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Failing often and testing big differences shows you are trying hard enough.

— Eugene Schwartz

I love putting together this newsletter for you every week! If you have a moment between saving the world and binge-watching the latest show, I would really appreciate your feedback. If you leave a review within the next 10 minutes, you’ll get… well, absolutely nothing extra. But you will have my eternal gratitude, which is almost as good as a free toaster, right?

Typing is totally optional – if you’re feeling fancy, you can even record a quick video review! You can leave your feedback right here:

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

I’ve been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac lately. Join me, won’t you?

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

What L&D gets wrong about marketing tactics and how to do the things that work

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📰 News & Notes

The “Pain Map Of Learning”: How Trainers Can Make Learning Fun Again

Imagine trying to learn without a plan—like wandering in a maze without a map! In his blog post, Sean D’Souza of Psychotactics explains that creating a “learning map” is essential to effective learning. By outlining clear steps and making information digestible, this map keeps us on track, boosts our confidence, and ensures we don’t end up lost in the fog of confusion. So, next time you’re learning something new, don’t just dive in—grab a map and navigate your way to success!

🎯 Take away: Creating a clear “learning map” is key to navigating new information and staying on track with your learning goals.

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The Post-AI Instructional Designer

In a world where AI’s the hot new tool in the instructional designer’s kit, it’s not about fearing a robot takeover; it’s about embracing the tech to free up your creative juices! Dr. Philippa Hardman explains how post-AI designers can ditch the mundane tasks, like sorting through endless content, and focus on what really matters: crafting engaging, human-centered learning experiences. AI might be the whiz at data, but it’s the designers who add the magic. So, bring on the bots, but remember—they’re just here to help!

🎯 Take away: AI frees up instructional designers from tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on creating engaging, human-centered learning experiences.

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Start Strong: The Neuroscience of Persuasive Presentations

Want to hook your audience from the get-go? Neuroscience says to ditch the data and start with a story. According to Carmine Gallo in Inc., kicking off your presentation with a compelling narrative taps into the brain’s primal instincts, engaging listeners emotionally and making them more receptive to your message. So, whether you’re pitching an idea or leading a team meeting, remember that a great story is your secret weapon for persuasion!

🎯 Take away: Start your presentation with a compelling story to engage your audience’s emotions and boost your persuasive power.

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Want to boost your frontline employees’ performance?

Your retail frontline’s performance directly affects your bottom-line results. But, with proper training and resources, your frontline can flourish—leading to better outcomes for everyone, including your business. Read these retail training tips and be on your way to improving your training today!

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Mini Course Generator

Mini Course Generator is the easiest way to create and deliver mini-courses & micro-learning materials. Save time with the AI Course Creator.

minicoursegenerator.com

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Overlap — AI Podcast App

A new podcast app that uses AI to curate the best podcast moments, just for you.

www.joinoverlap.com

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Did you know that learning, at its core, is brain modification? It’s more than just the content we create—it’s about reshaping the brain itself. To truly help your learners learn, we need to deepen our understanding of how the brain works. That’s exactly what aNewSpring will explore on September 5th, from 9:00–10:00am (EST). Come explore this fascinating process firsthand during a blended learning experience led by Roy de Vries and Lauren Waldman.

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

To Know What You Know: With Guests David Dunning & Andrew Flack

Ever felt like a genius only to realize you’re more of a novice? Welcome to the Dunning-Kruger effect! In this chuckle-worthy chat with David Dunning himself, we learn that when we’re clueless, we’re also clueless about how clueless we are – it’s like intellectual inception!

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The effectiveness of your online course depends on many factors, from how well you work with SMEs to actual content development. Download this expert 10-lesson guide to start making the most of each stage of course development. The guide features expert tips, step-by-step instructions, and time-saving tricks for creating courses with a lot less effort.

Among other things, you’ll learn how to:

• Plan a project and work with SMEs
• Create compelling copy and narrations
• Build engaging tests and role-plays
• Make your course accessible

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• 2024 COATD Learning Technology and Design Day, Columbus, September 10
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8
• 5th Annual Design for Deeper Learning Fall Series, November 14

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

 “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

— John Wooden

A new chapter begins this weekend. My son is off to conquer Oxford and Miami University. Of course, I’ll miss him, but I’m mostly super excited for the new adventures and new friends that are waiting for him there.

