What if your learning programme could do more than tick boxes—what if it could prove its worth in pounds and pence?

That’s exactly the challenge Popcorn CEO Mark Glanville tackled in The Art of Measuring Impact and ROI—a practical, no-nonsense webinar delivered for The Learning Network. Whether you joined live or are just catching up now, here’s a bite-sized breakdown of the key takeaways, straight from the session.

L&D Needs a Mindset Shift

Let’s face it—too many training programmes are built on assumption, not analysis. Mark opened the session by posing a powerful question: “What’s the point of this training?”

If you can’t answer that in business terms, you're already on shaky ground. The key to demonstrating value lies in starting with clear, measurable goals that align with the organisation’s bigger picture. That means no more vague intentions like “boost engagement” or “improve teamwork”. It’s time for SMART goals, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and clear alignment with real-world outcomes.

Design with the End in Mind

Impact starts at the planning stage—not after the course goes live. Mark stressed the importance of setting learning objectives that are:

• Specific and measurable

• Rooted in behaviour change

• Easy to observe or assess

  
  

That’s where confidence scores, pre- and post-training assessments, and observed behaviour change come into play. If you don’t bake evaluation into the design, you’ll struggle to show whether learning made any difference at all.

ROI Isn’t Just a Buzzword—It’s a Formula

ROI in L&D is often misunderstood, but Mark demystified it brilliantly. Here’s the formula he shared:

ROI = (Net Training Benefit ÷ Training Cost) × 100Net Training Benefit = Monetary value of benefits − Cost of training

In simple terms, if a training programme improves productivity, speeds up onboarding, or reduces costly errors, those benefits have a cash value. And when that value outweighs the investment? You’ve got a measurable return on investment—and a powerful case for L&D as a strategic partner.

What Does Impact Look Like in Real Life?

Mark encouraged L&D professionals to become curious analysts, not just course creators. Ask:

• Has decision-making improved?

• Are we seeing fewer incidents or less rework?

• Has productivity increased or waste decreased?

• Are new hires getting up to speed faster?

  
  

All of these are signs of impact—and if you can quantify them, you’re well on your way to proving the value of what you’ve built.

Need Help Proving the Value of Your Learning?

At Popcorn, we build digital learning that’s accountable to results. From needs analysis to ROI modelling, we design every course with purpose—and prove the impact it delivers.

Ready to start measuring what matters? Let’s talk.