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Blog Posts (79)
- How to Incorporate Psychological Safety Into Multicultural Training Settings
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory shows that after basic needs for food, shelter and safety are met, people can worry about bigger concepts. Many argue that psychological safety falls on the lowest tier of the pyramid, but people must feel safe before opening up and learning new things. In a multicultural training setting, organizers must be aware of any underlying differences and how certain groups could feel based on the comments and attitudes of coworkers and leaders. How Does Psychological Safety Impact Training? Even if your team already knows one another, entering a new situation such as a training session can shift the dynamic. People assess the setting and decide what the consequences might be for taking risks. Most avoid situations where someone criticizes them or makes fun of their brainstorms. Although having an open dialogue leads to fresh ideas, it can also create misunderstandings and cause ongoing tension in the workplace. The Pew Research Center surveyed U.S. adults and found 56% of workers feel increased workplace diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are a positive change. However, a poorly executed training session can leave people wondering why it should matter to them and if they’ll be punished for good faith behavior where they misspeak or are culturally unaware but not cruel. Many are willing to change and learn but are also afraid of losing their jobs so will hesitate to ask hard questions. While it’s crucial to ensure minorities in the company feel safe to share ideas, non-minorities must also feel safe or they may fail to learn new skills for fear of messing up or hurting a co-worker’s feelings. Leadership must approach sessions with a balance between cultures, finding ways to meet on common ground and build relationships. When the focus is on helping everyone feel psychologically safe at work, the entire staff benefits. What Can Trainers Do? Employees tend to leave companies where they don’t feel secure and seek a position where they’re safe. The average cost to replace a worker is around $5,000 , but that might not include time and knowledge lost when they leave. Fortunately, learning and development professionals can shift their methods and ensure people feel safe. With the right tools, they can foster a sense of openness and collaboration that takes a brand to the next level. 1. Start With Understanding Take time to learn about the cultures of workers. Share insights so both sides understand where the other is coming from. Create an open communication model where everyone feels free to speak up. 2. Use a Feedback Framework Develop a way to share feedback anonymously. Teams should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of retribution. For many workers, they know an “anonymous” survey isn’t private at all and will avoid adding their honest opinions. You may drown in positivity without ever truly meeting the needs of your students. Instead, add a box and have everyone drop a card in, so you have no idea who wrote what comments. Read through them and adjust training sessions as necessary to serve the entire class better. 3. Improve Conflict Resolution Techniques Every team of people has some disagreement. You may have a mix of ages, genders, backgrounds and beliefs in a training session. Knowing how to shut down arguments and resolve them in constructive ways can make a huge difference in how well a training session goes. Study conflict resolution for the best methods to stop an argument and turn it into something positive both parties can use to grow in their careers. More Than Cultural Awareness While understanding the differences between cultures and being open to communication is a great start, incorporating psychological safety into multicultural training settings may go deeper than some expect. It’s natural to consider minorities and how they feel about different training models and language used during sessions. However, breaking into groups unintentionally can also occur because people gravitate to those who seem most like them in background and appearance. Imagine walking into a room where everyone has a group to belong to and not knowing where you should sit. Organizers must be aware of the varied dynamics of each group they train, as the cultural mix can vary. Open communication and having employees move from their self-assigned groups is a first step toward successful training. Everyone should feel valued and heard. Author bio: Eleanor Hecks is a writer who specializes in business and leadership topics, as well as manager of the creative team at Designerly Magazine . Her insights are featured in L&D publications such as Training Industry, eLearning Industry and Training Journal.
