulting skills to surface insights about business goals, changes to performance, and key factors that inform design decisions and learning outcomes. Whether you are an internal L&D professional or an external consultant, Kelly and Brian will share client stories, tips and guides to follow to help you improve your business consulting skills.  

1. Business Consulting Skills
for L&D Professionals
For more information, contact us:
learnmore@actiolearning.com or 800.592.2080 ext. 4
TICE 2018
June 27, 2018

2. THERE’S A GAP
BETWEEN L&D
AND BUSINESS
STAKEHOLDERS

3. 79%
of training professionals say
strategic alignment is
important for business
success
- Training Industry, 2017
94%
say their learning strategy is
not very effective at meeting
business goals
- Brandon Hall, 2018
59%
have trouble connecting
learning to business
outcomes
- Bersin by Deloitte
95%
don’t excel at using data to
• align to the business
• improve L&D efficiency
• develop effective training
- Bersin by Deloitte
92%
business leaders don’t see
the business impact of L&D
- LinkedIn Learning
3

4. TO A N SW ER TH E
QU ESTION :
Is L&D delivering the
right solutions for the business?
Proprietary and Confidential
L& D MU ST A LIGN SOLU TION S W ITH
B U SIN ESS N EED S, W H IC H R EQU IR ES:
business consulting skills
4

5.  Gain understanding of the business issue
 Uncover potential training need
 Frame the training solution concept
 Obtain buy-in and approval
 Determine how to measure the impact
Design & Implement Training Solution
5

6. Design &
implement
solution
6
DEFINE
NEED
ARTICULATE
SITUATION
FRAME
SOLUTION

7. Locate, read and understand the data used to
assess the organization’s health
E X P L O R E
the Business
• What are your
business goals?
• What obstacles
stand in the way
of achieving
those goals?
• How will success
be measured?
7
Design &
implement
solution
DEFINE
NEED
ARTICULATE
SITUATION
FRAME
SOLUTION
KEY BUSINESS CONSULTING SKILLS:
Aware of external forces that may challenge the
organization’s ability to meet business goals
Identify and connect with the right business
stakeholders to develop awareness of business
strategy and issues

8. 8
Use a structured process for performance analysis
(current performance, desired performance and gap)
T A R G E T
the Performance
• What role has the
greatest impact on
achieving that goal?
• What will be
different once
you’ve
accomplished the
goal?
8
Design &
implement
solution
DEFINE
NEED
ARTICULATE
SITUATION
FRAME
SOLUTION
KEY BUSINESS CONSULTING SKILLS:
Consider a wide array of potential causes for
performance gaps
Work with business stakeholders and partners,
including being comfortable requesting they perform
key tasks or provide specific data/information

9. Determine the metrics and data needed
to measure the solution
C O N F I R M
the Learning
Outcome
• Does the learning
solution concept
align with your
goals?
• How will you
measure
success?
9
Design &
implement
solution
DEFINE
NEED
ARTICULATE
SITUATION
FRAME
SOLUTION
KEY BUSINESS CONSULTING SKILLS:
Consider a wide array of options when
framing a recommended solution
Connect recommended solution back
to business goals

10. 10
KEY BUSINESS CONSULTING SKILLS:
Obtain input, buy-in and commitment
from business stakeholders
Design &
implement
solution
DEFINE
NEED
ARTICULATE
SITUATION
FRAME
SOLUTION
Prioritize the project/solution relative
to other organization investments

11. Rate your business consulting skills.
Proprietary and Confidential 11
AUDIENCE POLL:
Go to www.menti.com
16 85 17

12. How might an L&D professional
develop or build specific business
consulting skills?
Proprietary and Confidential 12
POLL RESULTS DISCUSSION:

13. For more information, contact us:
bblecke@ActioLearning.com • ksmith@ActioLearning.com
800.592.2080
Questions?Thank you!

14. We create learning
solutions to solve
business problems.
We design development maps and custom training
programs that ensure benefit for the business.
Visit ACTIOLEARNING.COM