Learning and Development: a review of 2024

By Paul Heath, Head of Client Solutions at OnTrack International

As we leave behind another year of rapid change, 2024 has taught us that a capacity to learn and grow has never been more important.

Last year, we helped organisations and individuals grow and develop new skills for themselves, as leaders, and for the business. This has helped organisations, and their people respond to – and find opportunities in – the challenges they have faced. We have helped our clients to […]

Why is e-learning a dirty word?

Andy McKay, Digital Learning Developer at OnTrack International, discusses the stigma attached to e-learning.

E-learning is much maligned. Lacklustre presentations and dull design can create a feeling of “death by PowerPoint”. And when e-learning fails to engage, it’s likely that those taking the course or training will fail to learn.

But it doesn’t need to be this way. Creative and engaging e-learning can instead fuel curiosity and growth and enable employers to unlock individual, team and business potential.

What’s the issue?

While many […]

Female representation on boards: why it matters and how to achieve it

By Matt McIntyre, Executive Consultant at OnTrack International

Consultants, businesses, and the media have observed, analysed and discussed the lack of women in senior leadership positions from almost every angle. Why aren’t there more? Why should there be more? Does it matter?

First, it matters.

Evidence shows that organisations with more women in senior roles are more profitable, provide a higher quality of service, and are more socially responsible. It impacts recruitment – people want to join a modern and diverse organisation, an […]

How employers can support a more diverse intake of grads this autumn

This article was first published on Personnel Today – https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/supporting-diverse-graduates/

September is a busy month in the world of early careers with both applications for 2025 and 2024 recruits starting their induction process. Many employers will be thinking about how to encourage and support a more diverse intake of graduate and apprentice employees. To do so successfully employers must at the very least re-evaluate and potentially rethink both their recruitment and onboarding to remove barriers and support a more diverse pool […]

Building resilience: helping employees to advance despite adversity

Morgan Burn, principal consultant at OnTrack, talks about building resilience to help you perform at your best.

When one in five employees experiences burnout, building resilience is critical to helping people perform at their best and for businesses to thrive. However, employers and employees often have different views on what resilience means. Managers and leaders may see resilience as a tool to help employees become more robust and take on more work. Instead, its true definition centres around an individual’s ability […]

The leadership moments that matter

Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack, talks about understanding and maximising critical moments to engage, foster curiosity and enable growth.

In today’s dynamic business environment, organisations that stand still risk becoming irrelevant and even extinct. To drive continued commercial success, organisations must evolve.

But to evolve, global businesses must unlock the potential of their people by fuelling curiosity and enabling growth. So, how can this be achieved, and how does OnTrack International create value?

The moments that matter

One of the most challenging, yet critical […]

The first 90 days: how L&D and training leaders can succeed

In a previous piece, Sara Good, Learning Design Consultant at OnTrack International, looked at what HR and L&D executives should do when in a new role to make a great first impression. Here, she explains what professionals can do before they start.

First impressions count. When L&D and training professionals start a new role, they need the first three months to go well. Even the most self-assured professionals can feel the pressure during this time.

But how can executives ensure they […]

How to be successful in the first 90 days

Sara Good, Learning Design Consultant at OnTrack International, talks about how HR professionals can prepare for, and be successful in, the first 90 days of a new role.

Starting a new role can be daunting. As the saying goes, you only get one chance at a first impression. Right or wrong, existing employees will judge new employees this way.

So, how should HR professionals prepare for their first 90 days, and what should they do once in their new role to […]

Fuelling curiosity and enabling growth: how OnTrack International creates value

Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack, talks about unlocking people’s potential by fuelling curiosity and enabling growth.

In today’s dynamic business environment, organisations that stand still risk becoming irrelevant and even extinct. To drive continued commercial success, organisations must evolve.

But to evolve, global businesses must unlock the potential of their people by fuelling curiosity and enabling growth. So, how can this be achieved, and how does OnTrack International create value?

Growing pains

The world is changing fast. Many leaders and their organisations are facing […]

Reimagining engagement: leadership for uncertain times

Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack, comments on engagement and leading in uncertain times.

When uncertainty is fast becoming the only constant, HR executives and learning & development leaders face a complex challenge. How do they reengage and reinvigorate their workforce when the foundation of ‘normal’ has shifted?

The answer lies in demonstrating leadership, creating purpose, building trust, and fostering personal and business growth.

Adapting to new realities

From a worldwide health pandemic to geopolitical shocks and the retreat of globalisation, international businesses are navigating […]

How can employers broaden their talent pool in today’s challenging market?

