As we approach the Christmas holidays, we’re incredibly excited to share our last podcast episode of 2024 with Simon Gibson, Head of Talent at Center Parcs UK and Ireland.
While the first two episodes of The Learn with Purpose Podcast have focused more intently on the use of technology within L&D, Simon’s episode delves more into the foundations of fostering a learning culture within organisations and the benefits this can bring. From tackling complex organisational challenges to aligning learning strategies with business needs, this episode is packed with actionable advice for L&D professionals.
Highlights from the Episode
Here are a few key moments to revisit in the podcast:
00:35: Simon introduces himself, his career journey, and his role at Center Parcs.
02:20: Simon discusses how investing in employees directly impacts customer satisfaction and organisational success.
09:45: A candid conversation about breaking the stigma around mandatory compliance training and how to make learning meaningful.
19:50: The role of technology as a partner—not a solution—in addressing workplace challenges.
28:10: Simon shares his vision for the future of L&D, focusing on personalisation and the evolving expectations of a hybrid workforce.
5 Key Takeaways You Can Apply from This Episode
"People don't wake up and say, 'I'd love to spend four hours online doing health and safety training.'
1. The Importance Of Aligning Learning With Organisational Goals
Simon details the importance of understanding the goals you intend to reach through learning and how this impacts your organisation. Whether improving customer outcomes or equipping staff with the tools to exceed in their roles, these L&D initiatives must have a clear, measurable impact.
2. Invest In Culture
Simon details in the episode that although culture is often not a tangible measurement, it’s one of the key areas that can impact an organisation’s success. A strong learning culture is the foundation for equipping staff with the tools to succeed.
3. Technology As An Enabler, Not The Solution:
As a technology provider, we often talk about the importance of having the right tooling in place. Although this is true, Simon challenges the idea that technology is only as useful as the learning foundations allow it to be. Technology should be used to democratise access to resources and complement human connections.
4. Personalise All Learning
As the quote above states, no one rolls out of bed excited to spend ‘to spend four hours online doing health and safety training’ – but by tailoring learning experiences that are relevant to the learner, it ensures they remain engaged with the content and receive the right impactful development opportunities.
5. Measure What Matters
Effective L&D isn’t about ticking boxes. Simon encourages professionals to focus on outcomes that matter to the business, moving beyond surface-level metrics.
