In The Know with Axonify

Four years—that’s currently how long the typical employee sticks around before looking for new opportunities. But it wasn't always this way and median employee tenure has dropped 10.9% since 2012. The idea of staying with the same company for an entire career is a thing of the past thanks to high-profile layoffs, technological advancements, the rise of the gig economy and a renewed focus on work-life balance. People are starting to question the basic nature of employee loyalty so it makes sense that a new perspective is required.

Michael Esau, SAP's Global HR Advisor, joins JD Dillon to explain why organizations must shift their focus from loyalty to advocacy. We’ll explore how a strong advocacy program can enhance a company's brand reputation, attract top talent and create a more engaged, dynamic and productive workplace culture—even after employees inevitably leave.

Whether you're an HR leader, a manager or simply interested in the future of work, this episode will provide you with actionable insights on harnessing the power of advocacy to transform your employee engagement strategies.

• Watch the full video of this episode plus past ITKs on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Listen to The Human Factor Podcast from SAP. 
• Read 6 Workplace Trends Leaders Should Watch in 2024 from Gallup. 
• Review the Employee Tenure in 2022 Report from the BLS.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

For more about why Axonify is the proven employee enablement solution that equips frontlines with the essential tools to learn, connect and get things done, visit axonify.com.

How do you survive toxic leadership that goes beyond bad managers? We're talking the kind of leaders who bully, intimidate and exploit their teams, creating a work environment that erodes trust, damages relationships and undermines the well-being of employees. If you have a toxic leader, what are your options? And how can your organization protect the workplace so employees feel safe to do their best work in an environment that's fundamentally inclusive, trusting and supportive?

Loren Sanders shared some ideas on ITK! Loren is a coach, author and talent management consultant who helps non-HR people better understand how HR and business can work together to foster sustained organizational success. The author behind the book Empathy Is Not A Weakness: And Other Stories from the Edge joined JD to discuss ways to confront and combat toxic leadership for both professionals and organizations looking to overcome this unfortunate but common workplace obstacle.

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Grab a copy of Loren's book Empathy is Not a Weakness.
• Download Donald Taylor's 2024 L&D Global Sentiment Survey report.
• Get your copy of Forrester's Q4 2023 Learning Management System and Experience Platform Landscape Report.
• Watch Axonify's Supporting the Whole Human at Work session.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

"We don’t have time for learning!” 

How many times have you heard this objection in your L&D career? There’s just too much going on in the operation to make time for L&D activities. Plus, people are already overloaded with compliance training. This means learning is often seen as a distraction from work rather than an essential part of the job. 

How do we make learning a top priority, even in the busiest workplace? And how do we evolve the role of L&D from compliance-focused order takers to strategic business partners trusted to solve the organization’s biggest performance challenges? 

In this episode of ITK, we're asking Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of the new book, The Trusted Learning Advisor. Keith will explain how L&D can live up to its full potential by establishing credibility with stakeholders, delivering value for organizations and positively impacting employees’ lives.​

For more about why Axonify is the proven employee enablement solution that equips frontlines with the essential tools to learn, connect and get things done, visit https://www.axonify.com.

When should you PUSH training to employees, and when should you make learning resources available for people to PULL on their own?

Daniel Johnson and John Parsell from Merck sit down with JD Dillon to discuss the challenges of balancing the push/pull reality of workplace learning. They explore the complexities of L&D within a highly-regulated industry and the problems that can arise when employees get overloaded with required training. Daniel and John also provide practical tips for leveraging technology to balance push/pull learning and helping stakeholders understand why every problem doesn’t require a training solution.

For more about why Axonify is the proven employee enablement solution that equips frontlines with the essential tools to learn, connect and get things done, visit https://www.axonify.com.

Think back to your most memorable hotel experiences. What do they have in common?

Moments of delight. It’s when you’re greeted by name at reception. Or when that bottle of champagne suddenly appears in your room. Or when an associate goes out of their way to get you that dinner reservation. Those are the moments that build lifelong loyalty.
But those moments are hard to scale. How do you empower associates across the world to deliver this top-tier experience, while still maintaining the brand consistency that guests are accustomed to? For Dara Pinke, Vice-President of Learning and Engagement at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, it comes down to empowering your people to problem solve. And it’s not always easy.