Meanwhile, on a professional note, I had a blast chatting with Inna Horvath from Elai.io. We spilled the tea on why L&D folks need to channel their inner Mad Men and steal a page from the marketing playbook.

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

This playlist made by my old college roommate will see a lot of action today “Miami Music”

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

Benefits of Using Questions in Learning Design

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📰 News & Notes

8 Copywriting Hacks Backed By Science

I believe writing is a superpower, and L&D professionals can learn a lot from marketing’s approach to copywriting. Marketers craft words that not only inform but also persuade and drive action. HubSpot’s article highlights the importance of understanding your audience, being clear and concise, and using data-driven insights to create compelling content. By adopting these strategies, L&D can #ThinkLikeaMarketer to enhance engagement and effectiveness in training materials.

🎯 Take away: Emulate marketing’s clear, audience-focused writing to make your learning content more persuasive and impactful.

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Why Most Training Fails and How to Make Yours Work

Most training fails because it focuses on delivering content rather than changing behavior. To make training effective, organizations must align it with real-world challenges, incorporate behavioral science principles, and ensure continuous reinforcement. Training should be seen as a process, not a one-time event, with a strong focus on practical application and ongoing support.

🎯 Take away: Effective training transforms behavior by aligning with real-world challenges and using continuous reinforcement, not just delivering content.

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The Accessible and Inclusive Design Conference 2024

The Accessible and Inclusive Design Conference (AIDC) 2024 explored modern approaches to designing inclusive spaces for all learners. Learn from top experts, discover practical strategies, and gain insights to make your learning experiences accessible and engaging. The conference recordings are now available on YouTube with top experts, including Connie Malamed and more!

🎯 Take away: Watch the AIDC 2024 conference session recordings so you can create learning environments where everyone belongs.

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When was the last time you did a training audit?

Take stock of your organization’s training situation by assessing your existing materials and methods to discover what’s working and where the gaps are. Explore the five key components of a successful training audit today!

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Create Amazing Mockups

Create Amazing Mockups

shots.so

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Vimeo’s Free Online Video Maker and Editor Tools

Try tons of customizable video templates for free. Create and edit videos in minutes with our easy-to-use video maker.

vimeo.com/create

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One tool does it all—ClickUp offers all the features you need in one platform: Tasks, Docs, Whiteboards, Dashboards, Goals… and more! Switch today to explore our 100% customizable features!

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

L&D Branding Essentials: Enhancing Internal Identity

This episode dives into branding and marketing for Learning & Development (L&D). It discusses how to construct a strong internal brand and the significant benefits of doing so, including enhancing L&D employee engagement and morale. Tune in for practical advice on building your L&D brand, aligning it with organizational strategy, and marketing it through the ‘Four P’s of Marketing’ framework: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. 

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The Comprehensive LMS Buyer’s Guide

Stop looking for a needle in the LMS haystack! Download this collection of resources to have everything you need to choose a training platform that’s perfect for your needs: a complete LMS buyer’s guide, an LMS RFP template, and a collection of checklists and other templates.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• 2024 COATD Learning Technology and Design Day, Columbus, September 10
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8
• 5th Annual Design for Deeper Learning Fall Series, November 14

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

— Abraham Lincoln

My son is heading off to college soon, so we’ve been having dinners with some of my good friends. I want him to hear from people I respect, offering him different perspectives that he wouldn’t absorb in the same way if they were coming from me. These gatherings have been wonderful, and I’ve even learned new things about old friends. I hope he finds them as valuable as I do. It’s also a good reminder to reach out to the people you care about, whether with a call, a note, or an invitation to dinner, to stay connected.

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

This week I’m choosing to be happy and look for all the good things I can find like this “Happy Mix”

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

6 Unique Ways L&D Teams Can Use Perplexity AI For Better Design, Research And Analysis

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📰 News & Notes

To Pay Attention, the Brain Uses Filters, Not a Spotlight

Recent research challenges the old belief that our brains use a spotlight to focus on specific stimuli. Instead, scientists have discovered that our brains filter out distractions to focus better. This means we don’t just shine a mental spotlight on what’s important; we actively ignore what isn’t. This understanding helps explain why we can concentrate in noisy environments or multitask efficiently. By filtering out irrelevant information, our brains enhance our ability to pay attention to what truly matters.

