The Learning & Development Podcast

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Becky Willis to break down the essential components of her new book, 7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement: A Blueprint for Creating Impactful L&D. Together, they explore what it truly takes for an organization to shift its attention toward L&D and, more importantly, how to convert that attention into tangible business impact.

Becky reflects on the transition from traditional L&D hurdles to a streamlined, step-by-step guide for modern professionals. The conversation covers the entire lifecycle of a successful initiative—from securing executive buy-in and refining strategy to optimizing learning technology. They also delve into the "marketing" side of the industry, discussing how to leverage internal champions and communication tactics to ensure L&D moves from the periphery to the heart of organizational performance.

Take your L&D to the next level

 

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

 

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

●      Reposition L&D as a business function, not a course factory - move from “we create training” to “we solve business problems,” and prove it using time to proficiency, product quality, and profit KPIs. 

●      Start with one senior sponsor, co‑solve a pressing business issue, prove impact with data and stories, then scale support via a Learning Advisory Board or similar council.  

●      Modern, collaborative, AI‑enabled platforms with strong UX can transform engagement and visibility. But don´t bolt AI onto legacy LMSs and risk turning L&D into a “dinosaur on wheels.” 

●      Market L&D internally like a product - use champions and visible executives and continually showcase success stories.

●      Go way beyond courses, design for moments of need. Build experience sharing, in‑the‑flow support and AI‑enabled coaching - employees need to get exactly what they need, when they need it.

BEST MOMENTS

“If you have bolted on AI that's just added into there, onto your dinosaur, LMS, then what you have is a dinosaur on wheels.”

“I think the mindset of going from I create courses to I solve business problems is a big step.”

“The sweet spot of learning and development is to be there at the moment of need - to influence the moment of apply.”

Becky Willis Bio

Becky Willis is a founder and the chief learning officer at Tractus Learning. She helps guide Tractus customers to implement successful digital learning. She is also the founder of WillLearn Consulting, where she helps companies plan, design, and develop high-performance digital learning ecosystems. Previously, she was the vice president of engagement at EdCast and led learning innovation at Hewlett Packard.

You can follow and contact Becky via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckywillis/

Website: https://tractuslearning.com/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin

●      L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

●      Blog: https://360learning.com/blog

●      L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens to explore how AI is revealing deep-seated flaws in the traditional L&D operating model. They discuss why the industry’s long-standing reliance on static content and "one size fits all" curricula is no longer fit for purpose in a world where expertise is now available on tap.

Tom and Brandon reflect on the shift from managing content production to facilitating "action learning," where L&D practitioners must act more like business consultants to drive real performance change. They delve into the return of the apprenticeship model - now enabled at scale through AI - and how the role of L&D must evolve from a reactive cost centre into a high-value sensing engine that predicts and solves business failures in real-time.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS


L&D will have to stop being course producers and become performance partners. Working directly alongside the people who do the jobs to build apprenticeship-style coaching using AI.


L&D must be deeply embedded in the business, driven by data and learning science, and judged on measurable performance outcomes, not on volume of training.

BEST MOMENTS

“Gen AI is … putting expertise on tap, basically.”

“When you're trying to get a team to really adopt AI and champion it … you have to create that aha moment.”

"If every L&D employee had the anthropic kind of ecosystem at their disposal, it would 10x what they're doing."

GUEST BIOS

Tom Kupetis, Executive Vice President, St. Charles Consulting Group

Tom has 20+ years’ experience delivering management consulting and learning solutions to Fortune 500 organisations. A results-focused advisor, he partners with senior leaders to link learning directly to business outcomes such as strategic transformation, risk reduction, revenue growth, and speed to profit. As Executive Vice President, Tom leads new client acquisition and firm growth, shaping St. Charles’ client‑centric go‑to‑market strategy and positioning in strategic learning services.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-a-kupetis-ii-5a427b3/

Brandon Dickens, Vice President for Advanced Solutions, NIIT

Brandon is Vice President for Advanced Solutions at NIIT, where he leads AI-powered learning innovation for Fortune 500 clients. He focuses on AI coaching systems, adaptive simulations and performance platforms that shift L&D from content delivery to measurable business impact. Brandon helped create NIIT’s Modal AI Coach framework and “Judy,” an AI activity generator and coach for K-12 teachers built with The Writing Revolution. He co-authored The Transcendence Doctrine series, arguing that AI ends the business case for content-centric learning and forces L&D to prove value through performance.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandondickens/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 


 https://twitter.com/davidinlearning


https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin


https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective


https://360learning.com/blog


https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Simon Brown takes us inside his role as Global Learning & Development Leader at EY, sharing how he sits at the table shaping the organisation’s AI agenda rather than just delivering training. We explore how L&D can move from a support function to a strategic driver in the AI era, the practical ways his team is role-modelling AI, and the benefits of taking an integrated approach across departments to unlock real impact.

Simon also gives his perspective on the speed at which AI is transforming L&D, what this means for day-to-day operations, and how teams can stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. He shares actionable advice for L&D leaders who feel they might be behind the curve, offering insights into how to forge influence, make AI work for learning, and prepare their organisations for the next wave of skills development.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS


A skills-based learning ecosystem where skills act as the “connective tissue” and people build visible skills profiles, earn badges by applying new capabilities, and are then scheduled onto projects based on those skills  turns learning into a direct driver of real work opportunities and career growth.


A clear vision, strategy and operating model, agreed with the C‑suite, gives L&D a mandate and protects it from shiny object tech decisions.


