Product Mindset in L&D: Creating Learning Experiences that Deliver Results

In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Antara Dutta dives deep into the transformative power of adopting a product mindset in Learning and Development (L&D) with Greg Arthur, the founder of Two Circles Design Studio. With a rich career background spanning industries from oil and gas to pharmaceuticals, Greg shares his insights on how a product design approach can revolutionize the way learning experiences are crafted, moving beyond traditional methods to create truly impactful and personalized solutions.
 

1. Adopting a Product Mindset in L&D: Greg emphasizes the importance of shifting from traditional L&D approaches to a product design mindset, where the focus is on solving real problems and creating impactful, personalized learning experiences rather than relying on off-the-shelf solutions.
2. Experience Design Logbook: Greg introduces his six-stage "Experience Design Logbook" process, which combines existing methodologies with his own experiences. This process ensures thorough analysis and stakeholder alignment in the initial stages, leading to a more efficient design and implementation phase.
3. Personalization Over Standardization: The episode highlights a case study where a custom, personalized digital learning solution significantly outperformed a traditional classroom-based approach. The success was attributed to tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, making it more engaging and effective.
4. Adapting to Industry-Specific Challenges: Greg discusses the challenges of working in highly regulated industries, like airlines, and how his design process adapts to meet these specific demands. The key is balancing regulatory requirements with a focus on the learner’s experience.
5. Balancing Business Needs and Learner Focus: A core principle in Greg’s approach is aligning the needs of the business with the needs of the learners. This involves careful consideration of trade-offs to ensure that the learning solution benefits all stakeholders, from the business to the end-users.
6. Avoiding Dead-End Learning: Greg warns against "dead-end learning" programs that fail to produce lasting change or meaningful results. He advocates for a thorough understanding of the problem before designing solutions, ensuring that the final product effectively addresses the root cause and desired outcomes.
7. Importance of Stakeholder Analysis: Greg highlights the need for careful stakeholder analysis in the L&D process. It’s crucial to identify the right stakeholders, understand their value to the project, and ensure that their involvement aligns with the project’s goals.
8. Human-Centered Design: Throughout the discussion, Greg reiterates the importance of keeping the human element at the center of any learning design process. By focusing on the end-user’s needs and experiences, L&D professionals can create more meaningful and effective learning solutions.
    

This episode is a must-listen for L&D professionals looking to innovate and create learning experiences that not only meet business objectives but also resonate with and empower learners. Greg's insights provide a fresh perspective on the intersection of product design and learning, offering practical advice on how to navigate the evolving landscape of L&D with a product-centric approach.

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