🎯 Take away: The brain improves focus by filtering out distractions, not just by concentrating on important things​

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Benefits of Using Questions in Learning Design

This post by Connie Malamed covers how inquiry-based eLearning replaces traditional methods with a question-driven approach that engages learners by prompting them to seek out information and solve problems. This active learning style enhances curiosity, interactivity, and independent thinking, helping learners better retain and apply knowledge. It’s especially effective in scenarios, case studies, and problem-solving tasks, making the learning experience more dynamic and personalized.

🎯 Take away: Inquiry-based eLearning boosts engagement and retention by using questions to drive active learning and problem-solving.

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Prompt Controls in GenAI Chatbots: 4 Main Uses and Best Practices

This Nielsen Norman Group article explains how to improve the results from Generative AI (GenAI) tools by giving better prompts. By being specific, setting clear limits, and refining your instructions, you can guide the AI to produce more accurate and useful outputs. The article highlights the need to understand what the AI can and cannot do, so you can make the most of it in tasks like content creation and customer service.

🎯 Take away: Clear and precise prompts greatly enhance the effectiveness of Generative AI tools, leading to better and more practical results.

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When was the last time you did a training audit?

Take stock of your organization’s training situation by assessing your existing materials and methods to discover what’s working and where the gaps are. Explore the five key components of a successful training audit today!

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Free Music For Videos & Creators • Uppbeat

Download the best copyright-free music for YouTube, TikTok, streaming, social media, podcasts and more. Create a free account & start downloading for free now.

uppbeat.io

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Turn static images interactive

Go from boring static images to an engagement magnet, in minutes

interactivity.studio

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Experience podcasts in a whole new way with PodSnacks! Enjoy bite-sized summaries delivered directly to your inbox. It’s time to streamline and save listening time.

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

How Visuals Enhance Learning

How do visuals enhance learning? Recognized Learning Experience Designer and Founder of Mastering Instructional Design, Connie Malamed, discusses the role of visuals in learning and engagement.

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Are you struggling to write an engaging course script?

Join this upcoming webinar and find out how a course’s format affects the script, when storytelling can hinder learning, and how to make your script engaging. Plus, learn how to avoid common script-writing mistakes that ruin learner engagement!

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8
• 5th Annual Design for Deeper Learning Fall Series, November 14

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

“It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants.
The question is, what are we busy about?”

— Gary Keller

I hosted a fun webinar on designing for visual attention this week, and we uncovered some eye-opening facts! Did you know only about 1% of your vision is high-res? It’s thanks to foveal vision, like a built-in spotlight for your eyes. Want to see it in action? Check out the GIF below and try to focus on the center mark.

Crazy, right? If you’re itching to learn more about this visual magic, you can catch the webinar replay here! 👀

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

Ever hear music that you kind of forget about but love every time you hear it? That is me with R.E.M.

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

Learn Great Copywriting in 76 Minutes

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📰 News & Notes

Ross Stevenson on Perplexity AI for L&D pros

6 Unique Ways L&D Teams Can Use Perplexity AI For Better Design, Research And Analysis

Perplexity AI, an AI-powered search engine, offers L&D teams unique ways to enhance their work through personalized answers from credible sources, unlike traditional search engines. It excels in creating case studies, conducting research, analyzing data, and performing market research with focused searches. The tool supports personalized learning experiences, aids in evidence-based research, and simplifies data analysis with features like uploading documents and refining search sources. While not likely to replace Google, Perplexity provides structured, comprehensive answers, making it a valuable addition to the L&D toolkit.

🎯 Take away: Perplexity transforms L&D operations by delivering personalized, structured answers from credible sources, enhancing research, analysis, and personalized learning experiences.

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The Power of Human Faces in Design

Another topic in my webinar this week was the power of using human faces in designs. Incorporating human faces into web design can significantly enhance user engagement by creating an emotional connection, guiding focus, and improving first impressions. Faces humanize the brand, aid storytelling, and can boost conversion rates by making your content more relatable and trustworthy.

🎯 Take away: Using human faces in design creates emotional connections and boosts engagement, making your content more relatable and effective.