On In The Know, Dara joins JD Dillon to discuss how Jumeirah enables its people at 26 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia to deliver those moments of delight every day. They’ll explore how Jumeirah fits learning into the workflow for the multiple lines of business within each resort, and the critical role frontline managers play in balancing associate empowerment and brand consistency.


For more about why Axonify is the proven employee enablement solution that equips frontlines with the essential tools to learn, connect and get things done, visit https://www.axonify.com.

Great customer service in healthcare is essential but includes added expectation thanks in part to the sensitivities and vulnerabilities associated with the industry. People want to be treated with respect and empathy and have easy access to reliable, accurate information. But providing this type of experience can be a challenge when you have thousands of employees across multiple business units. How do you make sure each customer gets the same top-notch experience during every interaction?

Sam Anderson, Director of Customer Experience Learning and Development at Cardinal Health, joins JD Dillon to share his team’s award-winning approach to customer service training. Sam explains why it’s important to start with the end in mind by identifying critical business metrics to measure the impact of your learning strategy. He breaks down the key components of the company's EASEE program and explains how they applied microlearning and coaching to reinforce key customer service skills.

• Read the Cardinal Health EASEE case study in Training Magazine.
• Download the Grocery Enablement Toolkit at http://axonify.com/toolkit 
• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

AI is already taking on tasks typically completed by people. It’s answering contact center calls, taking drive-thru orders and writing marketing copy. Companies are betting on AI to reduce costs, alleviate staffing challenges and improve efficiency. But where does this leave workers? Is AI just going to replace people, or can this technology actually make work more human? 

Join Juan Naranjo and JD Dillon as they share ideas for leveraging AI to improve the employee experience. Juan applies AI in his work as Senior Manager of Corporate Design and Development in the Canadian telecommunications industry and JD’s spent 10 years leveraging AI as an L&D professional and technologist. Together, they’ll show you how AI can make your workplace more efficient, creative and human. 

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

To celebrate AxoniCom 2023 taking over Nashville, host JD Dillon invited some of the conference’s movers and shakers to ITK.

Foot Locker’s former CEO Dick Johnson discussed what attendees can expect from his fireside chat with Axonify Co-founder and CRO Christine Tutssel. Then, Dessy Daskalov, Axonify’s SVP of Development, shares three nuggets about Axonify and AI. And Vijitharan Nageswaran, podcast host, Axonify’s Principal Solutions Consultant—and the big show’s mainstage MC!—shares what to look forward to as a first-time AxoniCom attendee.

This episode also takes a short detour with a look back at our past conferences and some of the unforgettable frontline insights from AxoniCom since it started in 2015.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

How do you build a truly great and healthy workplace culture, and what does it take to bring the values posted on office walls to life, every single day?

Melissa Daimler, CLO at Udemy and author of "ReCulturing: Design Your Company Culture to Connect with Strategy and Purpose for Lasting Success," joins JD to explore the key elements of building exceptional workplace cultures and how behaviors, processes and practices intersect to shape the outcome.

Melissa and JD also discuss how remote work impacts (and can even contribute) to an effective company culture and why it takes more than a robust course catalog to become a true learning organization.

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab a copy of Melissa’s book - ReCulturing - at melissadaimler.com/reculturing-book. 
• Get your ticket for AxoniCom 2023 in Nashville this October at axonify.com/axonicom. 
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem -at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

What do today’s employees want in a job?

Dr. Steven T. Hunt, Ph.D., SAP’s Chief Expert of Technology & Work, joins JD Dillon to share his perspective on what it takes to create a desirable workplace. Steve digs into trendy topics, like generational differences and remote work, and explains why they’re distractions from the important ideas organizations should focus on: job design and human psychology. 

Steve also talks about his new book, Talent Tectonics, and how it can help companies design work experiences that attract, enable and retain exceptional employees.

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab a copy of Steve’s book at talenttectonics.com. 
• Get your ticket for AxoniCom 2023 in Nashville this October at axonify.com/axonicom. 
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem  at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

How much learning technology do you actually need?

Rachel Horwitz joins ITK to discuss learning tech optimization. Rachel has managed HR and L&D practices at Mars, The Estée Lauder Companies and ConvaTec. Now her team at Learning Culture Partners helps organizations improve the utility, scalability and cost-effectiveness of their learning tech ecosystems. 

