Explorez tous les épisodes de The Digital Adoption Show | Upskilling the Future Digital Workforce
Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de The Digital Adoption Show | Upskilling the Future Digital Workforce. Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 109
Date
Titre
Durée
14 Sep 2023
Unlocking Sales Success: The Role of Digital Adoption
00:35:20
This podcast introduction sets the stage for an exploration of Digital Adoption in the sales function, with a specific focus on the perspectives of Account Managers and Business Development Representative Managers. It emphasizes the transformative impact of digital technology on sales and teases the insights that will be shared by industry experts and practitioners throughout the episode.
Aryaa introduces her guest, Nick Roetter, a Senior Account Director at Whatfix, who is passionate about using digital adoption technology to enhance user experiences and productivity. They discuss various aspects of digital adoption and its impact on sales professionals.
Nick emphasizes that digital adoption is not just about completing tasks but about driving behavior and ensuring technology is used effectively. He highlights how it helps sales operations by providing accurate data and streamlining processes, making reporting to executives more reliable.
The conversation also touches on how different industries, such as healthcare, supply chain, and compliance, benefit from digital adoption. Nick stresses the importance of educating and evangelizing this concept, especially in industries where technology plays a critical role.
Nick then talks about the ongoing nature of digital adoption as software interfaces change and the need for continuous user support and training.
They conclude by highlighting the importance of user-friendliness and customization in digital adoption tools.
The second guest on this podcast is Akhil, a BDR (Business Development Representative) leader with over seven years of experience. Akhil manages a team of 10+ BDRs across the US and EMEA regions, focusing on maximizing technology investments for their clients.
He discusses the prospecting tech stack his team uses, emphasizing the importance of tools like Outreach.io for outreach sequences, ZoomInfo for contact information, Demandbase for prioritizing accounts, Highspot for content sharing and analytics, and Salesforce as the core CRM.
Akhil also highlights the significance of fast-tracking tech stack enablement for new BDRs, mentioning the role of Whatfix in providing in-app guidance and assistance during onboarding, reducing the time it takes for reps to become proficient in using these tools.
The conversation delves into the evolution of BDR training from traditional methods to digital adoption platforms like Whatfix, emphasizing how learning in the flow of work enhances employee retention and reduces frustration.
Furthermore, Akhil addresses the day-to-day challenges faced as a BDR manager, stressing the importance of accurate data input into CRMs and how tools like walkthroughs and beacons improve data hygiene and forecasting accuracy.
Overall, the discussion showcases how digital adoption is transforming the sales function and its potential to improve efficiency and productivity across various industries while emphasizing on it’s critical role in streamlining BDR operations, improving training efficiency, and enhancing the quality of prospecting efforts in the ever-evolving sales landscape.
The Future of Work is Here: Free Masterclass on Upskilling & Reskilling Your Workforce
00:49:14
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Neha Smriti introduces a masterclass on upskilling and reskilling the workforce, featuring experts Dr. Hannah Gore and Teresa Rose. Dr. Gore has 25 years of experience in L&D, HR, and recruitment, having led global initiatives and developed content for millions of learners. Teresa Rose, with 15 years of experience, has a rich background in organizational and people development, including roles in sales, HR, and digital transformation.
Teresa's journey began as an antique dealer and transitioned through retail management and sales before moving into HR and learning design roles. She emphasizes the importance of using data and insights to identify skill needs and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Hannah shares her experience across various sectors, highlighting the importance of understanding industry specifics and the distinct needs for upskilling (refining existing skills) versus reskilling (learning new skills for new roles or technologies).
Both experts stress the significance of continuous data evaluation and adapting learning strategies to align with business objectives and technological advancements. They advocate for a holistic, data-driven approach to workforce development, ensuring that organizations remain competitive and their employees are equipped for future challenges.
The conversation began with a consensus on the importance of data in defining learning and training (L&T) initiatives, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches based on organizational needs and employee data. The discussion highlighted the industry-specific nature of upskilling and reskilling, using the example of transitioning to a new CRM tool, which requires different strategies for employees who are either unfamiliar with the existing system (upskilling) or need to learn the new one (reskilling).
Hannah underscored the importance of integrating professional development into performance reviews, suggesting that development should be a primary focus rather than an afterthought. She advocated for a dual culture of learning that is both top-down and bottom-up, encouraging a proactive and supportive environment where professional growth is prioritized.
Teresa echoed Hannah's points and introduced an equation for performance: Performance = Ability (skills) + Motivation + Opportunity (provided by the organization). She shared her experience with DNV, where pre-COVID upskilling and reskilling efforts enabled the organization to pivot successfully during the pandemic.
Hannah also provided an example from Eon, detailing a comprehensive project that involved co-creating with managers and colleagues to develop a people management framework. This initiative focused on new ways of working, behavioral indicators, and continuous monitoring and updating based on feedback, ensuring the changes were embedded into the organization's culture. Both highlighted the importance of senior leadership support, continuous engagement, and practical, real-world application of skills to create a sustainable learning culture within organizations.
In their continued conversation, Hannah and Teresa delve deeper into the specifics of leadership development and its impact on organizational success. Hannah highlights her pride in the three-tier leadership program at QS, inspired by her experience at the Open University, which emphasizes open entry and accessibility. She outlines the tiers: Emerge for non-managers, Advance for line managers, and Propel for senior leaders, stressing the importance of peer learning and critical thinking.
Hannah explains how the program fosters reflective practices, critical thinking, and awareness, skills she considers essential for effective leadership. She details the structure of the program, which includes workshops, reflective toolkits, LinkedIn Learning pathways, and immersive AI experiences with Metasim. The program allows participants to progress through the tiers, gaining comprehensive leadership skills applicable to real-world challenges.
Teresa and Hannah then discuss metrics and the importance of aligning learning initiatives with business goals. Teresa emphasizes the necessity of strategic-linked metrics and involving business stakeholders in the evaluation process. Hannah echoes this sentiment, underscoring the need to measure what matters to the CEO, such as profitability, growth, and employee retention. They agree that learning and development must be integral to the business strategy, not a separate entity.
Both emphasize the critical role of data in demonstrating the ROI of learning programs and securing executive support. They conclude by stressing that effective L&D is crucial for organizational resilience and success, urging a closer integration of L&D with overall business strategy.
3 proven hacks for The ‘Jobs-to-be-Done’ approach: Empathy that Matters for Learning experience Design with Ger Driesen
00:25:29
This episode of The Digital Adoption Show features Ger Driesen, Learning Innovation Leader at NewSpring. He has over 30+ years of experience in L&D. He also has been partially self-employed as a leadership and skills trainer for 20 years.
He is a big advocate of the JTBD approach and its relevance in the L&D space.
Ger Driesen’s journey as an L&D professional and the organizations he has worked with so far.
Ger has 30 years of experience in the field of L&D.
He currently works for NewSpring, a blended learning platform, as a learning innovation leader for six and a half years.
He also has been partially self-employed as a leadership and skills trainer for 20 years.
He started his career at a Dutch technical company and moved to Fuji Photo Film as a training manager for the Dutch branch of the Japanese company. He has been in the L&D field his whole career and hopes to continue for many more years.
Ger’s take on the evolution of L&D - the emergence of new tools, tricks, and shortcuts.
Ger believes that every time something new innovations, give new opportunities to make learning and work more productive and easy.
He started his career when PCs were brought into the workplace, and his work as an internal training consultant had to do with organizing and facilitating all kinds of PC software training.
From that time to now, he says that the pace of everything has increased. He emphasized that the way we use technology determines whether it's good or bad and thinks it's essential to have a balance between the positive and negative aspects of technology.
The JTBD approach its relevance from a professional perspective
The JTBD (Jobs To Be Done) approach, as Ger explains, originates from marketing and innovation literature, but it is a focused empathy approach.
It starts with understanding what people are trying to achieve in their life, and what the gains and pains are that they experience in that endeavor. By using empathy to design solutions that optimize the gains and minimize the pains, the approach can be highly relevant from a professional perspective.
He shares the example of a milkshake study conducted by Clayton Christensen, where the marketing department tried to improve milkshake sales by asking customers about their preferences. However, when they analyzed why people bought milkshakes, they found that commuters wanted something to entertain them during their dull commute and to prevent hunger until lunchtime. By understanding this job to be done, the company made the straws thinner, which lasted even longer, and sales increased.
This approach can also be applied to learning and marketing, as it involves identifying the problem and finding a solution based on empathy with the customer's needs.
Different types of Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) approaches.
There are four types of JTBD approaches.
The first one is called functional jobs to be done, which relates to the tasks or job that people want to accomplish.
The second type is emotional jobs to be done, which refers to how a person is feeling or feels during or after completing the functional job.
The third type is social jobs to be done, which is more about status and how people perceive the person doing the job.
Finally, the fourth type is consumption chain jobs to be done, which has more to do with how easy or hard it is to have access to the solution.
These types of JTBD approaches are relevant to different kinds of personas based on the job that they have to do.
Hacks for designers to focus on empathy in learning experience design
According to Ger, the first hack is to never look at the person, not connected to a job that they want to accomplish, but always connected to the job that they are trying to accomplish.
The second hack is to keep in mind the emotional and social aspects of trying to get a job done.
Additionally, doing interviews to really understand what people are trying to accomplish is very important. Ger also recommends using the word "exactly" in open-ended questions to open up a different level of answers.
Building a better relationship with technology and employees with a focus on the JTBD approach
The key, Ger explains, is to take into account the emotional and social components attached to introducing new technology or adopting technology. If we have a clear eye on these components, it would be helpful for digital adoption. Combining digital adoption with the jobs-to-be-done approach, focusing on the functional jobs and emotional and social aspects, would be a fruitful combination for building stronger relationships.
Lead Like a Pro: Top 5 Expert Strategies on Cultivating People and Culture
00:29:59
Abhirami Prakash, Sales Development Manager at Whatfix, hosts an episode of the Digital Adoption Show, featuring Derek Bruce, CEO of Derek Bruce Associates and a global HR thought leader and head of learning, leadership, and talent development. Abhirami introduces Derek's diverse background, including his corporate roles, consultancy, and passion projects like the Extraordinary Mentors Network. In the "Digital Pulse" segment, Derek shares his love for football and community building after games.
The conversation delves into Derek's role model, Muhammad Ali, highlighting storytelling as a key skill. They discuss Derek's eclectic interests, from football to sneakers, and his approach to time management, limiting virtual meetings to maximize productivity and well-being.
The main discussion centers on cultivating people and culture. Derek emphasizes the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals, citing examples from his experience. He stresses the need for personalized approaches to motivation and recognition, tailored to individuals' preferences and goals.
Derek then shares profound insights into cultivating people and culture within organizations. Derek emphasizes the importance of understanding individual motivations and adapting leadership styles accordingly. He suggests that investing time in understanding employees ultimately saves time and enhances team effectiveness.
Reflecting on his background in design and architecture, Derek highlights the significance of aligning form with function in organizational development strategies. He shares a significant challenge from his early career, where he had to transition a group of journalists from a culture resistant to learning to one embracing development.
Derek discusses adapting strategies across industries and organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and aligning with organizational cultures. He also addresses the impact of technology on HR strategies, emphasizing the need to balance accessibility with managing the overwhelming influx of information.
In closing, Derek offers invaluable advice to young leaders, urging them to lead by example, address cultural discrepancies, and have the courage to evolve organizational cultures.
6 Ways Digital Adoption in Learning is Transforming Workforce Training
00:27:43
Digital adoption plays a critical role in transforming how organizations implement and leverage their learning technology stacks. By aligning tools and platforms with user needs and workflows, businesses can create an ecosystem that supports learning in the flow of work, maximizes engagement, and drives organizational growth.Key Points Covered 1. The Essence of Digital Adoption in Learning Technology:
Bridging the Gap: Digital adoption ensures employees utilize the full potential of learning tools, driving the intended value from technology investments.
Learning in the Flow of Work: Tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and digital adoption platforms (e.g., Whatfix) integrate learning directly into daily workflows, reducing disruption and enhancing usability.
2. Building a Digital-First Learning Ecosystem:
Simplifying User Journeys: Many organizations struggle with complex tech stacks. Digital adoption solutions guide users through these systems, ensuring seamless navigation and minimizing friction.
Microlearning and Real-Time Assistance: Adoption platforms provide contextualized learning snippets, interactive walkthroughs, and on-demand help directly within applications, making learning immediate and relevant.
Skill Development on the Job: Integration of skill-building resources into productivity tools ensures employees continuously upskill as they work, driving both personal and organizational growth.
3. Key Components of a Learning Technology Stack Enabled by Digital Adoption:
Learning Management Systems (LMS): With digital adoption, LMS tools are more accessible, enabling employees to complete mandatory training without confusion or delays.
Learning Experience Platforms (LXP): Platforms like Degreed and EdCast benefit from adoption solutions that help users discover personalized, curated content more effectively.
Content Discovery: Adoption tools streamline content recommendations by utilizing AI-driven insights and integrating with platforms learners already use.
Data and Analytics: Adoption platforms offer real-time usage insights, helping organizations refine learning strategies and improve ROI on learning initiatives.
4. Challenges Addressed Through Digital Adoption:
Combatting Resistance to Change: Employees often resist new technologies. Digital adoption solutions alleviate this by providing step-by-step onboarding, fostering confidence in using new tools.
Improving Engagement: Instead of overwhelming learners with content, adoption platforms ensure the delivery of the right learning material at the right time, increasing relevance and participation.
Simplifying Overlapping Tools: Adoption platforms help unify fragmented tech ecosystems, allowing employees to focus on learning rather than navigating complex systems.
5. Success Stories with Digital Adoption:
Large enterprises leveraging platforms like Whatfix have seen significant improvements in learner engagement and system utilization by integrating adoption-focused features, such as in-app walkthroughs, tooltips, and analytics dashboards.
Teams adopting a digital-first approach report fewer support tickets, better training completion rates, and enhanced user satisfaction.
Conclusion Digital adoption is a transformative force in modern learning technology stacks. By simplifying access, embedding learning into workflows, and offering contextual support, it ensures that learning solutions are not just implemented but truly utilized. Organizations embracing digital adoption are better positioned to create agile, skilled workforces that thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
5 Proven Tips for Creating Effective Digital Adoption Documentation with Maiken Blok
00:32:16
About Maiken Blok
Maiken Blok is a Senior Manager, Technical Documentation, at BK Medical. She holds a master’s degree in Technical Communication and Localisation from the University of Strasbourg, France, and the TCTrainNet certification.
Both as a mentor for tech com students and as part of her commitment to Danmark as President, she aspires to spread the word about our profession and motivate even more people to join the field of technical communication.
The use of documentation in the digital adoption space and how it plays a vital role in improving user experience and software adoption?
Maiken explains that documentation serves as a safety net for users in the digital adoption space, providing guidance and support when they face challenges. It helps users navigate products effectively and enhances the user adoption process.
Documentation is particularly crucial for legal compliance and ensures a smoother user experience, acting as a backup when users encounter difficulties.
A software company, Maiken worked for, implemented a digital adoption platform that included step-by-step guides. These guides significantly reduced the number of support tickets, allowing our customer success team to focus on more valuable tasks. They saw a remarkable 40% decrease in support tickets, as users could easily learn how to perform tasks like creating projects or tracking time through the guides. This freed up time for proactive customer service, leading to improved customer relations and higher customer retention rates.
Geographical and cultural differences impact documentation practices
Cultural differences have a significant impact on documentation practices. Our cultural backgrounds shape how we perceive and interact with information.
Factors such as communication style, values, individualism versus collectivism, and even color symbolism can affect the documentation.
It is an area that is sometimes overlooked but can greatly influence user understanding and satisfaction.
How workflow design methodologies transform the way we work on user-focused content
Maiken explains that to truly transform the way we work on user-focused content, it is essential to understand the user's perspective. This involves immersing ourselves in their role, environment, and cultural context. By knowing what drives the user and their specific needs, we can tailor the documentation accordingly.
Consider different formats such as written descriptions, videos, or in-app guides, taking into account factors like user stress levels and available time.
User testing is crucial in content creation to ensure that the documentation works effectively for users. It helps identify any areas where users may get stuck or encounter issues, such as a broken in-app guide. By testing with different users and environments, we can improve the documentation and provide users with a more successful experience in completing their tasks.
How do the skill set and methodologies of team members impact user-focused documentation?
The skill set and methodologies of team members play a vital role in user-focused documentation. When working in a team, the collective knowledge and skills of the team members can be leveraged to create better documentation.
A diverse team with different perspectives and nationalities can bring valuable insights and knowledge to content creation. Additionally, a team provides support and backup in case of unexpected events, ensuring continuity and the ability to assist users in different areas, such as support.
Measurement of success at each stage of a roadmap for change, including before, during, and after the change
Measuring success at each stage of a roadmap for change is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the documentation. Before the change, it is helpful to identify existing issues and understand the users' needs. During the change, metrics can be used to track the progress and adoption of the new documentation. After the change, feedback and user testing play a crucial role in measuring the success of the documentation. Here are a few ways to measure success:
In-app guidance: Track user engagement with the in-app guidance and analyze their progression through the steps. Identify where users encounter difficulties or drop off, and assess if they still achieve the desired goals despite not completing the entire guide.
A/B testing: Conduct A/B tests to compare different approaches and measure which option is more successful in helping users accomplish their tasks. Implement the most effective approach based on the results.
Online help analytics: Utilize analytics tools to measure various aspects of online help, such as visitor numbers, page engagement, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns. These metrics can provide insights into how users interact with the documentation and whether they are finding the information they need.
Search performance: Evaluate the effectiveness of the search functionality within the online help. Monitor the search queries, assess if users are finding relevant results, and identify any gaps in the documentation that may require improvement.
By collecting and analyzing these metrics, teams can gain valuable insights into the success of the documentation and make data-driven decisions to optimize the user experience.
Importance of digital adoption solutions and how they influence people's perceptions
Digital adoption solutions are crucial in today's digitalized world, where we conduct most of our activities online. They simplify processes and enhance the user experience, allowing individuals to navigate and adopt new technologies easily.
By utilizing digital adoption solutions, businesses can streamline user onboarding and improve customer experiences, giving them a competitive advantage. Implementing these solutions may require multiple iterations, but listening to user feedback and incorporating it into product improvements positively influences people's perceptions.
By prioritizing customer satisfaction, businesses can build a strong brand, generate customer loyalty, and ultimately drive growth.
Additionally, digital adoption solutions provide valuable insights into user behavior, allowing content creators to optimize the user experience based on data-driven decisions.
Engaging in direct dialogue with users and actively addressing their feedback helps businesses cultivate a community of ambassadors who can positively impact their reputation and attract new customers.
User Feedback’s Impact on software development and customer satisfaction
User feedback plays a significant role in software development as it helps improve the development cycle and documentation. By listening to user suggestions and implementing changes based on their feedback, businesses can enhance customer satisfaction and meet users' specific needs.
Listening to user feedback and implementing improvements based on their needs and preferences leads to happier users. Happy users contribute to a better world by providing positive word-of-mouth recommendations, fostering customer loyalty, and ultimately driving business success.
Importance of providing precise and easily accessible help to users
In today's fast-paced world, time is valuable, and users often have limited time to search for help or guidance. By offering precise and easily accessible help resources in one central location, businesses can save users' time and improve their overall experience with the product.
The Secret to the Success Of ‘the L&D Handbook’ by Michelle Parry-Slater
00:33:53
Michelle Parry-Slater is the Learning & Development Director at Kairos Modern Learning and the Author of the L&D practitioner's toolkit, The Learning and Development Handbook. Her mission is to support L&D professionals to improve the impact of their profession by taking a strategic, holistic approach to people and workplace development.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Kriti Arya, Team Lead Business Development, Whatfix and Michelle Parry-Slater on the secret to the success of The L&D Handbook.
6:45 -Do you think learning techniques should be changed for different people/ groups/regions? Does the one shoe fits all approach work?
Learning and development are actually wearing very comfortable shoes. If you got your comfortable shoes on to move to a new set of shoes, they're new, they're not worn in yet, they can feel different and uncomfortable but we need to perhaps go through that uncomfortableness, ourselves as a profession
Learners don't necessarily embrace uncomfortableness, but the people who are learning or need to learn for their jobs deserve the best opportunity to learn
We need to look forward to solving learning challenges with modern ways of working and that's what our learners will be expecting. Therefore we need to figure out a way by which we can provide learning in a way that suits the individuals concerned
12:36 -Should the learning approach reflect real life? What advantages does this learning approach offer L&D professionals, and how can they implement it?
To buy a car or choose our life partner, we don't do courses for these, we ask our network, friends, and family, we look at magazines, online and YouTube videos and do our own research. So we've got these skills innately, so learning and development professionals really do need to harness the skills of our learners and should focus on giving them what they need when it comes to content or paving the learning pathways
It's actually lazy not to help our learners with the right content and learning pathway or force people to go on a course, to force people to wait six weeks to learn something that they need for their jobs right now
Create communities of practice networks for people to talk to each other about their work and learning to create social interaction, people are loving face to face learning activities but what are they loving? Are they actually loving sitting in a room getting the knowledge dump? or are they loving chatting with their colleagues?
17:57 -What would you like to suggest to the young L&D professionals to build the right future?
It's always been networking. Some people just hate even the word networking, because it just fills them with dread speaking to strangers and so on. Pushing yourself to meet other people, and engage in community is really what will open your eyes to new ideas, and new opportunities
Focus on empowerment, if you give young people a voice, they will really come up with some fantastic ideas. So it's not a cliche to say, young people are the future, but sometimes they're not met where they are. They're met with criticism and judgement
If we can reframe, and invite the people who are the future of our profession, into the community of a fully networked invited open space, then I highly recommend that young people push their way in, but I also recommend that everyone else put their hand once probably had and pay it forward
4 Key Insights on HR and Frontline Workforce Transformation: Tackling Enterprise Challenges with AI
00:22:30
In this episode, we explore critical aspects of HR transformation and the significant impact of AI in overcoming enterprise challenges. We are joined by two distinguished guests, Jason Radisson and JD Dillon, who share their invaluable insights on the future of HR and frontline workforce management.
Segment 2: Interview with Jason Radisson
Challenges for Startups in Enterprise Technology:
Jason discusses the hurdles startups face when trying to displace established incumbents in the enterprise technology space.
He highlights the challenge of integrating new technologies into existing systems and processes managed by large systems integration companies like Accenture and IBM.
AI's Role in HR and Human Capital Management:
Jason reflects on the advancements in AI and machine learning in 2023 and provides his perspective on where AI stands in 2024.
He emphasizes the ongoing foundational phase of AI and the potential for significant adoption in the coming years.
Examples of AI Improving HR Operations:
Jason shares real-world examples of how AI has enhanced HR efficiency, particularly in areas like scheduling and task automation.
He explains how automating scheduling processes has reduced employee turnover and increased flexibility for employees.
Segment 2: Interview with JD Dillon
AI Breaking Down Learning Barriers:
JD discusses how AI can make training more accessible to employees with diverse needs.
He highlights AI's potential to personalize learning experiences and provide real-time support.
Real-Life Examples of AI in Learning and Development:
JD shares examples of AI enabling better translation services and voice capabilities to support employees who struggle with reading or understanding complex information.
He emphasizes the importance of removing language barriers and providing tailored support to each employee.
Developing Skills in the Frontline Workforce:
JD provides insights on how companies can best develop skills in their existing frontline workforce, considering diverse learning styles and backgrounds.
He underscores the importance of using data and technology to personalize training and support for each individual.
The Role of Managers:
JD stresses the critical role of frontline managers in fostering a supportive and effective work environment.
He advocates for investing in the development of managers to ensure they can lead their teams effectively.
Conclusion:
This episode of the Digital Adoption Show provided a deep dive into the transformative potential of AI in HR and frontline workforce management. Both Jason Radisson and JD Dillon shared valuable insights and real-world examples of how AI can overcome enterprise challenges and improve HR operations.
Key Learnings:
Startups face significant challenges in integrating new technologies with existing enterprise systems.
AI is still in its foundational phase, but its potential for transformative impact in HR and beyond is immense.
AI-driven automation can lead to significant improvements in HR efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Personalizing learning experiences and providing tailored support can break down barriers and enhance employee development.
Investing in the development of frontline managers is essential for fostering a supportive and effective work environment.
Leading Through AI and Automation Without Losing the Human Touch
00:43:14
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, host Mayank Arora dives into one of the most pressing topics shaping the modern workplace: how to lead effectively in a world driven by AI and automation without losing the human connection. Joining Mayank is the visionary Christopher Lind, Executive Advisor for Business Transformation at Christopher Lind Co. and host of Future-Focused with Christopher Lind podcast.
Christopher brings a wealth of experience helping organizations navigate the intersection of technology, people, and performance. With his unique blend of human-centric strategies and innovative technological solutions, he unpacks how leaders can embrace AI to drive operational excellence while maintaining empathy and genuine employee engagement.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Christopher’s Journey: From an unconventional upbringing in a funeral home to becoming a leader in digital transformation, Christopher’s story inspires and informs how life experiences shape leadership philosophies.
AI and the Human Element: Why understanding your organization’s “box” is crucial before implementing AI and automation—and how to ensure technology complements human creativity rather than overshadowing it.
Empathy as a Leadership Skill: Practical strategies for fostering empathy and critical thinking in teams while navigating AI-driven shifts.
Balancing Trade-Offs: How leaders can make thoughtful decisions that balance performance goals with employee well-being.
Practical AI Advice: Identifying areas where AI and automation can enhance organizational value, while ensuring ethical and thoughtful implementation.
Key Highlights:
A real-world example of redesigning a corporate culture to integrate hybrid work without sacrificing employee satisfaction or performance.
The importance of stopping to assess what your organization does today—and why that’s the first step toward leveraging AI effectively.
How AI can be a thought partner for leaders, helping them analyze complex data, explore new ideas, and streamline decision-making.
Tips for ensuring AI implementations are inclusive, empathetic, and designed to create long-term value.
Top Quotes from the Episode:
“AI is an incredible tool, but without a thoughtful approach, it risks becoming a distraction rather than a driver of meaningful progress.”
“The decisions we make today about AI will ripple through generations—we must get them right.”
“Empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have. In the age of AI, it’s what will set great leaders apart.”
Why You Should Listen: This episode isn’t just for tech enthusiasts—it’s for anyone passionate about creating workplaces where technology empowers, rather than alienates. Whether you’re a leader grappling with how to implement AI ethically, a professional curious about the future of work, or simply someone interested in cutting-edge conversations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking ideas.
Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation that bridges the gap between AI, leadership, and human connection. Subscribe to The Digital Adoption Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform to stay ahead in your journey of learning, growth, and innovation.
If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to:
Rate and review the show! Your feedback helps us reach more like-minded listeners.
Share the episode on social media and tag us, let’s keep the conversation going!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter for behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive content.