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No, AI Doesn’t Mean You Won’t Need to Learn

Scott H. Young argues that despite AI’s transformative abilities, it won’t fundamentally change the need for learning. He emphasizes that historical trends in educational technology often overpromise but underdeliver on altering core learning processes. AI tools like ChatGPT can aid learning but won’t replace the mental work required to master skills. Effective learning principles remain consistent, and the human element is central to education.

🎯 Take away: AI assists but doesn’t replace the essential cognitive efforts in learning.

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Get practical tips to improve the training you deliver 

Safety and efficiency in the workplace are paramount. Learn about training improvements you can make as we explore a use case about manufacturing—and then apply our tips to your training!

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Glow

Create beautiful branded registration pages, email reminders and social campaigns for your webinar. No code required. #ThinkLikeAMarketer

www.glow.build

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Effortless webinars, powerfully engaging

Host engaging webinars that people watch till the end. No credit card. No downloads.

www.getcontrast.io

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Experience podcasts in a whole new way with PodSnacks! Enjoy bite-sized summaries delivered directly to your inbox. It’s time to streamline and save listening time.

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Social Learning at Scale

Mehri Doyle joins Michelle Ockers to discuss the use of small private online courses (SPOC) at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These online courses have a focus on social learning with the use of online asynchronous community through educators and peer collaboration.

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Have a Better Chance of Landing an ID Job

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

“The easiest way to increase happiness is to control your use of time. Can you find more time to do the things you enjoy doing?”

— Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow

This week gratitude has taken center stage for me. I’m amazed by the messages of support and wisdom I received after last week. Your kindness is a powerful reminder of the compassion that exists out there beyond our screens. I’d like to invite each of you to pause today and consider the things in your life that you’re thankful for. I’m lucky to have so much to be grateful for, and I hope you are too!

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

These are the songs I have “On Repeat” right now.

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

Stack Radar makes finding the perfect tools easy

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📰 News & Notes

Learn Great Copywriting in 76 Minutes

Writing well is a superpower. Fact. And this video? It’s gold dust. Grab a coffee. Find an hour. And watch it. You’ll thank me later.

Here’s the gist. Great copy boils down to 3 things:

• Can you see it?
• Can you prove it?
• Is it different?

Harry Dry breaks it all down. With examples that’ll make you go “Aha!”

• No fluff.
• No jargon.
• Just solid gold nuggets.

By the end, you’ll be writing copy that sticks like glue. Trust me, this is the real deal.

🎯 Take away: Great copy? It’s simple: Make ’em see it. Make ’em believe it. Make it different. Do this and watch your words work wonders. Bam. That’s the secret sauce.

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5 Rare Skills No One Talks About To Become a Successful L&D Pro

Ross Stevenson proposes that to excel in the evolving L&D landscape, professionals need five rare skills: resilience to adapt and thrive amidst changes, strategic thinking to align learning initiatives with business goals, data fluency to harness analytics for informed decisions, marketing savvy to promote learning programs effectively, and technological literacy to leverage new tools and platforms. These skills empower L&D pros to stay ahead of the curve and drive impactful learning experiences.

🎯 Take away: L&D pros who master resilience, strategic thinking, data fluency, marketing, and tech literacy will thrive in the future of learning.

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Why forgetting is beneficial

Charan Ranganath says that forgetting isn’t a flaw; it’s a feature. The ability to forget helps us prioritize important information, adapt to new environments, and enhance creativity by allowing our brains to break free from old patterns. By shedding irrelevant memories, we make space for fresh ideas and better decision-making. Embrace forgetfulness – it’s the mind’s way of staying sharp and innovative.

Curious to dive deeper? Charan has a new book out called “Why We Remember,” which I’ve just started, and it is really good so far.

🎯 Take away: Forgetting isn’t just natural; it’s crucial for creativity, adaptability, and prioritizing what truly matters.

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Explore how to calculate your training ROI

You can’t improve what you don’t measure! Our article is jam-packed with helpful, actionable training-ROI-related information—so you can discover what ROI you get from online training!

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Meiro – AI-powered builder for tests and quizzes

Transform your brand’s growth with AI-powered quizzes and tests – drive leads, engage audiences, and boost your brand recognition

meiro.cc

.