- Practical Techniques to Adapt Training to Learners' Needs
I’ll never forget the time I conducted a product knowledge session for a group of hotel employees. Despite my thorough preparation, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Many participants seemed disengaged—some were checking their phones, others were whispering among themselves, and one person was even nodding off. I was trying my best to make the session interactive and relevant, but it was clear that my efforts were falling flat. What happened? It turned out that some attendees were bored because they already knew the material, while new hires were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Adding to the complexity, the group consisted of employees from different departments—Front Office, Food & Beverage, Revenue Management—each with unique needs. The generic content I had prepared simply wasn’t meeting their individual requirements. It was a frustrating experience, not just for me as the trainer, but also for the participants, whose lack of connection to the material was painfully obvious. The Power of Personalization Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us in Learning and Development (L&D) have encountered the same challenge: a disconnect between the training and the participants’ individual needs. The good news? This issue is common and, fortunately, solvable. First, let's clarify what personalized learning is. Forbes defines it as an employee-centric L&D approach that tailors training to an individual's job role, needs, and interests . While it may sound like a buzzword, personalized learning has long been championed in the L&D world. Leading HR organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Association for Talent Development (ATD), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have consistently emphasized the importance of continuous and personalized employee development as crucial to organizational success. In addition, global consultancies such as McKinsey & Company , Deloitte , and Accenture frequently publish reports on the future of work, highlighting personalized learning as essential for modern organizations striving to stay competitive, especially in the age of digital transformation. In fact, a recent study by Zippia found that a staggering 91% of employees want personalized training, and nearly half (45%) cite investment in their development as a key reason for staying with their company. Moreover, there’s a well-established link between comprehensive training programs and higher profit margins. By now, I’m sure you’re convinced of the power of personalization. It’s a game-changer, enhancing: Engagement Knowledge retention and application Team morale Employer reputation and image Company’s competitive advantage Profit margin So, the million-dollar question is: how do you achieve it? Personalization – a strategic approach to training Effective personalized learning requires strategic actions at three critical stages: before, during, and after training. Here’s how you can implement it: Before Training Conduct Pre-Training Assessments Use surveys, assessments or interviews to gather data on participants' existing knowledge, skills, learning goals and context. This information helps customize the training content to address individual needs, ensuring that everyone benefits from the session. Check out the 5 most important learning needs assessment questions to ask for more practical tips. Set Clear Objectives Define specific learning objectives based on the assessment data. Communicate these objectives to participants to align expectations and provide a clear roadmap for the training. Remember, a well-defined objective not only outlines what the training will cover but also clarifies what it won’t. For example, in my product knowledge training, the vague objective of “improve your product knowledge about hotel operations” could have been more effective if rephrased to “Understand the hotel brand standards” or “Master the safety and emergency protocols.” Design Personalized Content Develop training materials and activities that are tailored to the diverse needs and preferences of your learners. For instance, in the hotel training context, I could have divided the participants into sub-groups based on their tenure or department. Additionally, preparing different case studies and hands-on exercises would cater to the varied learning needs of the group, making the training more relevant and engaging. During Training Facilitate Interactive Sessions Use interactive methods such as group discussions, role-playing, and simulations to actively engage participants. Tailor these activities to reflect real-life scenarios relevant to the individual context of the participant. Apply our 7 expert-proven techniques to boost training engagement . Provide Real-Time Feedback Offer immediate, personalized feedback to participants during the training. Use tools like interactive polling and quizzes to gauge understanding and address any knowledge gaps on the spot. Create Small Learning Groups Divide participants into smaller groups based on their skill levels or job functions. This allows for more focused and relevant discussions, fostering a collaborative learning environment. After Training Offer Follow-Up Resources Provide additional resources such articles or online courses that participants can access to further their learning. Ensure these resources are aligned with their individual goals. Implement Post-Training Assessments Conduct assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and measure participants' progress. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and provide targeted follow-up support. Encourage Continuous Learning Establish a community where participants can share experiences, ask questions, and continue learning from each other. This ongoing support helps reinforce the training and encourages continuous development. Conclusion Personalized learning is essential for maximizing engagement and effectiveness in training sessions. By understanding the unique needs and preferences of each learner, we trainers create customized learning experiences that are relevant, engaging, and impactful, and thus, transform traditional training into a dynamic and meaningful experience. What about you? How do you personalize your training design to create unforgettable and impactful learning experiences? Share your best tips with us! If you are want to design and run your own training session but you have zero experience, check out our new online course “Training for Non-Trainers” . In no time will you be facilitating like a pro!
