In today’s shifting workplace, it’s not enough to track learning activity—we need to turn insights into outcomes. In Learning and Development, data is no longer just a resource—it’s a roadmap for enhancing the employee experience and aligning talent strategy with business priorities. At our recent ELE peer discussion, we explored how leading organizations are embracing a data-driven strategy to personalize development, elevate the employee experience, and align learning with what the business truly needs.

"Our data-driven adaptive learning strategy helped us pinpoint what learners didn’t know—and deliver only what they needed." -- Yolanda Mangram

Whether you're using adaptive tech or building insights through 1:1 conversations, the message is clear: we’re no longer just tracking progress—we’re transforming how we develop and engage our people. Now is the time to interconnect data-driven strategies with talent development to drive business impact where it matters most.

These insights emerged as top priorities for HR and talent leaders looking to create impact through smarter data use:

1. Data is a strategic tool.
   Learning data should guide decisions—not just reflect them.

2. Personalized learning drives engagement.
   Targeted development increases relevance, confidence, and speed to proficiency.

3. Qualitative insights count.
   Listening systems like focus groups and 1:1s can surface what surveys miss—and drive culture.

   "The dashboard made it easy to see where learners were struggling with unconscious incompetence—and where to focus coaching or redesign." -- Yolanda Mangram

   

🛠️ Three Actions to Bring This to Life

1. Use data to shape learning priorities.
   Connect learning to KPIs like mobility, retention, and performance.

2. Build listening into your strategy.
   Code feedback from real conversations to spot trends and blind spots early.

3. Connect learning efforts to business outcomes.
   Make talent development part of strategic planning—not an isolated function.

   "Listening became the data strategy." -- Ben Warner

The takeaway?
A data-driven strategy only delivers value when it's connected to business goals. Now is the time to interconnect talent development with business impact—and position HR as a true driver of enterprise success.

How are you using data to elevate your talent strategy? -- Share your thoughts in the ELE Idea Exchange and continue the conversation with fellow leaders.