Business of Learning Ep. 93: Product Management in L&D

Learning and development (L&D) teams are increasingly expected to think beyond programs and courses to operate more like strategic partners to the business. But what does that actually look like in practice? One approach is applying product management principles to how L&D designs and delivers learning. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Rashi Kakkar, global portfolio leader, leadership and development at McKinsey’s Leadership Center of Excellence, to explore how product management mindsets can help L&D teams align learning more closely with business outcomes and learner needs. Tune in now for insights on: The similarities between product management and modern L&D processes What L&D can learn from product managers about taking a more strategic, business-first approach How customer-centric thinking can improve learning design and impact

Moving into higher-level or executive positions in learning and development (L&D) requires strategic thinking, business alignment and a clear understanding of what senior L&D roles truly entail. From building the right competencies to navigating common career roadblocks, L&D professionals need a roadmap for stepping into roles like chief learning officer (CLO) or vice president of learning. In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Amy DuVernet, Ph.D., CPTM, vice president of learning products at Training Industry, to explore what it takes to grow your L&D career into executive leadership. Tune in now to hear insights on: Key higher-level L&D job titles to know The core skills and competencies required to step into executive positions The role certifications and professional development programs can play in career advancement Common roadblocks L&D professionals face when pursuing higher-level roles — and how to overcome them

Developing effective leaders is more important than ever, but understanding which skills matter most and how to build them can be challenging. From navigating new team dynamics to giving impactful feedback, today’s leaders need both foundational and modern leadership capabilities to thrive.  In this episode of The Business of Learning, we spoke with Gena Cox, Ph.D., organizational psychologist and speaker, and Jevon Gondwe, founder of Influential Skills, to discuss how learning and development (L&D) can help leaders succeed in today’s evolving work environment.  Tune in now for insights on:   How leadership skills have shifted in recent years and which foundational skills remain essential  Key challenges leaders face today and strategies for overcoming them  How L&D can support leaders in giving effective feedback to improve team performance  Approaches to measuring the impact of leadership skills training 

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!