- The Comprehensive Guide for Thriving as an Introvert in L&D
Imagine stepping into a room full of buzzing conversations, lively debates, and networking galore—welcome to the typical day in Learning and Development! If you’re an introvert, this might sound more like a scene from a horror movie than a typical workday. But worry not because it's time to flip the script! We've crafted this guide especially for you - the quiet achievers, the deep thinkers. We'll explore how introverts can leverage their unique strengths and carve out a thriving career in L&D. Ready to embrace your superpowers and make waves? Let's jump right in! What does it mean to be an introvert? Contrary to popular belief, introversion has less to do with how sociable someone is, and more with how they recharge and get their energy. One of my most favourite ways to explain the difference is with a car. Imagine you have 2 cars – one electric and one with a solar panel (you are clearly an environmentally-conscious individual!). Let’s say that on Monday you decide to take out your electric car out for a few errands – grocery shopping, banking, meeting with friend for lunch and stopping by the post-office to pick up a package. By the end of the day, you come back home, park your electric car in the garage and the battery is drained. So you plug it in and leave it overnight to charge up. On Tuesday you happen to need to do the exact same thing – grocery shopping, banking, lunch, post-office – but you decide to take your solar paneled car. You drive around all day and by the time you come back home, it is fully charged and ready to go! The same is true for people. Extroverts are like the solar car – the more it spends its’ time outside, interacting with the world around it, the more energised they feel. Introverts are like our electric cars. They will accomplish the exact same thing as the extroverts (and chances are they will look very sociable doing it!), but by the time they come home, they need to recharge their batteries by spending some alone time – reading a book, watching a movie or staring at nothing in particular. Here are some other differences between extroverts and introverts: Extroverts Introverts Draws energy from other people Draws energy by spending time alone Talks first, thinks later Thinks first, talks later Prefers working with other people Prefers working by themselves Is interested in discovering a breath of ideas Is interested in digging deep into an idea Usually talkative and outgoing Usually quiet and reserved Can feel fatigued from having to spend too much time by themselves Can experience fatigue from having to spend too much time with people If you want to learn more, check out the works of Carl Jung or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . How can introversion impact your career in L&D? While introverts have many valuable habits (like listening and observing, attention to detail, empathy, strategic planning and so many others), they may also experience difficulties, especially when it comes to career development. Whether you like it or not, networking is a big part of career development. And if that is something you struggle with, then your career may suffer from it in the long run. But fear not, there are things you can do. Read on! Tips to start thriving as an Introvert in L&D Carve out your alone time We know how important alone time can be for an introvert! So, don’t ignore it. If you need some time to just rearrange your thoughts or you’re feeling overwhelmed by the environment you’re in, politely excuse yourself and find a quiet corner. We promise, no one is going to be mad at you. Especially if you explain why you need it. Leverage your strengths As an introvert, you have some superpowers, like listening, observing, written communication and delving deep into topics. Leverage those! Volunteer for projects that require you to listen attentively, observe others or analyse the situation (like the yearly Learning Needs Analysis process!). If you need to say something but are not sure how to do it face-to-face, write an email. (By the way, this is the last time we’ll be recommending writing MORE emails, this is just for the purposes of helping our dear introverts) . Pick the right role in L&D Did you know that some L&D roles do not require as much social interaction as others? For example, LMS administrators mostly work with the Learning Management system. Perhaps you can specialise in one of those roles? Just pick the one(s) you think might be interesting and compare your existing competencies to the ones needed for the role of your choosing. Build one-on-one relationships Just because you might feel anxious during networking events, doesn’t mean you don’t network at all. Leverage the power of one-on-one relationships. Pick a person and approach them for a coffee chat or lunch. Use your superpowers of listening and observing to learn more about them. Ask (appropriate!) thought-provoking questions that will help you build trust and rapport. And do it for the sake of creating a new friendship, not only when you need something in return. Relationships take time! Bite the bullet Sometimes