If you want expert tips on how to get maximum value and impact from your technology investments, join Rachel and JD for this spirited conversation! 

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Donate to SOS Children’s Villages at www.sosflorida.com. 
• Grab your ticket for AxoniCom 2023 in Nashville this October at axonify.com/axonicom. 
• Grab a copy of JD’s book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem  at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

We’re celebrating the release of Learning Experience Design Essentials, the new book from one of our favorite ITK guests, Cara North!

Cara’s gone from “accidental instructional designer” with Amazon to L&D director with Circulo Health to literally writing the book on modern learning design. Now she joins JD for a rousing game of Agree to Disagree! where they both share their takes on the hottest questions in L&D. 

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Pick up a copy of Cara North's new book Learning Experience Design Essentials at td.org/book/learning-experience-design-essentials. 
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Grab your ticket for AxoniCom 2023 in Nashville this October at axonify.com/axonicom. 

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

Who deserves the chance to get better at their jobs?

Everyone, of course! And while the answer is obvious, delivering on that promise is more nuanced than you may realize.

Diane Elkins, co-founder of Artisan E-Learning and founding member of Inspire Accessibility, joins JD to share practical insights for improving equity in workplace learning and explains why accessibility is about so much more than checking regulatory boxes. She debunks common accessibility myths, highlights frequent learning design mistakes and provides proven tips for selecting partners that truly prioritize accessibility.

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Donate to support Canine Assistants.
• Grab your copy of Everything you need to know about frontline enablement.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

If you want tried-and-tested tactics to keep your people engaged and invested in the success of your business, look to startups. If larger organizations can successfully tap into that agile innovation … you’ve got the potential for magic.

Endy, Canada’s leading online mattress brand, is building a culture of deliberate and continuous learning that starts on day one. The goal? Build out a team of experts who can pivot quickly to act in the company’s best interest, every single day.

Join Gloria Chau, Endy’s Manager of Learning and Development, and Axonify’s JD Dillon as they explore Endy’s foundational learning culture and identify key learnings that larger enterprise companies should keep top-of-mind in the face of constant change.

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Donate to support Furniture Bank.
• Learn more about Max, Axonify's latest AI-powered innovation. 

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

Did you know the average person will have between 3 and 7 different careers over the course of their professional lives?

We explore modern tactics for career development with Al Dea, Leadership Development Consultant and host of The Edge of Work podcast. Al's work has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Time, Fast Company and The World Economic Forum. Now he joins JD on ITK to redefine concept of a career in the modern workplace, including:

• What's wrong with the phrase "employees should own their careers"
• Why career building is a team sport
• The role managers must play in enabling career development
• Whether you should follow passion or skill when charting a career path
• How to know when its time to move on

Al and JD also share their own career journeys and key insights they’ve picked up while working with companies like Disney, Deloitte and Salesforce.

If you’re actively looking for your next role, starting to think about making a change or looking to expand your professional network, this episode is for you!

• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Learn more about JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

Elizabeth Thompson (Founder and Chief Experience Officer for Intuitive Quest) has seen it all in her 20-plus year career in HR. 

From mass layoffs at Starbucks during a recession to having a front row seat to a Chapter 11 experience with Southeastern Grocers as the Chief People Officer and how the grocer came out of the experience not only wiser but transformed to a level that resulted in a Harvard Business School case study on their cultural transformation. Elizabeth has witnessed seismic global shifts that have impacted how we support employees and develop leaders, and created a framework for how organizations can embrace change and build trust while staying open and agile enough to continuously adapt.

Elizabeth joins JD Dillon (Axonify) to chat about how positive change starts with good leadership and that a focus on 3 core pillars—communication, leader training & development and data that proves impact to stakeholders—combined with a willingness to be vulnerable and tear down old structures can lead to a breakthrough.

• Read the full Grocery EX Snapshot from Axonify at axonify.com/GroceryEX.
• Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.
• Learn more about JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the proven frontline enablement solution that gives employees everything they need to learn, connect and get things done. With an industry-leading 83% engagement rate, Axonify is used by companies to deliver next-level CX, higher sales, improved workplace safety and lower turnover. To learn more about how Axonify enables over 3.5 million frontline workers in 160-plus countries, in over 250 companies including Lowe’s, Kroger, Walmart and Citizens Bank, visit axonify.com.

