From Insight to Action: A Practical Framework for Diagnosing Real Training Needs

Why do well-intentioned learning solutions sometimes make things worse - and what would it look like to diagnose the real problem before designing the solution?

Register now to join Matt Smith for a virtual session.

Click to see details below to learn more!

Session Overview

Most L&D professionals want to be seen as strategic partners - invited in early to shape the brief and influence priorities. But under pressure to deliver quickly, it's easy to default to training as the answer before we've properly understood the question.

This session introduces CORE-4, a practical four-stage framework grounded in behavioural science that helps L&D practitioners define the real business problem, diagnose the actual barriers to performance, design well-aligned solutions, and deliver with confidence. Drawing on real examples of well-intentioned interventions that backfired - and what the evidence says about why - participants will leave with a structured approach they can apply immediately to a real challenge in their own organisation. This session directly supports the From Insight to Impact theme by giving practitioners a systematic way to turn analysis into deliberate, evidence-informed action.

The session draws on behavioural science - specifically the COM-B model of behaviour change and the EAST framework - to underpin the diagnosis and design stages of CORE-4. It also addresses the growing interest in evidence-based L&D practice and the shift from activity metrics to business impact. The backfire effects research (including well-documented studies on diversity training, attendance incentives, and feedback interventions) grounds the session in evidence that is both counterintuitive and immediately applicable.

Participants will leave with a framework they can apply to a live challenge the following week, a sharper understanding of why training alone rarely solves performance problems, and greater confidence in conversations with senior leaders about how learning interventions are designed and evaluated.

About the Presenter

Matt Smith leads Learning and Development at Nesta Group, the UK's innovation agency and home to the Behavioural Insights Team. With 24 years at the intersection of learning and leadership - spanning classroom teaching, school leadership in the USA, and corporate L&D. Alongside his role at Nesta, Matt runs Matthew Smith Learning, a consultancy focused on leadership development and team performance for mission-driven organisations. He brings a practitioner's perspective to the challenges organisations face when developing people.

Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be issued if the cancellation request is made on or before 5 calendar days before the scheduled program. Please email events@tdmaine.org with your inquiries.