you just have to turn your “extrovert mode” on! It’s not easy, and it takes some practice, but it is absolutely possible to look for opportunities to be more social – grab a drink with someone, invite a bunch colleagues to lunch, initiate a conversation in the elevator or watercooler. Of course, you will need your alone time afterwards to recharge (we get it!) and it’s perfectly ok. You just need to plan accordingly. Thriving as an introvert in the world of Learning and Development might feel like navigating with a solar panel on a rainy day, but with the right strategies, you’ll shine brighter than ever. Embrace your unique strengths and remember that even introverts can conquer the networking jungle — sometimes, you just need a good recharge session afterwards. So, how do you take advantage of your introversion? And how do you deal with the pressure of this extroverted world we live in? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. We can’t wait to learn about your introverted superpowers in action! -------------- Learn more: https://www.amanet.org/articles/advice-for-introverts-how-to-thrive-in-the-business-world/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-workplace-introvert-jane-lee/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/being-introvert-learning-development-melissa-ilano/
Other (439)
- L&D Career Roadmap Workbook — The L&D Academy
FREE ROADMAP Career Roadmap for Learning & Development Understand what career path you can take and create your own winning game plan to get to your dream job in Learning and Development. DOWNLOAD This roadmap is for you , if: you are considering a career in Learning & Development but don’t know where to start you have been stuck in your current role for a while and want to progress to the next step but not sure how you are planning to take on a new role in Learning & Development and need a clear plan how to upskill Imagine where you could be in six months from now… ✔ You could have doubled your salary or secured a generous bonus ✔ Gained the confidence to ask for a raise you deserve ✔ Taken up projects you previously didn’t think you’re up to ✔ Found your dream role in Learning and Development that you didn’t know even existed! Hello! We are The L&D Academy. We are L&D experts and educators. At the Academy, we are passionate about helping individuals like you become experts and grow in their L&D careers. We have the tools, knowledge, and know-how to help you get to your dream job. And we can’t wait for you to join us! In The L&D Academy you will discover online video lessons, community support, live events, and more resources than you can count! Ready to jumpstart your career in L&D? It’s time to put a plan in place and make it happen. Download the free Career Roadmap for Learning and Development. DOWNLOAD The Ultimate Toolkit for L&D There is no need to re-invent the wheel - just skip to the good part! We've put together a collection of templates, checklists, guides and workbooks to help you get quick results from your efforts. Just download our templates, customise them with your own branding and hit the ground running! LEARN MORE
- Terms & Conditions — The L&D Academy
Terms and Conditions This agreement applies as between you, the User of this Website and Learning Adventures Ltd. , the owner(s) of this Website. Your agreement to comply with and be bound by Clauses 1, 2, 4 – 11 and 15 – 25 of these Terms and Conditions is deemed to occur upon your first use of the Website. Clauses 3 and 12 – 14 apply only to the sale of Services. If you do not agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, you should stop using the Website immediately. No part of this Website is intended to constitute a contractual offer capable of acceptance. Your order constitutes a contractual offer and Our acceptance of that offer is deemed to occur upon Our sending a confirmation email to you indicating that your order has been accepted. 1. Definitions and Interpretation In this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings:"Account": means collectively the personal information, Payment Information and credentials used by Users to access Paid Content and / or any communications System on the Website;"Content": means any text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data compilations and any other form of information capable of being stored in a computer that appears on or forms part of this Website;"Facilities": means collectively any online facilities, tools, services or information that Learning Adventures Ltd . makes available through the Website either now or in the future;"Services": means the services available to you through this Website, specifically use of the Learning Adventures Ltd . proprietary e-learning platform;"Payment Information": means any details required for the purchase of Services from this Website. This includes, but is not limited to, credit / debit card numbers, bank account numbers and sort codes;"Premises": Means Our place(s) of business located at 45 Dondukov Blvd., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria;"System": means any online communications infrastructure that Learning Adventures Ltd . makes available through the Website either now or in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, web-based email, message boards, live chat facilities and email links;"User" / "Users": means any third party that accesses the Website and is not employed by Learning Adventures Ltd . Ltd and acting in the course of their employment;"Website": means the website that you are currently using (www.thelndacademy.com ) and any sub-domains of this site (e.g. learningadventures.learnworlds.com) unless expressly excluded by their own terms and conditions; and"We/Us/Our": means Learning Adventures Ltd ., a company incorporated in Bulgaria with Company registration Number BG205195136 , located at 45 Dondukov Blvd. Sofia 1000, Bulgaria. 