Case Study: Designing and Delivering a Blended Learning Program to Address a Business Need
A leading global consulting firm partnered with Guide and Grow to design, develop, and launch a blended learning program that built healthcare recruiting capability and supported growing client demand.
Business Context
To support increasing demand from healthcare industry clients, a global consulting firm identified the need to strengthen its internal recruiting capability. The organization sought to develop recruiters who could confidently source, engage, and place healthcare professionals while reducing reliance on external recruiting resources. Guide and Grow partnered with the firm across the full lifecycle of the initiative, providing consultation, instructional design expertise, project management, and implementation support.
The program was designed and delivered using the ADDIE instructional design model, a widely recognized framework that guides learning through five phases: Assess, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. This structured approach ensured alignment to business needs, learner performance, and measurable outcomes.
Identifying the Business Need (Assess)
The leadership team assessed current and projected healthcare talent placement needs alongside existing internal recruiting capabilities. This assessment revealed a clear gap between client demand and internal expertise, as well as rising costs associated with external recruiting support. These insights led to the decision to create a targeted development program that would address immediate client needs while establishing a sustainable internal talent pipeline aligned to a fast-growing industry segment.
Securing Executive Sponsorship
With a clear return on investment identified, an executive leader sponsored the initiative and secured funding for effective design, development, and delivery. Executive sponsorship proved critical in reinforcing the strategic importance of the program and communicating its value to stakeholders across the organization.
Creating a Project Charter and Gathering Resources
A project charter was developed to define the program vision, objectives, and success measures. Internal healthcare subject matter experts (SMEs) were identified to provide industry expertise, contribute content, and support live learning experiences. Target audiences were defined and critical content areas were outlined. The firm partnered with Guide and Grow to provide a dedicated project manager who coordinated stakeholders, managed timelines, and applied instructional design best practices throughout the initiative.
Designing the Program (Design)
Guide and Grow conducted a needs assessment with leaders and subject matter experts to identify the skills and behaviors healthcare recruiters needed to demonstrate after completing the program. This process informed a detailed content and delivery strategy grounded in real world recruiting practices.
Audience needs and work patterns were considered to ensure relevance and accessibility. Drawing on learning best practices and SME input, Guide and Grow designed a blended learning experience that combined self-paced learning, videos, application activities, live discussions, peer coaching, and job shadowing.
Developing the Learning Experience (Develop)
Following design approval, Guide and Grow collaborated closely with healthcare subject matter experts to develop engaging and practical learning materials. Interactive self-paced modules, videos, and live workshops were created to support retention and on the job application. Iterative review cycles ensured content accuracy, relevance, and engagement. As development progressed, additional learning needs were identified and addressed to better support participant readiness and client expectations.
Launching the Program (Implement)
The co-created program was launched in partnership with the talent development team and hosted within the organization’s learning management system. A virtual kickoff led by the executive sponsor introduced participants, peer coaches, and subject matter experts to the program structure and objectives.
The program was launched in phases. The first phase included six self-paced learning modules followed by live virtual workshops facilitated by subject matter experts and supported by peer coaches. The second phase focused on targeted practice activities designed to reinforce learning through real world application. The final phases included client training, job shadowing, reverse job shadowing, and ongoing manager support. This blended structure provided a realistic job preview and prepared recruiters to confidently engage clients and deliver high quality healthcare talent solutions.
Evaluating Impact (Evaluate)
Evaluation was embedded throughout the program. Guide and Grow partnered with talent development and healthcare operations to gather feedback through individual conversations and brief pulse surveys with participants and peer coaches. Insights were shared with the executive sponsor and stakeholders to inform iterative improvements.
Feedback from early phases guided refinements for future cohorts, while participant readiness assessments supported internal mobility decisions and helped fill high priority healthcare recruiting roles. The evaluation process ensured continuous improvement and reinforced the program’s alignment to both employee development and client outcomes.
“By the numbers”
🎯10+ Stakeholder interviews 👥40+ SME consultations 💡14 Core learning and practice modules
💻 6 Live virtual follow ups