Beyond the Hype: Future-Proofing Digital Adoption for 2025
00:38:40
Episode Overview The Digital Adoption Show kicked off its fifth season with an enlightening conversation between host TD Sharma and Sharath Hari, Vice President of At Average Growth. The discussion delved deep into the evolving landscape of technology trends and digital adoption strategies as we move into 2025, offering valuable insights for organizations navigating digital transformation.Key Discussion Points The conversation highlighted three major opportunities that organizations should focus on in 2025. First, there's an increasing emphasis on enhancing both customer and employee experience, recognizing that improved experiences drive tangible business outcomes and higher share prices. Second, the importance of data-driven decision making has become paramount, with organizations needing to justify all investments - whether in marketing, sales, or people - with solid data backing. Third, there's a continued surge in investments in AI, analytics, and cloud software migration, with organizations embracing these technologies gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Skills-Based Organization Evolution A significant portion of the discussion centered on the concept of skills-based organizations. With 86% of enterprises reporting significant talent scarcity, there's an urgent need to shift from traditional talent management approaches to more dynamic, skills-based methods. This transformation requires strong business champions who can drive change across the organization, moving beyond HR-centric initiatives to create comprehensive business solutions. The discussion emphasized how organizations need to focus on understanding the skills needed for each task and role, identifying current employee skills, and addressing gaps through targeted learning and development initiatives. This approach enables better resource allocation and more effective talent acquisition strategies.Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP) The DAP market shows remarkable growth trajectory, currently valued at approximately $700 million in 2024 and projected to reach $1 billion ARR by 2026. The latest Peak Matrix assessment evaluated 25 major players, highlighting the market's maturity and competitive landscape. This growth is driven by various industries, with BFSI, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and notably, the government and federal sector emerging as key adopters. A notable success story shared during the episode involved a financial institution that implemented DAP both for customer-facing applications and internal agent support systems, resulting in reduced ticket volumes and improved operational efficiency.AI Impact on DAP The integration of AI into Digital Adoption Platforms is revolutionizing the space through four key areas. Content summarization capabilities are helping organizations distill complex information into digestible formats. Intelligent suggestions are providing contextual guidance to users struggling with applications. Content authoring assistance is streamlining the creation of workflows and guides, while enhanced insights and planning capabilities are helping organizations make data-driven decisions about their digital adoption strategies. The discussion also highlighted how AI is helping organizations navigate compliance and risk management in their digital transformation journey, with DAPs acting as guardrails for proper AI tool usage.Key Recommendations for 2025 The episode concluded with valuable recommendations for organizations heading into 2025. Organizations need to carefully evaluate their AI tool requirements and focus on integration with existing systems rather than adding tools indiscriminately. There's a crucial need to prioritize people-centric change management and clear communication about the benefits of new technologies and processes. Implementation Strategy The episode emphasized the importance of taking a step-by-step approach rather than attempting a "big bang" implementation. Organizations should:
Identify high-value use cases first
Work with existing SI partners or tech vendors
Consider not just current capabilities but also vendor roadmaps and vision
Focus on customer success and professional services support
Build a culture of continuous learning and adoption
Future Outlook The conversation concluded with an optimistic view of the digital adoption landscape, emphasizing that organizations are in a unique position to make meaningful impact through digital transformation. The key is to approach change systematically, with a focus on both technology and people, while maintaining a clear alignment with business objectives.
In this comprehensive season, we explored various aspects of digital transformation and learning technology through conversations with industry experts. Here are the key highlights from our discussions: Insurance and Digital Innovation Casey Averett shared insights on insurance industry transformation, highlighting:
Implementation of telematics for improved claims processing
Integration of machine learning for personalized service delivery
Data-driven approaches to enhance customer experience
Knowledge Management and Digital Adoption Dr. Thomas Blumer demonstrated the impact of digital adoption platforms, showcasing:
Significant improvements in onboarding efficiency (26% faster)
Reduction in support needs through in-app training
Real-time analytics for better user experience
AI and Learning Innovation Kevin Alster and Cammy provided complementary perspectives on learning technology:
AI avatars revolutionizing training content creation
Cost-effective approaches to video production
Success stories from Zoom and DuPont
Focus on human-centered design principles
Importance of measuring business impact over completion rates
Future of Digital Transformation Jason Raddison of Movo rounded out the season with insights on:
Technology's role in workforce optimization
Evolution of HR through AI integration
Challenges and opportunities in enterprise technology adoption
Conclusion: Throughout the season, a common thread emerged: the importance of balancing technological innovation with human-centered approaches, whether in insurance, learning and development, or workforce management.
Top 5 Digital Transformation Insights: Scaling Innovation and Customer Experience with Zeljko Ivkovic
00:25:55
In the latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show, Nabras Mohammed, business development leader at Whatfix, hosts Zeljko Ivkovic, CIO at ISS, a workplace management company. Zeljko's extensive career spans over 20 years across various industries and countries, showcasing his adaptability and leadership. The conversation delves into digital transformation insights, focusing on aligning technology with customer needs and strategic business goals.
Zeljko emphasizes the significance of understanding cultural nuances and fostering collaboration to drive successful transformations. He highlights the need for a problem-solving approach and aligning innovations with operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Zeljko emphasizes a strategic, feedback-driven approach, balancing global priorities with local customer needs. He underscores the importance of flexibility in implementing technology solutions tailored to diverse industries and markets.
Nabras and Zeljko then discuss the importance of top-to-bottom buy-in for successful strategy execution, highlighting the need for a mindset shift during transformation journeys.
Zeljko shares challenges faced in driving organizational change, emphasizing the role of cultural nuances and resilience in overcoming resistance.
They delve into emerging technologies like AI and IoT, foreseeing their impact on customer experience and operational excellence.Zeljko reflects on the lessons learned in leadership, stressing the importance of resilience and adaptability.
A rapid-fire round reveals Zeljko's preference for unlimited creativity, eagles as his chosen animal for a day, and flight over underwater breathing.
Throughout the discussion, Zeljko's insights reflect a holistic understanding of digital transformation, emphasizing its people-centric nature and the importance of strategic alignment for successful implementation and long-term impact.
AI for Learning Leaders: The Ultimate Cheat Code Revealed!
00:33:54
Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Sumit Bedi, Senior Product Designer, Whatfix is joined by AI experts Hosam El Nagar, Senior Consultant L&D, Ed Tech, Alt Shift Lab and Simon Leverton, L&D Digital Design Consultant, Sigma Connected Group, who provide a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in learning and development. Simon, who utilizes AI in both his professional and personal life due to his autism, sheds light on how AI can be an invaluable tool for personalized communication and enhanced decision-making. Together, the conversation delves into essential considerations for leaders looking to implement AI, such as data security, ethical boundaries, and navigating resistance to technological change.
Key Points: AI Implementation: AI adoption isn’t just about integrating cutting-edge technology; it requires comprehensive change management strategies. Leaders must ensure that the organization is ready for a digital transformation that touches every part of the business process, from team structures to workflow adjustments. Personal Experience with AI: Simon offers a unique perspective on AI, highlighting how the technology aids him in everyday communication, particularly due to his autism. By using AI to vet ideas and practice interactions, he demonstrates the potential of AI as a powerful tool for enhancing both personal and professional communication, helping him clarify thoughts and communicate more effectively. Global Application of AI: Simon also explores the global potential of AI by tailoring learning experiences for diverse cultural contexts. Specifically, he describes how AI helps bridge communication gaps between learners in the UK and South Africa, ensuring the content resonates with both audiences. AI enables adaptive solutions that align with local cultural sensitivities, thus making learning more impactful. AI Adoption Considerations: Leaders must address critical issues such as data privacy, ethics, and intellectual property when considering AI. Protecting personal and employee data is crucial, as well as ensuring AI tools do not inadvertently misuse third-party content. Additionally, maintaining a balance of control over AI processes is essential, as over-reliance on third-party vendors can lead to loss of critical autonomy. Resistance & Misconceptions Around AI: A common hurdle in AI adoption is the fear of job displacement and the misconception that AI leads to laziness. Simon points out that giving employees the opportunity to interact with AI can reduce this fear by showing them that AI is a productivity enhancer, not a replacement. Allowing staff to experiment with AI can demystify the technology and build confidence in its use as a supportive tool.
Conclusion: AI has the potential to revolutionize learning and development, but its success depends heavily on how it’s integrated within an organization. As Simon and Hosam emphasize, AI should be viewed as a supportive, complementary tool rather than a threat. Leaders must ensure that AI serves a meaningful purpose and is not simply adopted for its novelty. To truly harness AI’s power, stakeholders must align on ethical, operational, and cultural considerations. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Digital Adoption Show for more insights on the future of AI in digital learning!
Navigating the Future of L&D: Maximizing ROI and Embracing Disruptive Trends in 2024 with Rob Lauber
00:30:50
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Mayank Arora, a Customer Success Manager at Whatfix, welcomes Rob Lauber, an esteemed figure in the realm of learning and development (L&D). Rob, the founder of XLO Global, boasts over 30 years of experience in L&D, with notable roles at companies like McDonald's and Yum! Brands, as well as advisory positions.
Rob emphasizes driving business value through innovative L&D strategies, leveraging technology, and enhancing organizational learning. His insights stem from a blend of deep industry knowledge and practical experience. As the former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Association for Talent Development, Rob is dedicated to advancing the L&D landscape.
In a lighthearted segment, Rob shares his passions outside work, including spending time with his family and involvement in affordable housing initiatives. The conversation transitions to a rapid-fire round, revealing Rob's humility and thoughtful responses.
Reflecting on his journey, Rob discusses pivotal moments that sparked his passion for L&D, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and problem-solving. He also shares lessons learned from diverse roles, highlighting the need to embrace discomfort and tailor strategies to organizational contexts.
Looking ahead to 2024, Rob anticipates disruptions in L&D, emphasizing a shift towards enablement over traditional training methods. He predicts a focus on micro-learning and personalized solutions to meet the evolving needs of learners.
The conversation delves into the challenges faced by organizations, particularly in the supplier community, amidst disruptions. The difficulty lies in capturing attention and understanding the needs of potential buyers.Rob emphasizes the importance of comprehending the corporate environment, budget cycles, and decision-making processes to tailor sales and marketing strategies effectively.
Furthermore, Mayank queries the significance of justifying Return on Investment (ROI) in Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives. Rob highlights the necessity of defining success measures upfront, whether numerical or intangible, to align with stakeholders' expectations.
He advocates for a focus on Return on Expectations (ROE) alongside ROI, suggesting a test-and-learn approach to gauge the effectiveness of strategies.Transitioning to common barriers in L&D strategy adoption, Rob emphasizes the importance of articulating the "why" behind changes.
He discusses challenges in budget reconciliation post-COVID and the need for storytelling to convey program importance.Rob concludes with actionable advice to prioritize curating L&D initiatives based on their impact, rather than accumulating programs.
Mayank appreciates Rob's insights, highlighting the relevance of recognizing when to end initiatives for better organizational outcomes. Overall, the conversation with Rob Lobber offers valuable insights into navigating the future of L&D, emphasizing agility, innovation, and a learner-centric approach in the digital age.
The Power of Personalized Learning: Boosting Employee Development with Carrie Berg and Jessica Michaels
00:26:40
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Nisha Singh kicks off the L&D UPSKILL mini-series, delving into the pivotal role of learning and development in today's dynamic workplaces. Joined by distinguished guests Carrie Berg, VP of Learning and Development at Teladoc Health, and Jessica Michaels, Neurodiversity Leadership Coach Consultant and Speaker at The Neurodiverse Workplace, the conversation unfolds around personalized learning and its impact on employee and organizational development.
Carrie shares her journey from healthcare to sales training, emphasizing the importance of understanding employee strengths and aligning them with organizational goals. She highlights the use of technology in driving efficiency and personalization, citing examples from Teladoc's approach to effective meetings and leveraging AI.
Jessica, drawing from her background in recruiting and sales training, stresses the significance of multi-modal learning to cater to diverse learning styles. She advocates for technology that supports behavior change and measures the effectiveness of learning initiatives over time.
They underscore the need for organizations to embrace technology as an enabler of personalized learning experiences while remaining mindful of individual and organizational objectives. By leveraging technology to meet learners where they are, companies can foster a culture of continuous learning and drive meaningful performance improvement.
Jessica Michaels then reflects on her shift in perspective regarding technology's role in learning and development (L&D), particularly concerning neurodivergent individuals. Formerly a staunch advocate of live training, she now emphasizes the importance of data-driven, multi-modal learning experiences tailored to individual needs.
She shares a pivotal realization: traditional indicators of learning success, such as participation and feedback forms, don't necessarily correlate with effective knowledge transfer or behavior change.
Carrie Berg reinforces the significance of data and analytics in L&D, highlighting their role in demonstrating the value of learning initiatives to organizations. She stresses the importance of understanding employee demographics and learning preferences, utilizing data to measure not just participation but also competency growth and behavior change.
Both guests underscore the need for organizations to embrace personalized learning approaches, fostering a culture of continuous learning supported by leaders.
Digital Innovations in Insurance: Insights and Trends Beyond 2024 with Casey Averett
00:34:01
In the latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show, hosted by Shreya Shrivastava, Senior Customer Success Manager at Whatfix, the focus shifts to digital innovations in the insurance sector. Season 4 kicks off with an exploration of insights, trends, and innovations beyond 2024. The special guest for this episode is Casey Averett, the Director of Claim Strategy at The General, a part of American Family Insurance.
Shreya provides a comprehensive introduction to Casey, highlighting his 20-plus years of experience in various roles within American Family Insurance. Casey's journey, from a casualty claim desk adjuster to his impactful role as the Director of Claim Strategy, is underscored by his commitment to innovation and efficiency.
As the conversation unfolds, Casey shares personal insights, revealing his passion for insurance, his role in the dynamic claims environment, and his leadership philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity in leadership and provides a glimpse into his life outside work, including his love for mountains and skiing.
The conversation takes an engaging turn with the introduction of a new segment, "The Digital Pulse," where Shreya and Casey discuss the connection between passion and profession. Casey opens up about his diverse hobbies, such as playing the guitar and photography, showcasing the multifaceted aspects of his personality.
The episode becomes more interactive with a rapid-fire section, "Triple Strike," where Casey responds to quirky questions, revealing his favorite quote, insights into his car collection, and his ideal dinner party guest, Steve Jobs.
The highlight of the episode is Casey's expert overview of the top three digital innovations reshaping the insurance industry. He delves into the impact of telematics on claims, discussing potential applications like immediate claim filing and enhanced vehicle damage predictions.
Casey also explores the transformative role of machine learning and automation in personalizing service options and amplifying the capabilities of insurance adjusters.
Casey discusses the significance of empathy and human touch in the insurance industry, emphasizing that AI cannot replace the crucial role of adjusters.
The focus shifts to the transformative impact of data in insurance practices, delving into underwriting, claims processing, and enhancing customer experiences through digital innovations.
Casey highlights the role of technology in predicting total losses, identifying market trends, and reacting swiftly to market volatility. The conversation then transitions to challenges in adopting digital innovations, emphasizing the importance of change management and overcoming internal learning curves. Casey stresses the need to prioritize technologies that align with customer needs and avoid the "shiny new toy syndrome."
The efficiency gains from digital innovations are explored, with a focus on planning, adoption, and continuous improvement. The conversation touches on the cultural value of embracing change and the importance of staying ahead in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
A case study reveals how AI-powered photo appraisal expedites claims processing, providing customers with quick and efficient solutions. Looking ahead, Casey refrains from making concrete predictions but emphasizes the need for insurers to adapt to changing customer expectations.
The discussion concludes with insights into potential proactive measures to mitigate losses and the exploration of value-added partnerships in the evolving insurance landscape. Overall, the conversation underscores the dynamic nature of the insurance industry and the need for constant adaptation to emerging technologies.
Maximizing Productivity: Data-Driven Learning in the Flow of Work
00:13:52
Summary: Data-Driven Learning & Development In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, we explore the transformative power of Learning and Development (L&D) in today’s dynamic workplaces. The topic, “Ditching the Guesswork with Data-Driven L&D,” highlights the significance of leveraging analytics to optimize training outcomes and bridge performance gaps. Featured Guests
Vivian Blade: Top 100 HR influencer, leadership development expert, and bestselling author of Resilience Ready.
Jimmy Nelson: Seasoned L&D consultant with expertise in implementing transformative organizational frameworks.
Andrew Jacobs: CEO of Larn Learning Services, focused on enhancing workplace learning quality.
Fran Harrison: Learning technology strategist at QA Limited, specializing in lifelong learning and inclusion.
Key Insights
Optimizing L&D through KPIs
KPIs such as revenue, employee retention, and engagement surveys can connect L&D efforts to organizational goals.
Vivian emphasizes aligning data collection with organizational needs, role-specific KPIs, and balancing technical and interpersonal skills.
Jimmy highlights the need for embedding L&D KPIs into organizational systems to track effectiveness, suggesting evaluations (Level 1 and 2) and ROI analysis as starting points.
Real-Time Learning Opportunities
Andrew Jacobs introduces the "Three A's" framework:
Awareness: Refreshing forgotten knowledge at the point of need.
Acquisition: Avoiding information overload by delivering only what’s necessary.
Application: Providing safe opportunities to practice and apply learning.
Fran Harrison advocates for “just enough, just in time” learning, focusing on drip-fed content and addressing real-time challenges.
Root Cause Analysis
Fran and Andrew emphasize the importance of identifying core problems using methods like the “Five Whys” to ensure effective solutions, moving beyond just training to address systemic and structural issues.
Closing Thoughts This episode underscores the shift from traditional L&D approaches to a more data-driven mindset, ensuring impactful and measurable outcomes. The panelists highlight how strategic alignment, continuous improvement, and targeted interventions can make L&D initiatives more effective. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave your feedback!
Mastering Modern Leadership: 5 Key Strategies for the Digital Workplace in 2024
00:41:42
This episode of the Digital Adoption Show, hosted by Abhirami Prakash, plunges into the depths of modern leadership with the guidance of Wagner Denuzzo, a distinguished figure in the L&D sphere. Drawing from his vast experience at IBM and pioneering efforts at Prudential Financial, Wagner shares his journey from Brazil to executive leadership, his strategic insights on leadership in the digital age, and his perspective on the future of work.Key Moments:
Wagner's Transformative Journey: Discover Wagner Denuzzo's inspiring path from an immigrant to a leadership role, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required to navigate diverse workplaces and cultures. This segment offers listeners a personal look at the challenges and triumphs that have shaped Denuzzo's approach to leadership.
Engaging Insights from the Rapid Fire Round: Delve into Denuzzo's personality and thought process through a series of quick, thought-provoking questions. This lighter, engaging segment reveals his unique perspectives on empathy, humour, and fictional role models in leadership.
Deep Dive into "Leading to Succeed": Wagner discusses his latest book, "Leading to Succeed," focusing on the Three C's of Leadership. He shares the motivation behind the book and how these principles can empower individuals to lead effectively in today's rapidly changing work environment.
Foundations of Human-Centered Leadership: Explore the core beliefs and inspirations behind Wagner's human-centred approach to leadership. This part of the conversation highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the critical role of empathy in leadership.
Navigating the Evolution of Leadership Teams: Wagner reflects on how leadership teams have evolved and what remains constant amidst change. He emphasizes the need for continuous transformation and adaptability in leadership styles to meet the demands of the modern workplace.
Adapting Leadership for Gen Z: This segment addresses the unique challenges and opportunities presented by leading Gen Z in the workplace. Wagner offers insights into fostering an inclusive, dynamic work environment that leverages the strengths of this generation.
Exploring Distinct Leadership Styles: Wagner and Abhirami discuss the importance of recognizing and applying different leadership styles to foster a culture of innovation and growth. They explore how leaders can adapt their approach to suit their team's needs and organizational goals.
Essential Tips for Crafting Leadership Frameworks: Gain actionable advice on developing effective leadership frameworks that encourage vulnerability, self-disclosure, and the cultivation of leadership expressions. Wagner shares examples from his experience in creating leadership development programs for Fortune 500 companies.
Discover Wagner Denuzzo's latest book, "Leading to Succeed," for a deeper exploration of leadership in the digital era here: https://bit.ly/49dpcKw
How The Modern Day Learning Experience Is Shaping Digital Workforce Transformations with Steven Rath Morgan
00:22:35
Steven Rath Morgan, former Head of Global Learning & Talent Development at Xerox and a thought leader, envisions a new age of L&D to help the workforce be more effective and efficient.
This episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Head of Field and Growth Marketing at Whatfix and Steven Rath Morgan on How the Modern Day Learning Experience is Shaping Digital Workforce Transformation.
Quick key Takeaways from the Podcast:
Modern L&D companies are entering a new phase to support the transformation of the workforce into a digital one
Digital assistants will alter how we view learning in the corporate L&D space. The potential for chatbots and artificial intelligence in L&D has a long way to go
The way we learn is constantly evolving. Learners are active fact-checkers and participants in a global asynchronous debate, not passive consumers of educational content
Digital adoption solutions help businesses interact with their staff in an effective manner
7:37- Top challenges you have encountered in L&D Industry
In terms of the people, this is all about the learners and is L&D supporting their needs? However, some learners and stakeholders have preconceived notions about where and how learning should take place
A lot of organizations often have stakeholders who believe, whatever the business problem is, the best answer is to pull people together into a physical classroom. There are times when that is the case but there are also times when it's not the best approach to round people up in a classroom. In the end, people should have their preference to choose whatever approach to learning is most familiar to them
Management when introducing new learning technologies, and associated technology-driven processes. It becomes all about driving an agenda for adoption and change
11:58- What were your experiments with transforming the traditional practices and your ideas on digital adoption practices that work?
Imagine a learning setup, where people travel into a physical classroom, and a computer lab environment for software and technical solution training
To transform the learning experience, my team at Xerox built a virtual hands-on lab environment. The idea here is to build a remote lab for learning about the software that's very hands-on regardless of where you sit
It's a way to move away from the classroom by using a VMware-based hybrid cloud environment, where learners log in remotely to access the software and tunnelling through the firewall to these device controllers
The instructor can monitor all the learners completing their exercises and interacting with each other, it's a fantastic way to learn remotely
14:47 -What are your thoughts on integrating learning into the workflow of employees?
Integrating learning with work is the key. We know that online learning is fundamentally changing and its increasingly about engagement and timely delivery of learning with most e-learning, it's very hard to keep people focused
In response, some people are creating more microlearning content, where learning is the point of need, and people are trying to answer a question or solve a business problem. So they're going off and locating and then applying that content they need about in the context of the real work. It is going to be a critical but ongoing change
When you are trying to do the transition for integrating learning into the flow of employees into the work they're doing. Tools like Whatfix can then embed contextual help and provide that personalized experience. It's changing how we think about learning at the point of need and integrating learning with work
Elevate Your Career with Personal Growth: 5 Proven Techniques at Work, with Carrie Berg
00:24:04
Tamanna 7:45
Why did Carrie choose to be an L&D leader?
Carrie Berg: 7:59
- Carrie uses an analogy of an eight-lane highway to describe her experience in L&D. She compares sales training to a two-lane highway, which can feel repetitive, whereas L&D offers a variety of lanes to drive down, such as onboarding, leadership development, mentoring, innovation, storytelling, and compliance.
- Although the focus on establishing a learning culture and developing employees remains constant, as an L&D leader, she enjoys the flexibility to approach these goals in different ways. Despite obstacles along the way, Carrie finds the journey exciting and fulfilling as she helps others grow in their careers and personal development.
Tamanna 9:21
Carrie’s thoughts on why employees fail to understand the correlation between personal growth and professional growth.
Carrie Berg 9:54
- While people may behave differently in their personal and professional lives, their core values and beliefs remain the same.
- Personal growth is linked to professional growth as people generally want to improve themselves in both areas
- There are many tools available to help individuals become more organized, complete projects, and develop themselves.
- Every moment is a learning opportunity, and one can learn from watching how people interact in different situations, including at work and in daily life.
- Personal and professional growth can be interconnected, and what matters is how one translates those learnings into action.
- Self-awareness is a crucial aspect of personal and professional growth, where individuals need to identify their strengths and weaknesses, understand how their behavior is perceived, and work towards changing it to achieve their goals. For example, if someone wants to grow their sales, they need to assess their sales skills, understand how their approach is perceived by customers, and make necessary changes to achieve better results.
Tamanna 11:53
Carrie’s take on how learning at work makes for great leaders.
Carrie Berg 12:36
- People can evolve their emotional intelligence and their ability to connect with others. She believes that acknowledging that everyone has emotions and feels differently allows leaders to grow and become better.
- She used the example of people having different attitudes towards cars, where some keep their car spotless while others do not care about its cleanliness, but both methods serve the purpose of transportation.
- Leaders who appreciate and validate different perspectives and attitudes can learn from others and grow. It is crucial for employees to understand that everyone is unique, and their views and feelings should be appreciated and respected.
Tamanna 15:07
Carrie’s opinion on the role of technology in leadership growth and evolving from peers, specifically in terms of digital transformation, digital adoption, software adoption, and learning in the flow of work and ways in which people can incorporate technology learning into their daily lives.
Carrie Berg 15:42
- Learning through technology is critical for personal growth and professional development.
- Using technology, such as browsing the internet or using software, is a form of learning. Individuals should be open to technology and use it to make their work easier and more efficient.
- People should invest time in finding efficiencies by automating manual tasks. People should have a learner-thinking mindset and always try to find ways to make things easier for themselves through technology.
- Learning in the flow of work is essential and encourages people to look up and learn about new technology when they encounter something unfamiliar.
Tamanna 18:40
Carrie’s views on how companies can contribute to an employee’s personal growth.
Carrie Berg 19:07
- Employee is responsible for their own career growth and should not rely solely on their company to provide all the resources needed.
- It's important for employees to take the initiative to find out what programs and tools are available to them and actively engage and learn more.
- Many employees are not aware of their company's learning and development teams and the programs they offer, despite the efforts made to communicate with them through emails and intranet postings. Therefore, it's crucial for employees to take advantage of any resources available to them and seek feedback from others on their work and performance.
- It is important to adapt to communication styles and receive feedback to succeed in moving up within the company. In her analogy, every employee is driving their car on an eight-lane highway and has the power to speed up, slow down, change lanes, and take control of their career growth without waiting for their company to provide everything for them.
Tamanna 21:22
Carrie’s personal motto of success.
Carrie Berg 22:40
Besides the work hard and being nice to people message, she believes in leaving people with a positive impression and learning from every interaction she has. She is of the opinion that adopting such a mindset will enable her to continually improve and become a more empathetic person.
Scenario-Based Learning vs. Simulation: Where Do They Work Best in Software Training?
00:33:30
Key Highlights of the Episode
Introduction to Christy Tucker and Her Journey in Learning & Development
Christy's journey started in K-12 music education and evolved into corporate training and instructional design.
Transitioned from classroom software training to creating engaging online learning experiences.
Expertise in scenario-based learning and branching scenarios, focusing on practical application and performance improvement.
What is Scenario-Based Learning? Why is it Effective?
Focuses on real-world practice and feedback, enabling learners to make job-related decisions in a simulated context.
Closes the gap between theoretical learning and practical application by mimicking workplace challenges.
Encourages relevant context and decision-making, avoiding generic training that fails to resonate with specific audiences.
Making Software Training Engaging Through Scenarios
Contextualized training with a "why" behind each task (e.g., using a pivot table to analyze data).
Moves beyond traditional "menu-driven" training to focus on how tasks are performed in real workflows.
Example: Teaching PowerPoint features within a scenario of updating an organizational chart after changes.
When to Use Scenario-Based Learning vs. Other Approaches
Best for skills requiring judgment, problem-solving, or application of knowledge.
For simpler tasks (e.g., filling forms), direct instructions may suffice.
Scenarios are ideal when addressing frequent user mistakes or exploring complex workflows.
Branching Scenarios: When Do They Work Best?
Complex branching scenarios are suitable for multi-layered decision-making.
Single decision-point scenarios are effective for focused skill development.
Example: Instead of one long scenario, multiple short ones can address varied challenges efficiently.
Scenario-Based Learning vs. Simulations: Complementary Tools
Simulations are ideal for procedural tasks, while scenarios are better for decision-making and thought processes.
Example: Combining simulations for basic navigation and scenarios for troubleshooting LMS issues enhances training outcomes.
Measuring Success of Scenario-Based Learning
Metrics to track include reduced support calls, increased self-help usage, and improved task efficiency.
Assessments like simulation-based evaluations are more effective than multiple-choice questions.
Learner surveys can capture emotional and cognitive engagement, focusing on perceived task value and confidence.
Emotional Engagement and Cognitive Impact
Emotional engagement fosters motivation and connection to learning objectives.
Tools like Will Thalheimer's Performance-Focused Learner Surveys can help measure motivation and self-efficacy.
The Role of AI in Scenario-Based Learning
AI has potential to personalize learning experiences by dynamically adapting scenarios in real-time.
Chat-based scenarios and voice recognition are emerging trends for customer service and training.
Long-term, AI may revolutionize software training by enabling real-time customization, though cultural and logistical shifts are required.