2. Age Restrictions Persons under the age of 18 should use this Website only with the supervision of an Adult. Payment Information must be provided by or with the permission of an Adult. 3. Business Customers These Terms and Conditions also apply to customers procuring Services in the course of business. 4. Intellectual Property 4.1 Subject to the exceptions in Clause 5 of these Terms and Conditions, all Content included on the Website, unless uploaded by Users, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, logos, icons, images, sound clips, video clips, data compilations, page layout, underlying code and software is the property of Learning Adventures Ltd., our affiliates or other relevant third parties. By continuing to use the Website you acknowledge that such material is protected by applicable Bulgaria and International intellectual property and other laws. 4.2 Subject to Clause 6 you may not reproduce, copy, distribute, store or in any other fashion re-use material from the Website unless otherwise indicated on the Website or unless given Our express written permission to do so. 5. Third Party Intellectual Property 5.1 Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all Intellectual Property rights including, but not limited to, Copyright and Trademarks, in product images and descriptions belong to the manufacturers or distributors of such products as may be applicable. 5.2 Subject to Clause 6 you may not reproduce, copy, distribute, store or in any other fashion re-use such material unless otherwise indicated on the Website or unless given express written permission to do so by the relevant manufacturer or supplier. 6. Fair Use of Intellectual Property Material from the Website may be re-used without written permission where any of the exceptions detailed in Chapter III of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 apply. 7. Links to Other Websites This Website may contain links to other sites. Unless expressly stated, these sites are not under the control of Learning Adventures Ltd . or that of Our affiliates. We assume no responsibility for the content of such websites and disclaim liability for any and all forms of loss or damage arising out of the use of them. The inclusion of a link to another site on this Website does not imply any endorsement of the sites themselves or of those in control of them. 8. Links to this Website Those wishing to place a link to this Website on other sites may do so only to the home page of the site www.thelndacademy.com without Our prior permission. Deep linking (i.e. links to specific pages within the site) requires Our express written permission. To find out more please contact Us by email at hello@thelndacademy.com . 9. Use of Communications Facilities 9.1 When using any System on the Website you should do so in accordance with the following rules. Failure to comply with these rules may result in your Account being suspended or closed: 9.1.1 You must not use obscene or vulgar language; 9.1.2 You must not submit Content that is unlawful or otherwise objectionable. This includes, but is not limited to, Content that is abusive, threatening, harassing, defamatory, ageist, sexist or racist; 9.1.3 You must not submit Content that is intended to promote or incite violence; 9.1.4 It is advised that submissions are made using the English language as We may be unable to respond to enquiries submitted in any other languages; 9.1.5 The means by which you identify yourself must not violate these Terms and Conditions or any applicable laws; 9.1.6 You must not impersonate other people, particularly employees and representatives of Learning Adventures Ltd . or Our affiliates; and 9.1.7 You must not use Our System for unauthorised mass-communication such as "spam" or "junk mail". 9.2 You acknowledge that Learning Adventures Ltd . reserves the right to monitor any and all communications made to Us or using Our System. 9.3 You acknowledge that Learning Adventures Ltd . may retain copies of any and all communications made to Us or using Our System. 9.4 You acknowledge that any information you send to Us through Our System may be modified by Us in any way and you hereby waive your moral right to be identified as the author of such information. Any restrictions you may wish to place upon Our use of such information must be communicated to Us in advance and We reserve the right to reject such terms and associated information. 