Hypernatural

Hypernatural is an AI video platform that makes it easy to create beautiful, ready-to share videos from anything. Turn your ideas, scripts, podcasts and more into incredible short-form videos in minutes.

hypernatural.ai

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While everyone’s focused on AI, let’s refocus on where learning takes place: our brain. By understanding how you learn, you can design more effective experiences. Join aNewSpring and Lauren Waldman aka the Learning Pirate during this unique blended learning experience on 5 September 2024, 9:00–10:00am (EST) to explore your brain and create impactful learning solutions. 👉 Save your spot

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Psychological Safety in Learning

Sonali D’Silva and Michelle Ockers discuss the critical role of psychological safety in learning. They explore research-backed benefits and share practical strategies for L&D professionals to cultivate a safe learning environment.

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Your Sign to Start a Career as an Instructional Designer 

It’s your time to get things going! Start with 5 free lessons by Anna Poli, a seasoned ID with 8+ years of experience, who will walk you through the essentials of your new field: business expectations, ID theories, authoring features, interactivity, and ideas on how to engage your learners.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• MyQuest Webinar: How to Create Powerful Visuals to Captivate & Engage Learners, Online, July 31
• SANS Security Awareness: Managing Human Risk Summit 2024, Online, August 1
• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 5-8

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

— William A. Ward

Life’s been hitting me a bit harder than usual lately. Our oldest is heading of to college in a month and the house is already starting to feel different. To top it all off, my wife lost her job and I can tell she’s unhappy. Honestly, I’m feeling a bit lost myself. Wish I had some magic answers, you know? The only thing I know is that I won’t give up. So, have you ever felt like change was trying to bury you? How’d you cope?

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

You may know I’m a fan of 80’s music and one of my favorite 80’s bands is Tears for Fears. 

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

How I Used AI to Turn a Document into a Course Storyboard & Prototype in <10 Mins

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📰 News & Notes

Stack Radar

Overwhelmed by Tech Choices? StackRadar Makes Finding the Perfect Tools Easy

StackRadar is one of my favorite resources for discovering new tools. They categorize tools into “stacks” based on the types of work you do. For example, the Educator Stack includes tools for planning and creating content, delivering courses, community platforms, and managing research and admin work. Their guides and comparisons help you choose the best tools to suit your needs.

🎯 Take away: StackRadar is a curation of the best online tech tools, designed to empower anyone to upgrade their tech stack.

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Screen apnea: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

Are you breathing right now? If not, it could be due to screen apnea, which is a term coined by Linda Stone to describe shallow breathing while using screens, like when typing, scrolling, or watching TV. We often focus so intently on screens that we forget to breathe normally. This can lead to stress and health problems like a faster heart rate and not getting enough oxygen. To avoid screen apnea, you can take regular breaks, practice mindful breathing exercises, and maintain good posture.

🎯 Take away: Shallow breathing while using screens can cause stress and health problems, but taking breaks and focusing on your breathing can help.

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How To Use Automatic Compliance Triggers

Roger Dooley talks with behavioral marketing expert Nancy Harhut to unpack the idea of automatic compliance triggers. These are subconscious nudges that sway people’s choices. She explains the psychology behind them and gives practical pointers for marketers and communicators to use them for better results. Understanding these hidden influences helps craft powerful messages that get people to act.

🎯 Take away: Using subconscious nudges can boost the effectiveness of your efforts by tapping into subconscious decision-making processes.

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What is a knowledge management strategy?

Explore how your organization identifies, captures, shares, and leverages your knowledge assets in relation to business and learning goals. That’s where a knowledge management strategy comes in.

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

AI Illustration Generator

Unlock seamless AI art with AI Illustration Generator. Create consistent visuals effortlessly in PNG. Perfect for designers seeking consistent illustrations on any topic.

icons8.com/illustration-generator

.

Gluetrail | Personalized videos at scale

Elevate your training programs with Gluetrail, the AI-powered solution for creating hyper-personalized video content and landing pages.

www.gluetrail.com

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Create interactive content in minutes without limits with Meiro. Transform your content with AI-powered quizzes and tests – drive learning, engage audiences, and boost your L&D results.

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Charan Ranganath on Memory

Charan Ranganath (Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters) is a neuroscientist. Charan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the mechanics of memory, how AI learning is different than human learning, and the influence that present context has on memories.

