Traditionally in a large number of companies corporate L&D organisations were tasked with the challenge of integrating employees into a single corporate culture. However more and more L&D organisations are challenged to be relevant on the short term and deliver immediate impact, i.e. deliver solutions to the business.

And in doing so, the line between traditional learning provision and a consulting service is blurring. Beyond the ability to design customized programmes for the business units, there is a growing need for broader upstream services that guarantee alignment of strategic objectives, organizational development and L&D solutions. In a number of cases, the central learning entity is called upon to intervene at the problem definition and needs analysis level in support of the business units, even if a subsequent learning & development intervention is not required or even envisaged.

This evolution has created the challenge for central L&D entities to create their own consulting offer inside their larger portfolio of activities. On the other hand, external vendors, who are reacting to the same trend, are offering both consulting and L&D solutions at the same time. In short, corporate universities as well as training firms and Business Schools are beginning to offer consulting services, while consulting firms are starting to build learning capabilities.

This trend deserves more thorough and comprehensive exchange to address a number of issues:

1. Do we fully understand why this phenomenon has emerged and to what extent this broader consulting role is different from the traditional provision of customized programmes?
2. Facing this growing demand, how should the L&D organisation within a company design such an offer (business model, pricing, value chain etc…)?
3. What is the mandate of this L&D consulting practice? How does it fit into the wider landscape of L&D and other internal consulting services?
4. What are the competencies required to staff such a service? Does it create a natural need to partner with other internal structures or with outside vendors in order to fully integrate a structured service offer?
5. What is the legitimacy of this consulting service over time

David Jestaz, Director, EDF Corporate University will share his experience with you.
Other speakers will include: Guest speaker Thomas-Olivier Léautier, Professor of Management at the University of Toulouse, Edith Lemieux, Head of Air Liquide University, and Anna Simioni CEO of UniManagement Unicredit Group.