10. Accounts 10.1 In order to procure Services on this Website and to use certain other parts of the System, you are required to create an Account which will contain certain personal details and Payment Information which may vary based upon your use of the Website as We may not require payment information until you wish to make a purchase. By continuing to use this Websiteyou represent and warrant that: 10.1.1 all information you submit is accurate and truthful; 10.1.2 you have permission to submit Payment Information where permission may be required; and 10.1.3 you will keep this information accurate and up-to-date. Your creation of an Account is further affirmation of your representation and warranty. 10.2 It is recommended that you do not share your Account details, particularly your username and password. We accept no liability for any losses or damages incurred as a result of your Account details being shared by you. If you use a shared computer, it is recommended that you do not save your Account details in your internet browser. 10.3 If you have reason to believe that your Account details have been obtained by another person without consent, you should contact Us immediately to suspend your Account and cancel any unauthorised orders or payments that may be pending. Please be aware that orders or payments can only be cancelled up until provision of Services has commenced. In the event that an unauthorised provision commences prior to your notifying Us of the unauthorised nature of the order or payment then you shall be charged for the period from the commencement of the provision of services until the date you notified us and may be charged for a billing cycle of one month. 10.4 When choosing your username you are required to adhere to the terms set out above in Clause 9. Any failure to do so could result in the suspension and/or deletion of your Account. 11. Termination and Cancellation of Accounts 11.1 Either Learning Adventures Ltd . or you may terminate your Account. If We terminate your Account, you will be notified by email and an explanation for the termination will be provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, We reserve the right to terminate without giving reasons. 11.2 If We terminate your Account, any current or pending orders or payments on your Account will be cancelled and provision of Services will not commence. 12. Services, Pricing and Availability 12.1 Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all general descriptions of Services available from Learning Adventures Ltd . correspond to the actual Services that will be provided to you, We are not responsible for any variations from these descriptions as the exact nature of the Services may vary depending on your individual requirements and circumstances. This does not exclude Our liability for mistakes due to negligence on Our part and refers only to variations of the correct Services, not different Services altogether. Please refer to sub-Clause 13.8 for incorrect Services. 12.2 Where appropriate, you may be required to select the required Plan of Services. 12.3 We neither represent nor warrant that such Services will be available at all times and cannot necessarily confirm availability until confirming your Order. Availability indications are not provided on the Website. 12.4 All pricing information on the Website is correct at the time of going online. We reserve the right to change prices and alter or remove any special offers from time to time and as necessary. 12.5 In the event that prices are changed during the period between an order being placed for Services and Us processing that order and taking payment, then the price that was valid at the time of the order shall be used. 13. Orders and Provision of Services 13.1 No part of this Website constitutes a contractual offer capable of acceptance. Your order constitutes a contractual offer that We may, at Our sole discretion, accept. Our acceptance is indicated by Us sending to you an order confirmation email. Only once We have sent you an order confirmation email will there be a binding contract between Learning Adventures Ltd. and you. 13.2 Order confirmations under sub-Clause 13.1 will be sent to you before the Services begin and shall contain the following information: 13.2.1 Confirmation of the Services ordered including full details of the main characteristics of those Services; 13.2.2 Fully itemised pricing for the Services ordered including, where appropriate, taxes, delivery and other additional charges; 13.2.3 Relevant times and dates for the provision of the Services; 13.2.4 User credentials and relevant information for accessing those services. 13.3 If We, for any reason, do not accept your order, no payment shall be taken under normal circumstances. In any event, any sums paid by you in relation to that order will be refunded within 14 calendar days. 13.4 Payment for the Services shall be taken via your chosen payment method, immediately for any setup fee that corresponds to the service plan you purchased and at the same day of each subsequent month (“billing cycle”) for charges accrued during the previous month (“billing cycle”) AND/OR as indicated in the order confirmation you received. 