Final Thoughts Christy's expertise highlights the transformative potential of scenario-based learning in software training. By focusing on decision-making, real-world application, and targeted practice, organizations can create meaningful and impactful learning experiences. The conversation also underscored the importance of integrating complementary approaches like simulations and leveraging emerging technologies like AI to shape the future of training.
AI in HR: 3 Ways AI is Transforming the Future of Work
00:27:47
The Digital Adoption Show kicks off with host Shreya Shrivastava introducing Jason Radisson, CEO of Movo, a human capital management platform revolutionizing frontline workforce management. Jason's extensive tech background and passion for empowering employees are evident in Movo's mission.
He discusses his journey, from early tech roles to founding Movo, driven by a vision to digitize traditional frontline work.The conversation delves into Jason's personal interests, including family and history, showcasing a multifaceted leader.
Shreya engages Jason in a rapid-fire round, revealing his preference for time travel over space travel and his desire to master chess. They explore Jason's corporate experience, emphasizing the importance of change management in tech adoption.
Jason articulates Movo's role in reshaping HR practices, leveraging AI to optimize workforce operations. He predicts a future where AI transforms HR, highlighting Movo's focus on operational efficiency.
Shreya reflects on the evolving HR landscape, acknowledging the potential for AI-driven change.In the continuation of the conversation, Shreya probes Jason about challenges faced at Movo, particularly in navigating enterprise technology and disrupting incumbents.
Jason elaborates on the difficulty of displacing established players and the importance of forging partnerships with systems integration firms.Transitioning to AI's role in HR, Jason predicts a slow adoption curve due to the complexity of enterprise operations.
He emphasizes Movo's focus on digitizing the frontline workforce and highlights AI's potential in scheduling, talent automation, and task dispatching.Shreya relates to the scheduling challenges faced by clients and acknowledges the broader impact of digitizing frontline operations.
They explore use cases in healthcare and discuss the unique scheduling needs of emergency rooms.
Overall, the conversation showcases Movo's innovative approach to HR challenges, Jason's blend of technological expertise and visionary leadership, and underscores the transformative potential of AI in workforce management.
Why Adaptive Learning is What the Future Workplace Needs with Kelly Palmer
00:46:53
Kelly Palmer is Chief Learning & Talent Officer at Degreed. She is the co-author of "The Expertise Economy: How the smartest companies use learning to engage, compete and succeed," which focuses on the urgent need to upskill the workforce with the skills needed most for the future of work.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Head of Global Growth and Field Marketing, Whatfix and Kelly Palmer on Why Adaptive Learning Is What The Future Workplace Needs.
Quick Takeaway:
Bringing leaders’ attention to the future is the goal of the workplace futurist.
The Expertise Economy demonstrates how the most creative companies in the world use learning to engage customers, compete successfully and prosper. Harvard’s Mind, Brain, and Education department spoke with business leaders about reskilling and upskilling the workforce.
7:44 - What is your take on the Workplace Futurist?
The world of work is changing and all leaders need to think about what's going to happen in the future, the people who are preparing now for the future are those who are going to be most successful and it's hard to think too far into the future
Technology is impacting the world of work and learning, we should be prepared a few years ahead for the technology that's going to be coming. We have to be ahead of what's coming at us and not be complacent, not just work with the tools we have, we should be anticipating and need to prepare accordingly
A lack of planning can make you realize that you are not at a great competitive advantage for your company and that you're falling behind in terms of innovation. The whole idea behind a workplace futurist is to think about all the things that are happening in the future, but also to help push others to think about what's happening in the future and to get ready for that
20:57 -How can businesses adopt and execute upskilling and rescaling to drive digital adoption?
The subtitle of the expertise economy is how the smartest companies use learning to engage, compete and succeed. There's a difference between just getting knowledge, and then actually being able to do something with the knowledge that you gain
You've really got to help employees with guidance around what skills are going to be most critical for your company moving forward and digital adoption solutions can help you solve the challenge
Amazon is now spending $700 million on upskilling and rescaling their workforce, they understand that automation is impacting their company and their employees in big ways. Amazon is up-skilling the employees to acquire new skills so they can work in other parts of Amazon or outside Amazon. So that's kind of the idea organizations are focussing around upskilling and rescaling strategy
32:18 -What's the difference between a learning experience platform and a learning management platform?
For decades, the only technology that learning organisations have relied on is a learning management system and it was designed for an administrator so that you could track compliance training and people could register for in-person classroom training
Most people in L&D believe that the learning management system really has a negative influence on employees and most employees aren't happy with that. A Learning experience platform is not an LMS. It's not a place where you create content, it's actually the layer on top of learning platforms that helps people build a learning ecosystem
The future is headed in terms of technology really focusing on the learner rather than the administrator and also giving the company a view of what people are doing as well as the individual
The Role of Digital Transformation in Revolutionizing Talent Management Performance Decisions
00:27:36
This episode of The Digital Adoption Show presents an insightful interview between Abhirami Prakash, Sales Development Team Lead at Whatfix, and Chiara Madrone, Sodexo's Global Talent and Performance Director. The discussion revolved around the profound impact of digital transformation on HR talent management and performance-based strategies. Chiara, with her extensive experience in HR talent management, shed light on Sodexo's global talent processes, emphasizing the need to harness HR for organizational value addition.
Chiara passionately advocated for a holistic approach, aligning employee experiences with organizational objectives. She stressed the significance of talent identification, performance management, and retention strategies.
Furthermore, Chiara discussed recurring oversights in recognizing internal talent, urging the importance of leveraging existing talent pools instead of solely focusing on external recruitment.
The conversation transitioned towards digital tools' influence on talent mobility, highlighting Sodexo's shift to SAP SuccessFactors for enhancing employee experiences and streamlining talent processes. Chiara emphasized the seamless integration of mobility, learning, and career development into an on-demand employee journey.
A focal point of the discussion was the impact of digital transformation on data-driven decision-making. Chiara underscored the journey towards a data-led organization, by talking about the importance of robust data architecture for precise insights across various talent dimensions within Sodexo.
She emphasized the newfound capabilities of systems in generating diverse talent insights, ranging from job architecture integration to competency-based analysis and performance evaluations. Chiara highlighted the redistribution of these insights to employees for their development and organizational transparency.
Chiara delved into Sodexo's innovative approach, leveraging new technologies for talent calibration, integrating talent data with business metrics, and intensifying the focus on employee development.
Looking ahead, Chiara envisioned HR's pivotal role in business, exploring emerging technologies like voice activation to engage a broader employee base, especially those with limited literacy skills. She expressed excitement about technology's potential to democratize opportunities globally, regardless of employees' roles.
The episode concluded with Chiara's personal motto—embracing curiosity and the acknowledgment that it's okay not to have all the answers. She emphasized the power of questions and curiosity in achieving success. Chiara highlighted the transformative role of digital adoption in unlocking employee potential and empowering a connected workforce through integrated HR technologies.
Transform not train your way to a better business strategy with L&D with Bart Schutte
00:48:49
Bart Schutte is a Director of Digital Learning at Saint Gobain. He is focused on Organizational Learning, and specifically, how enterprises need to adapt to create a real culture of learning leveraging public MOOCs, Personal Knowledge Management, and the abundance of knowledge and learning on the Internet.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Bart Schutte, sharing insights with Arijeet Das Diengdoh, Associate Director of Sales - EMEA at Whatfix, on Transform not train your way to a better business strategy.
03:26 - Is there fear or scepticism regarding artificial intelligence in training?
Software vendors continually talk about AI in their products and their ability to recommend learning to people personally, amongst l&d people
In Saint Gobain, we use Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, for detecting patterns from data in the past so that they can make predictions and we try to implement it in our manufacturing plants, sales & marketing and supply chain
The first step that companies can take around machine learning for the masses, is visualisation. If you can make data visual so that people can see it, and it expresses the insights people can make much better decisions. Visualisation is a lot easier than machine learning
09:47 - The biggest challenges confronted by L&D leaders and companies
Critical thinking, problem identification and problem-solving skills are critical. There's been a lot of talk about this becoming increasingly critical but the real challenge is to build those skills inside the people in organizations. It's not just about training, but transforming the company, in terms of skill and culture
In Saint Gobain, Data Analytics Academy was launched in 2019. We recognise the opportunity, the need to upskill engineers and our plants, to be able to use machine learning on themselves to get insights out of the data they have every day to continually improve production
What matters is, what are they able to do with the training and guidance provided. With a good learning experience, we're could see people reduce the energy consumption on a line of production by over 10%. But with traditional techniques, they've never been able to get more than a 1% reduction
15:44 - How do you get people to change?
Organisational structure plays a very crucial role in transformation. The organisation has to support employees and make it easier for them to do the new thing than the old ones
If data and data analytics are really important, it has to be something that senior leaders should be talking about all the time. Also making sure, that they're walking the talk when they make decisions. They're basing it on data and not on intuition. So that's the most important thing that has to happen if you want to get individuals to change
20:54 - What is the significance of employee experience in driving successful digital transformation?
People approach the employee experience from many different dimensions. What's important is that the learning should be as close to the moment of need on the job. It is imperative to design all of their programmes to be about real things that people have to get done on the ground
As L&D practitioners, we should focus on creating an environment that promotes collaboration and encourage employees to take up different things
Transforming Lives Through Learning: The Journey of a CLO with Andy Lancaster
00:38:05
Summary In this insightful episode, host Neha Smriti, Growth Marketing Manager at Whatfix, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Andy Lancaster, Chief Learning Officer at Reimagine People Development, a seasoned leader in learning and development, and a former CLO at CIPD. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Andy shares his journey and perspectives on how empathy and human-centered design are fundamental in both learning and product development. The discussion delves into disrupting traditional learning models, navigating the challenges of digital transformation, and transitioning leadership roles—all while maintaining a focus on the learner’s experience and needs.
Key Discussion Points:
Human-Centered Learning: Andy highlights how empathy plays a vital role in understanding diverse learner needs and behaviors. A one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective; instead, personalized and adaptive learning designs are necessary to truly engage and support each learner.
Disrupting Traditional Learning: Drawing from his experience at CIPD, Andy explains the shift from traditional, formal courses to agile, bite-sized learning modules. This transition allows employees to access learning resources in the flow of work, making education more relevant and immediately applicable to their roles.
Digital Transformation: The conversation explores the increasing influence of AI and mobile technology in learning, as well as the importance of integrating these tools for on-the-go and self-directed learning experiences. Digital platforms enable learners to access resources anytime and anywhere, providing autonomy and empowering individuals to take control of their professional growth.
Leadership Transition: Andy shares his personal story of recognizing when it was the right time to step down from a leadership role, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and creating space for emerging leaders. He discusses the value of mentorship and shadowing in ensuring a smooth transition, while also allowing successors to make the role their own.
Conclusion Andy concludes the episode by envisioning the future of learning as one that prioritizes the learner’s journey, offering flexibility and opportunities for self-direction. He emphasizes that the role of learning and development is evolving, with digital tools and human-centered design being at the forefront of creating transformational, life-changing learning experiences. The key is to stay adaptive, keep learners at the center, and continuously leverage emerging technologies to meet the changing needs of the workforce.
Maximizing Results: The Impact of AI on Personalized Training Programs
00:26:32
The Digital Adoption Show recently hosted Egle Vinauskaite, the Director at Nodes, who brought profound insights into the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in training as part of the broader scope of Learning and Development (L&D). Nibu Thomas, the show's host, highlighted Egle's instrumental role in reshaping education through technology and her specialization in leveraging AI for training initiatives.
Throughout their conversation, Egle emphasized the pivotal role of AI in L&D, specifically honing in on its impactful presence within training programs. She elucidated on the transformative potential of AI for training, emphasizing its capability to offer personalized feedback and facilitate practical skill acquisition.
This discussion emphasized AI's role in rendering learning experiences more relevant by tailoring content to individual motivations, thereby mitigating attention span challenges commonly encountered in training scenarios. However, she also voiced concerns regarding the global accessibility of AI-powered tools, recognizing the imperative need for inclusivity and widespread access to ensure equal learning opportunities.
Shifting focus towards relevance in learning experiences, Egle highlighted AI's significant impact on training paradigms, specifically spotlighting its ability to comprehend learners in a holistic manner.
She highlighted AI's competence in crafting content that resonates with individual learner needs, effectively customizing training experiences. In a world where information is readily available, she pondered the evolving purpose of learning and advocated for a balanced approach, emphasizing the importance of not just accessing knowledge but also effectively applying it.
Egle delved into multifaceted adoption challenges confronting the integration of AI in training. These challenges spanned across skill gaps, trust issues, and privacy concerns, particularly within the context of AI's application in training programs. In response to these hurdles, she stressed the necessity of comprehending the nuances of AI within training landscapes.
Egle underscored the importance of adopting a human-centric approach over content-centric strategies, advocating for problem-solving-oriented approaches in the seamless integration of AI for training purposes.
Concluding the episode, Nibu expressed sincere gratitude to Egle for her invaluable insights and contributions to the discussion. He reiterated the significance of Egle's motto, "Problem before technology," which encapsulated the essence of successful AI integration within the dynamic landscape of L&D. The episode closed with an earnest call for audience feedback and an anticipation of further engaging discussions on the evolving role and advancements of AI in the realm of training and development.
How Organizations can Modernize Learning: 5 Quick Hacks to Get Started with Ross Stevenson
00:31:39
Ross Stevenson is Head Of Learning at Trainline and Founder of Steal These Thoughts!
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Nabras Mohammed, Manager, Whatfix and Ross Stevenson on how organisations can modernize learning: 5 quick hacks to get started.
4:47 -What is the modern learning approach and how organizations can leverage it?
The pandemic and actual acceleration of digital technology can be observed as a shared human collective experience. L&D needs to become more tech-centric and better at tech
A modern learning approach should focus on having the right intention of technology and also the human experience around it. The focus should be on how to still have the human experience in the form of coaching and mentoring
Technology is not a silver bullet, it's not going to replace everything we do in terms of having that connection, sharing experiences, and looking at doing what we've always done for millennia, which is sharing stories, which is what we do in all different ways
8:36 -How are companies ensuring a good learning experience with the human experience?
Being a tech company, digital has its capacity to provide people with resources to help with in-the-moment problems; it is more long-term skill building or behavioural building, so intentional learning, where you can start somewhere on a digital journey
For instance, if you want to coach someone or mentor them to become better at a particular skill, they can listen to a podcast or read a resource. But that gives them some theory, what they've learned in the resources, and then you should seek out people with human experience to mentor them or other companies from a leadership perspective that can give you context and content related to coaching
Big tech companies take their people to a certain level in the digital space with course catalogues and on-demand content. Still, when it comes to “how do I apply this in my role at my company?” that's where you need the human, so as a part of that experience, they will connect you with other humans who are doing that role
17:45 -Organizations often talk about upskilling and reskilling their employees. Do you think this can be streamlined with the help of any framework?
When we talk about upskilling or reskilling, the essential thing is, can you go into your organisation now? And can you find the five to ten shared skills that everyone needs to succeed in that organisation? and you'll find that many of them will probably be more human skills. So adaptability, resiliency, looking at the technical side with digital skills or going back to the human side of emotional intelligence, there are probably some core skills everyone needs
The simple framework could be just going out to the organisation data that says what skills people feel like they're lacking today. And then, look at what you feel your organisation needs from a capability perspective, and most L&D teams will have some of that data already to say that these are the core skills everyone needs in any role to be capable
Furthermore, data is your best friend in telling you the truth. People share opinions, and there's no data. So, can you get the data and understand how we can impact people? How can we give them value in these reskilling and upskilling opportunities?
Why Organizations Should Encourage Employees to Acknowledge Mistakes And Learn From Them, with Maria David
00:30:42
This episode of Digital Adoption Show features Maria David, Enterprise Sales Manager at Whatfix, and Rafaela Endert discussing Why Organizations Should Encourage Employees to Acknowledge Mistakes and Learn from them.
7:47 - How would you advise young professionals just starting out? Do they need to prioritize learning over roles?
If you don't have the next three years' career plan in mind, because things are changing, you're changing, and you're learning, dont stress about it in the earlier phase of your career
You learn best when you're out of your comfort zone. You have to find opportunities, take up new responsibilities and you need to push yourself to be brave
14:58 -As a leader, how would you encourage other leaders to accept it and include it in the organizational culture?
We as leaders have the responsibility to support innovation. It only happens to learn from mistakes and we learn from mistakes. As a leader, you should promote people to take responsibility and focus on improving themselves rather than the mistakes
A growth mindset links back to making mistakes. Looking at the bigger picture, if we really encourage our employees to develop, we just need to support them and make that environment for them to try out something different. Otherwise, we as leaders cannot expect our team to perform differently
19:18 - How can L&D harness employee productivity with social learning?
Social learning has already become a priority in some organisations. Social behaviours are learned by observing and imitating the behaviours of others
Each and every one's individual knowledge is really an absolute treasure. The more we support from a central learning perspective, to encourage and support employees to learn on one hand each other, as much as it’s individually benefiting, but also ultimately a benefit for the company.
Beyond the Buzzwords: Proven Strategies for Measuring Learning Impact
00:32:08
Introduction: In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Akanksha Singh, Senior Manager of Customer Success at Whatfix, sits down with Dr. Alaina Szlachta, a distinguished learning architect and expert in the field of educational design and evaluation. Together, they explore the often-overlooked but critical role of effective learning impact measurement in today’s organizations. The discussion challenges conventional wisdom by scrutinizing the limitations of traditional metrics and emphasizes the strategic importance of aligning learning objectives with the broader goals of the organization.
Key Takeaways:
Focus on Business Outcomes: Dr. Szlachta emphasizes the need for organizations to move beyond merely achieving learning objectives and to instead focus on how these objectives translate into tangible business outcomes. This shift in perspective ensures that learning initiatives are not just educational exercises but are directly contributing to the company’s bottom line.
Comprehensive Measurement: Effective measurement of learning impact involves more than just tracking vanity metrics like course completion rates or learner satisfaction scores. Dr. Szlachta advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes performance-based metrics such as behavior change, increased productivity, and other indicators of real-world impact. This dual focus provides a clearer picture of the true value that learning programs bring to the organization.
Tailored Approach: The conversation highlights the importance of a tailored measurement strategy that aligns with the specific goals, resources, and context of each learning initiative. Dr. Szlachta advises that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, organizations should develop bespoke measurement plans that accurately reflect their unique learning environments and objectives.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The use of data to inform decisions is crucial in refining and improving learning programs. Dr. Szlachta discusses how data-driven insights can reveal what’s working, what’s not, and where adjustments are needed. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of learning initiatives but also helps in demonstrating their impact on broader organizational goals.
Continuous Improvement: Finally, the episode underscores that learning impact measurement is not a one-time task but an ongoing process that requires regular evaluation and refinement. Dr. Szlachta encourages L&D professionals to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement, where learning programs are consistently assessed and iterated upon to ensure they remain effective and aligned with evolving business needs.
Conclusion: The episode makes a compelling case for moving beyond traditional learning metrics to truly measure the impact of training programs. By adopting a data-driven approach and focusing on business outcomes, organizations can optimize their learning investments and drive meaningful change. Dr. Alaina Szlachta's expertise offers valuable guidance for L&D professionals who are eager to enhance their measurement practices and demonstrate the value of their programs to stakeholders. Her insights are a must-hear for anyone involved in the design, implementation, or evaluation of corporate learning initiatives.
Subscribe to Dr. Szlachta's newsletter for weekly tips, tricks, and thought leadership to improve impact measurement: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/
Lean, Mean, Healthcare Machine: Julie Savage-Fournier’s Blueprint for Success!
00:43:54
Summary: In this episode, Julie Savage-Fournier, Process Design and Improvement Consultant and Kaizen radical, joins host Apoorva N Pai, Team Lead - Sales Development at Whatfix, to share her inspiring journey from her mother’s battle with cancer to her innovative work in revolutionizing healthcare processes. Julie’s deep commitment to improving healthcare systems is reflected in her strategies for implementing lean principles in critical care environments. She highlights the importance of understanding team dynamics, leveraging individual strengths, and adapting processes to enhance organizational efficiency. The discussion also covers the complexities of change management in healthcare, emphasizing the role of a coaching culture to instill continuous improvement in teams.
Key Takeaways: 1. The Power of Purpose: Aligning your career with your passions and values can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional impact. Julie’s journey, driven by her mother’s cancer experience, is a testament to how a strong sense of purpose can fuel dedication to create change. Her work in healthcare improvement is motivated by this deeply personal connection, which has shaped her mission to enhance patient care. 2. The Importance of Understanding Pre-Technology Workflows: Before introducing new technology, it’s essential to study and understand how teams operate without it. By identifying why people work in a certain way, you can develop systems that support their processes instead of imposing disruptive changes. Julie stresses that understanding this helps to build trust and ensures that technology solutions genuinely improve workflow efficiency. 3. Adapting Lean Principles to Healthcare: Julie emphasizes the importance of lean practices—principles designed to reduce waste and optimize efficiency—specifically tailored for healthcare settings. She explains how lean principles can improve both the quantity and quality of care, leading to enhanced patient outcomes without increasing costs. Her methods include reducing material waste in surgeries by optimizing how supplies are managed and delivered. 4. Coaching Culture as a Path to Continuous Improvement: Julie underlines the significance of creating a coaching culture where managers not only supervise but also mentor their teams in problem-solving. By empowering every employee to tackle everyday problems, healthcare organizations can foster continuous improvement, enabling faster and more effective solutions across the board. This bottom-up approach ensures that even small inefficiencies are addressed and rectified, driving long-term success. 5. The Challenges of Change Management: Resistance to change is a common hurdle in healthcare, but it can be overcome by showing employees the benefits of new systems and ensuring they feel part of the process. Julie explains that healthcare workers often believe their current methods work well, so leaders must demonstrate how new tools or processes can enhance their daily tasks and improve patient care. Providing the right motivation and understanding fosters a smoother transition. 6. The Role of Problem-Solving in Lean Systems: Problem-solving is at the heart of lean systems, and Julie discusses how small, everyday inefficiencies can accumulate into significant problems if left unchecked. She advocates for equipping every employee with the skills and permission to solve problems on their own, which increases the overall brainpower in an organization and allows for quicker, more innovative solutions. 7. Metrics to Measure Success in Healthcare: Unlike profit-driven industries, healthcare metrics are focused on improving care quality and patient outcomes. Julie explains how success is measured by the ratio of quality care delivered against expenses. By optimizing resources—such as reducing material waste and streamlining the provision of medical supplies—hospitals can offer better care within their fixed budgets, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. 8. Aligning Career with Personal Values: Julie urges listeners to align their professional pursuits with their personal values, encouraging them to find meaning in their work. For her, this alignment brought about a shift from manufacturing to healthcare, where she feels she can make a true difference. She advises others to follow paths that resonate with their hearts, as this will lead to more meaningful and rewarding careers. 9. The Value of Human Connection in Leadership: Effective leadership is not just about managing tasks but about building strong relationships and understanding the needs of those you lead. Julie shares how deeply connecting with teams can improve collaboration and drive better outcomes in high-stakes environments like healthcare. For her, the essence of leadership is fostering these connections to create a supportive and productive work culture.
Conclusion: Julie Savage-Fournier provides invaluable insights on the transformative power of continuous improvement, particularly in the healthcare sector. Her approach, rooted in lean principles and a coaching culture, highlights the importance of problem-solving, adaptability, and aligning career choices with personal values. Whether you work in healthcare or another industry, Julie’s strategies on leadership, team empowerment, and operational efficiency offer actionable advice for creating meaningful change. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions on learning, development, and technology in upcoming episodes!
How Organizations Can Use Brain Science to Lead Successful Change Management Initiatives with Dr. Britt Andreatta
00:38:37
Dr Britt Andreatta is an internationally-recognized thought leader who creates brain science-based solutions for today's challenges. Former Chief Learning Officer for Lynda.com and Senior Learning Consultant for Global Leadership and Talent Development at LinkedIn, Britt is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience. As CEO of 7th Mind, Inc., Britt Andreatta draws on her unique background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and learning to unlock the best in people and organizations. She regularly consults with businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations on leadership development and learning strategy.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Dr Britt Andreatta, sharing insights with Gokul Suresh, Head of Marketing at Whatfix, on How Organizations Can Use Brain Science to Lead Successful Change Management Initiatives.
8:32 -What’s the entire idea of amygdala hijacking for success?
Our brain can sometimes kick off the freeze response when we are not in a life-threatening situation. When it does, it shuts off our logical brain and also our self-awareness which is what makes smart people do things they later regret
15:34 -Three-phase model of learning Vs Learning By Doing
The three-phase model of learning is how the brain learns. Learning happens first, we have to take that information in
The second phase is to remember, so if that learning doesn't get pushed into long-term memory so we can access it for weeks or years to come, that learning is a waste of time
Finally, most professional learning has to do with behaviour change. When you're changing behaviour/ habits, it's thinking about what are the words and actions you want to see people doing and making sure your learning event is truly getting them on a path to do that in the way that you want
In professional learning, a big part of how we learn is by doing it and we can't get around by sitting in a room and listening to information. Unless you get up and start doing it, you have not yet formed a neural pathway in your own body. That's how we get people to true behaviour change
17:47 - What are the best practices for designing and delivering the learning modules to the employees?
Good learning aligns with the way how the brain naturally learns. Users' attention span waves after 20 minutes. Try to build chunks of content in 15-minute segments followed by a processing activity that not only drives behaviour change but also then pushes that learning into memory
Learning is long-lasting if you can attach it to something the learner already knows. Scientists call these schemas and then spend time in practice. So think about how can you attach this new thing that you want them to know, to something that they're already doing or already aware of
It takes 40-50 reps of behaviour to form a habit and yet, most learning events don’t include any practice. Give people the opportunity to wire that new behaviour. It'll make the whole transition go faster and better if you're helping them get there
29:25 -How to tackle the technology adoption challenges?
You need to consider how various things need to play together and be sure to explore compatibility because sometimes one solution while it looks great, and seems to have all the bells and whistles, it doesn't play with another core part of your business or another system that it needs to
Do thorough reference checks to make sure that the organization you are hiring has successfully done what they are bidding for you
Digital Adoption in Learning & Development: A Competitive Differentiator with Richard Bores
00:31:48
Richard’s story of bringing DAP to Sentry and how the organization adopted to learning in the flow of work.
The Sentry story of implementing a digital adoption platform (DAP) revolved around their claims application. The goal was to minimize the disruption to the call centre's workflow and customer responses by minimizing the amount of formal learning that took associates away from their desks.
The strategy was successful and had a positive return on investment, reducing the time needed for new hires to be fully trained. The implementation of the DAP also coincidentally prepared the company for the shift to remote work during the pandemic. The implementation of a digital adoption platform (DAP) reinforced the Richard's belief in informal learning, also known as "learning in the flow of work."
Initially, there were questions and apprehension from senior stakeholders, but the Richard was able to work through these concerns and show the benefits of a good DAP. The DAP was able to provide the right content at the right time, helping users in their workflow.
Richard also had to overcome a previous attempt at implementing a DAP at the company, which had not been successful. Richard used a structured template for introducing the DAP to different stakeholders, including Frontline Management and associates. To make the introduction fun, the speaker created online scavenger hunts and contests to encourage engagement with the DAP.
What are the aspects of learning that have stayed constant throughout your career?
The core aspects of learning include practice, repetition, reflection, and feedback. A DAP allows for a more intentional design of learning assets and can shrink learning intervals. \
Additionally, a DAP can strengthen new user confidence once they have completed formal training, and it is difficult to measure but it has been beyond measure in Richard's experience.
What are some problems that organizations need to address in L&D?
He believes that the L&D profession needs to focus on leveraging data and analytics to gain insight into people's performance and build better learning experiences.
Additionally, Richard suggests that L&D teams should focus on democratizing learning by having associates participate in delivering, sharing, and coaching. This can help to build a learning culture, where associates feel more connected to the learning process.
He also mentions that they have successfully built adjunct faculty teams at previous organizations to help deliver training and leadership skills among associates.
How do you measure the ROI of a business from the L&D perspective?