How to set up your Early Careers programmes for success, build a diverse talent pool and develop that talent.

In today’s corporate landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) aren’t merely buzzwords. They are a commercial imperative for organisations to broaden their talent pool. This means increasing diversity in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, neurodiversity and socio-economic background. Those that fail to implement clear DE&I strategies risk facing significant consequences in terms of both talent acquisition and overall business success.

OnTrack have teamed […]

Tackling the self-focus pandemic to build a culture of success

Kevin Johnson, CEO at learning and development consultancy OnTrack International, comments on self-focus and its impact.

In an era where the self-focus pandemic is increasingly prevalent in the workplace, businesses face the challenge of fostering a culture that aligns individual ambitions with collective goals.

But how can businesses in 2024 overcome the detrimental impact of self-focus to ensure growth and success, and what steps do they need to take to create the right culture?

The self-focus pandemic in business

The trend of self-focus […]

Why business leaders need greater leadership maturity

Leadership maturity comments by Kevin Johnson, CEO at OnTrack for HR News.

In the post-COVID era, businesses face unprecedented challenges. However, many leaders today do not have the leadership maturity they need to deal with these challenges, lacking the experience to deal with a volatile, complex and ambiguous environment.

As such, leadership training needs to evolve and focus on developing the ability to ask insightful questions and make informed decisions without having all the answers. The goal is to equip leaders with […]

Embracing the returner workforce

by Sara Good

Embracing the returner workforce would benefit employees, employers and the economy at large – how can organisations better utilise this untapped potential?

Many employers are missing a trick when it comes to workers returning after an extended career break. They may either disregard the potential these experienced professionals bring or fail to support them adequately upon their return.

‘Returners’ often face an uphill battle, struggling not only to secure employment or re-employment, but also to reintegrate into a workplace that […]

Navigating 2024 learning strategy: a more complex and ambiguous world

By Fraser Jones, managing director, learning & development consultancy, OnTrack International

2024 has been billed as ‘the’ election year. How might that impact your 2024 corporate learning strategy? Well, a record-breaking number of governments and heads of state could change.

“Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, […]

Verbal Behavioural Intelligence – Q&A with Matt McIntyre

What is Verbal Behavioural Intelligence?

Verbal Behavioural Intelligence (VBI) is a framework for analysing how people communicate verbally in the workplace, what they do well and how they can improve. In short, it is the science of verbal communication.

The thinking behind VBI was born in the 1980s after a major airline carried out a four-year study while simultaneously overhauling its approach to leadership and customer service.

While they were looking at the attributes of both great leaders and team players within their […]

The Superhero Manager Programme

In a rapidly evolving workplace marked by technological advancements and shifting expectations, the role of managers has transformed into that of a Superhero Manager, according to the insights provided by Cecilia Westin Curry.

In this article, Cecilia explores the extensive skill criteria placed on today’s managers, delving into key pillars such as problem-solving, communication, coaching skills, understanding the human mind, and self-awareness, ultimately proposing a “Superhero Manager Programme” to equip them with the attributes necessary for navigating the challenges of the […]

It’s not just managers and leaders that require leadership skills

Morgan Burn, principal consultant at OnTrack International discusses the wide reaching relevance of leadership skills.

Traditionally, employer learning and development programmes around leadership skills have predominantly targeted individuals preparing to step into management or leadership positions.

However, there’s a growing recognition that all staff members can benefit from displaying leadership qualities such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and a growth mindset. These skills are invaluable and can ultimately benefit both employers and employees.

So, what is driving this change in learning and development? How […]

Learning and development – a review of 2023

The world is ever changing and so too are the pressures on organisations and their people. 2023 has offered both challenges and opportunities from a learning and development perspective.

Many businesses are operating in a challenging economic climate while trying to get to grips with some significant changes in the way we use technology. We’ve also seen many organisations struggle with their people management. At the same time, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of workplace culture and skills in […]

Ben White joins as executive consultant for OnTrack

Seasoned expert and business psychologist Ben White re-joins from Capita as Executive Consultant

Learning and development consultancy OnTrack International has appointed Ben White as Executive Consultant. Ben will work with senior leaders and board members within OnTrack’s client base to support their people development strategies with evidence-based learning and development.

Ben is a certified business psychologist and qualified executive coach dedicated to realising human potential and delivering sustainable organisational change. He has over 15 years of experience across in-house and consultancy roles, […]

Five things to remember when measuring ROI for L&D

Morgan Burn, principal consultant at OnTrack International discusses ROI for L&D.