L&D only stays relevant if it matches consumer-grade, AI-powered experiences and uses AI itself to accelerate and personalise learning. Be part of early AI conversations.

BEST MOMENTS

“The learning is actually done by interaction with an AI agent, and that agent will guide you through step by step what might be a good agent for you to build.”

“We've tried to role model how to use the (AI) technology ourselves in how we build the learning solutions.”

Simon Brown Bio

Simon Brown is Global Learning & Development Leader at EY and international best-selling author of The Curious Advantage. A commercially minded learning leader, he was previously Chief Learning Officer at Novartis and has led major learning transformations across sectors, including at Lloyds Banking Group.

Earlier in his career he co-founded Brightwave, one of the UK’s leading e-learning companies, and consulted at Accenture for global brands such as BT, BP, Microsoft, and Canon. His work has earned multiple Chief Learning Officer Strategy Awards, and under his leadership Novartis was named #3 globally for Talent Development in the ATD BEST Awards.

Simon co-hosts The Curious Advantage podcast, is a regular international keynote speaker, and is active in global learning communities and EdTech as an angel investor.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoncbrown1/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curious-Advantage-Paul-Ashcroft/dp/1648713513

https://www.curiousadvantage.com/curious-advantage-podcast

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 


 https://twitter.com/davidinlearning


 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin


 https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Hillary Miller takes us behind the scenes of scaling L&D across a complex healthcare system. She discusses how she adapted team structures to meet the needs of hospitals, outpatient services, and physician networks, and how she identified what was working and what needed to change.

Hillary also explores her approach to influencing senior stakeholders, using evidence over anecdotes and guiding conversations from “what we want” toward “what the business actually needs.” She reflects on planning ahead, balancing competing priorities and building an L&D function that delivers real organisational impact.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Strategic partnerships with leaders, grounded in their metrics and realities, let L&D see 3–5 years ahead and shape the organisation’s future.  


Great L&D teams are built around people’s strengths, transferable skills, and trust so people can fill new roles as the business needs it. That´s far more productive than periodically re-organising the whole team.


Relationships are the real infrastructure. They are the most vital element for any organisation or business.


Curiosity, candour and humour with stakeholders and your own team make the hard conversations possible.  


Be ready to wait for the right moments to make your points or push for change.

BEST MOMENTS

“Quit calling them learners and students. These are our colleagues, right?” 

“I care a lot about looking around the corner. So, where are we going to be three to five years from now? What is the business going to be experiencing.” 

“Don't wait for the big wow. Acknowledge the things that are happening along the way that are actually helping.”  

“I really stand by HCA mission, which, above all else. We're committed to the care and improvement of human life. There is nothing more mission driven to me than taking care of other people.”

Hillary Miller Bio

Hillary Miller shares how she’s building an L&D function that delivers real organisational impact across hospitals, outpatient services, and physician networks. She unpacks how she uses evidence over anecdotes, guides stakeholders from “what we want” to “what the business actually needs” and drives measurable results at scale.

Hillary also takes us behind the scenes of scaling L&D, transforming team structures, assessing what works and what needs to change, balancing competing priorities and planning strategically to ensure learning initiatives truly move the business forward.

You can follow and connect with Hillary via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarybmiller/

EPISODE REOURCES

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Michael-Bungay-Stanier/author/B002QK41GQ

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 


Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin


L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective


Blog: https://360learning.com/blog


L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Brian Jarvis to explore what it takes to lead an L&D transformation inside a long-established organisation.

Brian reflects on stepping into WM, the early signals that learning wasn’t supporting the business in the way it needed and the first moves he made to begin changing direction. He discusses building credibility with stakeholders, evolving ways of working within his team and how L&D has shifted from a reactive, request-led function to one that’s having a more meaningful impact on the organisation.

Take your L&D to the next level

Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.

It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Make their problem your problem. Speak the language of stakeholders, take ownership of their goals and risks, and provide impactful and measurable solutions.


Target where the business is hurting most, prove revenue and performance impact. Then, expand from there.  


Play the long game: build trust, feedback loops, and champions. 


Be ready to wow someone - you need stakeholders who advocate for L&D. 


Measure time‑to‑proficiency, readiness, and confidence, not just completion of courses or content delivered.  


Evolve your practice with design thinking, leverage AI, and technology. Put in place solid best practice to scale the impact of L&D without needing a bigger team.

BEST MOMENTS

“Every programme … is evolving and changing as they (the learners) grow into another year.”

“Make their problem your problem.”

“The management of the stakeholders is the most important piece.”

“We either use smart tools to do dumb things, or we use smart tools to do the right things.”

Brian Jarvis Bio

Brian Jarvis is a strategic Learning & Development leader with more than 13 years’ experience leading enterprise-scale initiatives across large, complex organisations. He is currently responsible for Learning and Leadership Development for National Accounts at WM, supporting teams across North America, Canada, and India. In this role, Brian has modernised onboarding and upskilling for customer experience, billing, and sales functions—reducing time to proficiency, improving frontline readiness, and increasing retention while supporting significant business growth and transformation. Previously, he led large-scale learning strategies at CVS Health, Aetna, and United Bank, delivering data-driven, digital-first learning approaches that improved performance, strengthened capability at scale, and delivered measurable commercial impact.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

ABOUT THE HOST

David James 

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. 

CONTACT METHOD 


Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin


L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective


Blog: https://360learning.com/blog


L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/