L&D Lowdown - April 2020

Last month, we launched a COVID-19 Support Pack. This suite of online resources helped people cope with the challenges of working from home (WFH). 

With 90,000 views in just a few days, the pack helped people like Louise Burge, Lead Projects Advisor at Tata Steel. She says the pack “enabled us to provide practical resources quickly to people on a range of relevant topics such as virtual meetings, managing remote teams and working from home. This gave people some much-needed practical support during this challenging time.”

WFH is fast becoming the new norm. But there are still challenges to face. This month, we’ve gathered resources to help you focus on your wellbeing and stay connected with your colleagues. 
 

RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

Mindfulness in the workplace

It can be easy to get caught up in a web of anxious thoughts. They can negatively impact our productivity, health and wellbeing.
So, how can we use mindfulness in the workplace? And what benefits can it bring to our personal and professional lives?
Find out more

Top 10 remote working apps

Do you know your Zoom from your Jamboard? With much of the world working from home right now, we look at some of the best remote working apps and online tools to help you stay productive, connected and engaged during this challenging time.
See the list

Connect and collaborate

Collaborative tools, social media and new ways of working are transforming how and where people and organizations interact, share and learn. We've compiled some top tips to guide you through it.
Read our tips

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Setting up your workstation is key to short-term comfort – and avoiding long-term health issues. From head to toe, this short animation will help you get set-up the right way.
Watch animation

Green is good

In time for Earth Day on the 22nd April, we’re looking at ways to reuse, re-purpose and reinvent. Here are the organizations leading the green wave.
Find out more
 

WEBINARS & DEMOS

Tune in to our latest online webinars and demos to keep up with L&D insights and product features.

21 April, 16:00 BST, 11:00 EDT
Live Demo: Mind Tools 
Join our live online demo where the Emerald Works team will show you how to engage your learners with Mind Tools! Discover the features of our platform and how it can help your organization.
Save your space

28 April, 16:00 BST, 11:00 EDT
Live Demo: Learning Health Check
Our live demo will show you how reflecting on your learning successes and barriers, and comparing against peers and high performing organizations, can help you understand the impact learning can have on your business. 
Save your space

12 May, 07:00 BST, 16:00 AEDT
Back to the future: why tomorrow’s workforce needs a learning culture
Discover what makes a high-impact learning culture, what they do differently, and how you can beat the odds to see success from your L&D strategy.
Register to attend

13 May, 16:00 BST, 11:00 EDT, 09:00 PDT
Back to the future: why tomorrow’s workforce needs a learning culture
Discover what makes a high-impact learning culture, what they do differently, and how you can beat the odds to see success from your L&D strategy.
Register to attend
 

LATEST PODCASTS

Tune into our latest podcasts. This month, we have an "Emotion at Work" crossover special and look at "social by design" vs "social by chance".

Grit and Mindset: Emotion at Work crossover special

This special crossover edition of The Good Practice and Emotion at Work podcasts discusses two of the most influential social science texts of this century – Carol Dweck's Mindset (2006) and Angela Duckworth's Grit (2016).
Listen to podcast

Social by design vs Social by chance

In 'Social by Design', an upcoming book from Mark Britz and James Tyer, the authors argue that we should purposefully build social connections within organizations.
Listen to podcast

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

In honor of World Book Night on 23rd April, check out our book recommendations, covering learning & development, mental health and wellbeing.

Physical Intelligence
Useful tips and inspiring stories of people who have turned their lives around through physical intelligence.

Why We Sleep
Matthew Walker, PhD, answers important questions about sleep in this fascinating dive into the purpose and power of slumber.

Relaxation
This bite sized book will offer you some simple and easy to apply techniques on how to build relaxation time into your life.

Own Life
If you're ready to show up with confidence and take control of the future, let Own Life be your guide.

Driving Performance Through Learning
An essential handbook for those seeking to transform workplace learning and performance.
 
Soft Skills, Hard Results
The practical tips in this book, when applied, practiced and honed, can improve your effectiveness, impact and bottom-line results.

VIDEO

Peter Casebow on Emerald Works

By Learning Now TV | Watch time: 8:26 mins
 
Following our launch at Learning Technologies 2020, Peter Casebow, CEO of Emerald Works, joined Nigel Paine on Learning Now TV. Peter answers questions on the new brand and what’s to come!

Watch the video

WHO TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER

This month we focus on wellbeing and mental health as we all adapt to a different way of working and living. Here are five Twitter profiles to follow to stay on top of this complex subject.

Health & Wellbeing magazine
@h_wmag
https://twitter.com/h_wmag
This is the official account for Health & Wellbeing Magazine. It provides lots of tips on staying physically and mentally well.

Marion Nestle
@marionnestle
https://twitter.com/marionnestle
Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at the New York University and author of books about food politics. She shares useful advice on food and nutrition.

Public Health England
@PHE_uk
https://twitter.com/PHE_uk
Public Health England (PHE) is a good source for official health related news on Covid-19.

Mental Health Fdn
@mentalhealth
https://twitter.com/mentalhealth
The Mental Health Foundation shares tips on how to make sure you stay in good mental health. 

Sandi Mann
@SandiPsych
https://twitter.com/SandiPsych
Mann is a Senior Psychology Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire and the author of The Upside of Downtime: Why Boredom Is Good.