13.5 We aim to fulfill your Order within 2-3 working days or if not, within a reasonable period following your Order, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If we cannot fulfill your Order within a reasonable period, we will inform you at the time you place the Order by a note on the relevant web page or by contacting you directly after you place your Order. Time is not of the essence of the Contract, which means we will aim to fulfill your Order within any agreed timescales but this is not an essential term of the Contract and we will not be liable to you if we do not do so. If the Services are to begin within 14 calendar days of Our acceptance of your order, at your express request, you will be required to expressly acknowledge that your statutory cancellation rights, detailed below in Clause 14, will be affected. 13.6 Learning Adventures Ltd . shall use all Our reasonable endeavours to provide the Services with reasonable skill and care, commensurate with best trade practice. 13.7 In the event that Services are provided that are not in conformity with your order and thus incorrect, you should contact Us immediately to inform Us of the mistake. We will ensure that any necessary corrections are made within five (5) working days. Additional terms and conditions may apply to the provision of certain Services. You will be asked to read and confirm your acceptance of any such terms and conditions when completing your Order. 13.8 Learning Adventures Ltd . provides technical support via our online support forum and/or phone. Learning Adventures Ltd . makes every effort possible to respond in a timely manner but we do not guarantee a particular response time. 14. Cancellation of Orders and Services We want you to be completely satisfied with the Products or Services you order from Learning Adventures Ltd. . If you need to speak to us about your Order, then please contact customer care by email at hello@thelndacademy.com . You may cancel an Order that we have accepted or cancel the Contract within 30 calendar days of initial purchase. If any Specific Terms accompanying the Service contain terms about cancelling the Service, the cancellation policy in the Specific Terms will apply. 14.1 If you are a consumer based within the European Union, you have a statutory right to a “cooling off” period. This period begins once your order is confirmed and the contract between Learning Adventures Ltd . and you is formed and ends at the end of 14 calendar days after that date. If you change your mind about the Services within this period and wish to cancel your order, please inform Us immediately using the following email: sales@thelndacademy.com . Your right to cancel during the cooling off period is subject to the provisions of sub-Clause 14.2. 14.2 As specified in sub-Clause 13.6, if the Services are to begin within the cooling off period you are required to make an express request to that effect. By requesting that the Services begin within the 14 calendar day cooling off period you acknowledge and agree to the following: 14.2.1 If the Services are fully performed within the 14 calendar day cooling off period, you will lose your right to cancel after the Services are complete. 14.2.2 If you cancel the Services after provision has begun but is not yet complete you will still be required to pay for the Services supplied up until the point at which you inform Us that you wish to cancel. The amount due shall be calculated in proportion to the full price of the Services and the actual Services already provided. Any sums that have already been paid for the Services shall be refunded subject to deductions calculated in accordance with the foregoing. Refunds, where applicable, will be issued within 5 working days and in any event no later than 14 calendar days after you inform Us that you wish to cancel. 14.3 Cancellation of Services after the 14 calendar day cooling off period has elapsed shall be subject to the specific terms governing those Services and may be subject to a minimum contract duration. 15. Privacy Use of the Website is also governed by Our Privacy Policy (http://www.thelndacademy.com/terms-conditions/) which is incorporated into these Terms and Conditions by this reference. To view the Privacy Policy, please click on the link above. 16. How We Use Your Personal Information (Data Protection) 16.1 All personal information that We may collect (including, but not limited to, your name and address) will be collected, used and held in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and your rights under that Act. 16.2 We may use your personal information to: 16.2.1 Provide Our Services to you; 16.2.2 Process your payment for the Services; and 16.2.3 Inform you of new products and services available from Us. You may request that We stop sending you this information at any time. 16.3 In certain circumstances (if, for example, you wish to purchase Services on credit), and with your consent, We may pass your personal information on to credit reference agencies. These agencies are also bound by the Data Protection Act 1998 and should use and hold your personal information accordingly. 