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sponsored

Catch up on iSpring Days 2024: Access Video Recordings

Missed out on the iSpring Days 2024 eLearning conference? Don’t worry! You can still catch all 18 insightful sessions by watching the recordings of the sessions. Learn from industry experts like Matt Gjertsen, Cara North, and David Hyeshik Yoon about the latest trends and best practices in eLearning. Access the session recordings now for free.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• Elai EdTalks Live Podcast, Online, July 22
• MyQuest Webinar: How to Create Powerful Visuals to Captivate & Engage Learners, Online, July 29
• SANS Security Awareness: Managing Human Risk Summit 2024, Online, August 1
• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 6-8

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

---

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

Sponsored by iSpring

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“It’s so simple, yet makes such a difference. Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’”

— Mary Kay Ash

I am in Maine to rest up and explore as much of the Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park area as I possibly can for a few days. I think the more ground I cover during the day, the more delicious seafood I can try in the evening. It’s been a heavy news week here in the U.S., so I’m focusing on enjoying the beauty of nature. I hope you’ll enjoy some peace and quiet this week too!

Thanks for reading!

PS – Don’t forget to check for the other new version of this newsletter!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

This came on while driving with my daughter recently and it’s been on repeat ever since – meet “The 1975”

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

Steal These Marketing Secrets to Write Irresistible L&D Program Titles

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📰 News & Notes

What is Emotional Design?

Emotional design focuses on creating products that evoke specific emotions to enhance user experience. It operates on three levels: visceral (first impressions), behavioral (usability), and reflective (long-term satisfaction). By tapping into users’ emotions, designers can foster deeper connections, improve usability, enhance memorability, and differentiate products in the market. Successful emotional design leads to positive and memorable experiences.

🎯 Take away: Emotional design leverages user emotions to create engaging, memorable, and effective experiences.

If you’re looking for a good summer read, Don Norman’s Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things is a good one related to this topic.

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The power of visuals in teaching and learning

Visuals significantly enhance teaching and learning by leveraging our innate ability to process visual information quickly and efficiently. Visual aids, such as animations and images, capture attention, aid memory retention, and simplify complex concepts. This makes learning more engaging and effective, especially for young learners who benefit from concrete and dynamic representations of abstract ideas. Educators can also use visuals to organize content better and create a more interactive and stimulating learning environment.

🎯 Take away: Visuals make learning engaging and memorable by simplifying complex ideas and enhancing retention.

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The Marketing Tools & Tactics GPT – Your Secret Weapon for L&D Success

Frustrated with lackluster L&D results? Ditch tradition and unleash your inner marketing genius with my GPT tool! This secret weapon equips you with everything you need to transform your learning initiatives – from understanding your audience with learner personas to crafting engaging content and mastering digital channels. Packed with practical advice, templates, and real-world examples, it’s like having a marketing guru in your back pocket, ready to supercharge your L&D game. Curious? Check out the full guide!

🎯 Take away: Unleash marketing power in your L&D with this free GPT tool.

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What’s your eLearning game plan?

If you’re facing L&D challenges or growing pains, see how strategic consulting can help ensure your long-term organization sustainability. Learn more with our Strategic Consulting guide.

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

54 great online tools for workshops and meetings! | SessionLab

Looking for great workshop tools? Find the best online tools for facilitating workshops and meetings at each step of the design and delivery process.

www.sessionlab.com/blog/online-tools-for-workshops

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Ozone – Create Videos Faster with AI.

Meet Ozone, your AI-powered video editor.

www.ozone.pro

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Multimodal Slides revolutionizes content creation by allowing you to create, convert, and publish effortlessly from one intuitive editor. Transform your work into various formats like PDFs, blog posts, videos, and podcasts, and seamlessly share across platforms like WordPress, YouTube, and Spotify. Say goodbye to tedious reformatting and streamline your workflow with Multimodal Slides – create once, publish everywhere. Experience the future of content creation and Join the beta today!  

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Generating Value from People Data

In her role as the VP of People Data & Analytics, Angela LeMathon is responsible for generating value from their people data. She shares more about GSK’s scientific approach, how they’re using AI to gather information, and how skills verification ties in. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• SANS Security Awareness: Managing Human Risk Summit 2024, Online, August 1
• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 6-8

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

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Unlock the Best Practices for Creating Accessible eLearning

Are your eLearning courses truly accessible to all learners? Discover the essential practices to make your content inclusive and effective with our free guide. This comprehensive resource will help you design courses that meet accessibility standards, ensuring that every learner, regardless of ability, can engage with and benefit from your training.

