Learning Transfer at Work: How to Ensure Training >> Performance

by Paul Matthews

Learning, and the hoped-for subsequent behaviour change is a process, and yet we focus on the training event thinking that if we can only get that right, everything else will be wonderful. This is no more true for training than it is for a wedding. The quality of the wedding ceremony does not predict the quality of the subsequent marriage. There is a lot more to do after the ceremony, and there is also a lot more to do after the training event to get to 'happily ever after'. Sadly, very few people do what it takes to get even reasonable results from their training events. As Robin Hoyle puts it, "Learning transfer has been L&D's dirty little secret for too long. Too much of what learning teams do is well-intentioned but ultimately underwhelming." Sustainable, competitive advantage is not so much based on what an organisation and its people know, but what they do with what they know. The global training market is worth well over $200 billion, but how much of that 'lands' and makes a difference? If you are reading this page, you already know the 'Not nearly enough'. Learning transfer is the elephant in the room for many in L&D, and this elephant is BIG! The case for proactively driving the learning transfer process is self-evident, and yet so many people choose to behave as if the elephant is not there. How can people keep ignoring it? This book is full of practical ideas you can use to do two
1. Convince those around you that the learning transfer elephant is real
2. Introduce processes and activities that deal with this elephant
Doing this will get you better returns on your L&D budget, so seize the opportunity!

- Foreword by Andy Lancaster
- What is learning transfer?
- Why do we avoid it?
- Where does it start?
- Informal learning
- The Learning Stack
- Triggers that work
- Mindset
- Near and far transfer
- Creating new habits
- Support
- Measurement
- The brand of L&D
- The practical stuff
- 168 tips, ideas and tools
- Companion reading
- Index

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2018

Reviews

[Dennis Black]

Oct 07, 2018 Paul Matthews released Learning Transfer at Work

Feb 15, 2019 five stars from Raimundo Diaz
May 08, 2019 five stars from Eva awarded
Dec 26, 2019 three stars from Charlotte Warren

Feb 14, 2020 five stars from Hilary Anderson
Nov 21, 2020 three stars from Jennifer N

For all 2021 no activity

For all 2022 no activity

Jan 22, 2023 four stars from Jorge Betancourt

For all 2024 no activity

For all 2025 no activity

A dead book.

And then came 4 magical days:
- 7 fours + 18 fives on June 20, 2026
- 3 fours + 21 fives on June 21, 2026
- 11 fours + 24 fives on June 22, 2026
- 3 fours + 2 fives on July 06, 2026

Out of 68 5-star ratings:
- 32.4% give no surname
- 30.9% show no image
- 91.2% have no followers
- 100.0% have no more than 1 follower
- 97.1% have done multiple reviews

3-star 0 reviews / 2 3-stars = 0.0%
4-star 23 reviews / 25 4-stars = 92.0%
S-star 65 reviews / 68 5-stars = 95.6%
Total: 88 reviews / 95 ratings = 92.6%

After awarding fives to this book on Jun 22
one lock-step team went on to award 5 stars Jul 05 to:
- Lee D. Blumenthal's The Deep Surge
- Sister Tue Nghiem's Caregiving and the Art of Presence
- Sharon Elliott's Haunted Holiday

They work so well together:
- 200391366-jayden-brain joined Apr 2026
    from Birmingham_UK
- 200392089-dominic female joined Apr 2026
    from ??, prefers sci-fi
- 200218258-burwne-joeliel joined Apr 2026
    from Chile using photo
    of Merrill Lynch's Joel Bunkley, Charlotte_NC
- 198858011-p-lvl female joined Feb 2026
    from SanDiego_CA_Denmark
    spelled Pälvl, prefers fiction

Denmark has restrictions on what you can name your kid.
The character 'ä' is used in neighboring Sweden
and Germany, but Denmark and Norway use 'æ' instead.

Either this is a fine example of "learning transfer
at work", or they're all the same Nigerian scammer.

In related news, the Mayor of Lagos has announced
that he will step down to take up the position
of CEO of Goodreads, whose legal team satisfied
FTC concerns over conflict of interest
by presenting verifiable proof that the interests
of Goodreads and of the City of Lagos
have been identical for at least a decade.

[Teemah Alikh]

This book addresses one of the biggest challenges in workplace learning: what happens after the training ends. Paul Matthews effectively argues that training alone does not create results real value comes from applying learning on the job.

I particularly appreciated the practical nature of the book. Rather than focusing solely on theory, it provides actionable strategies, tools, and frameworks that learning professionals can implement immediately. The comparison between a training event and a wedding ceremony is memorable and perfectly illustrates the central message.

