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What are the biggest priorities for Chief Learning and Talent officers?

What are the priorities driving global Heads of Learning, Talent, and Leadership? Before every iVentiv event, we ask you to tell us what areas you’re focusing on, and what questions you want to ask your fellow participants.

The front cover of the iVentiv Pulse 2022 Review

In the iVentiv Pulse Review, we’ve pulled together those responses into a report summarising the big themes and key trends driving HR as we head into 2023.

The report includes the key takeaways, with commentary from experts in learning, talent, and leadership, including:

  • Jay Moore (Global Learning & Culture Leader, GE Crotonville)
  • Priya Shahane (Former Global Head of Executive Talent & Career Management, Axa)
  • Charles Jennings (Co-Founder, 70:20:10 Institute)
  • David Watkins (SVP, Group Talent, Transformation & Engagement, Oerlikon)
  • Stefaan van Hooydonk (Former Chief Learning Officer, Cognizant)
  • Brian Murphy (Sr Director, Employee Skilling, Microsoft)

Who was surveyed for the iVentiv Pulse?

578 respondents from 435 companies completed the questionnaire ahead of conversations in 13 cities on four continents and online. iVentiv events are open exclusively to function leads in global companies. That means every respondent who contributed to the data in the review is a senior leader in HR.

What topics are Global Heads of L&D, Talent and Leadership focusing on?

Across all territories and job functions, the topics that the most leaders in HR said they were prioritising were:

  1. Leadership and Executive Development
  2. Reskilling and Upskilling
  3. Learning Platforms (LMS/LXP) & Tech (VR, AR, AI)
  4. People Data/Insights, measurement and ROI
  5. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

The full report delves into the quantitative and qualitative data to suggest why those themes have predominated, how the different areas interact, and what businesses are doing to address them. It includes insights around coaching, hybrid working, and learning culture, with commentary from experts and examples of the challenges that C-suite executives have raised.

Read the full report for free 

More Insights

Reskilling & Upskilling in the Workplace: Navigating Change for Organisational Success

In our rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations must continuously adapt to stay competitive. One of the most effective strategies for maintaining a competitive edge is through reskilling and upskilling the workforce - a topic that 67% of L&D heads are focussing on in 2024, according to iVentiv pre-event data.

This blog delves into the key factors impacting reskilling and upskilling, explores the associated challenges, and discusses the implications for Learning & Development teams heading into 2024 and beyond. Read more.

The Qualification Initiative Skills Hub and Transformation Megatrends at ZF Group with Daniela Prinz

As a leading player in the transformation to a technology-driven enterprise, ZF Group has launched the Skills Hub to address the evolving needs of its global workforce. Daniela Prinz, Global Head of Learning & Competency Development at ZF Group, sheds light on how this platform is pivotal in supporting employees as they navigate through the megatrends of e-mobility, digitalisation, and sustainability. The Skills Hub isn't just a learning tool; it's a change management catalyst designed to enhance the skills and competencies necessary for ZF's transformation.

In this interview, we'll explore how the Skills Hub and other strategic L&D efforts at ZF Group are not only reshaping the way employees grow professionally but also ensuring that the company remains competitive and forward-looking in a rapidly changing industry landscape. Watch and read more here.

Transformation, Competence, and Marketing L&D at Fugro with Wouter Jan Kleinlugtenbelt

Hannah Hoey (Research & Content Executive, iVentiv) took some time to dive into the dynamic world of Learning & Development (L&D) at Fugro, spearheaded by Wouter Jan Kleinlugtenbelt, the Global Head of L&D.

During this conversation, Wouter Jan talked about Fugro's transformative journey, adapting to cutting-edge technologies like uncrewed vessels and augmented reality, with the aim of enhancing operational excellence.

