"Michelle Parry-Slater is exquisite at how she goes about crafting her words in such a forthright and delightful manner. Her approach makes this book a quick and valuable read. She packages it in a way that allows the reader to truly use this as an actual handbook, as the title implies. Once you read it from cover to back, you then have opportunity to refresh your knowledge through the short-reads (overview) and have access to practical tools to apply immediately in your learning efforts. And let's not forget the real-life case studies. This is one on a very short list of L&D handbooks I would highly recommend because it reads exactly what you need to rise into a valued LD practitioner." * Ajay M. Pangarkar CTDP, FCPA, FCMA, Author of Learning Metrics *
"Two words, "on point". This book is super practical and profoundly thoughtful. It has just the right balance of empathy and real talk about the much needed shifts the L&D function needs to undertake. Peppered with short form and long form real-life examples, there's no excuse for anyone to be stuck with the direction of travel. An incredibly useful aide-memoire." * Barbara Thompson, Senior Organization Development Leader and former Management Consultant *
"If you're in L&D, you absolutely have to read this book. Michelle sets out a compelling, exciting and importantly, achievable vision for L&D and gives you all the strategies, advice, tools and frameworks you need to make it happen. This book is truly transformative, demonstrating that, when done right, L&D can make a fundamental and important difference to how organizations navigate the big challenges of the modern world. This second edition of The Learning and Development Handbook should be on every L&D professional's reading list. Michelle's innovative strategies and practical advice will absolutely transform learning in your workplace and make it future fit." * Tess Robinson, Director, LAS *
"This 2nd Edition of The Learning and Development Handbook is a must-have for all today's learning and performance professionals. Besides being full of insightful advice, I particularly like how she includes extra information, help and advice at the end of each chapter. Here you will find: The Top Tips to help the reader to action real change; Thinking Questions to help reflection of the topics; The Action Plan of next steps to action; selected case studies and further reading materials. This is more than a book; it's a real, practically based Handbook for you to dip in and out of during your working week. Keep it close by!" * Colin Steed, Co-founder & ex CEO Learning & Performance Institute & CEO Learning Now TV *
"I said that the first edition of The Learning and Development Handbook was the book I wish I'd had when I started out in L&D. Instead, it's the book anyone starting out in L&D now should have. The first edition was good but in this second edition, Michelle has taken her own medicine. She tells us that we shouldn't be so precious about our own work that we stop trying to make it better, and pleasingly she has made this better. In one chapter she encourages us to build reflective practice into our work and shows us by writing a second edition of this book how to do just that - by reflecting, evolving, learning from our experiences, and improving.This second edition remains well-researched, and evidence based. It still contains up to date real life examples and case studies and promotes a strong narrative about how L&D has evolved but also how it should continue to." * Gary Cookson, Director, EPIC, and author of HR for Hybrid Working, and Making Hybrid Working Work *
"Throughout this book, Michelle finds a perfect balance between accessibility and advanced application of complex concepts. This balance proves the content beneficial to all learning professionals - from newcomers to seasoned experts. Moreover, the formatting and structure of the handbook which highlights Case Studies, Thinking Questions, and Action Plans moves the content from theoretical exploration to practical integration. This structure positions the handbook as a staple for referential utilization. My personal copy of The Learning and Development Handbook, now dog-eared, highlighted and well-loved, has found a permanent home on my desk - always within arm's reach. I have re-read this book numerous times, have read the book along with my team, and have purchased several copies for learning and development peers. I can say with confidence that this handbook has had a profound impact on my approach to developing and delivering impactful learning initiatives." * Adam Roderick, Director of Learning and Organizational Development, Milos Tea Company *
"This practical handbook is a 'navigate your learning journey to the same destination', with the flexibility of completing a short or long read, structured into three insightful parts: tools and tips, frameworks, and strategies. Starting from a point of curiosity and asking yourself 'how you make an impact during change', Michelle emphasizes the importance of staying relevant, embracing technology like AI and leveraging social learning. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to make a meaningful impact in learning and development, including the 'tools' to do so." * Nicole Hill, CEO, Institute for Learning & Performance, Asia Pacific *
"So, are we trusted as a profession? How can we be? This is where The Learning & Development Handbook comes in. Crafted as a journey that can be plotted by L&D professionals, inexperienced and otherwise, this book is a trusted guide to dip into or to feast on. It provides a map for where we are today and the routes to impact and credibility. Two invaluable and yet rare commodities in L&D.This book is your trusted guide. Trust Michelle to lead you with her experience, her insights and her tools. The Learning & Development Handbook is a must-read for today's L&D professional." * David James, CLO at 360Learning & Host of The Learning & Development Podcast *
"Spoiler alert ... One of my favourite lines from this book is "We need to stay relevant, no matter how much we like what we have now". This is so true especially in a rapidly evolving world where learning, unlearning and relearning is fundamental to future success. This book is full of wonderful wisdom and actively encourages the reader to be curious and pioneering. A real gem for all learning professional and an essential and highly recommended read." * Liggy Webb, Award-winning presenter and author of The Bite Sized Life Skills Series *
