Making the strategic shift from training to evidence-based learning and development is no easy task when trying to create a continuous improvement learning organisation with measurable impact. It is so much more than just terminology. This book helps with the pain and pleasure of operating in this space with practical advice, frameworks and strategies.

As an experienced practitioner, herself, Michelle understands that there is no one right way of delivering L&D but acts as a guide to enable you to find your own way supporting you with case studies, tips and ideas but more importantly that call to action to nudge you out of your place of comfort to deal with the complexity of the workplace in an ever increasingly complex world.

It’s not often I get really excited about a new book on workplace learning and development. This book from Michelle Parry-Slater is different. Michelle has the gift of explaining concepts and situations – especially in the corporate learning and development field – in an easy-to-understand way which focuses on the practical aspects and that is what we all need. This book is an excellent handbook of all things that the modern workplace training professional needs and I thoroughly recommend it to all in the learning and performance field.

This is a brilliant curation of helpful thoughts and sources of information, and as such is an excellent read and resource in itself. The quality content, clearly presented and simply said, is delivered in a warm, open, informative and engaging manner. It invites the reader to learn, reflect, draw their own conclusions and apply the practical content to their circumstances. Whether new to L&D or a seasoned L&Der, Michelle’s book will have you thinking, reflecting and growing as it provides both challenge and comfort around our practice and place in the world of HR and work, and beyond.

Organizations are looking for tangible ways to engage and develop their employees. Michelle Parry-Slater has created a handbook that brings L&D to life with a mix of being practical, strategic and accessible for one and all. Her work is relevant to all organizations and industries. It will be a fixture in my HR/Business quiver!!

In our fast-changing world the facilitation of engaging and effective learning requires a radical new foundation. Based on a depth of practical experience, this book defines a toolkit of strategies and tactics that now underpin successful organisational learning. Sound theory mixed with innovative practice makes this a must-read for those serious about impactful learning.

An eminently useful guide, based on practical experience, and supported by research, this is a great handbook for any L&D practitioner looking to move beyond the traditional classroom delivery model.

Michelle has been there, she’s got a whole collection of tee-shirts and in this book she generously shares her extensive experience of what needs doing to modernise learning and make L&D more effective in organisations. As I read her words, I could hear her voice – it felt like she was sitting beside me as my personal coach. From the not inconsiderable #NoPlasters campaign, she has created a no nonsense treasure trove of practical ideas, advice, action plans and tips, with case studies to give meaning to what’s been achieved. Following her own advice, she includes plenty of reflection and gives the reader the confidence and encouragement to try things out for themselves. There is only one Michelle but if you invest in this book you’ll have her on your team and she’ll help you fly! 

I alternate between being an ice-skating and deep-sea diving type of reader and this handbook caters to both. I found that the short vs long read format makes it easy to get the information I need, in the way I need it. Not a book to be wasted sitting on a shelf, this will be a ‘go-to’ for me!

Michelle writes with complete commitment to helping L&D people achieve efficient, effective, engaging and enjoyable learning and development experiences irrespective of size of department or organisation. The superb ‘short read’ at the start of every chapter makes it easy to get key information before deciding if you need to go deeper – perfect for busy professionals. This should be within arm’s reach of every L&D practitioner who is serious about modernising learning and aligning it with business strategy. 

I was hooked on Michelle’s insights on the world of L&D when I followed her daily #NoPlasters tweets.  This book is a long overdue evolution of that series and takes it to whole other level.  There is so much I love about this book, the structure is genius, the honesty of Michelle’s experience and the drive to share her learning about learning with others for starters. She really shows in this book the level of depth and breadth of this wonderful world of learning and development. It does not matter if you are starting out in your career of this amazing profession or have years and years of experience there is something for everyone in this.  And the reading lists in every chapter will take you further on an amazing learning adventure.  It IS a page turner. 

I expected great things when I heard that Michelle was writing The Learning and Development Handbook and I wasn’t disappointed. Insightful, informative and brilliantly structured, Michelle really walks her talk as a Learning and Development practitioner making every chapter easy to absorb, learn from and relate to. Many handbooks can be dry tomes but this is definitely not one of them, I highly recommend this as a worthwhile read for anyone in business.

This is THE handbook that you need to read if you’re in L&D or any leadership or management role in your organisation. It stimulates the creative juices to consider what could be next to help reach your vision. Jammed packed with the practical, no-nonsense we’ve come to expect from Michelle, invest in this resource to level up your thinking in this space.