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.

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.

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.

AI is everywhere!

ChatGPT can write quirky poetry. Bing can summarize entire webpages. Stable Diffusion can make U.S. presidents look like Pixar characters. The technology is impressive, but how will this next wave of digital innovation impact the employee experience?

Join JD Dillon as he dives into the potential benefits and risks for AI at work with a very special guest: AI. That’s right! JD  stretches the limits of AI-powered tech by conducting a live interview with a fully digital guest. Together, they explore a range of AI workplace applications, from recruiting and training to engagement and talent mobility. JD also shares questions you MUST ask before introducing AI-enabled tech in your organization.

Watch this episode on the Axonify YouTube Channel to get a real sense of what generative AI can do!
 
Check out the AI-powered tools used to create this episode:

• ChatGPT
• Synthesia
• Midjourney
• D-ID
• Resemble
• Axonify

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.

Is it HYPE or HAPPENING?

That’s the question we answer on this ITK as we explore the BIGGEST employee experience trends for 2023. There are lots of articles, podcasts and webinars out there right now telling you what to care about this year as L&D, HR and EX professionals. But are those topics really worth your limited time, resources and investment?

Jordan Ekers (VP - Product Marketing at Axonify) joins JD to break down the hype machine. We get past the headlines and share practical insights into …

• Economic uncertainty
• Layoffs and labor shortages
• Manager burnout and support
• AI in the workplace
• Skill-based talent strategies 
• Remote and flexible work
• Doing more with less

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

Download the brand new Deskless Report - Retail Edition.

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

Learn more about 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

Empower your employees to bring their whole selves to work!

Jenifer Calcamuggi, Director of Learning and Talent Development at Shake Shack, joins JD to explore the role of talent development in shaping the future of work.

Jenifer explains why topics like resilience, wellbeing and fulfillment are essential focus areas in today’s workplace. We discuss transforming jobs into careers through continuous people development. Jenifer highlights an underestimated pool of new corporate talent — transitioning teachers — and the unique skills they bring to workplace learning.

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

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

Learn more about 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

We’re celebrating the launch of JD’s new book!

The Modern Learning Ecosystem dropped on November 29th. It’s a call to action for L&D to rethink their practices to help employees keep pace with change, solve today’s biggest problems and build the knowledge and skills needed to seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

JD invited L&D’s most well-known authors to join the party, including Elaine Biech (The Art and Science of Training), Karl Kapp (The Gamification of Learning and Instruction) and Cara North (Learning Experience Design Essentials).

Find more info on JD's new book at jdwroteabook.com. Follow Axonify on LinkedIn for a chance to win a copy over the next few weeks.

Donate to Axonify's Movember fundraising effort.

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

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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

Make sure employees feel like they belong from Day 1!

Belonging is a fundamental human need. We seek out people and places that accept us for who we are. This drive for connection extends into the workplace where a strong sense of belonging can improve engagement and performance. What steps can organizations take to foster belonging, boost trust and create enthusiastic brand advocates?

David Bator, Director of the Achievers Workforce Institute, joins JD to explore the importance of belonging in today’s workplace. David explains why companies that foster belonging have 3x higher productivity, engagement and job commitment. He shows you how to bring the 5 pillars of belonging - welcomed, known, included, supported and connected - to life within your organization.

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

Download the 2022 Culture Report: The Tech-Enabled Employee Experience from Achievers Workforce Institute.

Pre-order JD Dillon's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - before it drops on November 29, 2022! Learn more 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

To go or not to go? That is the question when it comes to industry events.

The conference landscape changed dramatically in 2020 as in-person events were replaced by online activities. Today, employees have hundreds of online options - webinars, events, podcasts, livestreams - to support of their development. Does this mean in-person conferences are a thing of the past, or are they still a meaningful part of professional development that’s worth the investment?

David Kelly, CEO of The Learning Guild, sits down with JD Dillon to discuss the realities of industry events in our increasingly hybrid workplace. David shares his perspective on the value of in-person conferences along with his vision for enabling professional development across the global L&D community. David also previews The Guild’s upcoming Learning 2022 (Orlando) and DevLearn (Las Vegas) conferences.

Plus, JD shares 10 expert tips for getting the most of our your conference experience.

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

Pre-order JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - before it drops on November 29, 2022 via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and ATD. Learn more 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

Turn off the training firehose!

Here’s the biggest secret about workplace learning: people are built to forget. We can only retain so much information in a short period. This is why traditional courses don’t work - people aren’t built to learn that way. Instead, L&D should deliver and reinforce training in short bursts over extended periods. Instead of relying on courses, think about learning programs as campaigns.

Amy Wallace, Vice President of Learning and Development at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, joins JD Dillon to share her insights into campaign-based learning. Amy and JD discuss the process of breaking down courses into short, digestible bites as well as how learning campaigns can help you move beyond check-the-box compliance and drive measurable behavior change. 

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

JD's new book - The Modern Learning Ecosystem - is available for pre-order via Amazon and ATD. Learn more 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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

The news is hot off the press: Axonify acquired Nudge! Together, we’re about to take the frontline digital experience to the next level.

What does this partnership mean for frontline employers? How is Axonify going to transform the employee experience through learning, communication and execution technology? And how can we help companies become employers of choice in a competitive talent marketplace?

JD Dillon is joined by Jordan Ekers, Co-Founder and COO at Nudge, to share our vision for the not-so-distant future of the frontline employee experience.

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

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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

L&D professionals are lifelong learners who inherently understand the importance of ongoing skill development. But do they prioritize building their own skillset to keep up with the rapid changes in the workplace? Unfortunately, the biggest irony in workplace learning is how little professional development the learning and development people tend to do.

JD Dillon is joined by John Hinchliffe, Head of Engagement at Jam Pan and Founder of the Global Learning and Development Community (GLDC). They debate the essential skills L&D pros need to be successful in today's workplace as well as best practices for continuous development during a rousing game of Agree to Disagree.

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

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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.

How difficult is writing a GOOD multiple-choice question?

a) It’s so easy anyone can do it.
b) It’s a standard skill for all L&D professionals.
c) There’s a lot more that goes into it than most people realize.

The answer is always C - and that’s the problem! A well-written multiple-choice question can efficiently measure a wide range of important learning outcomes - not just recall. Unfortunately, we’ve all taken bad tests with unclear questions, tricky distractors and answer choices packed with so much legalese that the correct option is obvious.

So what constitutes a GOOD multiple choice question? Let’s ask Patti Shank, PhD, International-recognized learning expert and author of Write Better Multiple-Choice Questions To Assess Learning. JD and Patti discuss the benefits of good questions, how to write them and why they’re an essential part of a modern workplace learning strategy.

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 O’Reilly Auto Parts, Longo’s, Briscoe Group, Citizen’s Bank, MOL Group and Etihad Airways, visit axonify.com.