A must-read for anyone responsible for learning, talent development, or organizational performance.

[Blessing Isabelle]

This book challenged the way I think about workplace learning. The message is simple but powerful: knowledge alone is not enough performance improvement comes from what people actually do with that knowledge.

The author writes in a clear, engaging style and backs up his arguments with practical examples and actionable recommendations. The focus on learning transfer, rather than just training delivery, makes this a valuable addition to any HR or L&D professional's library.

A thoughtful, practical guide that can help organizations achieve far better results from their learning initiatives.

[Carton Thompson]

Learning Transfer at Work: How to Ensure Training, Performance is an insightful and highly practical book that addresses a challenge many organizations face but rarely solve effectively, turning training into real-world results. Paul Matthews goes beyond discussing learning itself and focuses on what happens after the training event, where true performance improvement occurs. The book is packed with actionable ideas, making it an invaluable resource for learning and development professionals, managers, and business leaders who want to maximize the impact of training investments.

[Patrick Candy]

Learning Transfer at Work is a valuable contribution to the field of learning and development. Paul Matthews combines research, practical experience, and actionable advice to explain why so much workplace training fails to deliver lasting results and what organizations can do differently. The book's emphasis on performance, accountability, and sustainable change makes it relevant for trainers, managers, HR professionals, and business leaders alike. An engaging and highly useful read that offers insights well beyond the classroom.

[Caroline Joel]

As a manager, I've often wondered why employees attend training programs yet return to work with little noticeable change. This book helped me understand that the problem isn't usually the training itself, it's the lack of support and reinforcement afterward.

The author offers realistic solutions for creating an environment where learning can actually translate into performance. The sections on habits, mindset, and workplace support were especially valuable.

Highly recommended for leaders who want to see a real return on their training investments.

[Peter Jones]

What makes this book stand out is its practicality. The author doesn't just explain why learning transfer matters; he provides dozens of ideas for making it happen.

The 168 tips, tools, and techniques alone make the book worth reading. I found myself taking notes throughout and identifying several improvements I could make immediately in my organization.

If you're tired of training programs that generate excitement but little lasting change, this book offers a roadmap for doing things differently.

[Kelli]

Featured recently in our Prominent Book Club, Fade to Black: Rise of Global Tyranny generated significant interest and sparked thoughtful discussions among participants. The author addresses challenging topics with conviction while maintaining an encouraging message centered on faith, awareness, and hope. Rather than focusing solely on potential dangers, the book motivates readers to remain informed, prepared, and spiritually grounded. Its thought-provoking content makes it an excellent choice for both individual readers and book groups seeking meaningful conversation.

[Laura Nessie]

This book exceeded my expectations from beginning to end. Paul Matthews takes a topic that many organizations struggle with and presents it in a practical, engaging, and highly effective way. The examples, tips, and tools make the ideas easy to implement in real-world situations. I discovered this gem after it was featured in Prominent Book Club, and it quickly became one of the most valuable professional development books I have read. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful and impactful knowledge. Every learning and development professional should have this book on their shelf.

[Abbey Lincoln]

What impressed me most about Learning Transfer at Work was its practicality. Rather than focusing solely on theory, Paul Matthews provides clear guidance on how to turn learning into lasting behavior change and measurable results. The book is packed with useful insights and memorable ideas that stayed with me long after I finished reading. I picked it up after seeing it featured in Prominent Book Club, and it was one of the best reading decisions I have made this year. An inspiring and incredibly valuable contribution to the learning and development field.

[Daniel]

Finally a book that says out loud what most of us in L&D already know but rarely admit. We pour so much effort into the training event itself and almost nothing into what happens after. The wedding analogy stuck with me it's such a simple way to explain why a great session doesn't automatically lead to real change. Practical, honest, and genuinely useful for anyone trying to justify their training budget to leadership.

[Theodore]

The Prominent Book Club spotlight event introduced me to this book, and I am grateful it did. The author addresses a challenge that many organizations face every day but rarely solve effectively. The content is insightful, easy to follow, and packed with practical recommendations. I especially appreciated the emphasis on creating lasting behavioral change rather than focusing solely on training delivery.

[Betty Lilly]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Learning Transfer at Work is an outstanding resource for anyone involved in training, coaching, or organizational development. Paul Matthews challenges the common assumption that training alone drives performance and instead focuses on what happens after learning takes place. The book is practical, insightful, and filled with actionable strategies that can immediately improve workplace results. A must-read for L&D professionals.

