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"When you try to speak to everyone, you speak to no one."
– Meredith Hill
Guess what happened this week? We only went and snagged the #1 spot on Amazon's new release list for the training category! I'm still doing a little happy dance over here. And if that wasn't exciting enough, we also rolled out a shiny new website to go with the book - check it out when you get a chance!
I'm bursting with gratitude for all of you amazing humans who've been cheering us on. And hey, since you took the time to read this, you've officially earned the #1 spot on MY list too! Consider yourself crowned. 👑
Thanks for reading!
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What’s really slowing down onboarding — and how top HR leaders fix it
Based on interviews with 11 experienced HR and L&D professionals across industries, this guide explores how strategic onboarding affects business performance. Inside, you'll find research-backed insights on how to engage C-level, and streamline onboarding with online tools.
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📰 News & Notes
4 Tips for Preparing AI-Enhanced Workshops
The Rundown: Nielsen Norman Group offers four strategies to effectively integrate AI into workshops, enhancing engagement and learning outcomes.
The Context:
- Warm-Up with AI: Begin sessions with AI-based activities to familiarize participants with the technology.
- Upload Contextual Files: Provide AI tools with relevant materials beforehand to tailor responses.
- Create Custom AIs: Develop specialized AI assistants to address specific workshop needs.
- Provide Sample Prompts: Offer adaptable prompts to guide participants in interacting with AI tools.
Why it Matters: As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in learning environments, these strategies ensure that workshops are not only technologically advanced but also participant-friendly. By thoughtfully integrating AI, facilitators can enhance the learning experience, making sessions more interactive and effective.
Are your current workshop strategies preparing learners to navigate AI—or simply use it?
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Encoding: The Missing Link in Learning
The Rundown: Tom Sherrington argues that encoding—how learners process and store new information—is often overlooked in teaching. Without solid encoding, later strategies like retrieval practice may fall flat.
The Context:
- Sherrington highlights that educators often assume encoding happens naturally when students listen or complete simple tasks.
- He emphasizes the need for concrete examples and visual aids to help students form mental models.
- The article draws on Efrat Furst’s work, stressing that encoding should precede connecting to prior knowledge and retrieval practice.
- A cited example involves students working with terms like "bacteria" and "virus" without visual context, leading to shallow understanding.
Why It Matters: For L&D professionals, this underscores the importance of designing learning experiences that prioritize encoding. By ensuring learners form meaningful connections early on, we lay the groundwork for effective retention and application.
How can we, as L&D practitioners, intentionally design learning experiences that prioritize encoding to ensure deeper understanding and long-term retention?
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Six Free AI Experiments from Google's Creative AI Lab 🚀
The Rundown: Google's AI Studio offers a suite of free, creative tools designed to enhance learning and development (L&D) experiences. From transforming images to generating AI voices, these tools provide innovative ways to engage learners.
The Context:
- Image Transformation: Convert sketches into polished images, aiding visual learning.
- AI Voice Generation: Create lifelike voiceovers for training materials, enhancing accessibility.
- GIF & Video Creation: Develop engaging visual content to illustrate complex concepts.
- Language Learning: Utilize AI for interactive language exercises, catering to diverse learning styles.
- Experimentation: Encourages L&D professionals to explore and integrate AI tools into their programs.
Why it Matters: For L&D practitioners, staying ahead means embracing tools that resonate with modern learners. Google's AI Studio not only simplifies content creation but also opens doors to personalized, engaging, and accessible learning experiences. By integrating these tools, L&D professionals can craft programs that are both innovative and effective, meeting the evolving needs of their audiences.
How can L&D teams leverage AI tools like those in Google's AI Studio to create more inclusive and personalized learning experiences?
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Make your next purchase a regret-free decision!
Buying SaaS software—like a learning platform—shouldn’t feel like navigating a maze of uncertainty, hidden costs, and buyer’s remorse. Yet, for many organizations, the software procurement process is riddled with pitfalls that lead to missed opportunities and wasted resources.
Join us for an actionable, insight-packed webinar, “How to Buy SaaS Software: Proven Strategies for Regret-Free Decisions.”
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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips
If tools are your jam, check out my Work Smarter newsletter.
CNVS
An illustration library for designing engaging online workshops, documentation, etc
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Google AI Studio
Experiment with Google's powerful Gemini AI, including voice, coding, and more
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🎧 Podcast of the Week
This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.
How to build an AI-first organization
Most companies are using AI to cut costs. Ethan Mollick argues that the biggest mistake companies make is thinking too small. Tune in to this candid and wide-ranging conversation about the rapidly changing world of AI at work.
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🧳 Where’s Mike?
- Canadian eLearning Conference, June 12-13, Toronto, Canada
- ATD Core 4, September 29 - October 1, Orlando, FL
- Cincinnati ATD, October 8, Cincinnati, OH
- DevLearn, November 12-14, Las Vegas, NV
If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.
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Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.
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