The CAKE mix revolution

How a 1950s Marketing Mistake Could Save Modern L&D

In episode 12 of The L&D Mindshift Bytecast, they uncover a surprising lesson from a 1950s marketing failure that could revolutionise modern workplace learning. When General Mills' "just add water" cake mix flopped spectacularly, their counterintuitive solution—making it harder by requiring customers to add a real egg—led to soaring sales and revealed a powerful psychological principle: effort creates ownership. They dive into the implications of this discovery for Learning & Development in an age of AI automation. In our rush to make learning effortless through AI-generated content and one-click solutions, are we accidentally stripping away what makes learning meaningful? Or is it time for L&D to embrace the "human egg" principle—designing experiences that require meaningful contribution and active participation?

Through a comprehensive SWOT analysis, they explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of effort-based learning in the modern workplace. How do we balance convenience with engagement? What does it take to transform passive content consumption into active knowledge creation—without overwhelming learners? Whether you're designing digital learning experiences, battling low engagement rates, or trying to prove learning impact in your organisation, their episode offers practical insights for creating more meaningful development. Tune in as they challenge the "effortless is always better" paradigm and make the case for why sometimes making learning harder makes it infinitely more valuable.

Find on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Santhosh Kumar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/santhoshji/)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The L&D Innovation

Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lnd-innovation-collective/⁠)

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-l-d-mindshift-bytecast/id1772602436?i=1000709526658