16.4 We will not pass on your personal information to any other third parties without first obtaining your express permission. 17. Disclaimers 17.1 We make no warranty or representation that the Website will meet your requirements, that it will be of satisfactory quality, that it will be fit for a particular purpose, that it will not infringe the rights of third parties, that it will be compatible with all systems, that it will be secure and that all information provided will be accurate. We make no guarantee of any specific results from the use of our Service or Services. 17.2 No part of this Website is intended to constitute advice and the Content of this Website should not be relied upon when making any decisions or taking any action of any kind. 17.3 No part of this Website is intended to constitute a contractual offer capable of acceptance. 17.4 Whilst We use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Website is secure and free of errors, viruses and other malware, you are strongly advised to take responsibility for your own internet security, that of your personal details and your computers. 18. Changes to the Facilities and these Terms and Conditions We reserve the right to change the Website, its Content or these Terms and Conditions at any time. You will be bound by any changes to the Terms and Conditions from the first time you use the Website following the changes. If We are required to make any changes to these Terms and Conditions by law, these changes will apply automatically to any orders currently pending in addition to any orders placed by you in the future. 19. Availability of the Website 19.1 The Website is provided “as is” and on an “as available” basis. Learning Adventures Ltd . uses industry best practices to provide a high uptime, including a fault-tolerant architecture hosted in cloud servers. We give no warranty that the Website or Facilities will be free of defects and / or faults and we do not provide any kind of refund for outages. We provide no warranties (express or implied) of fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy of information, compatibility and satisfactory quality. 19.2 We accept no liability for any disruption or non-availability of the Website resulting from external causes including, but not limited to, ISP equipment failure, host equipment failure, communications network failure, power failure, natural events, acts of war or legal restrictions and censorship. 20. Limitation of Liability 20.1 To the maximum extent permitted by law, We accept no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, foreseeable or otherwise, including any indirect, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising from the use of the Website or any information contained therein. You should be aware that you use the Website and its Content at your own risk. 20.2 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts . 20.3 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or restricts Learning Adventures Ltd.'s liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of the incorrect provision of Services or out of reliance on incorrect information included on the Website. 20.4 In the event that any of these terms are found to be unlawful, invalid or otherwise unenforceable, that term is to be deemed severed from these Terms and Conditions and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining Terms and Conditions. This term shall apply only within jurisdictions where a particular term is illegal. 21. No Waiver In the event that any party to these Terms and Conditions fails to exercise any right or remedy contained herein, this shall not be construed as a waiver of that right or remedy. 22. Previous Terms and Conditions In the event of any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and any prior versions thereof, the provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall prevail unless it is expressly stated otherwise. 23. Third Party Rights Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall confer any rights upon any third party. The agreement created by these Terms and Conditions is between you and Learning Adventures Ltd.. 24. Communications 24.1 All notices / communications shall be given to Us either by post to Our Premises (see address above) or by email to hello@thelndacademy.com . Such notice will be deemed received 3 days after posting if sent by first class post, the day of sending if the email is received in full on a business day and on the next business day if the email is sent on a weekend or public holiday. 24.2 We may from time to time, if you opt to receive it, send you information about Our products and/or services. If you do not wish to receive such information, please click on the ‘Unsubscribe’ link in any email which you receive from Us. 25. Law and Jurisdiction These Terms and Conditions and the relationship between you and Learning Adventures Ltd . shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Law of England and Wales and Learning Adventures Ltd . and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of Bulgaria.