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become a business-critical partner in L&D

Become a Business-Critical Partner in L&D (The Shift That Changes Everything)

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This is the moment everything changes. The moment you step into business-critical Partner in L&D. If you’ve made it to Part 4 of this series, then you already know, L&D can’t keep waiting. The shift we’re talking about isn’t something to put on next year’s goals list. It’s something that needs to happen now. You’re […]

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Measure L&D impact; ROI

How To Measure the Impact of L&D

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(Way Beyond ROI) Let’s just be honest for a second, most L&D measurement? It’s garbage. Yes, we track things. We collect data. We report on course completions, engagement rates, and maybe a few knowledge checks. But let’s be real
 does any of that actually prove impact? You could have a 98% completion rate and still […]

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Candice Mitchell; Talent Development Nerd

Align Learning with Business Strategy

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Why Training Should Come Last, Not First Most L&D teams have this completely backwards. They start with training. A manager asks for a leadership course, so they build it. A compliance policy changes, so they create something new. Someone says, “We need a workshop,” and before you know it, the learning team is sprinting to […]

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Candice Mitchell; Talent Development Nerd

Strategic Learning & Development – What and Why It Matters

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This is the moment. It’s not just another Monday. It’s not just another training request sitting in your inbox.Instead, this is a turning point, a moment to decide whether L&D steps into a business-critical role or continues to sit quietly on the sidelines. Without this shift, Learning and Development remains misunderstood. As a result, we […]

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Candice Mitchell; Talent Development Nerd

Choosing the right L&D qualification for your career

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Why This Decision Matters If you’ve been exploring professional development in Learning & Development (L&D), you’ve probably wrestled with a big question: Do I need a certification to succeed? We’ve tackled that before, and the answer? It depends. But today, we’re going a step further, because once you decide you want to invest in learning, […]

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The Best Certifications for Learning and Development Professionals

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Let’s start with the main question: Do Certifications Really Matter in L&D? If you’re an L&D professional, or thinking about becoming one, you’ve probably wondered: Do I need a certification? And: What are the best certifications for Learning and Development Professionals? And… Will it help me land a job? Will it make me more credible? […]

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Candice Mitchell; Talent Development Nerd; Talent Development Academy

Do you need certifications to succeed in L&D?

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Learning & Development: A Real Profession with Real Skills If you work in Learning & Development, you’ve probably had to explain, more than once, that no, an off-the-shelf compliance module is not a leadership development strategy. And yet, one of the biggest questions I hear is: Do you need certifications to succeed in L&D? If […]

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Candice Mitchell, Talent Development Academy, Talent Development nerds

How Integrated Talent Strategies Drive Business Success

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Imagine a rowing team where every member has an oar—but while some pull forward, others row in circles. Despite the effort, the boat barely moves. This scenario mirrors many businesses today when Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Talent Development work in silos. When these three functions join forces, they create integrated talent strategies that not […]

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The Economic Realities of L&D: Doing more (of the right things) with less

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2025 is shaping up to be a ‘make or break’ year for businesses—and let’s be honest, for Learning and Development (L&D) teams too. Shrinking budgets, rising expectations, and an uncertain economic landscape have created a perfect storm. The question we all need to answer is: where does L&D fit in? Here’s the reality: if we’re […]

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Candice Mitchell: Talent Development Nerd

People over Platforms: Human Skills in a Tech-Driven World

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Imagine it’s 2030. Your AI assistant has planned your day, answered your emails, and designed a flawless presentation for your big idea. The efficiency is remarkable, but it raises an important question: where do uniquely human qualities fit in this picture? The answer lies in the abilities that no algorithm can replicate—creativity, empathy, and adaptability. […]

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