He believes that the true return on investment (ROI) from a Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) is seen in the savings from a particular initiative, cites an example from their time at Century, where they used an online resource and coaching sessions to train sales associates, resulting in a savings of nearly $300,000.
He also mentions that at Century, they were able to go remote with their claims learning due to the use of Whatfix, which resulted in additional cost savings, he also mentions that the numbers have been published on some websites in Whatfix, which is a DAP platform.
Sales Enablement Planning for 2023: Do’s and Don'ts with Tomissa Smittendorf
00:29:37
Tomissa Smittendorf Director, North America Sales Learning & Development at Kellogg Company. Having a holistic view of the business, with experience in L&D, Retail Sales, Supply Chain, HR, Sales Finance, Customer Service and DSD.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Paul Dixon, Director, Strategic Accounts, Sales at Whatfix and Tomissa Smittendorf on how Change Management can transform your perspective on hybrid work culture.
05:55 The biggest challenges between consumers, clients & salespeople?
When the pandemic hit, Kellogg was able to turn everything to go virtual within 24 hours. In addition, we looked up to new technologies to make things run smoothly and in an engaging manner
Ventured out and implemented technologies like Virtual reality, which created an opportunity to look at things through a different lens
Instead of deploying your new hire right into the field, focus on leveraging immersive technology that can help people learn. In Kellogs, we leveraged virtual reality to coach people and bring out the best in terms of productivity and learning
17:18 -The role of sales leaders in L&D? What is the shift that's occurred?
You've got to stay in tune with what's going on in the industry and understand the new age of technology. The important thing is to have a clear roadmap of the way ahead
It isn't the flavour of the month training or anything like that. It's a well-thought-out journey that our Salesforce can go through. And making sure that what knowledge, skills and abilities you need to really make sure that you're upskilling
18:54 -What are the missing pieces of a roadmap that have to get accomplished?
Focus on continued education around revenue growth management. Continue to be smarter and find different and innovative ways to do things
The ability to have that financial acumen will continue to be super important as we move forward, and building an omnichannel leadership will be another area of importance
This session touched upon a range of fascinating sales enablement topics! So if you’re a Sales leader or L&D professional, don’t miss this opportunity!
How can Change Management Transform your Perspective on Hybrid Work Cultures? with Avery Banta
00:16:50
Avery Banta is a Vice President and Head of HRBP, Change Management & Org Development COE Team at Globe Telecom. Experienced in learning and development and HR for more than 15 years.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Nabras Mohammed, Manager, Whatfix and Avery Banta on how Change Management Transform your Perspective on Hybrid Work Cultures.
2:15 - How have Learning and Development been game changers for Globe Telecom?
Post Pandemic companies needed to shift learning away from the classroom and upskill an entire workforce to keep pace with digital transformation inside and outside the company. Globe group stood ahead of the learning curve
Globe group stood ahead of the learning curve, by focusing on up-skilling employees for the present and future. We assign numbers to the outcome and we measure it actively
L&D strategies should be an enabler to help organizations get to that vision. It should focus on bringing the aspiration among the employees to go towards the collective goal
3:12 - Importance of resilience in today's work culture?
Significant changes encountered in work culture post-pandemic, especially hybrid work, technology upgradation, increased software usage, expanded employer’s role, and most important humanization of employees. It's a new set of adjustments altogether
People in general, are resilient because we form our habits. But before we even get over the hump, we had to go through the journey of adjusting, finding our groove again and being at ease with that new way of work
6:01 - How do you bring change to your organisation?
For people who are managing change, changing their mindset should be the priority since even if you give all the skills, train people, and provide them with the tools, they still need to change their mindset
There's no secret sauce to change. It's never going to be the templated approach. You don't have templates or playbooks in terms of how to manage people's hearts and emotions. So what do we do?
Whether it's classroom or online, most people are not happy with their learning. We should focus on bringing the motivation to learn and delivering in the way they consume best
The 5 Must-Follow Hacks to Build a Future-Proof Workplace by Claire Doody
00:25:41
Claire Doody is Founder and Principal Consultant, at Work in Motion and Ex-Global Director(How We Work), at Twitter. She led the redesign of work at Twitter to support its decentralization strategy.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Akshay Moza, Manager, Customer Success, Whatfix and Claire Doody on The 5 Must-Follow Hacks to Build a Future-Proof Workplace.
4:54 - Technology has become the backbone of the L&D function. How can leaders use technology more effectively while keeping the human element in mind?
Experiences can be made more human by using technology. 20 years ago, there was a huge gap between being alone, and working through content on an LMS but today we could have a transformational learning experience
You've got multiple touch points like Slack and Zoom throughout the employee journey and it's very powerful. Well-designed tech-enabled learning can facilitate the human-centric approach and it can create continuity outside the classroom to build a sustainable relationship across peers which is much more inclusive
To achieve high standards in L&D, you need to focus on good learning design and facilitation to create those learning experiences. This also creates tension between scalability and the number of touchpoints a learner might have. Meanwhile, there's plenty of content, rotting away on learning management systems that would make you feel very isolated, using e-learning
14:45- How do you create a change when building an L&D strategy? What are the three things you keep in mind?
The first one is about understanding the business and its purpose. Understand the standard L&D offerings of employee onboarding, training and whatever is vital to your business over the coming years. If your business is going to double in size over the next 18 months, you will benefit from putting in place some diverse hiring and interviewing skills if your organization wants to break into new markets
Be ruthless about what you focus on. You can quickly become an order taker when you come under pressure from various parts of the business. If you don't have a framework for taking things on and rejecting things, you will fall short of the resources or the capacity to take it all on and you can’t go anywhere
Expand your thinking and appreciate that very few things can be addressed by learning alone, looking at the mindset, the behaviours with culture and the systems. Ask yourself what's incentivizing people to behave in the way that we're trying to address and what's stopping them. We need to reframe L&D as a performance consultant, so that doesn't always mean that there's going to be training in the solution
DAP UPSKILL: Enhancing Customer Success with Digital Adoption Strategies
00:15:28
The episode delves into the multifaceted realm of digital adoption and its profound influence on CSMs. Akanksha, having worked in the field for five years, emphasizes that it's not merely about technology innovations; it's about the strategic use of digital adoption platforms to reshape how CSMs interact with clients.
The conversation underscores the significance of adopting a user-centered approach, emphasizing the need for technology progress to be aligned with customer success management.
Akanksha, an experienced customer success leader at Whatfix, brings her expertise to the discussion. She discusses how digital adoption strategies have become an integral part of change management in her organization. These strategies provide a framework for achieving business digital transformation and play a crucial role in the change management model.
The importance of training for management of change is highlighted, ensuring that CSMs and teams can effectively navigate the change management process when incorporating digital adoption platforms. The episode sheds light on the meaning of change management in the context of digital adoption and the transformation it brings to the industry.
Akanksha emphasizes the need for a clear change management template that can guide organizations in their journey to transform digitally. Such templates aid in the seamless execution of a change management framework, enabling businesses to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technology and customer success management.
Overall, the episode underscores how technology adoption and digital adoption strategies have the power to transform digital in ways that align with the objectives of client success and customer success management. It delves into the profound impact of digital adoption platforms, illustrating the pivotal role they play in achieving technology progress and digital transformation within the context of a user-centered approach.
Women in L&D: Insights from Leading Experts on Driving Innovation and Growth
00:25:29
Summary In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, we explore the vital role of women in Learning and Development (L&D), with a panel of experts sharing their insights on empowering employees, aligning L&D initiatives with business goals, and fostering a culture of continuous growth. From managers adopting a coaching mindset to organizations using AI and data-driven decisions, the discussion covers practical strategies for scaling communities, addressing skill gaps, and nurturing organizational culture. Experts also delve into the importance of aligning L&D with industry needs and shaping a learning culture that drives adaptability and performance.
Key Points Discussed:
Managerial Coaching for Empowerment: Managers can empower employees by adopting a coaching mindset. This involves guiding them through challenges and encouraging problem-solving, fostering a culture of continuous development.
Defining Skills and Identifying Gaps: Organizations should prioritize skill gap analysis and implement pilot initiatives tailored to address specific needs within different departments. These pilots must be scalable and adaptable to various teams.
Fostering Continuous Learning Culture: To embrace a culture of continuous learning, organizations must assess leadership maturity, identify skill gaps, and align learning initiatives with industry trends and benchmarks. This ensures that development programs are relevant and impactful.
Leveraging AI in L&D: L&D professionals can use AI to automate tasks and streamline processes, but it’s essential to maintain the human element in learning. AI should enhance, not replace, the depth and value of L&D expertise.
Data-Driven Decision Making: For effective L&D, organizations must have the right data and tools to make informed decisions. By analyzing relevant data, they can better understand skill gaps and measure the effectiveness of training programs.
Scaling Communities with Meaningful Engagement: Successful community scaling requires a clear purpose, identifying the right audience, and focusing on genuine engagement rather than vanity metrics. This helps ensure that communities remain active and aligned with organizational goals.
Aligning L&D with Business Objectives: L&D initiatives must be aligned with company goals. This requires continuous evaluation of skill gaps and leveraging data to ensure that training efforts contribute to overall business success.
Shaping Organizational Culture: Using Edgar Schein’s framework, organizations can assess and monitor their culture through artifacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions. This ongoing process ensures the culture remains aligned with organizational goals and values, adapting as needed.
Conclusion: In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, we explored a diverse range of insights from prominent women in L&D, focusing on how organizations can effectively empower their workforce and align learning initiatives with business goals. From managers adopting a coaching mindset to drive problem-solving, to using data for informed decision-making in reskilling and upskilling, the discussion emphasized the importance of understanding both the industry and the organization's goals. Key takeaways included the need to nurture a continuous learning culture, the strategic use of AI to enhance L&D efforts, and the significance of measuring true engagement over vanity metrics when scaling communities. The episode also highlighted the importance of using frameworks like Edgar Schein's to understand and evolve organizational culture. Together, these insights provide a roadmap for organizations striving to build resilient, skilled teams and remain competitive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
The Death of Traditional L&D: What 2025 Holds for Learning and Development
00:32:02
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, Sanskriti Bhatla, Digital Adoption Strategist at Whatfix, explores the topic "The Death of Traditional L&D: What 2025 Holds for Learning and Development" with guest Rita Sookrit, a seasoned L&D leader with two decades of global experience. Together, they discuss the transformation of learning and development practices and the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future of L&D.
Key Points Discussed:
The Death of Traditional L&D: Rita emphasizes the decline of one-size-fits-all training programs and fully in-person classroom sessions. She highlights the need for flexible, personalized learning experiences that meet individual needs and align with business goals.
AI and Learning Experience Transformation: The role of AI in revolutionizing L&D was a key focus. Rita discusses how AI-driven learning, virtual reality, and mobile learning are replacing outdated methods, offering learners more relevant and customized experiences. However, she stresses that AI should be used as a tool in conjunction with human expertise, not as a replacement.
Impact of Emerging Technologies: Rita shares insights into digital adoption platforms (DAPs) and simulation software, highlighting their ability to bridge skill gaps and provide hands-on training in real-time. These tools align training with business objectives and offer unbiased data for decision-making.
Unified Learning Platforms: The episode explores the push for unified learning platforms that integrate learning performance, monitoring, and consulting. Rita explains that while these platforms offer efficiencies, they must be used to drive performance and business impact rather than just for tracking basic metrics.
Critical Skills for L&D Professionals in 2025: Rita categorizes future L&D skills into three buckets: digital and technical skills, human (power) skills, and skills like curiosity, growth mindset, and generational awareness. She emphasizes the importance of data literacy and leadership to position L&D as a strategic function.
Measuring ROI in L&D: Rita discusses the challenge of measuring ROI in L&D, but with advancements in tools like DAPs, it’s becoming more achievable. She offers practical tips for calculating ROI using models like Jack Phillips’ ROI Methodology and stresses the importance of aligning training with organizational goals.
Conclusion:
To remain relevant, L&D teams must embrace new technologies, cultivate a growth mindset, and develop a disruptive approach to learning. As AI and digital platforms reshape the future of work, L&D professionals must stay agile and strategic to meet evolving business needs.
Hybrid Work, Learning Innovation, and Measuring Impact: Expert Insights in L&D
00:24:47
Summary: As organizations adapt to hybrid and remote work models, the need to rethink leadership, talent management, and learning strategies has become essential. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting leadership styles, fostering an inclusive organizational culture, and implementing learning strategies that meet the evolving needs of modern employees. Key Points:
Managing Hybrid Work:
Successful hybrid work requires clear communication, practices, and ensuring equal access to opportunities regardless of where employees work. Leaders must focus on managing people consistently, ensuring that remote workers are not at a disadvantage compared to those onsite.
Regular check-ins and in-person events are important for maintaining connection and alignment in hybrid teams. Without a clear hybrid work strategy, teams may become disengaged.
The Role of Organizational Culture:
Organizational culture, which includes both visible and invisible elements, must be nurtured to build trust and connection in hybrid environments. Leaders need to align actions with values and address any disconnect to ensure a positive, inclusive culture.
Facilitating discussions to address challenges and foster relationships is crucial in a hybrid setting where face-to-face interactions are less frequent.
Leadership and Supervision in Hybrid Environments:
Leaders must shift from a traditional "command and control" approach to one that emphasizes trust, autonomy, and team-building. This means focusing on team performance rather than individual performance.
Supervisors should define expectations clearly, check in regularly, and promote collaboration to ensure team cohesion.
Learning and Development (L&D) Strategies:
L&D strategies should focus on personalized learning experiences that align with employees' roles and needs. Microlearning and personalized learning pathways are gaining popularity to accommodate time constraints and information overload.
Using technology to offer relevant and bite-sized learning experiences is key to keeping employees engaged and developing the right skills.
The Evolving Role of Learning Professionals:
L&D professionals must broaden their skills to include business acumen, creativity, and technical expertise in areas like LMS management and data analytics.
A well-rounded understanding of instructional design, content creation, and technological tools is necessary to build effective learning systems.
Evaluating Success and ROI:
Success in learning initiatives should be measured by aligning with stakeholders' goals and defining success upfront, rather than relying solely on traditional ROI models.
Experimenting with new initiatives on a smaller scale before full implementation ensures better alignment with expectations and helps evaluate effectiveness through behavior and engagement.
Conclusion: Organizations must adapt their leadership, culture, and learning strategies to keep pace with the changing work environment. Clear communication, inclusive cultures, and tailored learning experiences are essential to foster engaged, productive teams. By focusing on these key elements, organizations can ensure success in the evolving world of work.
As we come to the end of this season, here are our top five picks from The Digital Adoption Show Season 2.
Marco Dondi Future of Work Expert, and Associate Partner, at McKinsey & Company and Saurabh Guru, Global Head, Customer Success, Whatfix on Discover the skills future employees will need from a McKinsey expert.
Bart Schutte is a Director of Digital Learning at Saint Gobain and Arijeet Das Diengdoh, Associate Director of Sales – EMEA at Whatfix, on Transform not train your way to a better business strategy.
Tomissa Smittendorf Director, North America Sales Learning & Development at Kellogg Company and Paul Dixon, Director, Strategic Accounts, Sales at Whatfix on how Change Management can transform your perspective on hybrid work culture.
Claire Doody Founder and Principal Consultant, at Work in Motion and Ex-Global Director, at Twitter and Akshay Moza, Manager, Customer Success, Whatfix on The 5 Must-Follow Hacks to Build a Future-Proof Workplace.
Stella Collins Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer at Stellar Labs and Ajay Kumar, VP- Pre Sales at Whatfix, discussing “Learn the power of doing with Neuroscience”.
If you enjoyed our podcast, please write a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. For Season 3, we will surely take your feedback into account. Season 3 dates will be released soon, so stay tuned! Happy podcasting!!! Until next time, see you soon.
DAP UPSKILL: Harnessing The Power Of DAP and Userization For Business Growth
00:25:40
This episode features experienced Whatfix professionals from diverse backgrounds and departments, who talk about their perception of the ever elusive term ‘digital adoption’. A deeper understanding of how various departments within an organization, namely- HR, Product Marketing, Business Development (sales) can utilize Digital Adoption Platforms to their maximum potential and what their adoption curves have been like.
Dharshan Chandran, a product marketer who has helped take early-stage enterprise SaaS products to market in various industries sheds some light on ‘userization’. Enlightening comparisons are drawn between personalisation, customisation and userization. He also talks about digital adoption platforms and how they can be best used in the ‘Product Marketing’ department.
Arpita Haran talks about technology innovation and how her team of HRs has adapted to DAP. Along with that, she also explains her personal digital adoption story. She speaks with immense experience when she discusses how DAP has helped her ease out onboarding journeys of new folks, managing employee performances and conducting career conversations with her colleagues.
Nabras Mohammed, a BD lead at Whatfix gives our listeners a sales expert’s point of view on the many ways in which digital adoption has enhanced his productivity. DAP has helped him get ahead of his competitors and not miss out on any opportunities. He talks about the importance of prospecting tools and competitor tools in the sales function.
We delve deeper into the concept of Userization, where userization is about making software applications more human friendly. Software applications have come a long way, but users still need help to use them effectively. The goal of userization is to make software applications work for every user, the way they need it.
By introducing the "DAP UPSKILL" mini-series, we aim to provide our audience with a comprehensive and insightful learning journey, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape confidently and embrace digital adoption to its fullest potential.
Thank you for listening "The Digital Adoption Show." We hope you found this episode and the entire series informative and engaging. Stay tuned for more exciting content as we continue to explore the future of work in the digital era. Your support and viewership are greatly appreciated! Keep learning, keep growing, and stay digitally empowered. Thank you, and see you in the next episode!
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: The Intersection Of Skill-Based Organizations And Technology, with Ben Cowan
00:38:59
In this podcast episode, host Nick Roetter, a Strategic Account Director at Whatfix, discusses the concept of a skills-based organization and the role of technology adoption in its success. He is joined by Ben Cowan, the Director of Skills Strategy at Degreed, a leading learning experience platform specializing in skills development and talent management.
A skills-based organization focuses on skills as the primary criteria for hiring, development, mobility, compensation, and promotion. This approach allows better utilization of employees' abilities and offers flexible workforce planning.
Adopting a skills-based approach benefits the learning space by enabling more targeted and cost-effective learning, leading to better onboarding experiences and addressing the lack of growth for employees.
Documenting employees' skills helps uncover hidden talents and experts within the organization, leading to informed decisions about training and development.
To get started with a skill-based approach, organizations should prioritize specific use cases that align with their needs and capabilities. Addressing skill gaps and emphasizing the benefits of new technology are essential for smooth implementation.
Various software applications optimized for driving a skills-based approach through digital adoption include learning management systems, talent systems, career pathing tools, and skills intelligence platforms.
Digital adoption has made a significant impact in various industries, such as contact tracing during COVID-19 and improved communication in healthcare settings.
Balancing technical skills with power skills, like critical thinking and leadership, is crucial for driving internal mobility within organizations.
Organizations should start implementing digital adoption technology incrementally without waiting for perfection to stay ahead in the ever-evolving business landscape. Being agile and taking action is more effective than waiting for a comprehensive solution.
5 Innovative Strategies for Empowering Employee Training and Development
00:36:28
The podcast episode features Charles Jennings, a renowned figure in learning and development (L&D), discussing crucial shifts from a learning-centered approach to one focused on performance and Claire Doody, a seasoned professional in learning and development (L&D) and founder of Work in Motion. Jennings emphasizes the separation between learning and working, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding training versus actual learning within job tasks. Charles challenges the conventional understanding that formal learning environments alone facilitate expertise, emphasizing that true mastery arises from experience, practice, reflection, and problem-solving during work. Claire highlighted a prevalent issue in L&D: the misconception that training alone can solve complex organizational challenges.
Jennings contrasts "learning from working" with the traditional "learning to work" model, stressing that most impactful learning occurs during task completion rather than in structured educational settings. He elucidates this with examples from everyday experiences, childhood endeavors like riding a bicycle, or professional challenges in team projects. Jennings also draws parallels from elite sports, emphasizing the significance of learning by doing, stating that experts are crafted through extensive practice and learning from exemplary performers.
Moreover, he outlines a new model, 702010, advocating a shift in L&D's approach. He illustrates this transformation with a case study involving Hilti, a construction company, where they addressed high turnover rates among sales managers. The emphasis shifted from mere competency-based training to a performance-centric approach, reducing the time for new sales managers to become productive from 18 months to 3-6 months. Jennings highlights the need for L&D to move beyond traditional learning paradigms and focus on supporting employees during their actual work, enabling performance rather than just learning.
Then, Jennings calls for a profound shift in mindset within L&D, urging professionals to transition from being mere order takers to becoming performance enablers and value creators within organizations.
The conversation continued with Charles discussing the transformation of learning methods into performance metrics focused on business outputs. He emphasized the need to align learning metrics with senior business leaders' concerns, such as customer satisfaction, problem resolution rates, and sales pipeline strength. He stressed that learning metrics should not be the endpoint but should be tied to broader business outcomes.
The discussion then shifted to Claire Doody, a seasoned professional in learning and development (L&D) and founder of Work in Motion. Claire highlighted a prevalent issue in L&D: the misconception that training alone can solve complex organizational challenges. She emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach, considering factors beyond training, like technology, flawed processes, leadership behavior, and cultural aspects.
In the post-COVID era, Claire stressed the role of technology in humanizing learning experiences. She acknowledged that well-designed tech-enabled learning can enhance inclusivity, sustainability, and flexibility, citing examples where technology bridged gaps in organizational adoption, urging the need for effective facilitation in virtual spaces.
Claire shared insights on creating impactful L&D strategies, stressing the importance of understanding the business, focusing ruthlessly on key objectives, and expanding thinking beyond learning-only solutions. She underlined that L&D should act as a performance consultant rather than solely relying on training interventions.
Addressing ROI measurement in creating great workspaces, Claire emphasized the complexity of measuring everything, highlighting alternative indicators like hiring data, attrition rates, employee tenure after development courses, trends in role-specific attrition, sentiment surveys, and manager expectations as essential data sources to gauge workplace effectiveness.
5 Secrets to Elevate Your L&D Programs: How to Deliver Exceptional Learner Experiences
00:12:24
We're excited to announce the launch of season 3 of The Digital Adoption Show Podcast by Whatfix! This season, experience the world of organizational change with some of the leading minds from learning and development, HR, Change Management, Digital Transformation and much more.
In this episode, we will be sharing 5 secrets to elevate your L&D programs and deliver exceptional learner experiences. We will share proven strategies and best practices for creating meaningful and impactful learning experiences for your learners.
Additionally, we will discuss the importance of measuring the success of your L&D programs and the role of technology in enhancing the learning experience.
Stay tuned for more such valuable insights and innovative hacks around L&D and subscribe to The Digital Adoption Show Podcast by Whatfix.
Can skill-based development lead to organizational success? A guide to 4 proven hacks with Antoine Brossard
00:36:03
1. Antoine’s take on skill-based development
Antoine Brossard explains that skill-based development is a talent management approach that focuses on developing employees' skills, rather than their job titles.
This approach breaks down traditional job descriptions into specific skills, which can then be used to match employees with the right opportunities.
Skill-based development can help organizations stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing world, by ensuring that their employees have the skills they need to succeed.
2. Organizations’ belief in the concept of skill-based development
The level of commitment to skill-based development varies from organization to organization, Antoine explained. Some organizations are fully committed to the concept, while others are still in the early stages of implementation. However, the trend is toward greater adoption of skill-based development, as organizations recognize the benefits it can offer.
Overall, skill-based development is a valuable talent management approach that can help organizations to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing world.
However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved in implementing skill-based development and to have a clear plan in place to address them.
3. Examples of industries where skill-based development is being used
Skill-based development is applicable to all industries. In fact, it is becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing world. As jobs become more complex and technology changes, employees need to be able to adapt and learn new skills.
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and treatments being developed all the time. Skill-based development can help healthcare organizations ensure that their employees have the skills they need to provide the best possible care to their patients.
The manufacturing industry is also undergoing a major transformation, with automation and robotics becoming increasingly common. Skill-based development can help manufacturing organizations retrain their employees for new roles and to stay ahead of the competition.
The technology industry is constantly changing, with new products and services being launched all the time. Skill-based development can help technology organizations to attract and retain top talent, and to ensure that their employees have the skills they need to develop new products and services.
4. Challenges of implementing skill-based development
There are a few challenges that organizations may face when implementing skill-based development. These include:
Defining the skills: The first challenge is to define the skills that are needed for each role. This can be a complex task, as it requires an understanding of the current and future needs of the organization.
Assessing employee skills: Once the skills have been defined, the next challenge is to assess the skills of each employee. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as interviews, tests, and performance reviews.
Developing training programs: Once the skills of each employee have been assessed, the next challenge is to develop training programs to help employees develop the skills they need. These programs can be delivered in a variety of ways, such as in-person training, online training, and on-the-job training.
Changing the culture: One of the biggest challenges of implementing skill-based development is changing the culture of the organization. This requires a shift from a focus on job titles to a focus on skills. Employees need to be encouraged to take on new challenges and to learn new skills.
5. Four principles for implementing skill-based development:
Talk about skills, not roles: In every single conversation, in every single document, in every single process of technology, as much as possible, talk about skills. Not roles, and not only talk about it but use skills at key decision-making moments.
Embed skills in all the processes: In learning and development, in leadership development, in rewards mechanisms, and of course performance management solutions.
Ensure shared accountability across the organization: If you have a workforce or a leadership team who thinks that skill-based transformation is an HR thing or deliverable, something else is needed. It requires very good advocacy, but also capability.
Start gathering dynamic skills information: Use a good enough list of skills, which is helping you right now, and then revise it over time because of technology and AI.
6. AI’s Role in skill-based development
AI has the potential to play a significant role in skill-based development. By automating some of the tasks involved in skill development, AI can help to make it more efficient and effective. This can lead to improved career opportunities, job performance, and job satisfaction for employees.
Identifying skills: AI can be used to identify the skills that are needed for different jobs. This information can be used to help employees develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
Providing training: AI can be used to provide training on the skills that employees need. This training can be delivered in a variety of formats, including online courses, video tutorials, and simulations.
Assessment: AI can be used to assess employees' skills. This information can be used to help employees identify areas where they need to improve and to track their progress over time.
Recommendations: AI can be used to recommend training and development opportunities to employees. This information can help employees make informed decisions about how to develop their skills.
7. Benefits of skill-based development for employees
Skill-based development can provide a number of benefits for employees, including:
Increased career opportunities: Skill-based development can help employees develop the skills they need to advance their careers. This can lead to new job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater job satisfaction.
Improved job performance: Employees who are skilled in the tasks required for their jobs are more likely to perform their jobs well. This can lead to increased productivity, improved customer service, and reduced errors.
Increased job satisfaction: Employees who are able to develop their skills and grow in their careers are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. This can lead to increased motivation, decreased turnover, and a more positive work environment.
Moving from the Learning Paradigm to the Performance Paradigm: Challenges and Opportunities with Charles Jennings
00:31:57
Charles Jennings is the Managing director at Duntroon Consultants and, he has worked as Chief Learning Officer at Reuters and Thomson Reuters. He was responsible for developing and implementing learning and performance strategies for 55,000 employees across the globe. Charles has led learning and performance improvement projects for multinational corporations, government agencies, not-for-profits and many other organisations.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Shubham Bagdia, Enterprise Sales Manager, EMEA, Whatfix and Charles Jennings. They discuss. the topic - is 'The Learning Paradigm to the Performance Paradigm: Challenges and Opportunities.'
2:39 - What are your opinion on 'learning while doing and the fundamental differences between training and learning?
The vast majority of learning occurs as part of working. We need to take into account the fact that we learn essentially by doing
Learning is a product of experience, and learning can only take place if we attempt to solve a problem. Formal training is not enough, the learning that matters happens as part of the work
19:03 - What is the best way to transform learning methods into performance metrics that focus on the inputs and outputs of a business?
