The 5 Must-Follow Hacks to Build a Future-Proof Workplace by Claire Doody

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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

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.

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.

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.

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.