Investments (not initiatives)
L&D leaders should view learning programs as business investments, rather than isolated initiatives. Time and money spent on developing training must be directly tied to business goals and measured for effectiveness. Despite this, only a fraction of learning leaders report that strategic planning processes align with business objectives.
To have the greatest impact, L&D professionals have to evolve to speak the language of the business. That means being able to answer questions like: How much time are we investing? What’s the ROI? How is this impacting business performance? Without clear answers, learning teams risk being seen as cost centers, not strategic assets.
Governance and operating models
Governance, or how learning functions are organized, structured, and aligned with corporate strategy, is the backbone of alignment. Whether you adopt a centralized, decentralized, or federated model, the key is ensuring that the governance structure supports visibility, efficiency, and agility.
Strategic governance helps teams prioritize initiatives that will have the most significant business impact. By formalizing processes, defining best practices, and aligning team structures to strategic goals, L&D can respond more effectively to business needs while avoiding the tendency of becoming reactive order takers.
Extend your capacity with strategic MSPs
With resources perpetually stretched, MSPs play a critical role in helping L&D teams do more with less. But not all MSPs are created equal. It’s important to work with partners who take the time to understand the business, learner needs, and strategic objectives, rather than simply filling orders for training deliverables.
“Where I look to spend money with MSPs is where they show up understanding my problems, with solutions tailored to my needs—not a generic offering.” — Gary Deppe, Director of Learning & Organizational Effectiveness, Land O’ Lakes
There are several engagement models to consider:
- Project outsourcing. Ideal for well-defined initiatives with clear deliverables and timelines. Outsourcing gives internal teams the room to focus on strategic priorities while offloading execution.
- Retainer or time and materials models. Best suited for ongoing support where the project scope may evolve. These models offer flexibility and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Staff augmentation. Brings in additional resources to work within the client’s processes and systems, ideal for immediate capacity relief when internal oversight is feasible.
Choosing the right model depends on a few key factors: the nature of the project, internal capacity, and the desired level of strategic involvement.
When to think about ROI
ROI and success metrics should be determined before the project starts. By involving business partners early and framing measurement strategies upfront, L&D leaders can ensure alignment, track progress, and demonstrate impact more effectively.
Think of L&D stakeholders as “Shark Tank” investors. They operate within a budget and are fiscally motivated. When the new learning effort is tied to a strategic business goal, the investors are more likely to say yes.
AI and the future of learning operations
From accelerating content creation to enhancing data-driven decision-making, AI offers opportunities to drive efficiency and personalization. While adoption is still in its infancy for many organizations, those who embrace AI strategically are beginning to see tangible benefits like a reduction in design time and learner engagement.
But AI isn’t a silver bullet. Its successful integration depends on strong governance, strategic alignment, and a willingness to rethink traditional learning models.
The future is collaborative
The webinar underscored a simple truth: L&D teams can’t meet modern business demands by doing things the way they’ve always been done. Strategic alignment, governance optimization, and leveraging trusted partners are essential to scaling impact and proving value. It’s like the African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
For organizations seeking to elevate their L&D function, partnering with the right managed service provider can have fairy-tale-level results.
Watch the webinar below for even more practical insights on how strategic governance and trusted partnerships can turn even the most humble “pumpkins” into high-impact business outcomes.
If you’d like a more tailored conversation about your challenges, schedule a free consultation with us.
Disclaimer: The ideas, perspectives, and strategies shared in this article reflect the expertise of our featured speakers, Ryan Austin, Gary Deppe, and Muchelle Pletch. Be sure to follow them on LinkedIn to explore more of their insights.
View the original article and our Inspiration here