Please welcome Ashley Chang, an engineering professional with a passion for learning and development. Ashley started their career in aerospace engineering, but little did they know that their engineering skills would lead them on a unique and fulfilling journey in the world of learning. In this episode, Ashley shares their experiences and insights on how engineering and learning intersect, the challenges of working with stakeholders, and the transformative power of framing learning for lasting impact.

In today's episode, we are joined by the talented Sarah Carroll, an expert in managing training requests. We delve into the fascinating world of L&D (learning and development) and discover how to effectively streamline the intake process to meet the demands of a fast-paced environment. Sarah shares her experiences at Coinbase, where she successfully implemented a new intake system and navigated the challenges of training requests within a growing team.

On today’s episode, Zach Ledford shares his expertise on how understanding and harnessing people data can transform businesses for the better. From evaluating performance to calculating ROI, we explore the key questions that should be answered through people data and the immense value it can bring. We also tackle the challenges and pain points faced in areas like recruiting and manual data entry, and why clean integration between different systems is crucial.

In this episode, we delve into the importance of building relationships with the business, understanding audience analysis, and measuring the effectiveness of training programs. We'll explore Loren's journey into the field of L&D and the valuable insights they've gained along the way. From project management to instructional design, negotiation to personal development, we uncover the multifaceted nature of the learning profession.

Our host, Matt Gjertsen, sits down with special guest Brian Morrison to discuss the importance of learning and development. As an expert who has worked extensively with HR teams, primarily in HR and sales, Brian shares his insights on how inefficiencies within the organization can contribute to issues such as customer retention and churn rate. He highlights the impact of aligning language and expectations, the role of cross-functional communication, and the need for continuous training and updates to ensure everyone is on the same page.

MJ Hurley is a seasoned professional who has spent over 25 years in the field. Throughout their career, MJ's focus has evolved from simply delivering interesting projects to becoming a trusted advisor, engaging with stakeholders in a curious and collaborative manner. MJ brings a unique perspective to the table, sharing their thoughts on training and development, the importance of asking the right questions, and the need to address performance issues beyond just training. Join us as we dive into the world of writing SOPs with MJ Hurley on this enlightening episode of Making Better.

In this episode, Joe challenges the conventional approach of jumping to conclusions and pushing personal agendas. Instead, he highlights the importance of asking good questions to truly understand the needs of stakeholders and guide them towards the right solutions. Joe shares his journey from being a transactional order taker to becoming a trusted advisor, offering valuable lessons on effective communication, building trust, and managing expectations.

Liz Cichowski joins us to discuss the intriguing world of training distributed teams. Liz shares her wealth of knowledge as she talks about her experience working in various industries and her expertise in training and development.