Hilary Marsh, president and chief strategist at Content Company, is a seasoned content and digital strategy expert. Her work focuses on helping content-rich organizations better plan, create, and leverage their content through improved and effective content strategy.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with Hilary about the importance of a whole-organization content strategy, the different levels of content strategy maturity, and the rise in the role of content strategists. They also discuss content management tips and tricks and why learning businesses should view their content from the consumer's point of view.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode330.
Social learning is natural and highly effective. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged many traditional approaches, so now more than ever people are craving the return of social learning. And that represents a huge opportunity for learning businesses.
In this seventh episode in our tool talk series, we dive deeper into the topic of social learning: why it’s important for learning businesses, four dimensions that define it, and how to design it strategically using the Social Learning Mixer.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode329.
Pamela Slim is a writer, a speaker, and a business coach who works with small business owners ready to scale their businesses and intellectual property. She’s the author of Escape from Cubicle Nation, Body of Work, and, most recently, The Widest Net. Pam and her husband Darryl co-founded the Main Street Learning Lab in Mesa, Arizona.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Pam about the need for businesses to adopt an ecosystem point of view; how to find your ideal clients and customers; and the importance of using problems, challenges, or aspirations to identify ideal customers. They also discuss four categories of obstacles that typically prevent customers from solving their own problems; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and more.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode328.
Dr. Bucky Dodd is passionate about helping people learn and designing world-class learning experiences. He’s assistant vice president for education, strategy, and innovation with LX Studio at the University of Central Oklahoma, and he created Learning Environment Modeling®, a visual collaboration system for the design and evaluation of learning experiences. He’s also published a playbook called “Supercharge Your Webinar Strategy,” which explores five specific strategies for better Webinars.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks to return guest Bucky about learning environments, learning experience design, learning campaigns, and a strategic approach to creating better Webinar experiences.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode327.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Learning is process, not an event.
Learning experiences are embedded in culture and are part of a broader ecosystem. And, as leaders in the business of lifelong learning, it’s critical that we embrace this and the related impact we can have.
In this sixth episode in our informal series on tools for learning businesses, we explore the concepts of learning culture and learning ecosystem: what they are, why you should focus on them, and how to foster them.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode326.
Tiffany Crosby serves as the chief learning officer at the Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA), which serves the finance and accounting professions through a portfolio of learning options, advocacy, pipeline development, and more. She also serves as the society’s DEI officer, nurturing diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally and in the accounting profession. A self-described learning enthusiast, Tiffany is an avid reader currently pursuing a PhD in organizational leadership.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele and Tiffany talk about competency-based learning, blended and cohort-based learning, the impact of the pandemic on learning portfolios, using data to make decisions, coaching to support learning, trends she has her eye on (including blockchain and microcredentials), content curation, and DEI.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode325.
Connie Malamed, AKA the eLearning Coach, is a learning experience design expert who helps people learn, build, and grow instructional design skills. She’s also an author, blogger, and podcast host, and she leads a membership community that offers both live and self-paced courses.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with return guest Connie about hybrid and blended learning, including the ambiguity of those terms. They also discuss the pandemic’s impact on learning designers, forgetting and retention, visual design, using community to support learning, personal networks as knowledge, and the importance of the learner’s journey.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode324.
Learner engagement leads to improved, more meaningful experiences for learners, and it leads to improved outcomes for learning businesses. But effective learner engagement requires both an understanding of the necessary conditions to foster it and an understanding of how to support it before, during, and after a learning experience.
In this fifth episode in our informal series on tools for learning businesses, we dive into learner engagement: why learning businesses should focus on it, a definition of what it is, and how our free Learner Engagement Loop can help you plan for it throughout an entire cycle of learning.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode323.
Dr. Ginger Malin is an award-winning professor and technology entrepreneur with almost 25 years of experience in the learning and development space. Ginger is founder and CEO of BadgeCert, which provides an enterprise-class platform for creating, issuing, storing, and sharing digital badges that verify earners’ skills, credentials, and continuing education experiences.
