Voices of the Learning Network
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Voices of the Learning Network
How L&D Teams Can Design For Impact From the Start
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Pressure to “prove impact” has never been higher for learning teams—but too often, that pressure leads to dashboards full of activity metrics rather than evidence leaders truly value.
In this episode of Voices of the Learning Network, host Bill Banham is joined by Emma Klosson, Founder and Chief Success Officer at Rooftop Recognition, to explore what meaningful impact really looks like—and how L&D teams can design for it from the very start.
Drawing on more than 25 years across L&D, Talent, Learning Technology and EdTech in the UK and US, Emma brings a rare perspective shaped by hands-on delivery, consultancy, vendor work, and deep experience as an awards judge and category chair. She has crafted over 90 award-winning submissions—more than 80 of them Gold—and shares what separates persuasive impact stories from those that fall flat.
Together, Bill and Emma unpack why recognition is far more than a shiny trophy. Award submissions, when done well, impose discipline: clear problem definition, aligned success measures, thoughtful design choices, and credible evidence that something genuinely changed. Emma explains how judges think, why behaviour change and business outcomes matter more than vanity metrics, and how even imperfect data can tell a powerful story when handled with intent.
This is a practical, honest conversation for anyone in L&D, Talent, or EdTech who wants to raise standards, strengthen credibility, and communicate value with confidence.
In this episode, we explore:
- Designing for impact instead of chasing dashboards
- Structural and cultural blockers to measurement
- What judges really look for in performance and innovation categories
- Recognition as a credibility and influence builder
- Crafting human, evidence-led impact stories
- Avoiding vanity metrics and proving behaviour change
- Using award criteria as a blueprint for better learning design
If this episode sharpened your thinking on impact and recognition, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review telling us your biggest measurement challenge.
Voices of the Learning Network is the Learning Network podcast connecting the learning and development community. https://thelearning-network.org/