Ep.29 SHOW. ME. THE. ROI

In this episode, Greg Arthur hosts a lively discussion with Sarah Wood and Paul Morgan on the nuances of measuring ROI in L&D. They explore why traditional metrics often fall short and how organisations can better understand the real impact of their learning initiatives.

Key Topics

Differentiating between learning impact and financial ROIThe importance of measuring behaviour change, not just activity completionThe role of organisational culture in shaping learning outcomesPractical approaches to quantifying value beyond financial metricsThe myth of quick ROI from isolated learning interventionsHow to foster honest conversations about measurement challengesThe danger of over-complicating simple problems in L&DThe importance of community sharing real, transparent resultsStrategies for starting conversations that uncover true organisational needsBuilding pragmatic, evidence-based learning strategies aligned with business outcomes

Timestamps

(00:00) - Introduction to the focus on ROI in learning(02:39) - The challenge of measuring ROI in learning activities(04:23) - How ROI in learning is tied to business impact(08:00) - Beyond financial metrics: understanding emotional and cultural value(12:15) - Rethinking onboarding for measurable impact(16:16) - The influence of organisational culture on learning outcomes(23:10) - Using simple, targeted data to measure error reduction(28:00) - The significance of relevance in learning content(33:10) - Practicing pragmatic measurement approaches(39:20) - The importance of partnering with business teams for results(45:17) - The need for community transparency in success and failure(55:46) - Honest conversations about the real impact of learning initiatives(60:09) - Practical tips for starting measurement conversations

Additional Notes

Emphasise simple, practical measurement methods over complex data modelsCultivate honest dialogues with stakeholders about what can and cannot be measuredFocus on impact areas like engagement, behavior, and culture as well as financial outcomesRecognize the importance of community sharing of successes and lessons learnedBe pragmatic: start conversations, ask “what if we did nothing,” and adjust strategies accordingly

This episode challenges traditional notions of ROI and encourages learning professionals to adopt more flexible, honest, and impactful measurement practices. Let’s stop over-complicating and start focusing on what truly moves the needle.