In this episode, Leading Learning podcast co-host Celisa Steele and Ginger dive into digital badges, including how they benefit employers, earners, and issuing organizations alike. They also discuss microcredentials, stacking, and blockchain, and Ginger shares expert tips on what it takes to build or grow a successful digital badge offering.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode322.
Julian Stodd is a writer, illustrator, researcher, and explorer of the Social Age movement. He’s also founder and captain of Sea Salt Learning, where he helps organizations get fit for the social age.
As the author of fifteen books and thousands of articles and blog posts, Julian is a true thought leader in the areas of social leadership, organizational change, learning design, social collaborative technology, and more.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb and Julian talk about what the social age is and what living in the social age means for learning and leadership. They also discuss social collaborative learning, the concept of expertise, storytelling, failure, the curse of busyness, and the related opportunities in all of this for learning businesses.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode321.
Too often learning businesses think too much about the end product without considering all the phases in the learning product lifecycle. By focusing too much on the end result, there’s a missed opportunity in producing the best product possible.
In this fourth episode in our informal series on tools for learning businesses, we highlight the MIDDLE ME learning product lifecycle. We break down the four components of MIDDLE ME—market interface (MI), design and development (DD), learning experience (LE), and measurement and evaluation (ME)—and explain how and why to use it to help you grow your learning business.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode320.
Megan Torrance is CEO—chief energy officer—at TorranceLearning, a full-stack learning services firm. TorranceLearning also provide professional development for the learning and development industry, including the free xAPI Learning Cohort, which they ran before handing the baton to the Learning Guild.
Megan is an evangelist for xAPI and has over 25 years of consulting, instructional design, and project management experience. She’s also the author of Agile for Instructional Designers: Iterative Project Management to Achieve Results and Making Sense of xAPI.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Megan about all things xAPI: what it is, what it promises above and beyond SCORM, and real-world examples of what it looks like in action. They also talk about cmi5 and why most learning business professionals should care about it (but not too much), what can be done with data and analytics, human learning versus adult learning, and much more.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode319.
Understanding the value your learning business delivers with its range of offerings is hugely insightful. But objectively evaluating the value of your products can be a challenge.
That’s why we created the Product Value Profile, a free tool that offers a way to assess and visually represent the value you currently deliver with a specific product or product line and the perception of that value in the market.
In this third episode in our informal series on tools for learning businesses, we explain what the Product Value Profile is and how to use it. We also discuss how it can be used in conjunction with the Value Ramp, and to inform decisions about pricing.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode318.
Pricing plays a fundamental role in the success of all learning businesses. But determining appropriate prices can be complex.
Dr. Michael Tatonetti is founder and CEO of Pricing for Associations, where he helps associations navigate these pricing complexities. As a certified association executive (CAE) and certified pricing professional (CPP), he speaks, trains, and consults on value-based pricing.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb and Michael talk about value-based pricing, including approaches and tools to use; sponsorship; value propositions; pricing online offerings; addressing cannibalization concerns; and much more.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode317.
Shelley Osborne is head of learning experience at Modal, an employee education platform built with cohort-based, hands-on, and expert guidance for critical skills. She’s also the author of The Upskilling Imperative: Five Ways to Make Learning Core to the Way We Work.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with return guest Shelley about cohort-based learning, including what it is, why it’s so valuable, how to do it well, and how to scale it. They also talk about mastery learning, psychological safety, and the future of learning.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode316.
Pricing is a perennial challenge for learning businesses. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Simply put, what you are able to charge for your offerings depends on the value your prospective customers place on them. And once you really understand the value of your products and services, figuring out how to price them becomes much easier.
In this installment of out tool talks, an informal series on tools for learning businesses, we revisit the Tagoras Value Ramp™, a simple but powerful tool for assessing your education offerings. We explain why to use it, what it is, and how to use it.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode315.
We all know that books play a critical role in both personal and professional learning. They have the power to transform your life and help you achieve your potential in all areas of life. And when it comes to lifelong learning, there are quite a few that stand out as classics.
