Do you work with limited training funds to enhance your skills? If so, I know exactly how you feel! I was in your situation several years ago. I wanted to increase my knowledge and marketability in the training and development field, but had no budget to attend Trainer’s Institute. Luckily, a member from the Board mentioned the ATD Scholarship program. I had no idea this even existed, so I applied! I was blessed to be able to attend Trainer’s Institute resulting in an awesome learning experience! As trainers, we spend so much time developing others and now it was time to develop myself. Fast forward a few years later, I’m now a member of the ATD Nebraska Board, encouraging all of you to take advantage of the scholarship available through the Chapter! Don’t let limited training budgets  stop your own development! If you want to learn more visit http://www.atdnebraska.org/ScholarshipApplication . 

Get your learning on!- Jessica Jones, Director of Partnerships 

For over 15 years, I’ve been involved with the ATD Nebraska Chapter. In my memory, I don’t recall a regional conference being hosted. Perhaps it was due to my lack of awareness.  Maybe the opportunity to attend wasn’t a priority for me.  It could have been I didn’t have the funds to attend.  This year was different, and I’m so glad it was.  I took some matters into my own hands, volunteering to speak about a few topics that have been successful for me and my organization this year.  This put me outside of my comfort zone, speaking to conference participants, who I perceived to have far more knowledge, experience and value than me.  However, I quickly realized, we all have something to offer.  Our experiences, lessons and practices are unique in many ways.  I enjoyed my time sharing what worked well for us, facilitating conversation about additional thoughts, approaches and insights.  Aside from gaining confidence in myself I gained valuable feedback, collaboration and close networking with other local professionals.  If you have been working the Learning and Development field for a length of time, we need you.  We need to hear from you, collaborate with you and share with you.  In general our teams within companies are small, and our network across the city and the region is large.  Consider raising your hand, participating and joining this group, as a member, a volunteer, a presenter even a board member.  You will gain as much as you give!

I also was able to attend several sessions during the two day conference and WOW, what a fantastic collection of speakers!

Heather Wright from Gallup shared a variety of workplace statistics including the shift in workplace expectations of what is wanted and needed.  A paycheck is not the top of the list any more, it’s been replaced by purpose.  Development and coaching are next in line.  This shift can help us understand where we need to skill our existing workforce up to better integrate our future workforce.  David Kelly from the eLearning Guild spoke on “The Now and Next of Learning and Technology”.  Kelly discussed curation, gamification, data and learning, devices, augmented reality and how any and all of it applies to learning.  My favorite quote was “If you want to predict how technology will change how people LEARN….Follow how technology is changing how people LIVE.”  While you don’t get the benefit of David Kelly’s full presentation you can take advantage of perusing the many valuable resources on all topics learning and technology by Clicking Here.   Kelli Hinshaw of Reality Based Leadership  provided some great coaching questions to consider, like: “What can you do to help?”, “What can you do to add value?” and “What would great look like?”.  Great coaching and leadership continued with speakers Jeff Shannon and Nicole Bianchi from Bravium helping us all focus on some basics and that people need to be, acknowledged, heard and valued. Visit www.rogerhumphriesphotography.com and use Client ATD2018 to view all the photos from the event.

If you were able to attend the conference, I’d love to hear the messages that resonated with you. There was so much I didn’t get to see and hear.  I’d love to learn more from you.

Stefanie Shanahan

Member, board member, speaker, participant