It's almost impossible to demonstrate business value by using learning metrics, Most often it would be things like, are our customers satisfied, or our first-time resolution of problems. Also, other business challenges, like our sales pipeline aren't strong enough, our delivery, our execution isn't fast enough, it could be a whole range of things
The key role of l&d is to have a business impact and to make sure that our businesses can survive and thrive. Because if we don't do that, we can spend our lives helping people develop their careers, but their careers are not going to stay in our organisation, they are soon going to be somewhere else, in some other organization
26:17- What does the digital learning experience involve? Why should learning professionals be aware of it?
If we can create opportunities for work, and new challenging experiences, and then follow up with opportunities for conversation and reflection, it will create connected learning experiences. We need to weave learning into the critical things we need to do
The need to focus on changes in the current learning methodologies, how are we able to create targeted business enablers there, and what value addition we are able to create over there
From Traditional to Digital: How DAP is Reshaping the Manufacturing Industry with Mario Lenz
00:29:45
In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show Podcast, the host, Prerna Bhatt works for Whatfix sales in the EMEA region and introduces the special guest, Dr. Mario Lenz, the Chief Product Officer at Hygraph. They discuss their passion for B2B product adoption and dive into the main topic, "From Traditional to Digital: How DAP is Reshaping the Manufacturing Industry."
Mario explains the challenges manufacturers face when transitioning from legacy systems to digital platforms. He highlights three key challenges: the workforce's lack of tech-savviness, resistance to change, and the harsh working environments in manufacturing. Mario emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific needs of blue-collar workers and tailoring digital solutions accordingly.
The conversation shifts to the impact of digital adoption platforms (DAPs) on efficiency and productivity. Mario suggests that DAPs may not directly impact productivity but can indirectly improve it by enhancing workplace safety, compliance, and reducing incidents.
He emphasizes that DAPs can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on traditional training methods, leading to faster time-to-value for new tools and increased productivity.
The discussion then delves into specific examples of how Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) have facilitated smoother transitions, highlighting the need for digital onboarding and automation. Mario discusses the challenges of traditional training methods, where pen-and-paper processes and classroom-style training were the norm.
He provides an example of a large manufacturing company like Siemens, where legal obligations necessitate training for employees. DAPs simplify this process by automating sign-ups, tracking attendance, and streamlining the training process.The key benefit lies in making onboarding and adoption easy for users, especially for blue-collar workers.
Mario also emphasizes the importance of DAPs in the context of "product-led growth," where software adoption drives business success. He mentions how DAPs can enhance user experience, making it easier for users to achieve their first successful outcomes and eventually become advocates for the product.
The conversation further explores the interconnectedness of businesses, such as supply chains, and how DAPs can foster collaboration among various stakeholders. Mario cites examples of manufacturing and construction industries where different contractors and suppliers need to use the same tools. DAPs simplify the onboarding process, ensuring that everyone can collaborate efficiently.
Mario concludes with two personal insights for success: "love it, change it, or leave it," emphasizing the importance of enjoying one's work and taking proactive steps to effect change when necessary. He also advises aspiring professionals to "do the job before you have the title," suggesting that taking initiative and contributing to the organization's success can lead to career advancement.
The conversation offers valuable insights into the role of DAPs in streamlining processes, improving collaboration, and driving success across various industries while providing personal career advice from Mario's wealth of experience.Overall, the conversation provides insights into the challenges faced by the manufacturing industry in adopting digital solutions and highlights the potential benefits of DAPs in streamlining the transition and enhancing efficiency.
Creating a bridge between the future of work and the future of ways with Emily Sheetz
00:50:06
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Global Head of Growth and Field Marketing, Whatfix and Emily Sheetz on Creating a bridge between work and the future of ways.
12:31 -How do you tackle the friction between people from diverse backgrounds to utilise technology in work?
Most of our time is spent on a new hire and ensuring that the people are getting on board and understanding the business. We also spend a lot of time making sure that all of our learning materials are up to standard and that the new hire really gets prepared
You've got people from different speciality areas trying to upskill and develop themselves. You've really just been forced into dealing with this and you can't be technically not savvy anymore. You have to have some willingness to engage with technology to get your work done and stay a good employee and stay connected with your team
36:27 -What do you think would be the future of L&D? What does it look like?
Every company is a technology company, whether you're in health insurance, medicine, or any number of industries, you are actually in the technology industry, because technology is everywhere, and it is everything
The pandemic has really proven that, if you're not able to get down with technology, you are at a severe handicap, and become super obsessed with targeted learning
People are working at a job, and they're not in school. You should learn enough about the people, and deliver learning to them that is relevant and meaningful at the moment of their need
43:38 -How do we provide contextual help to a person so that they can upskill consistently?
Digital Adoption technology is so strong in learning principles. The Digital Adoption platform is a virtual assistant next to you who can walk you through a technology or a software application
It is so extraordinary and practical and also solves so many issues that people have with using new software and the business challenges associated with it
For Instance, I would have loved to have somebody sit next to me, the first time I got the iPhone, and I didn't even know how to make a call, I would have loved embedded help, where I could say, hey how do I make the call, ask the dumb questions to this technology
Learning is No Longer Vital, Whereas Intellectual Mastery is the New Norm with Kristen Wright & Myra Travin
00:37:32
People often talk about the change in work trends since Covid-19 floated, and how we all are preparing ourselves to deal with post-pandemic conditions. Don't you think that this has opened up our eyes for the future of work or it has already arrived?
Whatfix's EMEA Partner Partnership Director Paul Toffis hosts today's episode along with the powerpack ladies from Guidehouse, Myra Travin, and Kristen Wright who believe that learning is no longer important while intellectual mastery is the new normal.
Listed below is a brief description of our guests.
Myra Travin is a Managing Consultant at Guidehouse in a Specialist designation as an Educational Program Manager and Learning Solutions Designer with more than two decades of experience in implementing programs in global IT, Leadership, Change Management, and Performance Management/Learning Metrics.
Whereas Kristen Wright is a Change Management Director at Guidehouse with a Ph.D. in English and over ten years of communications, change management, program management, and leadership experience.
To Unfold the organizational Intellectual Mastery and how they crack it, check out the episode.
The Secret to Building a Strong L&D Culture and Community with David James
00:38:56
“Let’s quit pretending that our clients just don’t understand e-learning or that they lack time to learn.” David James.
David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning. With over 20 years of experience in people development, with experience as the Director of Talent, Learning, and Organisational Development for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features David James and Gokul Suresh, Head of Growth and Field Marketing at Whatfix, about The Secret to Building a Strong L&D Culture and Community.
08:19 -What do learning and training mean in your previous organizations?
In conjunction with Disney, we ran a conference called Welcome to Disney, a day of presentations. The focus is not to explain everything that is happening within the organization but to paint a picture of what is going on and to let you know that it is an exciting time to join the company
The goal was to make people feel that this was the right company for them, which in the earliest stages is all about engendering a sense of loyalty, but it is also the bedrock of engagement to ensure that people feel satisfied with their decision
We had a mentoring programme, and we conducted a learning conference each year focused primarily on bringing ideas from outside Disney at the time
18:34 -How is L&D structured in a remote learning setup?
When it comes to remote learning, the learning and development teams at all levels within the organization were deluded into believing that the online content would solve problems
The biggest problem that learning and development professionals have with online learning platforms or remote learning solutions is most people do not use them. The reason is not that they lack knowledge of how to learn online, nor do they lack time
The primary reason is people are aware that generic content can't deliver value, so there is no point in attempting to do so. We might focus on solving the problem rather than delivering a lot of content. Make sure it’s more engaging, which people want to consume it
Are AI Avatars the Future of Learning and Development?
00:32:29
Learning and development (L&D) professionals are constantly seeking innovative ways to improve the learning experience for employees. In this podcast episode, we explore the exciting potential of AI avatars with host Neha Smriti and Kevin Alster, head of Synthesia Academy. Neha, Growth Marketing Manager at Whatfix, with a passion for exploring new technologies, guides the conversation as Kevin, an expert in AI avatars, sheds light on their capabilities and impact on the L&D landscape.
Key takeaways:
AI avatars can revolutionize L&D by creating cost-effective and multilingual learning materials. This episode dives into how AI avatars can be leveraged to generate talking-head videos for training purposes, significantly reducing production time and costs compared to traditional methods. Notably, AI avatars can translate these videos into various languages, making them ideal for global organizations with diverse audiences.
From webcam footage to studio recordings, customizing your AI avatar is easier than ever. We explore the two primary methods for creating a customized AI avatar. Using readily available phone camera footage offers a convenient option, while studio recordings provide more customization possibilities, such as altering the background environment.
AI avatar technology is on a fast track to becoming even more realistic and expressive. While still under development, AI avatar technology is rapidly improving. The episode discusses how avatars are becoming increasingly lifelike in their movements and capable of conveying a wider range of emotions.
Real-world examples showcase the versatility of AI avatars in L&D. The podcast features compelling examples of how companies are utilizing AI avatars to create interactive training courses, asynchronous learning materials, and bite-sized employee communication videos.
The future of L&D lies in a collaborative approach between AI avatars and human instructors. The episode emphasizes that AI avatars are best employed as complementary tools, not replacements for human instructors. By combining AI avatars for information delivery with human-led discussions and activities, L&D professionals can create personalized and engaging learning experiences that cater to individual needs.
Conclusion
AI avatars are poised to significantly transform the L&D landscape. By embracing this innovative technology and strategically integrating it with the expertise of human instructors, organizations can unlock a world of possibilities for creating impactful and successful learning and development programs.
How to use Emerging Technologies to Enhance Traditional Approaches to L&D with Mark Nemeth
00:34:59
Mark Nemeth Director, Leadership Development & Learning at Insulet Corporation, shares his first thoughts on the mention of Digital Adoption and Digital Transformation, he interestingly quoted, "If I had more time, I'd write you a shorter letter."
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Global Head of Growth and Field Marketing at Whatfix and Mark Nemeth on How to use Emerging Technologies to Enhance Traditional Approaches to L&D.
11:02 - What works over different learning methodologies? Are there any other methods you vouch for?
We have an R&D lab within learning and development, where we are testing out new learning modalities, to see if they work with this corporate population that is very diverse. It's really important not only to offer diverse learning modalities but also to blend them into the offerings that you have
If learners prefer to consume information socially, let them have that connection and provide them with the ability to bounce ideas off of other people in the room. There's a lot of content management and knowledge management, as an L&D professional it's your responsibility to make sure that the right kind of concepts is at those levels and proceed with the newer ones
In a world where it doesn't matter where you physically are, as long as you can connect to your brain, there are some things that are just good to see physically in front of you. For Instance, when we talk about creating a vision and a mission or a purpose statement for your team, we use the analogy of a mountain and climbing a mountain
19:53 - Why does that organization prefer traditional learning methods when there are so many other options? Why is that mindset so hard to change?
You get muscle memory and you get used to delivering information and facilitating conversations in a certain way we all do. Being in front of a room and facilitating conversation in person, there's so much data you get, just by seeing people's body language and their responses to different concepts, but it's really hard in the digital space
We have been masters at old learning modalities and now we have an opportunity to get more comfortable with new-age digital learning modalities. The more you lean into new learning modalities, the more they actually disappear and, if you close the distance, you get actually a closer, more intimate, more powerful and inspiring connection with the people you are trying to train than if you just stay with one modality or one style, regardless of how used to it you are
Everyone has the support of their companies to try new things. When you try it, you will discover a whole section of your population that gets unlocked, and you can see better engagement all of a sudden than you had before
The Future of Learning: Trends, Tools, and Techniques for Learning & Development with Marco Dondi, Ross Stevenson and Simon Gibson.
00:15:15
Here are the top trends, tools and techniques for L&D programs shared by the Top L&D Leaders:
Marco Dondi is the Future of Work Expert, and Associate Partner, at McKinsey & Company. He is the Author of ‘Outgrowing Capitalism’- Strategy consultant in economics, banking, labour and education.
Ross Stevenson is Head Of Learning at Trainline and Founder of Steal These Thoughts!
Simon Gibson is the Group Head of Learning & Development at Marks and Spencer. He is a modern, international, adaptable and experienced Executive level People Leader/Chief Learning Officer.
We hope you found the information helpful and we look forward to having you join us for our next episode. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Podcast Channel. Happy Podcasting….
Innovating Personalized Learning: Technology Integration, Real-Time Insights, and Actionable Strategies for Skill Development
00:20:58
In this special episode of "The Digital Adoption Show" we gather four distinguished speakers to explore the multifaceted world of personalized learning. The discussion delves into aligning individual employee goals with organizational objectives, leveraging new technologies, identifying real-time learning opportunities, and translating insights into actionable improvements. Here’s a summary of the insights shared by our experts:
Question 1: Ensuring Personalized Learning Aligns with Organizational Goals
Carrie's Insights: Carrie highlights the necessity of understanding employees' strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and aspirations to align personal goals with organizational objectives. She emphasizes the importance of reflecting on these aspects and connecting personal contributions to the company's broader goals, particularly in the context of technology and AI.
Jessica's Thoughts: Jessica agrees with Carrie and adds that a clear organizational mission aids L&D teams in creating relevant learning experiences. She stresses the importance of consistent messaging across the organization and integrating corporate themes into talent management to foster a cohesive and goal-oriented environment.
Question 2: The Role of Technology in Personalized Learning
Carrie's Perspective: Carrie discusses the challenges of keeping up with rapidly evolving technology and the importance of personalization and efficiency. She shares examples from Teladoc, such as using technology to drive effective meetings and leveraging AI to enhance productivity. Carrie emphasizes balancing technological advancements with maintaining personal connections and cognitive engagement.
Jessica's Approach: Jessica highlights technology's potential to support multimodal learning, catering to different learning preferences. She advocates for integrating live training, podcasts, e-learning, and other formats to create a holistic learning environment. Jessica envisions a future where technology can track and measure learning outcomes across various modalities, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and behavior change.
Fran's Strategy: Fran focuses on consulting with employees to identify problems before proposing solutions. She emphasizes understanding current challenges and desired outcomes to create meaningful learning experiences. Fran shares her experience of rolling out a platform across schools by first addressing each institution's unique issues.
Andrew's View: Andrew stresses the need for integrating learning within the business rather than merely aligning with it. He highlights the importance of focusing on performance outcomes and creating a conducive environment for learning. Andrew advocates for a mindset shift in L&D to prioritize solving real problems and using data effectively to measure performance improvements.
Question 4: Translating Insights into Actionable Improvements
Andrew's Method: Andrew introduces the three A's framework: Awareness, Acquisition, and Application. He explains that L&D should focus on raising awareness, providing necessary knowledge, and offering opportunities for practice. By addressing these elements, organizations can ensure that learning is relevant and timely.
Fran's Addition: Fran agrees with Andrew and adds that organizations should focus on solving people problems and improving systems. She emphasizes the importance of identifying core issues through continuous questioning and ensuring that solutions address the root causes.
In this comprehensive episode, our speakers provide valuable insights on how to innovate personalized learning by integrating technology, identifying real-time learning opportunities, and implementing actionable strategies for skill development, ensuring both individual and organizational success.
Hybrid Teams: Are they Doomed or Destined for Success? 6 Proven Strategies HR Leaders Can Use
00:25:52
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Mayank Arora engages in a conversation with Sally Loftis, a distinguished human resources consultant specializing in organizational development and social justice. Sally, with her extensive experience and education, leads Loftus Partners, focusing on promoting pay equity and creating inclusive workplace environments.
The dialogue begins with Mayank introducing Sally and delving into her personal interests outside of work. Sally shares her passion for parenting, reading, writing, and podcasting.
The conversation takes a lively turn with a rapid-fire segment called “triple strike,” where Sally shares her top three picks for animals to lead an organization, her choice for the main lead in a movie about her life, and her desired expertise if a genie offered to make her an expert overnight.
Transitioning to a more serious discussion, Mayank explores Sally’s journey in human resources, including the founding of her consulting firm. They then tackle the topic of hybrid work models, discussing its benefits, challenges, and the importance of strategic implementation. Sally emphasizes the need for intentional management to prevent exclusion and maintain employee engagement in hybrid setups.
Continuing the conversation, Sally discusses strategies for measuring and maintaining high performance in hybrid teams, advocating for team metrics, explicit team agreements, and fostering a culture that embraces dissent and innovation. Exploring the importance of company culture, she underscores the need for alignment between stated values, observed behaviors, and underlying assumptions.
Moving on to leadership in hybrid teams, Sally discusses the shift towards facilitative leadership, stressing the importance of building individual relationships, establishing team agreements, and conducting regular retrospective meetings to foster team improvement.
As the conversation concludes, Sally offers three effective strategies for leading successful hybrid teams: building individual relationships, establishing team agreements, and conducting regular retrospective meetings.
People Analytics and Traditional HR Practices - Bridging the Gap with Ian Cook
00:33:51
Ian Cook, vice president, of research and strategy at Visier Inc. has Broad experience in driving organizational growth working both as an external consultant and through internal leadership roles.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Kevin McArdle, Director, of Enterprise Sales at Whatfix and Ian Cook on People Analytics and Traditional HR Practices – Bridging the Gap.
4:09 Why companies are separating people management from task management? And what role is that playing today?
Driven by pressures, we're seeing organizations trying to rethink the role of a manager, It spans a bunch of different activities, and trying to put all of that onto one person, mostly in the software industry where people follow the agile methodology, organisations are switching to this approach where an individual runs the project or the daily flow of work
And, the conversations around the relationship with the business, the compensation, Development, Opportunities, growth, durations, mentoring and the whole relationship element are handled by a different manager. Mostly, in cases where people are moving around a lot from project to project to task to task
Businesses need to start thinking that way, management shouldn't be the only path to earning more money, but management skills should be valued for what they are. And recognising that, management is not doing more of what you're good at, it's doing something completely different
21:00 How can companies get better at gaining insights from what the employees are trying to tell them? And how does digital play a role in increasing the level of engagement?
We're in this wave three around the employee listening space, where some of our partner technologies do mass surveys, and they have an app where, after an experience, you can give it a star rating. After an experience, you can talk to your phone, they'll record that on a camera, they'll break that down into positive or negative sentiments, and they'll send that to the manager it belongs to
With Digital learning, we don't have to have somebody push a button to send the survey, it can be triggered by an event. And you can have the technology process the answers, and give them to the people who need to understand them. So you're starting to be able to listen a lot more effectively and at a higher frequency
An employer is not responsible for employee engagement, the employer can create the conditions through which you engage yourself. Now with some of the technologies that are available is this notion of aligning skills with tasks. A set of tasks can be offered and fulfilled by people with different skills, you can up somebody's engagement by giving them the choice to opt into new things to do. For me, if there's a way to make that more accessible to more people, without disrupting the business, that's one of the ways to help lift that connection to work for people
31:29 What areas of opportunity would be considered low-hanging fruit?
The first step is to understand how people's data can be used to assist managers. This hasn't been a traditional practice. Over the last 10-15 years, a crew of people has built it up
By educating yourself about what's possible, you'll be able to go far beyond what people think is possible. Here is how the experience level of your team has changed over the past quarter based on simple things as regular information feeds to managers
Global Learning Strategies: Balancing Consistency, Personalization, and ROI in L&D
00:30:22
In this engaging episode of The Digital Adoption Show, host Rachita Mehrishi, Product Marketing Manager at Whatfix, speaks with Andrew James Viglione, Director of Global Commercial Learning and Development at Gilead Sciences. Andrew, with over 13 years of experience across MedTech, pharmaceuticals, and sales, shares his insights on designing global learning strategies, managing regional customization, and using data to drive ROI in learning programs.
Key Discussion Points:
Global Learning Strategies: Andrew emphasizes the importance of balancing global consistency with regional flexibility in learning strategies. He shares how Gilead Sciences approaches global learning by focusing on core competencies that can be standardized globally, while allowing regional affiliates to tailor content based on local market needs.
Competence, Confidence, and Competitiveness Framework: A core takeaway from Andrew’s approach is how Gilead uses the three pillars—competence, confidence, and competitiveness—to shape its global learning programs. By operationalizing competence at the global level and giving regional teams ownership of confidence and competitiveness, Gilead ensures that learning initiatives meet both global and local objectives.
Challenges in L&D for Global Teams: Andrew discusses the challenges of managing learning across different regions, particularly in highly regulated industries like pharma and MedTech. He highlights the complexities of copy approval processes, regulatory requirements, and how L&D teams must navigate these while ensuring that learning materials are timely and relevant for local markets.
Data-Driven Learning Outcomes: Andrew outlines how data plays a crucial role in improving learning effectiveness and demonstrating ROI. Using the Kirkpatrick model, Gilead tracks various metrics, from completion rates to correlations between learning engagement and business outcomes. Andrew stresses the importance of not only collecting data but also using it to tell compelling stories to senior leadership about the impact of learning programs.
Regional Customization in Learning: One of the biggest challenges Andrew touches on is ensuring that learning content is relevant and adaptable for different regions while maintaining global consistency. He explains how Gilead navigates this by creating modular content that can be easily customized by regional affiliates without duplicating efforts, thus speeding up deployment and maintaining quality.
Importance of L&D in Business Strategy: Andrew underscores how integral learning and development is to broader business goals. He shares how Gilead’s L&D strategies directly contribute to enhancing employees’ capabilities and, ultimately, the company’s competitiveness in the marketplace. He emphasizes that L&D teams should focus on outcomes that align with business priorities and help demonstrate the value of training to organizational leadership.
Conclusion: Andrew wraps up the discussion by advising L&D professionals to focus on what they can control and empower regional teams to drive local learning needs. He highlights the importance of creating a sustainable, data-driven L&D strategy that supports global business objectives while allowing for regional flexibility. By leveraging competence at the global level and letting regional teams drive confidence and competitiveness, organizations can deliver impactful learning experiences that benefit both the learners and the business.
Tune in to hear more insights from Andrew on navigating the complexities of global L&D in a dynamic industry, only on The Digital Adoption Show.
Product Mindset in L&D: Creating Learning Experiences that Deliver Results
00:30:48
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Antara Dutta dives deep into the transformative power of adopting a product mindset in Learning and Development (L&D) with Greg Arthur, the founder of Two Circles Design Studio. With a rich career background spanning industries from oil and gas to pharmaceuticals, Greg shares his insights on how a product design approach can revolutionize the way learning experiences are crafted, moving beyond traditional methods to create truly impactful and personalized solutions.
Adopting a Product Mindset in L&D: Greg emphasizes the importance of shifting from traditional L&D approaches to a product design mindset, where the focus is on solving real problems and creating impactful, personalized learning experiences rather than relying on off-the-shelf solutions.
Experience Design Logbook: Greg introduces his six-stage "Experience Design Logbook" process, which combines existing methodologies with his own experiences. This process ensures thorough analysis and stakeholder alignment in the initial stages, leading to a more efficient design and implementation phase.
Personalization Over Standardization: The episode highlights a case study where a custom, personalized digital learning solution significantly outperformed a traditional classroom-based approach. The success was attributed to tailoring the learning experience to individual needs, making it more engaging and effective.
Adapting to Industry-Specific Challenges: Greg discusses the challenges of working in highly regulated industries, like airlines, and how his design process adapts to meet these specific demands. The key is balancing regulatory requirements with a focus on the learner’s experience.
Balancing Business Needs and Learner Focus: A core principle in Greg’s approach is aligning the needs of the business with the needs of the learners. This involves careful consideration of trade-offs to ensure that the learning solution benefits all stakeholders, from the business to the end-users.
Avoiding Dead-End Learning: Greg warns against "dead-end learning" programs that fail to produce lasting change or meaningful results. He advocates for a thorough understanding of the problem before designing solutions, ensuring that the final product effectively addresses the root cause and desired outcomes.
Importance of Stakeholder Analysis: Greg highlights the need for careful stakeholder analysis in the L&D process. It’s crucial to identify the right stakeholders, understand their value to the project, and ensure that their involvement aligns with the project’s goals.
Human-Centered Design: Throughout the discussion, Greg reiterates the importance of keeping the human element at the center of any learning design process. By focusing on the end-user’s needs and experiences, L&D professionals can create more meaningful and effective learning solutions.
This episode is a must-listen for L&D professionals looking to innovate and create learning experiences that not only meet business objectives but also resonate with and empower learners. Greg's insights provide a fresh perspective on the intersection of product design and learning, offering practical advice on how to navigate the evolving landscape of L&D with a product-centric approach.
From Disney to Essential Workers' Tech: JD Dillon's L&D Journey
00:52:22
In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show, your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and innovative strategies in today's dynamic work environment, we are thrilled to feature JD Dillon, Chief Learning Officer at Axonify and founder of LearnGeek. Our host, Nisha Singh, Sales Development Manager at Whatfix, navigates through a fascinating conversation that explores the nuances of the frontline workforce and effective strategies for their learning and development.
JD Dillon's career path is as exciting as a Disney rollercoaster. From managing movie theaters at AMC to overseeing learning and development at Disney, JD has carved a niche in creating impactful L&D programs. Today, at Axonify, JD continues to innovate, helping frontline employees excel and sharing his expertise through his book, "The Modern Learning Ecosystem."
The episode covers a wide array of topics, including:
JD’s Career Journey: From managing movie theaters at AMC to leading L&D programs at Disney. JD shares his unique career path and the transitions that led him to his current role.
Passion for Musical Theater: How musical theater influences JD’s approach to learning and development. JD discusses his love for musical theater and how it shapes his professional outlook.
Transition to L&D: Key moments and insights from JD’s shift from operations to L&D. Learn about JD’s pivotal transition and how he leveraged his skills in new ways.
Founding LearnGeek: JD’s journey in creating tools for frontline employees and writing his book. JD talks about his motivation for founding LearnGeek and the insights shared in his book.
Defining Frontline Workforce: Understanding the unique needs and challenges faced by frontline workers. JD defines the frontline workforce and their specific L&D needs.
Overcoming L&D Challenges: Strategies for addressing the complexities of diverse, large-scale operations. JD offers practical solutions for common L&D challenges.
Leveraging Technology: How technology enhances learning and development for frontline workers. Explore how JD utilizes technology to improve L&D initiatives.
Impact of AI: Exploring the future of L&D with advancements in AI. JD discusses the transformative potential of AI in the L&D space.
Effective Skill Development: Personalized approaches to accommodate diverse learning styles and backgrounds. JD shares methods for effective skill development tailored to individual needs.
Retention Strategies: Practical methods for reducing turnover and retaining employees in high-churn environments. Learn JD’s strategies for improving employee retention.
Successful Examples: Case studies and lessons from organizations that are future-ready. JD provides examples of successful L&D implementations and future readiness.
Beyond the professional insights, the episode also delves into JD's personal interests, revealing his passion for musical theater and how it shapes his professional journey. Listeners are treated to a fun rapid-fire round, where JD reveals his quirky side, including his favorite movie theater snack and his preferred Disney World ride.
This episode is not just a deep dive into frontline workforce development; it's a blend of professional wisdom, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted moments that make for an engaging listen. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, education, and personal development.
Catch this enlightening conversation on the Digital Adoption Show across platforms like Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and Google. Whether you're deeply entrenched in the digital space or just beginning your journey, this episode with JD Dillon promises a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.
Bridging the Digital Adoption Gap: A Vendor-User Dialogue
00:25:29
Introduction: In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, we explore the critical role of digital adoption in driving business success. Our guest, Joe Hill Wilson, Chief Commercial Officer and Lead Solutions Architect at LearnAmp, shares invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding digital adoption. We delve into the customer perspective, the importance of customer-centric design, and the role of L&D in fostering successful adoption.
Key Takeaways:
Customer-Centric Approach: Understanding and meeting customer needs is paramount for successful digital adoption. Building strong customer relationships and incorporating their feedback into product development are essential.
L&D's Impact: Effective L&D strategies are crucial for driving employee engagement and knowledge retention. By focusing on individual motivation and career development, organizations can empower their workforce to embrace digital tools.
Overcoming Implementation Challenges: Successful digital adoption requires careful planning and execution. Addressing common pitfalls and implementing effective strategies can ensure a smooth transition.
The Power of Contextual Learning: Providing relevant and timely information is key to motivating learners. By creating a contextual learning environment, organizations can enhance knowledge retention and application.
