Podcast Summary “Brandy Ford – Charting New Learning Paths”
In this 2024 episode of Learning Leader Spotlight, we sit down with Brandy Ford, an Assistant Vice President at FM Global, to discuss her extensive career in Learning and Development (L&D), the most impactful trends in the field, and where she sees it heading in the future. With nearly two decades of experience, Brandy has played a significant role in leading strategic learning initiatives, managing diverse learning projects, and fostering an inclusive and adaptive learning environment. Her journey, which began with facilitating training for external partners, now spans overseeing internal and partner-focused programs, as well as mentoring teams responsible for large-scale corporate initiatives.
Career Inspiration and Path to L&D Leadership
Brandy’s deep-rooted passion for L&D stems from her upbringing in a family committed to teaching and pastoral work, where she absorbed the values of lifelong learning. This personal connection to education shaped her professional path and fueled her desire to help others grow both personally and professionally. Her approach emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that learning programs adapt to diverse learning styles. By focusing on individual learner needs, Brandy continues to champion an L&D culture that nurtures continuous development.
Key Changes in L&D Over the Last Five Years
The last five years have seen dramatic shifts in L&D, driven largely by technological advancements and changing workplace dynamics. Brandy highlights several key transformations:
- Digital and Remote Learning: Accelerated by the global pandemic, the shift from in-person training to digital platforms has made learning more accessible and adaptable to the needs of a dispersed workforce.
- Personalized Learning Experiences: Organizations are increasingly integrating learning platforms that blend education with daily work tasks, making learning more relevant and timely for employees. This personalization, Brandy notes, is crucial for accommodating diverse learning styles and boosting the impact of training programs.
- Focus on Soft Skills: The importance of communication, empathy, and negotiation skills is growing alongside technical expertise. These soft skills are essential for fostering teamwork, improving client interactions, and enhancing service delivery in today’s customer-centric business environments.
- Data Analytics and AI: Data analytics and AI are revolutionizing L&D by enabling organizations to tailor learning initiatives with greater precision. AI-driven platforms help personalize content delivery, streamline content creation, and enhance the interactivity of learning materials. These technologies allow L&D professionals to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of their programs and ensure they align with business objectives.
Future Trends in L&D
Looking ahead, Brandy envisions a future where L&D becomes even more personalized, accessible, and integrated into the digital workspace. As businesses continue to operate globally, the need to tailor learning experiences to diverse audiences and overcome logistical barriers will only grow. This shift will be accompanied by a stronger emphasis on soft skills development, as organizations recognize the value of communication and collaboration in a complex, ever-evolving professional landscape.
Brandy also foresees a continued rise in social and collaborative learning platforms. The isolation brought on by the global lockdown highlighted the need for interaction in learning environments. These platforms facilitate real-time collaboration, allowing employees to share insights and deepen their understanding through dialogue, ultimately enhancing skill retention and application.
Mentorship and the Value of Analytics
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Brandy’s career, with her first manager, Letitia Hall, providing opportunities that helped her rise quickly to leadership. Brandy also addresses the growing need for analytics talent within L&D, noting that the combination of analytical and L&D skills is rare but critical. To combat this shortage, Brandy advocates for upskilling existing employees and fostering partnerships with academic institutions to cultivate the next generation of L&D professionals.
Overall, this episode provides a deep dive into Brandy Ford’s experiences and insights into the evolving L&D landscape, offering valuable takeaways for professionals navigating this dynamic field.
Listen to Brandy’s podcast here.
Why Blended Learning Makes Sense
Ready to work with us?
Does your team have more projects than people™? Let TrainingPros find the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.
