4 Comments
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Heidi Kirby's avatar

I love this -- as if you couldn't anticipate that. But I'm glad too that this data supports Sturgeon's Law too (which I stole from another L&D pro and bring up all the time). It says 90% of everything is crap. 🤣

Marc Ramos's avatar

Thanks for this great post! Your opinion... What's more impactful to the business... Transfer or Application?

Tom McDowall's avatar

Great question, I fall heavily on the side of application. Transfer without application not only doesn't work (applying knowledge is what helps it transfer, but also achieves nothing tangible for the business.

Transfer with minimal application is the hallmark of education, and education is not L&D's job, in my opinion. Businesses pay us to facilitate performance, which means the application of knowledge and skill to deliver results to the set standard.

Keen to hear your thoughts Marc.

Marc Ramos's avatar

I think the overarching conundrum--transfer or application--is too much emphasis on skills-first strategies. I get it, yet I feel strongly that Tasks supercede Skills.

What's more important, someone who obtained a skill (to transfer) and never applied it, or someone who successfully executed a task(s) (proven application)?