The Business of Learning, Episode 43: How to Become an Effective Internal Consultant

In celebration of Training Industry’s 20-year anniversary, we asked our listeners to share their perspectives on the past, present and future of learning and development (L&D).   In this bonus episode of The Business of Learning, we dig into your submissions and explore the L&D trends that shaped the last two decades — and those that will define the future of the field.   Tune in now to hear insights on:  How AI-powered role-play is reshaping skills development  The ways the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the L&D industry   Why, despite new technologies, the future of L&D remains deeply human   

Understanding the impact of training is a top priority for learning leaders — but knowing where to start with learning analytics can be challenging. From identifying the right metrics to connecting data back to business goals, effective measurement is key to building a more strategic L&D function.  In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Brandy Ford, CPTM, assistant vice president of manager strategy, analytics and technology at FM, to discuss how L&D professionals can develop foundational analytics skills and demonstrate real business impact.  Tune in now to hear insights on:  Where to begin when measuring training effectiveness  Key learning metrics to track, and how to align them with business key performance indicators (KPIs)  Practical tips for engaging stakeholders in defining success  

With tighter budgets and ongoing economic uncertainty, many learning leaders are being asked to do more with less. Managing training functions with limited resources requires creativity, strategic prioritization and strong stakeholder alignment. In this episode of The Business of Learning, brought to you by Synthesia, we sat down with experienced L&D leaders Lauren Olson and Harry Colangelo, CPTM to explore how L&D professionals can maximize impact even when resources are scarce. Tune in now to hear insights on: Making the most of existing tools, platforms and content Engaging subject matter experts to stretch training resources further Skills L&D professionals need to stay resilient during uncertainty

Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing both challenges and opportunities to the corporate learning space. In this episode of The Business of Learning — recorded live, in person at the 2025 Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) — we sat down with Nichol Bradford, executive-in-residence, AI+HI at SHRM, futurist, and founder and chairman of Transformative Tech Lab, to explore how learning leaders can use AI to drive human potential while navigating its challenges. Tune in now for insights on: What it means to responsibly implement AI in the workplace How generative AI can augment, not replace, human talent Preparing L&D teams to lead an AI-enabled future of work Opportunities and challenges in using AI to enhance employee well-being

Change is inevitable, but the good news is that leading it successfully is a skill that can be learned. In this episode of The Business of Learning — recorded live, in person at the 2025 Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) in celebration of Training Industry’s 20-year anniversary — we sat down with Dr. Michelle Rozen, a  keynote speaker, author and expert on change management, to explore how learning leaders can support their organizations through disruption and help teams stay focused, motivated and resilient. Tune in now for insights on:  How to drive sustainable change across the organization Turning resistance into engagement Key mindset shifts for leaders navigating uncertainty

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, organizations are under increasing pressure to equip their technical teams with the right skills to drive the business forward.   In this episode of The Business of Learning, we sat down with Aleksandar Orovcanec, technical training specialist at CSA Group, to explore how learning leaders can develop and support future-ready tech teams  Tune in now to hear insights on:  Overcoming common technical training challenges  Strategies for integrating soft skills into technical learning programs  The impact of AI on technical skills development and training approaches 

What does the future of skills development look like — and how can learning leaders prepare their people and organizations for what’s next?  In this bonus episode of The Business of Learning, recorded live at the 2025 Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) in celebration of Training Industry’s 20-year anniversary, we gathered a panel of L&D leaders to discuss what it really takes to build a future-ready workforce.  Tune in now to hear insights on:  How skills-based strategies are reshaping talent development  The evolving role of learning leaders in workforce transformation  How to bridge the gap between learning, performance and business needs   …and more!  

In 2025, effective onboarding is about connection, belonging and well-being — not just orientation sessions or process checklists. Today’s programs must be designed to help new hires feel supported, seen and prepared to thrive in their roles. In this episode of The Business of Learning, sponsored by Wisetail, we spoke with Geoffrey Roche, director of workforce development at Siemens Healthineers, to explore how L&D can drive more human-centered, inclusive onboarding experiences that make a lasting impact. Tune in now to learn: The current state of employee onboarding — and what’s changing How to embed belonging, mattering and purpose into onboarding programs Strategies to help leaders create welcoming, inclusive environments for new hires How to measure the impact of onboarding on retention and engagement …and more!

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues transforming the way we work and learn, it’s also changing how we coach and train high-performing sales teams. From personalized feedback to real-time performance insights, AI-powered coaching tools are helping organizations scale their sales training efforts — without sacrificing quality or impact. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we sat down with Julie Thomas, president and CEO of ValueSelling Associates, to explore how learning leaders can use AI to drive sales effectiveness and improve coaching outcomes. Tune in now to learn: The top challenges organizations face when training sales teams and how AI can help. How AI-powered coaching tools deliver on-demand feedback and real-time performance data. Which sales skills AI can train most efficiently. …and more!

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the way we work, the need for employees to understand and use data has never been more important. According to recent research from DataCamp, 86% of leaders say data literacy is essential for their teams’ daily tasks — and 62% say the same about AI literacy. But without these foundational skills, organizations risk falling behind. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Dr. Bill Brantley, CPTM, president and chief learning officer at BAS2A, and Lauren LePage, learning strategist at Chick-fil-A  Tune in now to explore how L&D can build AI and data literacy across the workforce and gain insights on:  How to assess AI readiness and measure data literacy using tools like skills mapping and competency models. The critical role of leadership in modeling data-informed decision-making and creating a culture of ethical AI use. Key steps to begin building an AI- and data-literate workforce.