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Why is L&D still not part of the Business Strategy?

 

Why is L&D still not part of the Business Strategy?


This is the ultimate question for L&Ders. Why do most companies still see learning and development as separate to the business?

We’ve all read that we should use the same language and build stronger relationships with the business, but what does that mean?

To know this we need first to look at how L&D is different.
A traditional learning and development department often doesn’t have the same focus as the business.

The most significant of these is content: L&D habitually speaks and thinks in conceptual terms like Leadership Skills, Team Building or Negotiation Skills. How can this ever relate to a business that thinks in terms of Increased Market Share, Improved Revenue or Increased Profitability?

In a nutshell, L&D tends to be Activity Driven and has no clear business purpose.

A traditional learning & development team doesn’t even work under the same premiss as the business.

Out of these, the issue that most separates L&D from the business is Measurement: in short management wants L&D to “Prove you’re worth it!!” There are many articles, blogs and papers on the benefits of measuring learning and they all prove there is a direct correlation between well executed learning and development and business growth, but have we learned a lesson? 

Here’s a question: what is the purpose of evaluation? I’m not going to try to answer this here as each of you has your own understanding. I will however put it a different way: are you using evaluation to prove that the last leadership programme had a positive financial impact on the business? Good luck with that, regardless of the model used I doubt you will prove that any changes are directly related to the programme; it might be an element, but not solely responsible.

What is the management team really looking for? I think it is looking for confidence, confidence that the learning opportunities available directly relate to the needs of the business; is L&D thinking like business people?

So,  how do L&D use the same language and build stronger relationships with the business? Well, L&D will have to go through a radical change, especially in small businesses where resource is very limited. Learning and Development needs a new approach: it needs to become a business within the business; it needs to reflect the same values and goals; it needs to refocus and move away from simply curating content, organising events and creating eLearning. It’s not even about the technology. It’s more fundamental.

If L&D does not think and behave like a business it will never relate to the business! it will always be seen as an outsider and will never get invited to sit at the table. It will never be part of the core business strategy.

Les Heath

Learning & Development Strategy Implementation Specialist

Interested in what else I do? Follow this link www.nutshelllnd.co.uk 



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