Conclusion: The episode underscores the importance of a holistic approach to digital adoption. By combining customer-centric design, effective L&D strategies, and a focus on user experience, organizations can bridge the gap between technology and human behavior. Wilson's expertise provides valuable guidance for businesses seeking to maximize the return on their digital investments.
Right balance of technology for Organizational Learning Development with Simon Gibson
00:40:15
Simon Gibson is the Group Head of Learning & Development at Marks and Spencer. He is a modern, international, adaptable and experienced Executive level People Leader/Chief Learning Officer.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Global Head of Growth and Field Marketing at Whatfix and Simon Gibson on “The Right Balance of Technology for Organizational Learning Development.
Quick Takeaways:
Recognize how enterprise application adoption and learning can enhance an organization’s digital adoption and literacy
The most effective means for L&D experts to offer instruction remotely
Making the best technological decision for your company can be challenging
19:54 -How do you bridge skill gaps and the best way to deliver learning?
The pandemic has had many countries change their approach to digital literacy to their approach on how they interact with these tools, how people shop online and how they can bank online simultaneously, which then blended with the work
Microsoft gave teams away for free to make it as easy as possible for employees to communicate and interact with their fellow employees. and we try to make it as easy as possible. But do we think about the user experience?
We should focus on the user experience more important and don't make it hard for the end user. When we talk about collaboration, everybody should be able to use the tools to collaborate, have conversations, have team meetings, capture ideas, share documents, and work on things. Make it easy for the end-user to consume and that's the way you improve the digital literacy
Have you ever read the instructions about how to use an iPhone? Think about the details that they've put into how easy it is to turn on their product and how easy is to start using it. We should start focusing on taking a similar approach and then overlay that with what we're doing in an organisation or a business for a process
19:54 -How do you see the digital transformation and COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation? What's your take on that?
COVID-19 forced us to adopt technologies we didn't want to before. But predominantly around that with the traditional office work and remote work and what we thought before, it's just shone a very bright light on some things
My point is we've ignored a function which can give us a lot of flexibility to employees. People can have more flexibility and choice and we can find different people, work in different ways and It's not confined to a traditional structured time bound and I see this as a massive opportunity
25:54 -How do you mix and match different modes of training and learning? Can we have a micro-learning aspect to it?
You have to get the experience, as rich as you can and make those experiences as meaningful, and impactful as you can make them. For Instance, I want a brain surgeon, using Virtual Reality (VR) to have these first go at, working on someone's brain. It’s quite safe and can't really harm anybody in a virtual reality environment.
Finding the right blend of training and the right mix of materials will be challenging. Be that knowledge or insight or a new learning methodology. But, based on how thirsty your organisation is to remain curious and continue to look at new ways to learn or new opportunities to learn that correlate directly with what your business is doing
The focus should not be on learning something that's completely different to what your company or your role is. Because that might not be an appropriate use of your time for blending in the ideal mix and method at the right moment. But, unfortunately, that's the magical solution that everybody's trying to aim for
Leveraging DAP: A Guide for Solution Consultants Driving Digital Adoption
00:20:56
In this engaging episode of the DAP Upskill podcast, host Aryaa welcomes Nicolas Ochmann, Head of Pre-sales EMEAat Whatfix, to unravel the complexities of digital adoption platforms (DAPs) and their transformative impact on organizations. The conversation kicks off with an exploration of Nicolas's journey into the dynamic field of digital adoption, emphasizing the crucial role of individuals like him in bridging the gap between technology and end users.
Nicolas shares insights into key players in the digital adoption realm, the diverse departments driving DAP adoption, and strategies for effective customer engagement.
The conversation delves into Whatfix's adaptive strategies within the evolving digital landscape, particularly within the pre-sales team, shedding light on the challenges faced by solution consultants in garnering acceptance for new value propositions.
The dialogue expands to emphasize the significance of vertical strategies, detailing the approach of addressing specific use cases within departments and then expanding horizontally.
Nicolas provides a compelling example, highlighting the research-intensive process of understanding market changes and challenges specific to a department, such as sales. He underscores the need for efficiency and the redesigning of go-to-market strategies to adapt to changing dynamics, essentially creating a startup within a startup.
The host's curiosity leads to a discussion about the diverse requirements seen in different departments, prompting Nicolas to elaborate on the importance of researching department-specific challenges and tailoring solutions.
The conversation concludes with a key piece of advice from Nicolas for individuals contemplating entry into the digital adoption space – be open-minded and ready for change, acknowledging the dynamic nature of the field and the rewarding experience it offers in terms of learning and growth.
How can individuals and organizations take control of their learning journey with Toby Newman
00:49:18
Toby Newman, a Learning and Development Manager at Here Technologies, an Open Location Platform firm with its headquarters in the Netherlands and a captivating learning culture. He has worked in a variety of businesses and sectors throughout the course of his 15-year career in learning and development, including telecoms and retail.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Head of Growth and Field Marketing, Whatfix and Toby Newman on How can individuals and organizations take control of their learning journey.
11:36 -How are you continuing to build the learning culture, as an L&D leader?
A learning culture is where individuals set up a certain mindset and live by a certain ethos for a certain cause. An ideal learning culture is built when people held each other accountable to that mindset, it is more of a bottom-up approach in an organization where each individual holds accountability and the learning culture build over time
During the course of a learning journey, people build a growth mindset which is an insular mindset. It's all about my positivity, my self-development, and my self-awareness, whereas a learning mindset takes a growth mindset and adds sharing to it. Sharing is where you start to push the growth mindset and help the community outwards
16:07 -What's your opinion on the learning while doing methodologies? And what role curiosity plays in staying ahead of the curve?
Just-in-time training or learning means that I am doing something, for instance, in Excel, I have to stop doing what I'm doing, go off, find how to do it, and then come back and start work that's just time training. To enable just-in-time training you start to incorporate technology into your individual learning habits. Whether it be a learning experience platform, or even things like chatbots, or all those kinds of things
Digital adoption platforms help stay ahead of the curve because learning in the flow of work is more than a mindset, people can’t spend much time figuring out how to do it during the course of work. Learning while doing methodologies is the blend of technology with your mindset
34:29 -How do you think we can have more organisations think about psychological safety?
One of the troubles with the challenges with psychological safety is that you've got to give it time, you've got to start thinking about holding each other accountable. You need to empower not just the manager to work out how they think it's right to be a psychologically safe environment but also the employees and the individual contributors of that team, needs to feel to have the incentive to come forward and talk about it
Managers that understand how to really develop a team and how to get the most out of a team should be engaged in learning, because they realise that if they can develop their team, and not just get my team to develop with them, then achieving targets, KPIs comes automatically
So if we're creating a great psychologically safe environment, then everything is positive. There are no negatives to that. Unfortunately, not every manager either has the time or the inclination to do that. Because they're so focused on their targets. There is always a big push from our senior leadership on the importance of improving and self-development, developing and investing in technology to help people develop
5 Ways Digital Adoption Is Transforming The Banking Experience For The Customers with Dawn KcKendry
00:24:49
In this insightful episode of The Digital Adoption Show, host Shreya Srivastava, a Customer Success Manager at Whatfix welcomes Dawn McKendry, an IT learning manager at Ameris Bank, to discuss how digital adoption is transforming the banking experience for customers. Dawn's 13-year experience at Ameris Bank provides insights into the five-phase digital adoption process that's reshaping banking.
The conversation begins with a playful tone and Dawn shares her role, overseeing learning and development at Ameris Bank, ensuring compliance, managing the instructional design team, and collaborating with Whatfix, a digital adoption solution.
Digital adoption is spotlighted as a tool driving efficiency and customer confidence. Dawn emphasizes that the modern banking landscape requires quick adaptation to evolving technologies. With digital adoption, employees at Ameris Bank have a reliable resource to swiftly address customer needs, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust.
Dawn also underscores the competitive nature of the banking sector, where personalized services are paramount. Whatfix's change management component aids staff in navigating new products and services, enabling seamless interactions with customers and leading to quicker onboarding of new products and services, creating a seamless customer experience.
Dawn highlights various features of the digital adoption tool, including tips, workflows, and task lists, that help employees efficiently navigate processes and provide better customer support.
The conversation then delves into the role of digital adoption in bridging the gap between traditional and modern banking services. Dawn further explains that digital adoption tools like Whatfix assist customer care centers in providing effective support to customers.
Dawn's insights showcase the benefits of digital adoption in enhancing customer support and engagement, as well as improving efficiency within the banking sector. As the conversation concludes, Dawn's advice to other banks centers on managing employee workloads through digital tools and embracing the transition towards digitalization for more effective customer service.
Learn the power of doing with Neuroscience with Stella Collins
00:25:24
“Learning by doing, learning through discovery – that’s my preferred way.”- Stella Collins
Stella Collins is Co-founder and Cheif Learning Officer at Stellar Labs. She is a Learning specialist and author. She is an acknowledged expert on the practical application of science-based learning to business performance solutions and is the author of Kogan Page’s sell-out book Neuroscience for Learning and Development.
This week's Digital Adoption Show features Ajay Kumar, VP- Pre Sales at Whatfix, and Stella Collins discussing“Learn the power of doing with Neuroscience”.
04:36 -What are your thoughts on corporate L&D?
Learning and Development leaders are developing and improving their own skills as they realise that the world is changing, and training at work is nowhere near like it used to be
Also, L&D leaders do not necessarily need more qualifications. They need to be more professional about it. And that's where understanding the science of learning can add to that credibility and professionalism
We need to be much more connected to the business because gone are the days when learning and development kind of sitting in an ivory tower and could create content and just hope that people wanted it or just hope that people would choose them
08:51 -Tell us a bit about your critically acclaimed book 'Neuroscience for L&D'?
The book is a kind lot the reason that I have had this new role for two and a half years is that my co-founder discovered me by reading my book, and my book is about the science of learning. So it's heavily scientific
So the book is very practical. If neuroplasticity is the way we learn, then what does that mean for us in our jobs as L&D whether we're trainers or designers, whether we're delivering or you know, we're kind of supporting learning? What does that mean for us? So it's site very science base
But the science is explained in the simplest reasonably simple way. It's not too in-depth, but I can lead people on a journey. So they get a bit at the beginning, and then they build on it. And then it's all about so what does this mean we need to do in our real jobs of trading, whether that's trading digitally, whether it's face to face whether you're designing e-learning it's practical
10:10 -How do you see the L&D role emerging in the new corporate world?
It traditionally sits in HR because both HR and L&D have evolved to be different. But what we need to do is to have L&D emerge as very much a business partner with the business
And we should be talking to the business saying, what do you need? What do you need your people to be able to do? And how can we support you in enabling that to happen?
And that doesn't mean we necessarily need to teach your people because if they're learning Java, or they're learning some kind of cybersecurity coding, we in L&D, can't do that. But we can perhaps support the process so that those experts within the business who have the skills and the knowledge can teach the next people coming along, how can we support them to do that
For instance, technical people tend to think that their technical employees need to have all those technical skills, and they kind of forget that actually, they still need to communicate well, influence or persuade or negotiate. And here l&d plays a crucial role by supporting both sets of skills, soft skills and hard skills because they actually go together, and they fit together very well
The Future of Digital Adoption: A Product Manager's Perspective on Emerging Technologies
00:21:29
In this episode of the DAP Upskill podcast, host Arya interviews Harish Potabathula, a seasoned Lead Product Manager at Whatfix, to discuss the Future of Digital Adoption and a Product Manager’s Perspective on Emerging Technologies. Harish, with a background in consulting at IBM and experience in B2B SaaS FinTech, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of digital adoption platforms (DAP) and how they're transforming the workplace.
Harish explains that DAPs are crucial for every employee, from onboarding to mastering various applications. He highlights how DAPs facilitate learning and adaptation, especially for product managers who juggle multiple tools. He also discusses the importance of DAPs in communicating key changes and updates within an organization, ensuring that employees are informed and prepared.
The conversation then shifts to Whatfix’s cutting-edge solutions, particularly the "Whatfix Desktop" and "Whatfix Hub." Whatfix Desktop extends DAP capabilities to desktop-based native applications, while Whatfix Hub acts as a digital assistant for almost every digital interaction at work. Harish describes Whatfix Hub as a city for the workplace, providing instant access to resources, guiding through processes, and serving as a platform for IT and HR to communicate time-sensitive information.
Harish shares customer stories where Whatfix Hub has been instrumental in change management, communication, and new employee onboarding. He emphasizes the non-intrusive and familiar user experience, which has garnered positive feedback. Looking ahead to 2024, Harish reveals plans to integrate generative AI and other advancements to enhance the value of Whatfix products, aiming to make Whatfix Hub a one-stop solution for all employee needs.
The episode concludes with Harish expressing excitement for the future, emphasizing the importance of customer feedback and continuous learning in driving innovation in the digital adoption space.
Top 3 Hacks for Leveraging Employee Centric Analytics for Data-Driven Decision Making with Peter Riber and Ian Cook.
00:23:40
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, the spotlight is on harnessing employee-centric analytics for data-driven decision-making within the future of work landscape. The podcast delves into the significance and practical implementation of people analytics and learning analytics.
Peter Riber, the head of Digital Learning and Analytics at Novo Nordisk, introduces the concept of learning analytics. Learning analytics involves collecting data on individuals' training and learning behaviors, encompassing both formal and informal learning activities. The process involves gathering data from learning management systems to establish a baseline.
Peter emphasizes that the real value emerges when this learning data is combined with people data, including attributes like location, age, and gender. However, he cautions the need to differentiate between correlation and causation, highlighting the importance of testing and refining connections.
Peter outlines an effective learning analytics framework that emphasizes creating a data lake merging learning data, people data, and behavioral data. This structured approach facilitates evidence-based decision-making in learning and development initiatives, prompting collaboration with business units for data-backed insights.
Shifting focus, Ian Cook, Vice President of Research and Strategy at Visier, offers insights into employee retention and engagement through people analytics. He stresses the importance of nurturing employee loyalty by paying attention to their needs and engaging in conversations. While digital algorithms predict employee behavior, human interactions convey interest in retaining employees, often initiated through conversations about their work satisfaction and alignment with goals.
Ian delves into the evolution of employee listening processes, advocating for more frequent and focused approaches over annual engagement surveys. Technology enables swift feedback and response cycles, aligning with customer-centric practices and driving a loop of feedback and action.
He explores how digital tools enhance engagement by allowing employees to align skills with tasks, providing opportunities for growth and change without disrupting work. Ian suggests dedicating a portion of work time to activities promoting development and change.
In conclusion, both Peter and Ian emphasize the importance of leveraging people data for informed decisions. The discussions underscore the transformative potential of data-driven approaches, encouraging collaboration, strategic thinking, and technology adoption to create engaging workplaces and enhance employee satisfaction.
The L&D Professional's Guide to Building Powerful Learning Communities
00:22:33
Introduction: In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, we delve into the intricacies of community building with Deepika Vani, Senior Field Marketing Manager at Whatfix, and Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, Jane offers invaluable insights on how to leverage technology to enhance training programs. Our discussion centers on the critical aspects of building a robust learning community, along with the challenges and rewards it entails.
Key Takeaways:
Scaling a Community: Jane highlights the significance of clearly defining what aspects of your community you are scaling and why. She advises against the unrealistic goal of including everyone and suggests targeting specific segments or spaces tailored to different user groups.
User-Driven vs. Company-Driven Communities: The success of a community often hinges on the resources available. Jane points out that while a company-supported community with dedicated managers can be highly effective, relying solely on volunteers may limit success. Setting realistic expectations is crucial.
Measuring ROI of a Community: Drawing on Etienne Wenger's framework, Jane outlines key metrics for assessing community value. These include member participation, engagement levels, relationship building, and the creation and utilization of community-generated resources.
Successful communities need diverse roles: Jane emphasizes the importance of various roles within a community to ensure its smooth functioning and success. She highlights that a thriving community requires a mix of active members, leaders, content managers, communicators, caretakers, knowledge sharers, and relationship builders. These roles often overlap and can evolve based on community needs.
Advice for Growing and Engaging Communities: Jane underscores the importance of listening to community members and maintaining active participation. She stresses that community building is an ongoing process of engagement rather than a one-time effort of 'build it and they will come.'
Conclusion: Creating and sustaining a thriving learning community demands thoughtful planning, continuous engagement, and a deep understanding of member needs. By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, you can unlock the full potential of your community. Jane's expert insights offer valuable guidance for anyone aiming to build a successful and vibrant learning community.
Is Your Learning and Development Strategy Ready for 2025?
00:40:48
In this insightful episode of The Digital Adoption Show, Neha Smriti welcomes David Kelly to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of Learning & Development (L&D) and what leaders must focus on as we approach 2025.
David shares his journey into L&D, highlighting how his natural curiosity and problem-solving mindset led him to become a thought leader in the space. He emphasizes that as technology reshapes the way we work, L&D strategies must also evolve.
Key Takeaways:
The Shift in Learning: Traditional L&D models are being challenged as employees demand more flexible, real-time, and self-directed learning experiences. Organizations must adapt to these changing expectations.
AI’s Impact on L&D: AI is not just about efficiency—it’s about transformation. L&D teams should explore how AI-driven tools can enhance learning experiences rather than simply making existing processes faster.
The Rise of Super Workers: Inspired by a recent article from Josh Bersin, David discusses how employees who integrate technology seamlessly into their workflow are shaping the future. Organizations must learn from these individuals to foster adaptability and close skill gaps.
Reframing ROI in L&D: Instead of focusing solely on financial returns, L&D leaders should shift their approach to problem-solving and demonstrating the value of training through improved business performance and employee effectiveness.
Learning in the Digital Age: People naturally turn to tools like Google and AI assistants for instant learning. L&D should embrace and integrate these behaviors rather than competing with them.
The Power of Experiential Learning: Hands-on practice, simulations, and continuous learning opportunities are key to making training more impactful. However, the right learning strategy depends on the context and business needs.
Final Thoughts:
David encourages L&D professionals to expand their view beyond traditional education and training methods. He stresses the importance of observing how employees are already learning and using that insight to refine L&D strategies. Ultimately, success in 2025 will come from blending innovation with a human-centric approach to learning.
Best Practices For Maximizing The Value Of Your Digital Adoption Platform with Kerri Rivers
00:25:31
The focus of this discussion centers around digital adoption, which they define as technology that assists users in accomplishing tasks in their moment of need. Kerri explains that Boston Scientific was prompted to explore digital adoption due to the complexity of their global operations and the need to comply with diverse laws and regulations in over 130 countries.
Their digital adoption implementation aims to remove barriers for users, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of their processes. They measure success through both quantitative and qualitative methods, including time savings in performing tasks and reducing the need for support tickets. Additionally, they've seen significant reductions in error rates and a boost in user satisfaction.
One interesting aspect of their digital adoption strategy is the creation of a persona named "Nimble," a cute robot that engages users and enhances their experience within the system. Nimble has been instrumental in building a connection with users and driving engagement.
Nick commends Kerri's team for effectively communicating the value of digital adoption within just 18 months of implementation, which is commendable given the challenge faced by many companies in conveying the benefits of software investments.
The discussion highlights the importance of building a skilled and dedicated team for the project, as well as the need for flexibility and adaptability during the implementation process. Kerri shares how her team spent time learning the tool and understanding their system and users, which proved vital for a smooth and effective deployment of digital adoption.
The success of their digital adoption initiative is measured through various quantitative and qualitative metrics, including time savings in performing tasks and reducing error rates. Kerri emphasizes the significance of engaging with the user community to gather feedback and insights, ensuring that the content and tools provided meet their needs effectively.
Furthermore, they touch upon the rising profession of digital adoption and how organizations are increasingly investing in this technology. As an early adopter, Kerri provides valuable advice for those starting their first digital adoption project. She encourages them to be creative, open to change, and seek user feedback actively to drive successful implementation.
On a lighter note, they share personal experiences with ChatGPT, using it for planning vacations and exploring the fun possibilities the technology brings. The conversation concludes with enthusiasm for the future potential of digital adoption as it continues to evolve and positively impact various domains. Kerri's journey with digital adoption exemplifies the transformative power of this technology in optimizing processes and enhancing user experiences.
Overall, the conversation showcases the practical application of digital adoption in a real-world scenario, highlighting its positive impact on user experience, efficiency, and quality in a complex global environment.
Maximizing Client ROI: Sales Engineers' Strategies for DAP Customization
00:30:36
In this enlightening episode of the DAP Upskill podcast, host Aryaa welcomes seasoned sales engineer Raj Nair from Whatfix as the special guest. In this conversation, they explore the intricate strategies employed by sales engineers to tailor Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP) to diverse client needs, optimizing client Return on Investment (ROI).
Before delving into DAP customization, they discuss the motivations and challenges faced by sales engineers in their roles. Raj, an engineer by education, shares his transition into DAP, highlighting the technology's subtle yet impactful nature that often goes unnoticed until observed firsthand.
Raj emphasizes the role of a sales engineer in guiding clients, drawing parallels to a beginner's yoga teacher witnessing the "aha" moment when explaining DAP benefits. They discuss varied industry perceptions of DAP, revealing its significance beyond traditional corporate use cases.
The conversation navigates to the concept of data-driven DAP, emphasizing the need to understand user behavior before implementing solutions. Raj elucidates how tailoring experiences, known as userization, based on individual user behaviors and needs leads to effective support and engagement. Examples range from aiding behavioral interventionists working with autistic children to utilizing data for personalized HR interventions or marketing strategies.
The dialogue underscores the pivotal role of data-driven decision-making in DAP implementation, showcasing how understanding user behavior enriches the user experience and yields tangible benefits across diverse industry domains.
The conversation then delved into cutting-edge innovations within Whatfix's Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP). Raj expounded on a new feature called "Whatfix Hub," aiming to communicate at a system level, guiding new hires through laptop setup processes akin to having a personal assistant directly on their devices. This approach seeks to revolutionize onboarding experiences, emphasizing user comfort from day one.
Moreover, Raj detailed industry-specific requirements and diverse client expectations. He highlighted the differences in priorities across industries, such as finance's focus on privacy versus technical industries' disregard for user experience until a new member identifies the issue. Additionally, he highlighted the varied needs of different stakeholders within organizations, emphasizing the adaptability required to cater to these distinct needs.
When asked for advice for those contemplating DAP integration, Raj stressed the importance of comprehending user experiences. He advocated for a deeper understanding of user needs, suggesting that this knowledge guides effective decision-making, eventually leading to the adoption of DAP solutions.
Unlocking the Future of Learning with AI Avatars & Global L&D Secrets (Top 4 Insights) | Podcast
00:24:57
Podcast Summary: Embracing AI and Global L&D Innovations
Intro: In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, we delve into the exciting world of AI-driven learning innovations and global learning and development (L&D) strategies. Host Dhisha Suresh is joined by industry experts Kevin Alster, Learning Strategist, Head of Synthesia Academy and Andrew James Viglione, Director - Global Commercial L&D, Gilead Sciences. They share their insights on how AI avatars are transforming personalized learning experiences and how global organizations are designing and delivering learning programs to enhance skills and competencies across their teams.
Key Points:
AI Avatars in Learning:
Kevin discusses the power of AI avatars in revolutionizing L&D. These avatars are enhancing learning engagement by delivering personalized, interactive experiences that improve knowledge retention.
By using AI avatars, organizations can scale learning solutions faster while ensuring they are engaging and cost-effective compared to traditional video-based training.
Heineken’s Internal Communication Shift:
Heineken is moving away from long, tedious webinars and shifting to short, digestible videos for internal communication.
These bite-sized learning modules empower employees to engage with content on their own time, making the learning process more flexible and impactful.
Global L&D Strategy at Gilead Sciences:
Andrew shares his journey in L&D, from his pharmaceutical and med-tech sales roles to his current role at Gilead Sciences. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of developing global learning strategies across diverse teams and markets.
A focus on balancing competence (core skills) and confidence (market competitiveness) drives the L&D strategy at Gilead, empowering regional teams to own their learning while leveraging global resources for efficiency.
Modular Approach to Learning Content:
Andrew also emphasizes the importance of designing modular learning content to cater to different therapeutic areas and regional needs. This approach allows for quick adjustments and tailored content while ensuring scalability.
The key challenge is to ensure global teams are equipped with the right resources and data to deliver impactful, localized learning experiences.
Strategic Use of Learning Data:
L&D teams at Gilead use data-driven insights to drive effectiveness and measure ROI. By focusing on performance metrics and long-term learning outcomes, they aim to demonstrate the value of continuous learning in improving organizational success.
Conclusion: This episode highlights how AI and strategic global L&D programs are reshaping the future of work. From AI avatars creating personalized learning experiences to organizations like Heineken and Gilead optimizing their internal learning programs, the future of L&D is evolving to be more agile, data-driven, and globally connected. Tune in to more episodes of The Digital Adoption Show to explore these transformative trends further.
Top 3 Hacks to Transform Your Organization’s Learning Experience with Robert Szabó
00:28:03
Robert Szabo Vice President, Learning Sciences at Learnshipis enabling global digital transformation in corporate language and communication training.
This episode of Digital Adoption Show features Shreya Srivastava, Customer Success Manager at Whatfix, and Robert Szabo discussing the Top 3 hacks to transform your organisation’s learning experience.
During his conversation with Shreya Srivastava, Robert had some brilliant insights on how leaders can learn to :
Overcome language barriers in the workplace
How to embed new ways of learning in the traditional organizations
How Gamification can change the way learning happens in any organization
2:31 - Recommendations for the new entrants in L&D
The most important one is to keep up with technological development, which is moving at a more rapid pace than it ever has. Communication skills are critical to be effective in this new way of work
With a lot of people now working in remote teams and who have never met each other physically, people need to be aware that the skills that are required by employers these days are constantly evolving
With organizations re-skilling and up-skilling their employees, employees should take proactive steps to equip themselves with the skills they will need in the future
5:55 - Impact of COVID on the changing mindset of the people learning?
We can compare it to as big a historical event as the second world war or women joining the workforce. These things happen to humanity, creating changes that don't disappear quickly and I think the impact of COVID-19 is visible because remote work is not going anywhere
Companies are now reducing office spaces and they enforce remote work policies for the well-being of employees and in other instances, they're controlling costs
Digital pedagogy got a big shot in the arm and more jobs have been created in the space of digital curriculum creation and the digital transformation of university offerings
9:27 - How do you cope with learning and bridge the linguistic barrier?
English has become something of a lingua franca. For instance, if a Japanese guy talks to a Swedish person, they will speak English. English has become an integrative tool where people want to become part of that community
To address the communication goals, focus on different channels and create a culture where everybody has a voice. Try to set a benchmark level for each language, which could be neutral in value and try bringing everybody up to that baseline
Listen to Robert’s incredible journey on the latest episode of The Digital Adoption Show. Do check it out now.
This is one of the special episodes you should not miss.
A startling discovery: The future of workplace L&D in 2023 with Donald H Taylor
00:35:33
Donald H Taylor is a veteran in the fields of learning and development and learning technologies, with experience at every level from design and delivery to chairman of the board. He has chaired the Learning Technologies Conference in London since 2000 and contributed to other conferences worldwide. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey, now in its ninth year, attracts responses from thousands of respondents in over 100 countries.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Donald H Taylor, sharing insights with Prakhar Jain, AVP Sales at Whatfix, on the future of workplace learning and how could you adapt to it.
4:40 -During the last two years, how has the L&D space changed since the pandemic?
The Major change over the past two years is collaboration, it has become like an antidote, people have been doing more collaborative online learning, using online platforms to share stuff and socialize with one another
Engagement is a challenge and the reasons for that were things like screen fatigue and people being tired of being online all the time
We've seen a shift towards people doing coaching and mentoring, remotely via media platforms. People have noticed that it's possible to do that with supportive technology so it's possible to scale it in a way that wasn't before
The Major challenge is the technical challenge of moving to a hybrid or online approach for training and learning. People find it very difficult to get the data, the analytics, the influence, and to talk to stakeholders to make them understand what they're doing is valuable
18:43 -What is the Global Sentiment Survey? How can organisations utilise it?