[Hazzan Peter]

This book brilliantly highlights one of the most overlooked aspects of professional development: learning transfer. Matthews explains why so much training fails to produce lasting behavior change and offers realistic solutions for closing that gap. The examples, tools, and practical recommendations make this an invaluable guide for managers, trainers, and business leaders seeking measurable outcomes.

[Anu Oluwa]

Learning Transfer at Work provides a powerful framework for turning knowledge into action. I particularly appreciated the author's emphasis on performance improvement rather than simply delivering training. The inclusion of numerous tips, tools, and strategies makes this book both informative and highly applicable. It's an excellent resource for anyone serious about achieving meaningful learning outcomes.

[Lamin Lam]

I discovered this book through Prominent Book Club and found it to be one of the most practical books on workplace learning that I've read. Rather than focusing solely on training delivery, the author explores the critical process of ensuring that knowledge is applied and sustained in the workplace. The abundance of tools, strategies, and real-world insights makes this a valuable guide for anyone involved in employee development and organizational growth.

[Mandisa Amari]

What I appreciated most about this book was its focus on results rather than simply training activities. The author challenges traditional assumptions about workplace learning and provides a roadmap for creating lasting behavioral change. The numerous examples, tools, and practical recommendations make this a resource that readers can revisit repeatedly. It's an excellent book for anyone interested in improving the effectiveness of training programs.

[Odusote Israel]

This is one of the most practical books I've read on workplace learning and development. Paul Matthews combines deep expertise with a straightforward writing style that makes complex concepts accessible. The focus on learning transfer, accountability, and long-term behavior change offers valuable insights for organizations looking to improve performance and return on investment. Highly recommended for trainers, HR professionals, and leaders alike.

[Ayomide]

This book tackles one of the most overlooked challenges in learning and development: ensuring that training actually leads to meaningful action. Packed with practical insights, real-world strategies, and actionable tools, it provides a clear roadmap for improving learning transfer and maximizing the impact of training investments. The author's approach is engaging, evidence-based, and refreshingly honest about the gaps that exist in many L&D programs.

[Noah Brown]

This book named something I've been frustrated about for years. We design beautiful workshops, get great feedback scores, and then nothing changes back on the job. The author lays out actual processes to fix that gap instead of just pointing out the problem, which is what made this so useful for me. Already implementing a few of the ideas with my current cohort.

[Bertha]

Picked this up after seeing it discussed at Prominent Book Club and it completely shifted how I think about our training programs. The line about learning transfer being L&D's dirty little secret hit hard because it's true and nobody talks about it enough. Practical, well argued, and honestly a bit overdue as a conversation starter in this industry.

Prominent Book Club

[Love Savoy]

Short, sharp, and to the point. No fluff, just a clear case for why training events alone don't create lasting change and what to actually do about it. The elephant in the room metaphor is used really well throughout. This should be required reading before anyone designs another corporate training program.

[Kait Nolan]

I work adjacent to L&D and this book gave me a much better understanding of why so much corporate training feels like a waste of money. The breakdown of what needs to happen after the actual training session is the part most programs skip entirely. Practical, clear, and genuinely useful even for non specialists like me.

[Frasey John]

Having worked in learning and development for years, I found this book refreshing and highly relevant. Paul Matthews addresses one of the biggest challenges in the industry—ensuring that training leads to improved performance. His approach is evidence-based, realistic, and highly effective. I have already incorporated several of the concepts into my own programs with great success.

[Isabella]

The author has a remarkable ability to explain complex concepts in a way that feels accessible and actionable. After hearing about the book during a Prominent Book Club spotlight event, I decided to read it for myself. What I found was a thoughtful and practical guide that addresses one of the most important challenges in learning and development. Highly recommended.

[Leonardo Piccardi]

Paul Matthews delivers a refreshing and highly practical approach to workplace learning. Rather than focusing solely on training events, he emphasizes the importance of support, reinforcement, and habit formation. The book is easy to follow, backed by real-world experience, and packed with useful ideas that can help organizations maximize the value of their learning investments.

[Grace Stephen]

I attended Paul Matthews' spotlight presentation in the Prominent Book Club community, and it inspired me to pick up this book. What a fantastic read! The examples are practical, the writing is easy to follow, and the insights on learning transfer are incredibly valuable. This isn't just another business book, it's a guide for creating lasting change in organizations. Five well-deserved stars!

[Wirtz Davis]

This has been a very engaging read so far. Rather than focusing only on learning events, the book examines how organizations can create meaningful behavior change and performance improvement. The practical examples and actionable advice make the content both interesting and valuable.