The Hidden Costs of LMSs: Customer Support, Customization, and Red Flags
On paper, many learning management systems (LMSs) look affordable. The pricing page seems straightforward, the sales demo looks smooth, and the vendor promises that it will meet all your needs. But here’s the reality: costs can skyrocket. I’ve seen a system quoted at...
Start with Requirements, Not Platforms: How to Choose the Right LMS
When leaders set out to find a new learning management system (LMS), they often start by comparing platforms. But that’s the wrong first step. The most successful LMS projects start with requirements gathering. Often organizations, will ask basic questions like: What...
Don’t Replicate Broken Processes in a New LMS
When organizations decide to move to a new learning management system (LMS), it’s often because the current system is no longer meeting their needs. But here’s the mistake I see time and time again: they try to replicate the exact same processes that frustrated them...
Beyond Information: Why Learners Crave Your Point of View
In last week’s post, I talked about how short-form video SHOULD BE changing the way we design learning in 2025. But here’s the next step we need to talk about: it’s not enough to just deliver information. Learners want your point of view. We live in an era where...
5 Ways Short-Form Video SHOULD be Changing Learning in 2025
Where do you go when you need to learn to do something? For me, it is AI, TikTok or You Tube…Hands-down, 100% of the time. You? Short-form video isn’t just for TikTok dances and YouTube shorts anymore—it’s shaping the way we learn in 2025. As attention spans shrink...
What Is the Freelancer Market Like in Learning and Development?
What Is the Freelancer Market Like in Learning and Development? I get asked this question a lot: “What is the freelancer market like right now? Are there gigs out there?” It’s a fair question, and honestly, it’s a loaded one. The answer is: it depends. First, Let’s...
Lessons from My 50K Training: What Running Teaches Us About Learning
I’m training for a 50K race in October. It’s not my first one, but every time I lace up my shoes and start another training cycle, I’m reminded of one important truth: the road to the finish line is never easy. Some days I feel strong and energized, like I could run...
From Bourbon Barrels to Better Training: Lessons from a Buffalo Trace Tour
Earlier this month, I toured the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, and what I expected to be a simple walkthrough of bourbon-making turned into a masterclass in learner-centered instruction. Our guide wasn’t just knowledgeable — she radiated passion for...
The Power of the Pilot: Why Dry Runs are Essential for ILT and vILT Success
You’ve built a beautiful training program. The content is polished, the slides are sharp, and the activities are thoughtfully designed. But before you launch it live to your learners, there’s one step you shouldn’t skip—the dry run. Whether you’re designing...
From Summit to Workplace: Applying Appreciative Inquiry in L&D
After returning from the summit, I was excited to apply these Appreciative Inquiry principles to my own work in Learning & Development (L&D). Whether you’re an instructional designer, a trainer, or an eLearning developer, AI offers practical techniques to...
Appreciative Inquiry 101: Methodology, 5I Process, and Key Principles
So, what exactly is Appreciative Inquiry (AI), and why does it create such magic in group settings? At its core, Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-focused, collaborative approach to change. Unlike traditional problem-solving that centers on what’s wrong, AI...
A Transformational Summit Experience: Personal Reflections
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend XCHANGE’s Appreciative Inquiry Summit and Certification program – a 3-day immersive gathering that turned out to be a truly transformational learning experience. Because I am part of the xchange community, I had an idea of...