Global Sentiment Survey which looks at what's changed or what people think will be going to be changed in workplace learning development
Survey report comes out often talking to particular countries about what's happened in their geography, and trying to understand why things are different and unique in each place. So the organisations try to work out if some of the things that are happening are unique to their country or area, or perhaps just its local environment
23:08 -What should be the organizations' Whiteboards for 2022?
Any organisation that wants to work effectively in the future, has to find some way to understand what its people can do
What differentiates organisations is not the technology, but it's the intellectual property they have and the people they have that make the intellectual property, the thing that differentiates you is your people
Understand what your people can do, what they want to do, and what they would like to do and have honest conversations about it
25:15 -How can organizations use new technologies to build a better workplace?
We use new technologies to support initiatives to create a better workplace. We need to have the right leaders in place who care about people, and who work with people to develop themselves and the technology then supports that
Technology helps you to manage people which is invaluable, because the more you can support yourself that the less administration there is, and the more data you have to look at, to understand where you're going and what capabilities your organisation has
A better workplace relies on technology that supports people in engaging and helps in controlling the rapidly increasing churn of employees in the future
How to create a learner-friendly learning and training experience with Jerry Zandstra
00:37:13
Dr Jerry Zandstra is the Chief Strategy Officer at MindSpring. He was the Director at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Global Head of Growth and Field Marketing at Whatfix and Dr Jerry Zandstra on How to create a learner-friendly learning and training experience?
10:46 -How do you handle a situation when you have to satisfy everyone's wants while yet making it comfortable for them?
You should ask yourselves, What do you want the learner to build or believe at the end? Who is that learner? Sometimes learning teams get stuck on thinking the learning is about the team that is creating, and you lose focus on the end user Spend a lot of time thinking about the learners and focus more towards what would be their experience and what is their current depth of knowledge
The training needs to be ideal for an employee who is just starting his/her career with a year of experience and also an old veteran who is on the job for a very long time. Focus on the training methodology where both get the opportunity to learn
18:12 -How do you ease the adoption of a complex software setup in a Large Organization?
To ease the software adoption, once you have gone through the needs assessment and understood what the requirements are. Microlearning can ease the adoption of a complex software
The idea of micro-learning is to create small bite-sized pieces of information and deliver them just in time when people need it. A two-hour course on a new piece of software, won’t be an ideal experience for anyone. Instead, if you let them play with the software and you help them with the prompts, that will help the users take the consecutive steps
Don’t feed information whatever you can in a two-hour session, rather push information toward the user in their time of need and let them learn it on their own it's a very strong and powerful learning experience you can deliver when you're able to pull rather than have things pushed
23:51 -How we can derive ROI from the learning experience? What specific critical KPIs should L&D professionals be keeping an eye on?
The learning and development team are highly educated and creative. They want to build and after they've built, they don't spend any time thinking about how to market it efficiently. It's a bit of a difficult framework because most people that are in learning and development don’t actively look up to the ROI metrics
Generally, a metric could be anything from reducing injury, increasing purchasing power, gaining market share, and improving efficiency gains. It all has to do with your initial learning objectives. Decide the requirements and build it and once it's built, focus on how we measure it. Have metrics which you will be able to measure and demonstrate
One of the biggest challenges in L&D is, learning teams want to build and deliver the experience. But, how do we know that the learning experience is successful? It isn't just about the learner enjoying it or you have got good feedback over there. There should be physical numbers and you should start focussing on improving them from time to time
How HR and L&D play a crucial role in ensuring digital transformation success by balancing people, process, and technology with Beth Loeb Davis
00:33:07
Beth Loeb Daviesis the Former Director of Learning at Tesla. With 25+ years of experience in delivering cutting-edge talent and learning solutions as an employee of Tesla, Microsoft, Apple, and Gap, and as a consultant.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Gokul Suresh, Head of Growth and Field Marketing at Whatfix and Beth Loeb Davies on How HR & Learning Departments Ensure Digital Transformation Success
10:09 -What's your take on the whole fresh perspectives and the change from the existing notions of HR and L&D?
Fresh perspectives are essential for HR and are imperative to stay updated on the latest practices and trends
In order to keep learning and stay updated on the trends, it’s better to avoid antiquated processes and procedures because people are tired of such HR practices
12:47 -Why invisible learning and development is that significant?
L&D would be focusing a lot on infrastructure, tools, and how to create an environment where everybody keeps on learning all the time. This also means that our roles in learning and development may be less visible and it's not necessary to deliver an adequately planned session with a speaker and attendees
The idea of invisible learning and development is, that we've created tools, infrastructure and methodologies that help people in our organization learn all the time and most importantly enable learning in the flow of work
20:03 -What's Tesla's secret sauce for customizing training according to workstyle and culture?
Tesla looked at the employee culture during the recruitment process in order to recruit employees with a mindset that allows them to succeed in the company’s culture
Some people might be proficient with technology and others not. Since everyone has different comfort levels and technology access, we should focus on designing different solutions for them
Maximizing Productivity Through Learning in the Flow of Work
00:27:10
In this enlightening episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Tamanna Chanana, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Whatfix, delves into the transformative role of Learning and Development (L&D) in today's fast-paced workplace. This episode is a part of L&D Upskill mini-series, aimed at uncovering innovative strategies and insights for driving both employee and organizational development.
Our special guests, Andrew Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Llarn Learning Services, and Fran Harrison, a Learning Technology Strategist at QA Ltd, join us to share their vast experiences and forward-thinking approaches to learning in the workplace. With over 25 years in the L&D field, Andrew is a pioneer in enhancing workplace learning quality through effective people and team management, learning strategy, and design. Fran brings a diverse background in learning technology, diversity, inclusion, project management, and leadership development, offering a unique perspective on facilitating lifelong learning.
Key Discussion Points:
Real-Time Learning Opportunities: The conversation kicks off with a discussion on identifying real-time learning opportunities within employees' daily tasks. Fran emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying problems and needs before devising learning solutions, suggesting a consultative approach to L&D. Andrew highlights the necessity of integrating learning with business processes, moving beyond alignment to ensure learning is embedded within the organizational fabric.
Transformative L&D Approaches: Both guests share their journeys in the L&D space, shedding light on the evolution of learning technologies and the shift towards a performance-oriented L&D model. Andrew critiques traditional L&D methodologies, advocating for a focus on performance enhancement and leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes. Fran discusses her transition from educational settings to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for solving real-world problems through learning.
Addressing Skill Gaps: The discussion transitions to strategies for identifying and addressing skill gaps within organizations. Andrew introduces the concept of the three A's (Awareness, Acquisition, Application) as a framework for determining learning needs, emphasizing the importance of application and the opportunity for employees to practice skills in a safe environment. Fran supports this view, advocating for "just enough" and "just in time" learning to ensure relevance and retention.
Metrics and KPIs for Evaluating L&D: The conversation concludes with insights into the most valuable metrics and KPIs for evaluating the effectiveness of learning in the flow of work. Both guests agree on the importance of diverse metrics that go beyond traditional learning data to include organizational performance, team dynamics, and individual improvement. Andrew introduces a comprehensive data collection model focusing on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts to measure learning effectiveness more holically.
Conclusion:
This episode of the Digital Adoption Show offers profound insights into the critical role of L&D in enhancing workplace productivity and innovation. Through engaging discussions with leading L&D experts, listeners gain access to practical strategies, real-life examples, and innovative approaches to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. As the landscape of digital adoption and organizational growth evolves, this episode stands as a testament to the power of strategic learning in driving success.
Achieving Business Excellence: A Fusion of L&D and Sales Enablement Strategies with Bart Schutte and Tomissa Smittendorf
00:28:29
Welcome to the Digital Adoption Show's latest episode, a deep dive into the fusion of Learning and Development (L&D) and Sales Enablement strategies for achieving business excellence. Our expert panel, featuring Bart Schutte and Tomissa Smittendorf, explores the dynamic business landscape's ever-evolving needs and the imperative for innovative approaches to stay competitive.
Bart Schutte, the Director for Digital Learning at Saint Gobain, and Tomissa Smittendorf, Director of Sales Enablement Training at Kellogg's, share their invaluable insights and practical tips for optimizing business performance. They emphasize the seamless integration of L&D and sales enablement as a pivotal driver for growth, empowering sales teams, and ensuring overall success.
Bart underscores Saint Gobain's unique strengths, including its product diversity and a culture of trust and empowerment. He discusses artificial intelligence's (AI) role in change management, with a focus on the role of AI in Learning & Development (L&D) as well.
Change management and the significance of senior leadership's involvement in driving digital transformation are key discussion points. Bart emphasizes that cultural alignment and digital transformation should originate at the top and cascade throughout the organization.
The episode also underscores the importance of employee experience in successful digital transformation and highlights real-time, on-the-job support as a key component of L&D in this context.
As the conversation turns to justifying learning technology investments, Bart notes that the return on investment (ROI) for learning lies in employee engagement, underscoring that these justifications are unique to each organization's circumstances.
The talk with Bart concludes by emphasizing the need to engage business units in L&D, involving them in priority identification, focusing on behavioral change and outcomes, and adopting innovative solutions beyond traditional training programs.
In the continuation of this Learning and Development podcast, we delve deeper into the world of organizational learning and the future of sales training with Tomissa Smittendorf, the Director of Sales Enablement Training at Kellogg's. With over three decades of experience at Kellogg's, she leads the Sales Learning and Development team, and her insights are invaluable.
Tomissa shares her role at Kellogg's, emphasizing her diverse journey through various divisions within the company, from supply chain to HR, which provides her with a holistic perspective on Kellogg's operations. She expresses pride in working for Kellogg's, highlighting the exceptional brands and people associated with the company.
As she discusses the challenges encountered, Tomissa emphasizes the rapid shift to virtual operations within a day, which required embracing new technology and even virtual reality training. The team's courage to adapt and learn from mistakes was crucial, ultimately leading to an engaging and immersive VR training simulator for sales teams.
Tomissa shares a compelling example of how virtual reality can be used for sales training, offering new sales representatives a safe and interactive environment to practice and receive coaching.
She reflects on her proudest achievements, including aligning the Sales Learning and Development value proposition with the company's strategy and the unwavering support of the executive leadership team. Her team's courage and agility in the face of change are also a source of pride.
Regarding the future of sales training, Tomissa suggests staying attuned to industry developments and focusing on skill-building areas such as revenue growth management, financial acumen, and omnichannel leadership.
In conclusion, This episode offers a comprehensive view of how L&D and sales enablement integration is transforming digital business strategies for excellence.
Top 3 Hacks for Building a Future Ready Digital Workplace in 2024
00:32:49
In this special episode of the Digital Adoption Show, we reflect on the past quarter's highlights, featuring engaging discussions from leaders in L&D, HR, and the digital workforce. First, Arijeet, Director of Sales at Whatfix, introduces Dr. Thomas Blumer, former Director of Knowledge Management at QAD, who shares insights into the transformative power of digital adoption platforms (DAPs).
Thomas explains how DAPs optimize user experience by automating processes and tracking behavior, emphasizing their crucial role in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. He discusses the importance of storytelling in justifying DAP adoption and highlights its potential for significant ROI and process improvement.
Then, we welcome Wagner Denuzzo, a visionary in learning and development, guided by Abhirami Prakash from Whatfix. Wagner delves into the evolution of leadership, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal values with leadership principles.
He discusses the constant need for leaders to adapt and create conditions for teams to excel, stressing the significance of cognitive mastery in navigating today's complex digital landscape.
In the continuation of the conversation, Wagner and Katie Lackey, VP of Learning and Talent Management at Honeywell, delve into the concept of leadership styles and the importance of recognizing leadership expressions over rigid styles. They emphasize the need for leaders to align with their values and promote conscious, courageous, and curious leadership.
Furthermore, they discuss essential elements for success in the digital workplace, highlighting the significance of vulnerability, self-disclosure, and leadership experiences in developing effective leaders.
Prakhar and Katie then explore the role of polarities in decision-making within organizations, emphasizing the need to navigate the tensions between seemingly opposite forces such as centralization and decentralization, innovation, and standardization.
They discuss real-world scenarios where traditional decision-making falls short and how managing polarities can lead to more sustainable outcomes in organizational design and transformation efforts.
Accelerating L&D’s impact through a business-driven learning model with Erika Van De Yacht
00:41:31
Erika Van de Yacht is Associate Director, Enterprise Capability at Sentry. She is managing the design, delivery and evaluation of learning and development solutions in support of strategic objectives and organizational development priorities.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Sumeet Kumar, Senior Vice President Sales, Whatfix and Erika Van de Yacht on Accelerating L&D’s impact through a business-driven learning model.
9:41 -Learning and Development play an integral, techno-commercial role in achieving the enterprise's & business goals. What’s your opinion on this?
The rate at which an organisation learns will become the only sustainable source of competitive advantage. With rising complexity, a lot of skills seem to have this increasingly shorter Half-Life, which certainly on the surface makes continuous learning and development just a necessity in achieving enterprise goals
We have to develop a culture and environment that supports continuous learning and it usually needs to happen within the business and in the flow of work. We need learning to be embedded, or woven into the day-to-day experience of our associates. Whether it is through systems or people that can coach and support in the moment of need
14:06 - Every business has a strategy that challenges its needs and L&D would need to support those. How does your team at Sentry deal with it?
Our corporate universities support the broad professional and leadership development needs of our organisation, but we also support the business unit level. Whether it's claims, sales, underwriting, customer service, or even our hospitality business, so that's, that's where the golf cart golf course is part of our hospitality business
We have very close relationships and alignment between our Talk leaders and the learning function to assure we're working on the right things from a business perspective
I would emphasise developing a cross-sectional way of learning so that we ensure our learning aligns closely with business needs
20:46 -What is the mix of projects you have in any specific area, which makes you excited? Or, call it one of your favourites? To focus on? From a personal perspective?
Our team is often juggling about 180 projects at a time and I would say actually, the larger the learning team, probably more of those efforts are focused on business-specific learning.
Our learning team is actually broken into, learning leaders, instructional designers, and learning performance specialists who work closely with the business and, of course, the important team who helps manage their learning solutions in our LMS, and so on
With so much of that work between the learning leaders and the learning performance specialists who work more closely with the business. I'd have to look at the exact breakdown, specifically on business-related efforts. We also interact with the entire organisation, focussing only on accelerating our leadership development programme
The Importance of HR Technology in Post-Merger Integration: A Step-by-Step Guide
00:25:40
In this episode of "The Digital Adoption Show," the host, Pretyush Sharma, who is the EMEA region Sales Manager at Whatfix introduces the guest, Ayan Majumdar, a senior director at General Assembly, who has a wealth of experience in education and technology leadership. The discussion revolves around the significance of HR technology in post-merger integration and its step-by-step implementation. Ayan's journey from engineering and management education in India to his current role at General Assembly sets the stage. His role encompasses performance and reward management, as well as HR technology and transformation.
Ayan elaborates on the impact of HR technology on employee performance management. He highlights that modern HR technologies make performance management data-driven and objective. These technologies offer real-time analysis, enabling quicker identification of top performers.
Additionally, mobile apps enhance timely feedback, shifting from traditional annual reviews to continuous evaluation. Personalized learning plans improve employee skills, creating a more individualized experience.
Ayan also shares his experience with successful post-merger integration. He led the integration of two companies with different performance management systems and cultural backgrounds. By identifying strengths from both systems, he created an objective, data-driven framework. This framework fostered a cohesive post-merger culture by providing uniform performance assessments and forward-looking feedback.
Ayan addresses challenges faced at General Assembly, including integrating diverse HR platforms seamlessly. He emphasizes the importance of understanding an organization's needs, evaluating integration capabilities of existing solutions, and implementing a comprehensive plan. A strong roadmap, employee education, support, monitoring, and adaptation contribute to a successful technology adoption.
In the continuation of the conversation, Ayan emphasizes the importance of proactive research, continuous learning, and collaboration in staying ahead of HR technology trends. He suggests engaging in industry publications, webinars, conferences, and networking with peers to remain informed about advancements.
Ayan highlights the value of investing in professional development for both himself and his HR team to ensure up-to-date knowledge. Collaborating internally, especially with departments having technology requirements, helps align strategic visions and enhance productivity.
The discussion touches upon the significance of partnerships with HR technology providers for insights into upcoming features. Ayan underlines the potential of AI and data analytics in performance management. He recommends seeking tools that offer flexibility and adaptability to evolve alongside organizational needs.
The conversation ends with a rapid-fire round where Ayan shares personal insights. He highlights his motivation sources, mentions his leadership style represented by emojis for collaboration and strength, and provides advice to those starting their careers—emphasizing the importance of acquiring and honing digital skills in the evolving world of work.
Boosting Knowledge Management Efficiency: The Power of Digital Adoption Platforms with Dr. Thomas Blumer
00:33:35
In the latest season of the Digital Adoption Show, Arijeet Das, Director of Sales at WhatFix, introduces the audience to inspiring stories of execution and growth. Season four promises fresh perspectives, engaging discussions, and insights from industry leaders. The focus of the episode is on maximizing knowledge management efficiency with digital adoption platforms (DAPs), featuring Dr. Thomas Blumer, former Director of Knowledge Management at QAD.
Thomas shares his extensive experience in global knowledge management and learning strategies, emphasizing the impact of DAPs on customer value through digital adoption, AI, and machine learning. The conversation delves into Thomas's passions outside of work, his recent travel to Zurich, and a humorous exchange on favorite colors. The episode introduces a new segment, "Triple Strike," where Thomas provides insights into his personality and preferences.
The core discussion centers around DAPs, their role in optimizing processes, reducing onboarding time, and enhancing user experiences. Thomas highlights the importance of storytelling in justifying DAP adoption, emphasizing that people remember stories more than numbers. The conversation concludes with insights into significant shifts in perceptions around DAPs, emphasizing the power of data and the paradigm shift from reactive learning to strategic decision-making. Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive exploration of DAPs and their transformative impact on organizational efficiency.
In the continued conversation, the discussion delves into the transformative potential of combining Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP) with Artificial Intelligence (AI). The speaker emphasizes the paradigm shift, highlighting how DAP and AI together can revolutionize not just active processes but also manage inactivities, allowing for insightful comparisons across different regions and processes. The focus shifts from historical emphasis on activities to scrutinizing wait times and optimizing processes.
The conversation unfolds to underscore the strategic value of DAP and AI, emphasizing their role in reducing costs, improving efficiency, and contributing directly to the bottom line. The importance of recognizing the opportunity cost associated with wait times becomes evident. The speaker shares concrete examples of the positive impact on onboarding time, support ticket closures, and complex solution transitions.
As the discussion progresses, the conversation touches upon the challenges faced during deployment and usage optimization, cautioning against pitfalls such as a lack of clear business objectives, insufficient stakeholder involvement, and the importance of setting standards to avoid future issues.
The conversation then pivots to the anticipated future landscape, predicting a 70% adoption of DAP primarily driven by AI integration by 2025. The speaker elaborates on the synergy between DAP and AI, emphasizing the generation of valuable insights, data cleaning capabilities, and compliance enforcement. The potential for AI to enhance user experience, generate personalized content, and offer just-in-time interventions is highlighted.
The episode concludes with a glimpse into the future of DAP, envisioning its role in controlled AI rollouts, streamlined end-to-end processes, and personalized knowledge delivery. The speaker expresses excitement about the rapid advancements and the potential for DAP to bring about a transformative era in knowledge management. The importance of storytelling in creating compelling DAP narratives is emphasized as parting advice for the audience.
Mastering Skill-Based Learning: Elevating L&D for the Future Workforce
00:24:31
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, Navya Agarwal, Digital Adoption Consultant at Whatfix, dives deep into the concept of skill-based learning with two prominent L&D experts: Emma Adderley, Recognition and Performance Manager at Lloyds Banking Group, and Giorgia Gamba ,Global Talent and Learning Partner, Christian Aid. Together, they explore how skill-based learning can transform an organization’s learning and development strategy and discuss actionable steps for its implementation.
Key Points Discussed:
Skill-Based Learning Overview:
Skill-based learning focuses on identifying, nurturing, and developing key skills in employees to align with organizational goals.
It is gaining traction as a core element for staying competitive in fast-evolving industries.
Organizational Readiness:
Emma emphasized assessing whether a business values continuous learning, the maturity of leadership, and whether they have a clear understanding of current and future skills gaps.
Giorgia stressed the importance of starting with the "why" and ensuring clarity and alignment within the organization on what skills are critical to success.
Practical Steps for Transition:
Educating stakeholders about the long-term benefits of skill-based learning.
Starting small with pilot programs to test concepts and prove effectiveness before scaling.
Leveraging technology to assess skills gaps and offer continuous learning opportunities.
Effective Strategies for Implementation:
Giorgia highlighted the importance of starting with small trials or pilots to gather feedback and refine processes.
Emma shared an example from her experience, discussing how Lloyds Banking Group used data to identify gaps and used innovative methods like community learning to upskill employees.
Challenges in Scaling:
Both experts emphasized the need to adjust approaches based on subcultures within large organizations.
Overcoming technology barriers by ensuring different tools are connected and provide a unified source of truth about employee skills.
Measuring Success:
Use behavior-based metrics and feedback to measure progress.
Create a supportive work environment that encourages the application of skills learned.
Use pulse surveys, performance data, and 360-degree feedback to evaluate long-term impact.
Conclusion:
Skill-based learning is a powerful tool for aligning workforce capabilities with business goals. Emma Adderley and Giorgia Gamba stress that success requires leadership buy-in, careful planning, and a focus on measurable outcomes. By starting with small, data-driven initiatives and gradually scaling, organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning and growth.
How to Maximize your Instructional Design Framework to Align With Business Performance with Dr. Roy Pollock
00:32:34
Corporate L&D has always played a strategic role in shaping an organization’s workforce. From the 1900s when billion-dollar companies like Ford, AT&T, and Motorola pioneered the concept of workplace learning to the highly specific learning strategies and instructional design frameworks that we use today, L&D has come quite a long way. Over 100 years in fact!
However, while we are aware of the role that corporate L&D plays, many organizations often find it hard to structure an L&D program properly and effectively because they fail to find the answer to one fundamental question. How do you accurately define the goals of a corporate L&D program?
The answers to this question have always been quite elusive. This is why we asked this question to a CLO, who has been in the learning and development industry for over 40 years, in the latest episode of our podcast ‘The Digital Adoption Show’. Dr. Roy Pollock, the CLO of the 6Ds Learning Company and our guest speaker, summed it up, quite precisely, in 3 simple sentences.Subscribe to The Digital Adoption Show:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3W7uoul
Apple: https://apple.co/4cD0Ewo
Website: https://bit.ly/3XWXtew
08 Feb 2024
3 Tips for Informed Decision-Making in 2024: Understanding and Managing Polarities, with Katie Lackey
00:40:04
In the latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show, Prakhar Jain, Vice President of Global Sales at Whatfix, introduces Katie Lackey, Vice President of Global Learning and Talent Management at Honeywell, as the guest speaker. Katie brings extensive experience in leadership development and organizational effectiveness. She discusses the importance of understanding and managing polarities for informed decision-making in 2024's fast-paced business landscape.
Katie shares her personal passion for horseback riding and relates it to the complexity of navigating polarities in decision-making.
She emphasizes the need for leaders to recognize that many situations require balancing seemingly opposing forces, such as centralization and decentralization, or short-term wins and long-term strategy.
Furthermore, Katie highlights common pitfalls in decision-making, such as overly polarized thinking in organizational design or neglecting the diverse needs of employees, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She stresses the importance of appreciating complexity and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation to effectively manage polarities in decision-making processes.
Prakhar acknowledges the relevance of Katie's insights, drawing parallels to his own experiences in leadership and organizational development. The conversation delves deep into the concept of polarities management and its implications for leadership and decision-making in complex environments.
Katie shares insights from her own journey, highlighting the importance of embracing complexity and recognizing the interconnectedness of seemingly opposite forces. She emphasizes the need for leaders to navigate polarities effectively, balancing control and empowerment, short-term and long-term goals, and other dichotomies inherent in organizational dynamics.
They discuss the integration of data and AI in decision-making processes, noting its potential to both empower and challenge individuals and organizations. Katie advocates for a balanced approach, acknowledging the benefits of AI while cautioning against over-reliance and loss of human control.
The conversation also touches upon advanced strategies for managing polarities, including asking probing questions, challenging assumptions, and creatively combining opposing elements to drive innovation and sustainable change.
Overall, Katie's insights shed light on the nuanced nature of leadership in today's dynamic world, emphasizing the importance of embracing complexity, fostering collaboration, and anchoring change in core values.
Gamification in Learning for Real-World Impact with Karl Kapp
00:40:40
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, host Neha Smriti dives deep into gamification in learning with Karl Kapp, a leading expert in instructional design and gamified learning. Karl is a full professor at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, an L&D practitioner, speaker, and the mastermind behind the L&D Mentor Academy. He has spent over two decades transforming traditional learning experiences into interactive, game-like experiences that engage learners and drive real-world results.
We explore the science of making learning addictive, why traditional training fails to engage, and how action-first learning changes the game. Karl shares real-life gamification success stories, common pitfalls companies make when adopting gamification, and how AI is shaping the future of instructional design.
His upcoming book, Action First Learning, is a must-read for anyone looking to move beyond passive learning models and create truly engaging and impactful learning experiences.
Karl Kapp’s Journey into Gamification & Learning Design
Karl’s first experience in instructional design through a sixth-grade safety video.
How theatrical training influenced his approach to learning and public speaking.
His transition from traditional instructional design to innovative, gamified learning.
The Power of Gamification in Learning
Why most corporate training fails—the problem with passive learning.
How to make learning addictive and engaging through gamification.
The science of behavior change and why experience-driven learning works.
Real-World Examples of Gamification Driving Business Impact
Escape Room Onboarding: How a consulting firm improved teamwork and retention through an interactive airport simulation.
Board Game for Business Strategy: Transforming siloed managers into strategic thinkers through gameplay.
Fraud Investigation Simulation: Training professionals to conduct financial investigations through immersive storytelling.
Measuring the Success of Gamification in L&D
Why traditional training metrics (attendance, completion rates) are misleading.
How to measure behavioral change and business impact effectively.
The importance of pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments.
Action First Learning: Karl’s New Book
The problem with passive learning models.
How action-based learning improves retention and engagement.
Step-by-step playbook for designing gamified experiences.
Why every chapter is a standalone guide to implementing a different gamification strategy.
Gamification & Digital Adoption Platforms
How gamification can boost user adoption of digital platforms.
The power of badges, leaderboards, and incentives in enterprise software.
How companies can gamify onboarding & training experiences for better retention.
AI in Gamification & Instructional Design
How AI augments instructional designers, making content creation more efficient.
AI’s role in brainstorming game mechanics, designing scenarios, and improving learning personalization.
Why AI can’t replace human experience design but can be a powerful exoskeleton for instructional designers.
DAP UPSKILL: Benefits of Leveraging a User Centric Digital Adoption Platform for Engineering and Product Management Projects
00:26:51
In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show, titled "DAP Upskill," the speakers talk about technology adoption life cycles and their relationship with user-centricity. The podcast features Achyut Krishna, Senior Director of Engineering at Whatfix. He is responsible for the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) product line. Achyut brings over 15 years of experience in the field to the discussion.
Achyut explains that his engineering team utilizes a variety of software tools, such as Jira for change management, Git for source code management, and Jenkins for development operations. He emphasizes that the traditional boundaries of engineering roles are evolving, with engineers now required to understand and use multiple tools to ensure a seamless customer experience.
The conversation delves into the concept of digital adoption and how DAP platforms enhance user-centricity. Achyut highlights the importance of tailoring content to specific user roles and functions to maximize its impact. He shares an example of how DAP can be used to bridge the learning curve when introducing new tools to the engineering team, ultimately improving productivity and customer satisfaction.
The interview also touches on measuring the effectiveness of DAP in enhancing user experiences, emphasizing the importance of feedback and user tracking. Achyut underscores the need for a user-centric approach in designing and implementing DAP, allowing users to focus on what is relevant to their roles.