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Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

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“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

— Calvin Coolidge

I’m looking forward to the cooler temperatures and a refreshing break in Maine’s great outdoors over the July 4th holiday week. Before I go, I need your help with something that’ll only take a minute:

What’s your go-to website builder and hosting combo?

Could you hit reply with your recommendation? I’d be really grateful for your input, and I promise to share some scenic Maine photos as a thank-you!

Thanks for reading!

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🎶 What I’m Listening To

The Violent Femmes were in town last weekend, and it has sent me down an 80’s alternative music rabbit hole this week.

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👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

The Ultimate Guide to Giving Virtual Presentations on Zoom

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📰 News & Notes

Steal These Marketing Secrets to Write Irresistible L&D Program Titles

In my recent blog post, I discuss how vital it is to have engaging titles to attract more learners to your programs. I compare effective marketing strategies with L&D, stressing the importance of making a strong first impression. Check it out for practical advice on using benefit-driven language and powerful words to make your titles stand out. You’ll also learn about useful marketing tools like headline analyzers and the technique of A/B testing to refine your titles.

🎯 Take away: Elevate your L&D programs by crafting compelling titles with marketing secrets to attract more participants.

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Seven truly remarkable events in the history of swearing

This article explores the fascinating evolution of swearing from its ancient roots to modern usage. It highlights seven key moments in the history of profanity, illustrating how cultural and social shifts have transformed what we consider taboo. You’ll even get into the neurological aspect of swearing, noting that it engages distinct brain areas separate from general language processing. There is even research indicating that people who frequently use swear words may exhibit higher levels of intelligence and verbal fluency. (And dropping a few F-bombs might also increase your pain tolerance.)

🎯 Take away: Discover the intriguing shifts in the use of swear words over centuries and their unique cognitive processing in the brain.

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A Guide for Making Informed PowerPoint Font Decisions

Make your presentations stand out by mastering font selection! This essential guide by Julie Terberg is perfect for anyone designing PowerPoint presentations. It covers everything you need to know about choosing the right fonts, including where to find them, their benefits and drawbacks, how to handle licensing and embedding, and more.

🎯 Take away: Master font selection for your PowerPoint templates with this helpful guide.

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Ten steps to convert instructor-led training to eLearning

We guide you through the ten steps we follow with our custom eLearning projects, including analysis, development, and launching your courses.
Learn about our ten steps for eLearning.

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🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Do more in Articulate Rise 360 with Mighty

Mighty, developed by Maestro Learning, is a Chrome extension that enhances Articulate Rise course creation. It offers advanced features like extended font control, custom transitions, and a reflection block, allowing for greater creative freedom and customization without requiring coding skills.

maestrolearning.com/mighty

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Clipboard AI – Copy Paste Automation

Clipboard AI captures and processes data from scans, screenshots, or screens, making it instantly usable. Just highlight the data and point Clipboard AI to its destination, like a form or another app, and it automatically pastes the data correctly.

www.uipath.com/product/clipboard-ai

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Text to Speech in Minutes: Realistic AI Voices for Your Projects

Want professional voiceovers fast? Murf’s AI voice generator uses real-sounding AI voices to transform your text into speech. Choose from over 120 voices in 20+ languages, perfect for podcasts, videos, presentations & more. Create high-quality voiceovers in minutes, all within your budget.

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🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Behavioral Science in the Workplace: Tips and Strategies

Becky Frayer offers useful tips for tackling big challenges in large businesses. She explains how behavioral science can help in the workplace. This episode gives important advice for anyone interested in using these principles to boost business growth and make better decisions.

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Create Better Courses Faster with a PPT-Based Course Creation Tool

Turn your PowerPoint presentations into eLearning courses in just a few clicks with iSpring Suite! Need to make them more engaging? Add interactions, quizzes, and scenarios. iSpring offers a template-based approach, which makes advanced eLearning development easy enough for anyone, even beginners.

Experience its combination of power and ease of use today.

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🧳 Where’s Mike?

• SANS Security Awareness: Managing Human Risk Summit 2024, Online, August 1
• Greater Cincinnati ATD, Online, September 4
• DevLearn, Las Vegas, November 6-8

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

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Department of Shenanigans

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A post shared by business casualty (@_businesscasualty)

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Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.