Ep 05: The Return on Investment Gap with Valerie Merrill

In this episode (Ep 05), Carolyn is joined by Valerie Merrill, a London-based learning and development specialist, consultant and trainer with over 35 years’ experience across IT training , business transformation and leadership development. As Director of Merrill Consultants Ltd, she works with organisations to design and deliver bespoke learning interventions across Microsoft technologies, change programmes and people skills. An LPI Fellow (FLPI), Valerie is recognised for her contribution to the learning profession and is an active voice within the L&D community.This conversation moves beyond the question of whether to use AI, and into what happens once it’s already in place.Drawing on her experience working directly with teams, managers and leaders, Valerie shares what it looks like when AI meets real organisational conditions - where access, licensing, data and day-to-day workflows don’t always align in the way people expect.Together, they explore:Why ROI from AI can feel difficult to measure in practiceHow uneven access and licensing shape the experience of using AIThe emergence of “shadow AI” as people find their own ways of workingWhat happens when tools are in place, but the value isn’t landing evenlyThe importance of being thoughtful about how AI is used, not just that it is usedRather than offering a framework, this episode surfaces the reality of adoption as it is happening now — uneven, evolving, and often difficult to see clearly.It raises a simple but important question:If AI is already in place, what is the value actually aligned to? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com