Anchored in Learning Podcast: The Future of Work Starts Now!
Welcome back to Anchored in Learning! In this episode, Vanessa Alzate dives deep into the latest insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Work report and what it means for CEOs looking to build organizations that attract and retain top young talent.
🔹 40% of today’s skills will be obsolete by 2030—are you preparing your workforce for what’s next?
 🔹 The new “power skills” that will separate thriving businesses from outdated ones.
 🔹 Why AI isn’t replacing employees—but poor leadership might.
 🔹 The future of hybrid and remote work: how to adapt instead of getting left behind.
 🔹 How learning & development must shift to keep Gen Z and Gen Alpha engaged.
📢 Listen now and discover how to position your company as an employer of choice in a rapidly evolving workforce!
👉 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest challenge your organization is facing with workforce shifts?

In this episode of Anchored in Learning, Vanessa reveals the secret to creating impactful training, gaining C-suite buy-in, and making learning unforgettable: storytelling. From engaging learners in mandatory training to persuading decision-makers, stories have the power to change hearts and minds. Vanessa shares real-life examples, practical tips, and simple frameworks to help you elevate your storytelling game and create a lasting impact.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why storytelling is essential for securing buy-in at all levels.
• How to turn mandatory training into must-watch content.
• Easy-to-follow frameworks for crafting memorable stories.
• How to balance emotional storytelling with data-driven insights.
• Resources and Tools Mentioned:
• Donald Taylor’s Global Sentiment Survey
• Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
• Story Design by Rance Greene
• Tips for using storytelling in TikTok-style training

Connect with Vanessa:

• Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn for more storytelling tips in L&D.
• Share your favorite storytelling examples by messaging Vanessa or commenting on this episode.

In this episode of *Anchored in Learning*, Vanessa dives into a critical challenge faced by organizations today: employee engagement. What keeps people connected to their workplace in a world where job-hopping is more common than ever? The answer might surprise you: it’s all about **identity**.  

Vanessa explores how organizations can foster a sense of belonging and pride among employees, turning them into lifelong fans of the brand. From onboarding strategies to company culture, she shares actionable insights and real-world examples of businesses getting it right. Plus, she highlights the importance of aligning engagement strategies with your organizational identity to boost loyalty, productivity, and recruitment.  

**What You’ll Learn in This Episode:**  
- Why employee engagement is more than rewards and perks.  
- How identity plays a crucial role in building loyalty.  
- Tips for creating a meaningful onboarding experience.  
- Why understanding employee feedback is essential for engagement.  
- Real-life examples of companies investing in employee experience—and seeing results.  

In this episode of Anchored in Learning, Vanessa dives deep into one of the hottest topics in learning and development today: AI. Is it a tool to elevate our profession or a disruptor ready to replace us? Vanessa shares her personal experiences experimenting with AI tools to create everything from pitch decks to training frameworks and explores how they’re helping professionals move from order-takers to strategic consultants.

Discover how AI is helping solve deep pain points in learning, enabling personalization, and reshaping the way we approach strategy, scalability, and execution. Vanessa also provides practical advice on embracing AI responsibly and building a learning strategy that aligns with today’s rapidly evolving workplace expectations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How AI is making waves across industries, including L&D.
• Why personalization is no longer optional but an expectation.
• The evolving role of L&D professionals in the age of AI.
• Tools and tips to embrace AI without losing your personal touch.
• Practical strategies to scale learning and reduce production time without compromising quality.

In this episode of Anchored in Learning, we dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the relevance of conferences in today’s learning and development landscape. Drawing on recent experiences, we explore what works, what doesn’t, and how conferences could evolve to better serve attendees. Are traditional formats still effective, or is it time for a radical rethink?

Insights:

• The challenges of traditional conference formats: information overload, lack of reflection time, and limited actionable takeaways.
• The importance of creating meaningful experiences that foster networking, collaboration, and real connections.
• Innovative ideas to revamp conferences, including cohort-based learning, unstructured networking opportunities, and calls to action for attendees.
• Insights from the Kirkpatrick Summit and its focus on community-building, personalization, and actionable outcomes.
• How conference organizers can balance value, education, and fun to create memorable, impactful events.

Episode Highlights:

•        [01:07] Reflections on DevLearn 2024 and the shift to a new venue.
•        [03:51] Why the traditional conference model might no longer work.
•        [06:54] The opportunity to prioritize experiences over content-heavy agendas.
•        [09:08] Rethinking networking: How unstructured conversations can add value.
•        [17:00] Behind the scenes of the Kirkpatrick Summit and lessons learned.
•        [22:32] The power of cohort-based learning and Shark Tank-inspired activities.

2023/2024 was a ROUGH year for people in the learning and development (L&D) industry. There is a new era we are dawning upon in our industry, and its time to discuss truly what 2024 was like, and what 2025 and beyond holds in order to move away from being an "order taker" to a strategic partner. In this episode., Vanessa dives into how L&D professionals can transform their roles, embrace change, and stay relevant in an ever-evolving landscape.

A sneak peak at what's ahead...