Book cover titled 'L&D Order Taker No More!' by Jess Almie, with the subtitle 'Become a Strategic Business Partner'

Become Your Organization’s

Strategic Business Partner

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A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, glasses, and a polka dot cardigan smiles while sitting at a desk with a laptop. She is resting her chin on her right hand, and her left hand is on the desk. The background includes a pink wall with artwork and a plant on the right side.

When I transitioned my own team to work as strategic business partners, I stepped back and thought, “Why doesn’t everyone work this way?”

It was time to find out. I interviewed dozens of L&D leaders and wove together our stories and experiences to create the handbook I wish I’d had during my own journey.

This book is that guide. It’s packed with real stories, practical tips, engaging activities, and actionable steps to elevate your leadership and your team. It’s your roadmap to working in true partnership with the business, as a Strategic Business Partner.

I wrote this to be the handbook I never had

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Praise for Order Taker No More!

  • A smiling middle-aged man with a white beard and short hair, wearing a checkered shirt and a dark blazer, standing outdoors with blurred brick buildings in the background.

    Jess has a deep understanding of the state of L&D and a compelling vision for where we need to go. Her no-nonsense strategy is grounded in real stories. Follow the advice on these pages and take your department to the partnership level.

    Rance Greene, Founder, School of Story Design

  • A smiling young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a yellow sweater.

    This book couldn’t be more timely. The L&D role is evolving rapidly, and Jess captures one of the most crucial transitions we’re facing with authenticity and clarity. Every L&D professional should see this as a guide to the future—one where simply taking orders is no longer enough, and becoming a true business partner is essential for our role’s survival.

    Lavinia Mehedintu, Co-Founder and Learning Architect, Offbeat

  • A man with light skin, gray hair, and blue eyes smiling outdoors in front of a blurred green background, wearing a blue checkered shirt and a dark suit jacket.

    Jess Almlie constantly challenges L&D professionals to focus on producing real business results. This book provides a clear road map for learning leaders who feel stuck in an ‘order taker’ role.

    Christopher Adams, PhD, Principal Consultant, Performance Change Strategies

  • A smiling man with dark hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a dark green blazer and a black shirt, sitting against a wooden-paneled wall.

    This book is a practical guide for L&D professionals striving to do more, help more, and provide greater value to the people they support. It will empower you to break free from legacy practices, change the way people think about L&D, and become an integral partner within your business.

    JD Dillon, CLO, Axonify; Founder, LearnGeek

  • A woman with black hair smiles outdoors, wearing hoop earrings, layered orange, brown, and black beaded necklaces, a white and navy striped top, and a navy blazer.

    L&D Order Taker No More! is an empowering guide for L&D professionals who want to elevate their role from service providers to strategic business partners. Jess offers practical insights and tools that complement the work of building a strong, capable L&D team poised to drive business impact. This book is a must-read for those ready to shift perspectives and deliver real value.

    Robyn A. Defelice, PhD, Learning Intrapreneur and Strategist, RADLearning

  • A woman with glasses, blonde hair, and a bright smile, wearing a sleeveless red, gray, and pink dress, standing with her hands on her hips against a plain white background.

    Like an MBA program tailored specifically for L&D professionals, this book delivers practical frameworks that help you prioritize initiatives and manage limited resources. It’s the only book I’ve encountered offering a playbook for both becoming a strategic business partner and also building strong relationships with other strategic partners in your organization.

    Alaina Szlachta, PhD, Measurement Architect, By Design Development Solutions

Order Taker No More!
Chapter Outline

  • 1, How We Got Here
    2. Why We Stay Stuck
    3. What a Strategic Business Partner Looks Like

  • 4. Understand the Business First
    5. Build your Internal and External L&D Playbooks
    6. Determine Your Key Stakeholders

  • 7. Partner With Your Key Stakeholders
    8. Create Your Learning Strategy
    9. Master the Strategic Yes and No
    10. Measure to Make Decisions
    11. Develop a Team of SBPs
    12. Find the Opportunity in Every Order

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