In this interview, we explore how Fugro integrates L&D with its strategic goals to ensure its workforce is not only skilled but prepared to meet the future demands of the geo-data engineering industry. Join Wouter Jan to uncover the intricacies of Fugro's L&D strategies, from onboarding new hires to fostering a culture of continuous Learning & Development.

10,000 Future Skills: Lessons Learned From an Amazing Journey with Klaus Scheile

Following iVentiv's Learning Futures Cologne, Richard Parfitt (Marketing Manager, iVentiv) spoke to Klaus Scheile (VP of Learning & Development, T-Systems) to delve into the T-Systems approach to skills and talent development. Watch the full interview here and read our blog to understand more about how T-Systems fosters a learning-centric culture, empowers personal development, and champions learning at every organisational level.

Klaus will be joining us at our 300th event in Cologne (8-9 April, 2025) - click the link to register: https://iventiv.com/events/learning-futures/learning-futures-cologne-exe...

Defining Great Leadership from the Ground Up at NKT with Berry Lumpkins

Leadership Development continues to be a topic of huge interest to Global Heads of Learning, with 60.5% of you highlighting it as one if your priorities so far in 2024. In a recent interview with Berry Lumpkins, Global Head of Organisational Development at NKT, Berry explained how the organisation has built its approach to Leadership Development from the ground-up, and, crucially, how important it was to have the CEO's buy-in for the whole process. Watch the video in full here.

Skills-Based Organisations: Hype or Hope? Featuring Vidya Krishnan and Nigel Paine

In this exclusive interview, Vidya Krishnan (CLO, Ericsson), and Nigel Paine (Event Chair, Co-Presenter, Learning Now TV & Former Head of People Development, BBC) talk all things skills, tech, and the future of work.

Watch the video in full here.

Executive Journeys and Collaboration: iVentiv at KPMG

At iVentiv's Executive Development Knowledge Exchange at the KPMG HQ in London this week, iVentiv CEO & Founder Russell Butler took some time out with a small group of attendees to discuss why collaborating with experts and leaders from similar companies and partners can be such a valuable exercise. Watch the full discussion for a taste of the conversations that make an iVentiv event unique.

Cultivating a Thriving Learning Culture

When it comes to organisational development, Heads of Learning often see learning culture as a key component that shapes the trajectory of a firm's innovation, adaptability, and success.

How can you ensure that the learning culture within your organisation not only exists but thrives, fostering an environment where continuous improvement is not just encouraged but is a fundamental aspect of your organisational DNA?

This blog delves into why Global Heads see learning culture as so important within organisations, and explores strategies for their cultivation, as well as the implications on teams. Read more.

Navigating the Future: The Vital Role of L&D in Organisational Change Management

In the ever-evolving global business landscape, organisations face constant challenges and opportunities driven by technological advancements, market pressures, and changing consumer preferences. For business leaders, the ability to manage change effectively has emerged as a key capability for organisational resilience and long-term success.

What is the role of the Learning and Development (L&D) function in managing and driving this kind of organisational transformation? In this blog, we look at why the role of L&D in change management is on the radar of more and more Learning teams, explore the benefits that well-orchestrated teams are finding, and highlight the risks that L&D needs to watch out for. Read more

Selling L&D in a Talent Development-Focused Global HR Organisation with Dean Cannarozzi

Ahead of his session at Learning Futures London in March 2024, Dean Cannarozzi, Head of Sika Global Business School, talked to us about his work to reposition Learning and Development (L&D) within Sika as an organisation that has traditionally focused primarily on Talent Development.

The Sika Business School manages a range of learning and talent programmes for Sika, often branded with "leadership" in their titles, which are central to the development of the company's General Managers (GMs), who typically have participated in these programs themselves.

However, Dean highlights a concern: while these talent programs are highly regarded and impactful for those who participate (about 2% of the organisation), there is an underlying issue regarding the engagement and development of the remaining 98% of the workforce.

Dean's goal? To address this disparity and explore solutions for broader employee development.

Watch the video in full here.

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