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Recap by Lauren Ford, ATDChi V.P. of Communications, and Joie Marshall, ATDChi Training Today Editor
Organization: ATDChi
Event: Networking Dinner & Panel Discussion: Earning L&D a Seat at the Decision-Making Table
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015
To kick-off the event, Greg Own-Boger, ATDChi 2015 President, provided us a brief State-of-the-Chapter report. This report gave us a quick synopsis of ATDChi in relation to the rebranding, membership numbers (>452), our healthy financial status, and the exciting things planned for 2015. The path for 2015 is all about making ATDChi a "best in class" organization.
Greg then introduced the panel participants for the evening:
>> Pamela Meyer, Ph.D., Director of the Center to Advance Education for Adults and DePaul University School for New Learning. Pamela is also a speaker, consultant and author of "From Workplace to Playspace: Innovating, Learning and Changing Through Dynamic Engagement."
>> Barry Altland, Author and thought leader at Head and Hands Engagement Collective, and Past President of ATD, Central Florida Chapter.
>> Terri Pearce, SPHR, Executive V.P. Human Resources at HSBC North America and board member of ATD National.
>> Deb Pastors, MS, MOB, President of Education Development Growth Enterprises, and Past President of CCASTD.
What an impressive group of L&D professionals to gain insight from!
Greg then handed the microphone over to the moderator for the evening, Dale Ludwig, Ph.D., President of Turpin Communication. Dale led a robust discussion on the all-too-familiar topic of "How do we as L&D professionals gain a seat at the decision-making table?" Below is a recap of a few of the questions posed, and the responses from the panel.
>> What does "seat at the table" mean?
TP: Getting a seat at the table means a seat at every table, not just the "C" level table. Training needs to be a strategic partner and understand the business.
PM: Pay attention to WIIFM with stakeholders. Always determine: "How will we know when we're successful?"
DP: You get a seat at the table by building credibility.
BA: If your phone is ringing, you have a seat at the table.
>> Why are we still asking this question?
DP: This question isn't limited to training, but is a common thread among all support functions. Training groups need to understand the business.
TP: The table changes - CEOs change, economics change...need to be resilient and relevant.
BA: We get in our own way...those at the "table" don't talk about the "table."
The panelists then agreed that the key is to align training with strategic goals.
It was a lively discussion with input from the audience as well.
Did you attend yourself? If so, what element rang true for you?