In fact, Jerel Bonner, managing director and co-founder of Corralling Chaos, recently reached out to us to share the particular books he’s found most valuable in his work focused on creating authentic leaders and high-performing teams.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with return guest Jerel about four classic books he believes to be essential career resources: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport, Mindset by Carol Dweck, and Grit by Angela Duckworth. They discuss key concepts from each and how to use them to maximize their impact and value.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode314.
Jaimie Francis is vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce. This nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening the nation’s educational standards and the quality of its workforce.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Jaimie about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management initiative and its related TPM Academy and National Learning Network. They also discuss general challenges and opportunities in workforce development and ways learning businesses can foster effective collaboration with employers.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode313.
Over the years, we’ve created a variety of tools aimed at helping elevate learning businesses. And while we’ve mentioned them in various places before, we’ve decided to shine the spotlight on each one in an informal series we’re calling “Tool Talks”. These episodes, which will air in between interviews over the next few months, will showcase how and why to use each tool.
In this first installment of Tool Talks, we’re highlighting the Market Insight Matrix. We explain what it is, why you should use it, and the three stages and three activities that support its framework. We also offer specific examples of what learning businesses can do throughout each step in the market assessment process.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode312.
As a seasoned adult education and leadership expert, Debra Zabloudil is the recently appointed vice president of learning at the American Society of Association Executives. ASAE is a professional society with more than 44,000 members that educates and develops association professionals at all stages of their careers.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Debra about her priorities as she steps into the role of leading ASAE’s learning portfolio, her philosophy of learning, and the important work to be done in diversity, equity, and inclusion. They also discuss the power of peer-to-peer learning, the importance of focusing on learning outcomes, and the imperative to keenly understand your audience.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode311.
Stephanie Mercado is CEO of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), whose mission is to prepare a coordinated, competent workforce to lead and advance healthcare quality across the continuum of healthcare. They believe that workforce readiness and healthcare quality competencies are key to achieving quality, safety, equity, and value in healthcare.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Stephanie about NAHQ certifications, competency frameworks, and their solutions-based approach to building their learning portfolio. They also discuss workforce development, partnerships with employers in academia, and the value in asking, “If your organization ceased to exist tomorrow, would anyone start the organization again and why?”
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode310.
It’s been an exciting year here at Leading Learning. We recently reached the 300th episode of the podcast. And last month Tagoras, our parent company, marked 15 years in business, yet another celebratory milestone.
If you’ve been listening to Leading Learning Podcast for a while, you know that we’re big fans of the power of reflection. That’s why in this episode we highlight some of the biggest changes—15 to be exact—that have fundamentally changed the learning business landscape over the 15 years since Tagoras got its start.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode309.
Dr. Veronica Diaz is director of professional learning at EDUCAUSE, an international nonprofit professional association whose mission is to advance higher education through the use of information technology. In her role, she ensures that learning and development programs support and advance the overall strategic priorities of the professional learning, member communities, and research teams. She also supports the development and design of career pathways that guide the professionals supporting and transforming higher education through the innovative use of technology.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with return guest Veronica about microcredentials, mentoring, professional pathways, personalization, the need to reevaluate COVID pivots, and a “three Cs” approach to sourcing your portfolio of offerings: curate, create, and commission.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode308.
A passionate advocate for the global association community, Peter O’Neil is a seasoned leader known for transforming organizations by creating high-performing, diverse, and inclusive teams and cultures. Since 2016, he has been CEO of ASIS International, which serves over 30,000 security management professionals from around the globe.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Jeff Cobb talks with Peter about the important role associations play both in society and in lifelong learning. They also discuss certificates, certifications, what it takes to be an effective international organization, and ASIS’s focus on four pillars: global, mobile, digital, and agile.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode307.
After not attending in-person conferences for a couple of years due to COVID, we had the chance to attend several. That return to in-person sparked some serious thinking related to learning (or not) at conferences.
In this episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, we apply our unscientific but deep first-hand knowledge of the world of conferences to unpack key elements conference planners need to incorporate to foster effective learning. We also discuss the broader conference landscape and the comparative advantages of offering virtual versus in-person conferences.
Full show notes and a transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode306.