Every business wants a return on its investment (ROI) in learning and development (L&D). Ascertaining tangible results is not always straightforward, though it is essential to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of training initiatives and, crucially, to secure continued buy-in from senior decision-makers. Measurement doesn’t necessarily need an extensive process to be meaningful, but it does need to speak the language of business to resonate with the right people.

Here are […]

Future-Fit Workforce in the Age of Digital Transformation: Leadership Strategies for Success

As observed by Paul Heath, Head of Client Solutions, OnTrack International, amidst the rapid digital transformation, business leaders face the pressing need to evolve beyond solely equipping employees with current skills, toward cultivating a future-fit workforce capable of thriving amidst technological advancements and rapid change.

Senior leaders at global businesses are grappling with a dichotomy. They want growth but do not know how to upskill employees to get there with the rapid pace of digital transformation and pressure to adopt technology.

So, […]

The role of managers in driving employee engagement and performance

Cecilia Westin Curry, Assoc CIPD, Development Partner, discusses supporting managers to drive employee engagement.

Companies with highly engaged employees outperform those with lower engagement time and again. Not only that, but research shows that a fifth of all employees are actively disengaged and work against their employers – potentially causing real damage in addition to costing their employer money through a lack of performance and contribution.

How can this be? And what could be done about it?

One recurring theme crops up in […]

Future-Proofing the Multi-Generational Workplace

Unlock the Power of Youth:

Join the Movement to Retain Young Talent in the Multi-Generational Workplace!

Are you tired of witnessing bright young minds leave your organisation, taking their valuable skills and fresh perspectives elsewhere? It’s time to take action and secure the future of your workplace by retaining young talent. Join us in a transformative journey to empower and retain the next generation of leaders in a multi-generational workplace!

Discover innovative strategies, proven techniques, and actionable insights designed specifically for today’s […]

Navigating communication in a hybrid workspace

Morgan Burn, Principal Consultant, discusses digital communication in the modern hybrid workspace.

The modern hybrid workspace has seen an explosion of different communication tools as organisations look to facilitate remote working while taking advantage of new digital developments.

It’s not unusual for employees to communicate on several different platforms throughout the day. They may swap between traditional methods such as email, phone and face-to-face meetings alongside digital channels such as Teams, Zoom, Slack and WhatsApp.

For new-to-role or aspiring managers looking to engage […]

OnTrack International launches ‘OnTrack OnDemand’

‘Off the shelf’ programmes offer blended learning solutions to companies embarking on their L&D journey

Learning and development consultancy OnTrack International has launched OnTrack OnDemand, an interactive learning solution developed to enable businesses to embark on their learning journey swiftly and effortlessly. OnDemand incorporates OnTrack’s blended learning techniques and covers a several topics to address many business challenges.

As people experts, OnTrack helps global businesses overcome challenges while supporting their people to grow. The firm delivers powerful results for its clients […]

How to prevent toxic leadership

Kevin Johnson, in light of recent revelations regarding senior politicians, and the seemingly continual flow of senior leaders having the “toxic” label applied, examines the causes and consequences of toxic leadership – and what can be done to address it. (Versions of this article originally published in HR News and HR Magazine, March/April 2023)

Toxic leadership has a disastrous impact on teams and organisations. Such leaders often stop people from performing at their best. So, HR executives need to understand the […]

Q&A with Brad Williams – Digital Production Manager

What is your role at OnTrack International and what do you do?

My formal title is Digital Production Manager but I’m essentially the Head of Film Production, and my team are OnTrack’s very own creative studio. We help develop visual learning and development (L&D) content that is both engaging and purposeful. We manage everything from creative pitch and conception, all the way through to production and post-production

Brad Williams

Why does OnTrack need a film producer?

Film is a hugely powerful medium and it’s […]

Helping organisations get the culture right

Company culture impacts everything from employee engagement and retention to sales, client outcomes and, ultimately, business success.

Yet all too often it is hard to define and is something that companies pay lip service to, becoming an agenda item for policies and procedures without any tangible outcome.   

So how can organisations impact culture in a positive and meaningful way?

What is employee culture?

From lack of engagement to ineffective sales, businesses often approach OnTrack International to tackle the specific problems that ultimately derive […]

Why and how is OnTrack International different?

There are thousands of learning and development consultancies in the UK. There are tens of thousands, if not more, globally.

Despite the competition, some of the world’s most successful organisations trust OnTrack International to solve their business problem through learning and development.

Why is this, and what makes us different?

What is OnTrack International’s value?

For us, much of what makes us different is our purpose. While some consultancies put targets against new clients, revenues or profits, we removed the financial focus from […]