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In this episode…

How do you prove the value of your people programs when budgets are tight and leaders demand evidence?

This week's guest is Dr. Alaina Szlachta, author of the book Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring.

In this illuminating conversation, Alaina shares practical approaches to measurement and evaluation that don't require a PhD in statistics or massive resources.

Drawing from her experience across corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, Alaina reveals why data literacy is the foundation of effective evaluation. She explains how her journey from "data-phobic" to "data enthusiast" shaped her practical approach to demonstrating impact with limited resources.

The game-changing "Impact Hypothesis" framework Alaina shares creates a logical chain connecting learning programs to business outcomes, without requiring complex statistical analysis. Rather than attempting to prove perfect causation (which is nearly impossible in complex organisations), she demonstrates how to identify meaningful correlations and trends that reveal program effectiveness.

Most provocatively, Alaina addresses the paradox many organisations face: leaders want ROI data from learning initiatives but fail to provide the resources needed to gather it.

Her "build, borrow, buy" strategy offers practical ways to leverage existing organisational assets to overcome this challenge.

For HR professionals tired of fighting for budget without evidence, and business leaders questioning the value of people investments, this conversation offers a refreshing middle path.

Alaina's approach makes measurement accessible to everyone, transforming L&D from a cost centre to a strategic driver of organisational success.

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