On this episode of the AXIOM Insights Learning and Development Podcast, host Scott Rutherford speaks with Jenessa Dowe Jacobs about what it takes to build an L&D function from scratch. Jenessa shares her framework of the “three Ps” (People, Process, Products) plus a crucial fourth—Politics—along with strategies for securing early wins and stakeholder alignment. She also explains how to turn grassroots learning into a sustainable system, apply Jim Collins’ Hedgehog Concept to culture, and position AI as a tool that frees L&D professionals to focus on people. This conversation is a practical guide for anyone looking to launch or refresh an L&D function that drives real business impact.

In this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Rick At Lee, senior vice president and director of enterprise learning at Truist. The discussion explores Truist's experience navigating its creation through the merger of BB&T and SunTrust Bank in 2019, including how learning was marketed and communicated throughout the organization, with a specific focus on the combination of leadership support and learner engagement that turned their original plans for a Teammate Growth Week into an organization-wide Teammate Growth Month, which is currently being implemented in its second year following a very well received first year.

In this bonus episode of the podcast, we are resharing a recording from a live stream discussion.

This is a discussion with Dr. Guido Minaya (CEO and Chief Learning Officer at Minaya Learning Global Solutions) and Susan Nabonne Beck (Vice President of Learning Design and Strategy at AXIOM Learning Solutions). We cover the current experience using AI tools in L&D, and the pros and cons of how AI tools can be used to enhance the learner experience and the development of learning content. The discussion also explores the opportunity created by enterprise adoption or experimentation with AI, as the L&D function is a resource for AI skills development and helping the organization manage AI related risks.

More information on this episode can be found at https://axiomlearningsolutions.com/podcast

Managing the capacity of a learning team is a core task of the learning and development leader. In this episode, we are joined by three experienced L&D leaders: Pam Moyer, Jay Letourneau, and Jason Ruff. Together, they explore how staff augmentation can be used to align the capacity of a learning team with business demand.

In this conversation, they explore how learning teams can stay agile by supplementing their full-time or permanent staff with contract or contingent talent, without sacrificing quality, collaboration, or culture. In fact, they explain why and how bringing in a contractor can give your team what you need most, whether that's additional work capacity or specific skills or expertise.

This discussion offers anyone managing learning clear guidance based on experience about how to plan resourcing strategies in alignment with business priorities, mobilizing augmented staff to fill in capacity or skills gaps, integrate contractors into your learning operations as part of a cohesive and high performing team, and how contractors can support your team through periods of business disruption, change and growth.

This episode explores the dynamics of gender, age, and experience in the workplace.

We are joined by Laurie Johnson, a senior level learning consultant with the Boulder Crest Foundation, a nonprofit that supports combat veterans and their families; before this work, she was a senior leader of Accenture Federal with more than three decades experience in corporate learning; and Pamela Johnson, a senior attorney and Of Counsel with Halunen Law, where her legal practice specializes in handling sexual harassment, wrongful termination, whistleblower and retaliation claims. She is also a mediator with Johnson Benrud Mediation and Consulting, building on a 30 year career as an insurance professional and litigator.

This episode explores both how organizations can and should prioritize the skills and perspectives of older women in the workforce, as well as considerations and actionable advice for driving cultural change and breaking down workplace barriers.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Guido Minaya, CEO and Chief Learning Officer at Minaya Learning Global Solutions, about the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence (HI) in workplace learning. The discussion highlights AI's growing role in corporate training, particularly in automating instructional design, enhancing personalized learning experiences, and improving productivity. Dr. Minaya emphasizes how AI, such as large language models like ChatGPT, can assist in content generation and real-time learner support, as well as enhance leadership coaching and soft skills development. He advocates for a project-based approach to skill development, encouraging organizations to use AI tools to solve real-world business challenges while also fostering collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among employees. For L&D professionals, the key takeaway is the importance of balancing AI's efficiency with human creativity, focusing on better outcomes rather than just speed or cost savings.

In this episode of the AXIOM Insights Learning and Development Podcast, we're joined by technologist and technical training expert John Kidd to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and development (L&D). The discussion explores the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok, exploring how these tools can enhance performance by automating tasks and accelerating content creation. This potential is also discussed with a cautionary note to understand the limitations of AI, emphasizing the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy and quality. John also highlights the importance of teaching prompt engineering and integrating AI into training processes to boost efficiency and innovation across technical and non-technical roles. Ultimately, this discussion highlights how and why AI is not about replacing jobs but augmenting them, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic tasks while leveraging AI to streamline repetitive functions. This episode offers advice for organizations exploring the use of AI to support L&D operations as well as broader business operations.

Communication is a critical skill in every organization. At the same time, presentations and other public speaking make many people uncomfortable. On this episode of the AXIOM Insights Learning and Development Podcast, we speak with Neil Thompson, a former engineer who, after identifying his own need to advance his presentation skills, is the founder of Teach the Geek, which includes learning resources and a podcast dedicated to helping technical staff improve their presentation skills.

Managing change is a cyclical and ongoing challenge for organizations, and it can come in many forms: mergers/acquisitions, economic shifts, and regulatory change, to name a few. During times of change, learning and development can play an important role in navigating the change and creating the groundwork of success. In this episode, we're joined by Nina Hollon, founder and CEO of Catalyst Learning Strategies, who shares her perspective and expertise developed over a career in training, including more than 20 mergers and acquisitions, including a learning leadership role in the largest merger in the history of the Wealth Management sector.