Achyut concludes by highlighting the evolution of user-centricity as a central philosophy in their approach to DAP development and future initiatives aimed at further enhancing the user experience.
The second guest on the podcast is Anuraag Hota, who leads product management at Whatfix. Anuraag introduces himself, highlighting his eight years of experience in the field and his passion for solving user pain points and improving product adoption.
The discussion centers around the user-centricity of Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP) and their role in minimizing the technology adoption lifecycle for end-users. Anuraag shares insights about the software tools used by his department, including Jira and Product Board, emphasizing how these tools improve productivity and facilitate feedback collection from various teams.
The conversation delves into the concept of digital adoption and how DAPs help users onboard smoothly. Anuraag mentions the importance of guiding users in their initial interactions with a product and highlights the role of DAP in simplifying this process.
Anuraag elaborates on how he and his team are end-users of DAP while building these platforms. He discusses how DAPs like Whatfix increase their efficiency by automating tasks, streamlining workflows, and reducing internal support costs.
The discussion continues with Anuraag's advice on getting the most out of DAP. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on user objectives, identifying pain points, and personalizing content rather than overwhelming users with generic pop-ups and messages. Anuraag encourages users to approach DAP strategically to achieve a higher return on investment.
Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of user-centricity in DAP and offers valuable insights for users looking to leverage DAP effectively in their organizations.
Ditch the Guesswork with Data-Driven L&D: Your Secret Weapon for Success
00:40:23
In the third episode of the Digital Adoption Show's L&D Upskill miniseries, host Neha Smriti discusses the importance of data-driven learning and development (L&D) with two distinguished guests, Vivian Blade, a top HR influencer and leadership development expert, and Jimmy Nelson, an experienced L&D consultant. The conversation emphasizes the transformative power of L&D in the modern workplace, particularly through the use of data analytics.
Vivian and Jimmy highlight the significance of integrating business goals with L&D strategies. They discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, customer and employee retention, and engagement surveys, stressing the need for alignment between organizational objectives and individual roles.
Vivian emphasizes understanding organizational goals through thorough needs analyses, while Jimmy advocates for creating specific L&D KPIs to ensure executive teams prioritize learning initiatives alongside other business metrics.
Both guests agree on the necessity of L&D professionals being proactive business partners who contribute to strategic planning.
They underline the importance of upskilling the workforce to adapt to evolving technological landscapes, particularly AI, and the need for ongoing investment in employee development.
The discussion then shifts focus towards the practical implementation of data-driven L&D strategies to optimize performance and drive business success.
The conversation emphasized the strategic alignment of learning and development (L&D) with business needs, starting with a thorough needs assessment.
Vivian highlighted the importance of accurately identifying the root causes of issues before jumping to training solutions, ensuring that learning interventions are precisely targeted.
Jimmy reinforced this by recalling how L&D used to be reactive, merely fulfilling requests for specific training courses without deeper analysis.
He stressed that modern L&D professionals should act as business partners, providing tailored solutions based on comprehensive assessments of team dynamics and organizational culture.
Both Vivian and Jimmy noted the changing workforce demographics, particularly with millennials and Gen Z, who prefer flexible, on-demand learning resources over traditional, lengthy training sessions.
They argued for a more integrated approach where L&D professionals are seen as essential contributors to business strategy, advising executives on cultural and organizational development based on data-driven insights.
Jimmy shared practical examples of using data to demonstrate the impact of L&D initiatives. By presenting graphical representations of training outcomes, he gained executive buy-in and fostered a culture of competition among departments, driving higher engagement and completion rates.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of storytelling in presenting data, making it compelling for leaders to act upon.
In summary, the conversation underscored the necessity for L&D professionals to be proactive, data-savvy, and closely aligned with business goals to effectively drive organizational success and development.
In case you want to reach out to the speakers- Vivian Blade- https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianblade/ ; vivian@vivianblade.com Jimmy Nelson- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-a-nelson/ ; learnteam@yahoo.com
The Digital Adoption Show concludes its season with a captivating compilation of top 5 discussions from season three, delving into revolutionary themes shaping the modern workplace. The curated selection spotlights impactful insights shared by industry experts.
The episode kicks off by showcasing Dawn McKendry's illuminating dialogue on digital adoption's transformative impact on banking experiences. Dawn, an IT learning and development lead at Ameris Bank, emphasizes leveraging digital tools like Whatfix to bolster seamless customer interactions. By empowering employees with efficient tools, Dawn highlights the significance of instilling confidence in customers and employees, essential in the competitive banking industry.
Next, Carrie Berg, VP of L&D at Teladoc Health, challenges the misconception of separating personal growth from professional development. She emphasizes the overlap between personal ethos and professional growth, advocating for continual learning in all spheres of life. Carrie stresses the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in evolving as leaders, advocating for a broader understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives.
Ben Cowan, Director of Skills Strategy at DeGreed, explores the concept of skill-based organizations. Cowan delineates how prioritizing skills in talent decisions reshapes organizational structures, leading to increased learning efficiency and strategic workforce planning.
Antoine Brossard, Global Director of Learning and Development at Philips, engages in an intriguing conversation, diving into the impact of skill-based development on organizational success. Brossard elucidates how the concept of skills transcends industries, applying universally from a barista at Starbucks to the CEO of a global financial institution. He emphasizes breaking down job roles into skills, capabilities, and knowledge domains, asserting its applicability across diverse work environments.
However, he highlights challenges in implementing this transformative approach. Traditionally, HR responds reactively to skill gaps identified by business leaders, which falls short in a rapidly evolving environment where employees need to learn new skills while unlearning outdated ones. Additionally, fragmented and insufficiently consolidated data on employee skills within organizations poses a significant hurdle, hindering comprehensive insights necessary for strategic decision-making.
The discussion then extends to Ayan Majumdar, Senior Director at General Assembly, sharing insights on HR technology in post-merger integration. His experience leading the integration between two companies with distinct performance management systems emphasized the need to amalgamate the best aspects from both, creating a more objective and cohesive framework, crucial for cultural alignment post-acquisition.
These discussions, among the top moments from the show, unveil the universality of skill-based development, its challenges in implementation, and its critical role in post-merger integration, promising an engaging Season 4 ahead. As the Digital Adoption Show wraps up Season 3, they invite audience feedback and anticipation for the upcoming season, promising more insightful discussions on the horizon. Overall, the season culminates in a compelling exploration of digital evolution, intertwining personal and professional growth, and redefining organizational paradigms through skill-centric approaches, all poised to shape the future of work.
Top 6 Global Perspectives on Digital Transformation: Success Stories and Strategic Insights
00:24:59
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, we delve into the dynamic world of digital transformation with two distinguished leaders in the field. 🌟🔍
We are excited to host Charlie Valerio, CIO at Aboitiz Power, a trailblazer known for his remarkable digital transformation initiatives that have shaped the local industry landscape in the Philippines. Joining Charlie is another panelist, Zeljko Ivkovic, CIO at ISS and a veteran in the realm of workplace management. Together, Charlie and Zeljko explore the crucial aspects of digital transformation, from strategic alignment with business goals to leveraging technology for meaningful impact.
People-Centric Approach: Digital transformation is not just about technology; it’s about influencing and managing people within the organization.
Industry and Organizational Size: The approach varies based on the industry and the size of the organization, requiring tailored strategies.
Role of Facilitation and Communication: Successful digital transformation involves facilitation, communication, and being an influencer, rather than just an IT task.
Marketing and Resistance Management: There is always resistance to change, necessitating marketing and influencing strategies to gain support.
Customer-Centric Strategies: Prioritizing customer needs and creating win-win solutions are crucial for long-term partnerships and success.
Omni-channel Support: Utilizing various communication channels and understanding customer pain points are essential for effective problem-solving.
Strategic Alignment: Alignment of strategies from top to bottom and feedback loops are critical for identifying and addressing pain points.
Flexibility and Scalability: Implementing scalable and flexible IT infrastructure while ensuring cybersecurity to adapt to changing customer demands.
Contextual Sensitivity: Understanding cultural, regional, and industry-specific nuances is vital for successfully shifting mindsets and overcoming resistance to change.
Tailored Solutions: Solutions should be problem-focused and tailored to specific customer needs and organizational contexts.
Digital transformation extends beyond technology implementation; it is fundamentally about people, relationships, and strategic alignment. Charlie and Zeljko’s experiences underline the importance of a people-centric approach, strategic alignment, and contextual sensitivity to drive successful digital transformation initiatives across diverse corporate cultures and geographical regions.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on the evolving role of technology in driving industry success and meeting customer expectations. 🚀💡
3 Ways to Create Performance-Driven Cultures through Transformational Learning Strategies with Katie DaCosta
00:42:02
Katie DaCosta is an International Learning Leader & Founder of Purple Nyx consulting. She is a collaborative and forward-thinking Business Leader and Strategist across Learning, Organisational development and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Having worked across Global technology and service organisations.
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Shreya Srivastava, Customer Success Manager at Whatfix, and Katie DaCosta on 3 ways to create performance-driven cultures through transformational learning strategies.
12:03 What did you do differently when managing teams and what was your primary focus?
Leaders and managers have a lot of responsibility. Managing remote teams across multiple time zones is even harder. Therefore, it is important to be culturally aware and sensitive to time zones
Language and interpretation are also considerations that the whole team should be aware of, sometimes someone says a phrase or says a word, and it is misinterpreted. The confusion over it will be laughed at, explained, and learned from
Data should be the key focus area for L&D personnel. This tells us what we need to develop for, and what, who, and why we need to develop for. We can also understand how well we are supporting and improving the skills of the organization and ultimately, its performance
20:48 -Being in the L&D department and also familiar with DAP/Digital Adoption Platform, what would be your top 3 objectives you would like to share with the audience?
Performance is absolutely crucial for learning and development teams so that the business can deliver quicker, and they have employees who can take on projects quicker and they can make a positive impact
In order to develop effective competence and performance, learning and development teams need to think about what is important, which can't be achieved through delivering long, boring training courses. Therefore, they have to think differently
L&D teams should be constantly looking out to see how we can embed learning into the flow of work to help performance on the job. It could be things like embedded tips, user guides, podcasts, videos and coaching. A key consideration is to make sure our employees have access to this content in an easy way
Partnering with IT teams and product teams is really important so that the learning teams can actually start to embed learning in the portals and tools and performance tools like Whatfix can really help in this as well
L&D teams should focus to solve and close the learning and performance needs. Employees and businesses can do this by understanding the ongoing challenges and issues that impact business performance and planning and implementing training accordingly
25:42 What do you think about blended learning and how it can benefit organizations in the long run?
Digital learning is generally viewed as linear or path-based, and it can even be viewed as less flexible. The whole concept of digital learning is delivered by technology. It can be a course, an interactive PDF, a video business simulation, a podcast, or an Online Social Forum
On the other hand, classroom learning can also make use of technology, but it's typically delivered live and it takes the learner out of their working day, which is not ideal for any business. But considering blended learning uses various delivery formats. Blended learning pretty much covers the focus on how we learn effectively. It brings other learning mediums into the mix, like social collaboration, Q&A, forums, virtual classrooms, mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job learning stretch projects
Maximize the ROI for L&D Investments: How to Measure the Effectiveness of Learning and Development Tools with Cammy Wood
00:40:55
Her career began in retail, starting with a job at a toy store at the age of 16. Despite being aware of the difficulties of working during the holiday season, she took the opportunity and had a great experience. She was introduced to sales and worked her way up in the retail industry for about 10 years before switching to the wireless sales industry at T-Mobile. The switch was encouraged by her husband, despite not being a tech-savvy person. Being a woman in tech has been a fulfilling experience, keeping her on the cutting edge of innovation. Her interest in well-prepared, trained, and informed teams led her to enter the field of learning and development. Although it was not her original plan, she has been in L&D for over five years and has a newfound appreciation for the importance of training in business.
What steps do you take to ensure that sales training is effective across different geographies and cultures?
As the head of the new hire programming team at GoDaddy, she was responsible for supporting the company's global training program. The team was focused on delivering effective training content and ensuring that the learners are prepared to interact with customers through various channels. The learners were considered the top priority as they played a crucial role in serving the entrepreneurs using GoDaddy's products. Her team put significant effort into building training programs that integrate systems and concepts and focused on building muscle memory through roleplay and practice sessions with trainers. The training programs were designed to address fundamental human behaviors, such as empathy and problem-solving, and build trust with the customers. The goal was to solve problems and earn the right to suggest additional options through the law of reciprocity.
What is your approach to measuring the ROI of non-revenue generating roles?
Measuring the impact of training programs can be challenging for stakeholders. To address this, a strong needs analysis is often conducted to establish a baseline and understand the desired outcome. For instance, in the case of a system implementation, the focus is typically on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and saving time. To measure these outcomes, metrics such as task completion time, the number of failure points and the influence of training on the results can be tracked. The baseline is established prior to the system rollout, and evaluations are conducted 30, 60, and 90 days after implementation to compare it to the baseline and determine any shifts in results. Usually, a significant improvement is seen in the 60-day evaluation as users become more familiar with the tool, and by the 90-day evaluation, the tool becomes second nature for them.
Can you tell me about a time when you transformed your training and reduced 70% of your support tickets? How did that impact the business outcome?
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, GoDaddy, like many other companies, faced challenges with transitioning to remote work. The strain on the training, IT, and systems teams was due to difficulties in setting up work-from-home equipment for new hires. To address this issue, the company created a PowerPoint guide and day-one videos to assist with the setup process. These videos were designed to be more engaging and entertaining than a traditional instruction manual. After testing with a few new hires, it was found that the videos reduced IT help desk tickets on day one by 70%.
Should L&D be considered a part of business processes and streamlined along with other business processes?
The team responsible for learning and development (L&D) is often recognized for its integration with various other resource teams within a company. While the project management team (PMO) focuses on completing and keeping track of major projects, L&D has to work closely with teams such as recruiting, HR, marketing, product, and operations. This central role of L&D in multiple initiatives within an organization highlights the need for its integration into business processes. If considered part of the business process, gaps in training can be identified earlier, and cost estimates for delivering training can be more accurately determined. Stakeholders may overlook the cost of training, but if it were part of the business process, its cost would be more transparent. As a result, L&D should be considered a crucial component of business processes.
Do you have a mantra in mind that you'd like to share with our audience?
The head of the new hire programming team at GoDaddy is responsible for the integration of micro-learning into their training programs. They believe that the short video format, commonly seen on platforms like TikTok, can be applied to training to make it more engaging and accessible. The team has set their goal for 2023 as "bringing training into the home," aiming to create a virtual training environment that feels like a real classroom, promoting confidence, competence, and camaraderie among learners. They are currently in the process of planning and developing ways to achieve this objective in the hybrid environment of both in-person and virtual training.
You Should Not Miss These Top 3 Emerging Trends in Instructional Designing in 2024
00:28:24
In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show's fourth season, we're honored to feature Cammy Bean, the esteemed author of "The Accidental Instructional Designer" and a venerated figure in the instructional design arena. Our host, Pavitra R., an Information Developer at Whatfix, navigates through a fascinating conversation that unravels the complexities and nuances of instructional design in the fast-evolving digital landscape.
Cammy Bean, who embarked on her instructional design journey in 1996, long before e-learning was mainstream, shares her extensive experience that spans across various roles—from a junior instructional designer to a senior solutions consultant. Her narrative offers a deep dive into the transformative power of instructional design and its pivotal role in crafting compelling learning experiences in today's dynamic work environment.
The episode covers a wide array of topics, including:
Cammy's Unexpected Entry into Instructional Design: Cammy recounts her initial foray into instructional design, shedding light on how serendipity led her to become an influential voice in the learning and development (L&D) space.
Evolution of Instructional Design: A discussion on the significant changes within instructional design over the years, emphasizing the shift towards more personalized and data-driven learning experiences.
The Role of AI and Emerging Technologies: Cammy provides her insights into how artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping instructional design, from creating more personalized learning pathways to leveraging data for more impactful learning outcomes.
Critical Skills for Aspiring Designers: The conversation delves into the essential skills and knowledge areas that budding instructional designers should focus on, including understanding learning science, embracing creativity, and navigating the ever-changing tech landscape.
Personalized Learning Pathways: Cammy highlights the importance of personalized learning in enhancing the effectiveness of educational programs and shares strategies for implementing personalized learning pathways.
Integrating Data and Learning Analytics: An exploration of how data and analytics are integral to modern instructional design, offering insights into how Cammy and her team use data to inform and improve learning solutions.
Beyond the professional insights, the episode also ventures into Cammy's personal life, revealing her passion for hiking with her dog in the woods of New England—providing a glimpse into the person behind the instructional designer.
Listeners are treated to a fun rapid-fire round, where Cammy reveals her quirky side, choosing a dragon as her preferred mythical pet and sharing her humorous warning label.
This episode is not just a deep dive into instructional design; it's a blend of professional wisdom, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted moments that make for an engaging listen. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, education, and personal development.
Catch this enlightening conversation on the Digital Adoption Show across platforms like Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and Google. Whether you're deeply entrenched in the digital space or just dipping your toes in, this episode with Cammy Bean promises a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.
5 Strategies for Successfully Implementing Transformational Change in Your Organization
00:33:57
The latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show features Nabraz Mohamed, a regional account director at Whatfix, as the host. The focus is on strategies for implementing transformational change in organizations, with guest Charlie Valerio, a CIO at Aboitus Power, renowned for his digital transformation initiatives. Valerio, drawing on over 30 years of experience, discusses his journey from multinational corporations to local conglomerates in the Philippines, driven by a desire to contribute to local industry growth.
Valerio emphasizes the importance of aligning with organizational leadership, recounting a successful digital transformation project in an oil and gas retail company. He highlights the significance of securing buy-in from internal stakeholders and fostering excitement around the initiative. Despite challenges, including the onset of the pandemic, the project achieved remarkable results, such as the creation of a pioneering mobile app named "Limitless."
Valerio measures success not only in terms of business outcomes but also in the positive response from customers and the subsequent adoption by competitors. The conversation underscores the power of visionary leadership, strategic alignment, and innovative approaches in driving successful organizational transformations.In their continued conversation, Charlie Valerio and Nabraz Mohamed delve deeper into the intricacies of digital transformation and its potential pitfalls.
They acknowledge the alarming failure rates of such initiatives, which Valerio highlights, citing a McKinsey publication that reports only 31% revenue uplift and 25% cost savings from digital transformation programs. However, Valerio offers a proactive approach by outlining the four key success factors, or "four C's": CEO Championing, Compelling Case for Change, Culture Change, and Capability Building.
Valerio stresses the critical role of CEO leadership in championing digital transformation efforts. He emphasizes the importance of CEOs actively supporting and driving these initiatives rather than merely endorsing them. Furthermore, he discusses the need for a compelling case for change, advocating for a sense of urgency and clarity in communicating the transformation's purpose to stakeholders.
Moreover, Valerio emphasizes the necessity of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability within organizations. He discusses the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity and fostering a mindset that encourages experimentation and rapid iteration.
Valerio also underscores the significance of building the necessary capabilities within the organization, including technological expertise and agile methodologies.
In response to Mohamed's inquiry about identifying early signs of trouble, Valerio advocates for a proactive risk management approach grounded in project management principles. He emphasizes the importance of regularly reassessing project trajectories and being willing to pivot when necessary. Valerio also highlights the critical role of effective change management in overcoming resistance to digital transformation, recommending the Prosci ADKAR framework for guiding awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement.
Finally, Valerio offers three key tips for successful digital transformation and change management initiatives: prioritizing the four C's, implementing effective change management practices, and aligning individual incentives with transformation goals. By following these guidelines, organizations can enhance their chances of navigating digital transformations successfully and achieving desired outcomes.In the final segment of their conversation, Charlie Valerio provides three crucial tips for successful digital transformation and change management initiatives.
First, he reiterates the importance of adhering to the four C's framework: CEO Championing, Compelling Case for Change, Culture Change, and Capability Building. Valerio emphasizes that neglecting any of these factors can result in suboptimal success or even failure.
Secondly, he stresses the significance of personal conviction and clarity of purpose. Valerio believes that leaders must be genuinely convinced of the importance of digital transformation initiatives before attempting to persuade others. He shares his own journey of advocating for technology as a competitive advantage within organizations.
Finally, Valerio encourages leaders to externalize their learning and seek insights from external sources. He highlights the value of learning from others' experiences and participating in digital communities to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.
Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of digital transformation and underscores the importance of proactive leadership, effective communication, and continuous learning in driving successful organizational change.
Inside the Mind of an Employer Branding Guru with Bryan Adams
00:24:20
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, host Abhirami Prakash interviews Bryan Adams, the CEO of Ph.Creative, a renowned employer branding agency. With over 19 years of experience, Bryan shares his insights into shaping employer branding strategies for major industry players like Apple and American Airlines.
Bryan emphasizes the importance of employee branding and the employee value proposition (EVP) in attracting and retaining talent. He stresses the need for organizations to understand the evolving work culture and future of work trends to remain competitive.
Bryan's leadership insights revolve around effective leadership communication and talent retention strategies. He advocates for clear communication of expectations and challenges within the workplace and believes in engaging and inspiring teams through storytelling.
Regarding employee engagement strategies, Bryan highlights the importance of strategic alignment and transparent communication, especially in navigating challenges like the shift back to office work and the impact of AI on job roles.
In measuring the success of employer branding efforts, Bryan suggests metrics such as quality of hire, employee happiness, and regrettable loss. He also advises aligning employer branding strategies with existing business priorities and metrics.
For developing or refreshing an employer brand, Bryan recommends research and listening to employees through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to align the EVP with the organization's current direction and needs.
Overall, Bryan's insights provide valuable guidance for companies seeking to navigate the complexities of employer branding in today's dynamic work environment.
How Neuroscience and Adaptive Learning Play a Crucial Role In Successful Change Management, With Dr. Britt Andreatta And Kelly Palmer.
00:27:39
In this episode of "The Digital Adoption Show," the focus is on the critical role of neuroscience and adaptive learning in successful change management within organizations adapting to the digital age. Dr. Britt Andreatta and Kelly Power are the featured guests who share their insights and strategies.
Dr. Britt Andreatta, an internationally recognized thought leader with a background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and learning, emphasizes three core human needs: survival, belonging, and becoming.
She explains how these needs impact our response to change and the importance of understanding the "biology of resistance" when introducing digital adoption.
Dr. Andreatta's three-phase model of learning aligns with how the brain naturally learns, emphasizing the importance of breaking learning into digestible chunks, connecting new information to existing knowledge (schemas), and providing ample practice opportunities.
Metrics for evaluating the success of learning solutions are discussed, with a focus on the five levels of evaluation according to the Jack Phillips model, including satisfaction, learning, implementation, impact, and ROI.
Managing change and getting employees excited about it involves acknowledging resistance as a natural biological response, highlighting opportunities, providing clear communication, and celebrating progress along the way.
Finally, Dr. Andreatta advises thorough research before adopting new technology solutions, including compatibility checks and rigorous reference checks to ensure the selected solution aligns with the organization's needs and goals.
In the continuation of the podcast, Kelly Palmer, the Chief Learning Officer at Degreed, shares her insights on the changing landscape of work and learning in the digital age.Kelly identifies herself as a workplace futurist, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to the changing world of work and learning.
She highlights the importance of forward-thinking companies that are preparing for the future by upskilling and reskilling their workforce. She mentions examples of companies like Booz Allen Hamilton and Amazon, which have initiated upskilling and reskilling programs to equip their employees with essential skills for the future.
Kelly emphasizes the importance of measuring and quantifying the impact of upskilling and reskilling initiatives, which allows companies to track progress and ensure that their workforce is prepared for the challenges ahead.
She also discusses the need for a learning culture within organizations, where employees are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and continuously acquire new skills. Kelly acknowledges that not all employees may initially embrace this mindset, but she emphasizes that the changing job market will likely compel individuals to keep their skills up-to-date to remain competitive.
Kelly's insights provide a roadmap for organizations and individuals alike, urging them to proactively prepare for the future rather than react to it.
In summary, this episode delves into the neuroscience of change management, emphasizing the importance of understanding human needs, aligning learning with brain science, measuring the impact of learning solutions, managing resistance to change, making informed decisions when adopting new technology and the imperative need for organizations to embrace change in the rapidly evolving world of work and learning.
Inside Insurance Digital Transformation: How AI, Cloud & Adoption Drive Real Change
00:42:42
In this episode of The Digital Adoption Show, host Rajesh Panina kicks off our Partner Podcast Mini-Series with a deep dive into the future of insurance with Ganesh Kumar, Principal Director of Insurance Solutions & Products at LTIMindtree.
With over 20 years in the industry, Ganesh has been at the forefront of helping global insurers modernize their core systems, navigate cloud transformation, embrace GenAI, and drive real-world results through better employee and customer adoption. This episode unpacks the pressures insurers are facing today—from regulatory demands and rising risks to evolving customer expectations—and explores how smart digital transformation is helping companies stay ahead.
Ganesh shares first-hand stories from the trenches, the real reasons core modernization projects succeed or fail, and why adoption is the most overlooked success metric in transformation programs.
Ganesh Kumar’s Journey Through Insurance Tech
His early career working on 8 concurrent modernization projects at a regional carrier
How tools like Duck Creek and Guidewire shaped his expertise
Moving from delivery to solutioning, and now, ecosystem partnerships
Core Modernization & What’s Driving It in Insurance
Customer expectations and the shift toward personalized, digital-native experiences
The data-driven push behind transformation initiatives
Reducing expense ratios and creating flexible systems for specialty markets
The overlooked driver: employee experience
Top Challenges in Insurance Transformation
Balancing configuration vs. customization to preserve upgrade paths
The “heart transplant” problem—how core fits into IT landscapes
The human factor: change management, stakeholder buy-in, and communication gaps
Cloud Adoption in Insurance: What’s Slowing It Down
Why insurers have historically lagged behind other sectors
Regulatory complexities and legacy mindset hurdles
The shift to SaaS-based insurance platforms and rising cloud confidence
Solving the Talent Gap in a Changing Tech Landscape
The dilemma: hire, upskill, or partner?
Why upskilling internal teams creates long-term value
How digital adoption platforms support both talent and transformation goals
Digital Adoption as a Transformation Game-Changer
Why traditional LMS models are no longer enough
How Whatfix helped reduce onboarding time by 50% during a catastrophe claims rollout
Measuring the downstream impact of better in-app guidance—from IT to call centers
GenAI in Insurance: Real-World Use Cases
AI for underwriting, claims triage, document summarization, and customer service
Language translation, emotional tone detection, and personalization at scale
Why GenAI needs user guidance and nudging to deliver ROI
How platforms like Whatfix support responsible and productive AI adoption
Final Takeaways
Adoption is the real unlock behind ROI
Transformation isn’t just tech—it’s people, platforms, and behavior
The future of insurance lies in agile, intelligent, user-first digital ecosystems
Organizations across the world are investing millions of dollars into human resource development, learning, and training. But often, the ROI of their investment is not justified.
In the Digital Adoption Show Podcast, we host luminaries from large organizations and thought leaders in HR and L&D to talk about the strategies that work, inspiring stories of execution and growth, and how they exceptionally accelerate digital adoption!Subscribe to The Digital Adoption Show:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3W7uoul
Apple: https://apple.co/4cD0Ewo
Website: https://bit.ly/3XWXtew
Améliorez votre compréhension de The Digital Adoption Show | Upskilling the Future Digital Workforce avec My Podcast Data
Chez My Podcast Data, nous nous efforçons de fournir des analyses approfondies et basées sur des données tangibles. Que vous soyez auditeur passionné, créateur de podcast ou un annonceur, les statistiques et analyses détaillées que nous proposons peuvent vous aider à mieux comprendre les performances et les tendances de The Digital Adoption Show | Upskilling the Future Digital Workforce. De la fréquence des épisodes aux liens partagés en passant par la santé des flux RSS, notre objectif est de vous fournir les connaissances dont vous avez besoin pour vous tenir à jour. Explorez plus d'émissions et découvrez les données qui font avancer l'industrie du podcast.