How do we make it easier for frontline workers to do their jobs?

It’s a simple question, but the answer is more nuanced than you might expect. RedThread Research asked over 500 employees and 50 leaders from a wide range of industries and job functions about what’s working—and what’s not—when it comes to enabling the success of their teams for its recent report, Getting Real About the Frontline Workforce.

Join report authors Heather Gilmartin Adams and Dani Johnson and Axonify’s Josh Felix as they unpack the findings from this pivotal report to learn what organizations are doing to drive progress—and what barriers they still need to overcome. They explore the connection between stability and high performance, the disconnect around employee development, the rise and fall of frontline recognition and more.

Grab a copy of "Getting Real about the Frontline Workforce" from RedThread Research (ungated) at axonify.com/redthread.

Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.

Sign up for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the mobile-first training and communication solution that helps make sure your frontline workforce is ready for anything. To learn more about Axonify’s digital learning experience and check out success stories from companies like Kroger, Levi's, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

We’re settling the debate on gamification—again!

Join us for a rewind (not rerun) of our most popular episode to date. Karl Kapp—the man who literally wrote the book on the subject—joins JD for a no-nonsense conversation on the dos and don’ts of gamification. Karl plays the ITK Game and explains how you can increase engagement, boost knowledge and super-size the fun by blending game mechanics within your learning programs.

Karl also gives us an update on his YouTube series, The Unofficial, Unauthorized History of Learning Games. If you’ve ever wondered what L&D can learn from Candy Land, be sure to check it out!

Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.

Sign up for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.

Grab a copy of JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the mobile-first training and communication solution that helps make sure your frontline workforce is ready for anything. To learn more about Axonify’s digital learning experience and check out success stories from companies like Kroger, Levi's, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

We’re jumping into our DeLorean to discover the future of L&D!

2023 is a critical year for the L&D profession. After three years of nonstop disruption, L&D pros have an opportunity to define the role they’ll play in the future of work. To make smart investments, they must get past the hype and focus their limited time and resources on the best ideas. But how can L&D specialists determine which ideas are worth pursuing and which will fade out fast? It’s not like they have a time machine—or do they?

Join Donald H Taylor and JD Dillon on a journey back to the future of L&D! Don’s had his finger on the pulse of the industry for years thanks to his annual Global Sentiment Survey. Don and JD will turn back the clock to find out how the biggest trends impacted the workplace over the past two decades. Then they’ll travel 88 mph (or 142 kph) to explore new ideas that are shaping the future of L&D, including AI, reskilling and the metaverse.

Dona also provides a sneak peek into the Learning Technologies Conference happening May 3-4 in London, England.

Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.

Sign up for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.

Grab a copy of JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the mobile-first training and communication solution that helps make sure your frontline workforce is ready for anything. To learn more about Axonify’s digital learning experience and check out success stories from companies like Kroger, Levi's, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

This conversation gets SPICY!!!

With a marketplace full of options and new competitors emerging daily, it’s more difficult (and expensive) than ever to attract and retain customers. Today’s buyers aren’t just looking for vendors; they’re searching for partners who are dedicated to shared success. That’s why an awesome customer education program is essential to improving retention and growing your brand.

Ryan Dillon, Vice President of Corporate Development at Thought Industries, joins JD Dillon to break down the essentials of a solid customer education program and connect over some common ground—they have the same last name, both work in tech and are both online talk show hosts!

Ryan’s show Hot Takes is inspired by the popular YouTube chicken wing/celeb interview series Hot Ones. So, to make our guest feel at home, as the conversation around how to build a rad customer education program heats up, Ryan and JD eat increasingly spicy chicken wings.

Get ready for 2 Dillons, 7 hot sauces and 25 minutes of fun on this ITK episode!

Watch the full video of this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel.

Sign up for ITK updates and show announcements at axonify.com/itk.

Grab a copy of JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - at jdwroteabook.com.

In The Know is brought to you by Axonify, the mobile-first training and communication solution that helps make sure your frontline workforce is ready for anything. To learn more about Axonify’s digital learning experience and check out success stories from companies like Kroger, Levi's, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.