Dive into Digital brilliance: Lessons from DWG’s 2025 Award winners. For this episode, Nancy Goebel is joined by studio guests Kerry O’Donnell, former Executive Director at The Estée Lauder Companies, and Rory Gardner, Director and Team Leader for Associate Knowledge and Strategic Insights – Digital Workplace at Fidelity Investments. 

Together, they explore the exceptional nature of the 2025 DWG Awards entries and what these tell about the evolution of the digital workplace.

You can find out what inspired our guests to join the Awards judging panel and hear their insightful reflections on the Awards submissions. In a climate of hybrid work models, budget constraints and lean staffing, big inspiring advancements are definitely still being achieved.

Teams continue to push the boundaries. They’re redefining the future of employee experience and operational excellence in the digital workplace. AI is high on the agenda, and the trio digs into what it takes to scale AI responsibly and effectively.

It’s a great discussion with observant commentary, a touch of future gazing, and even some helpful advice. If you’re interested in digital workplace brilliance, then listen today!

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers:

Kerry O’Donnell, former Executive Director at The Estée Lauder Companies

Rory Gardner, Director and Team Leader, Associate Knowledge and Strategic Insights – Digital Workplace at Fidelity Investments

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In recent years, Hearst Networks has transformed from a more traditional background into a diversified media company, leading in the genres of history and true crime. For this Digital Workplace Impact episode, Dean Possenniskie, Hearst Network’s Managing Director EMEA, joins Nancy Goebel to discuss the company’s change journey.

Dean sets out the importance of values, purpose and adaptability in a world of changing marketplaces and new opportunities presented by AI. And if clarity is the new social currency of enterprises, then culture, leadership and purpose become even more important in helping colleagues to navigate today’s world.

This great conversation uncovers more about the company's commitment to storytelling and employee engagement. Together, Nancy and Dean examine the integration of AI in all aspects of the business including the employee experience – and Dean is encouraging that with AI you really can win and learn.

Like many organizations, Hearst is managing the new dichotomy that AI is ever more present and yet the hunger for in-person collaboration is still very real.

So, for a story of change, growth and impact involving great people and new technologies, join Nancy and Dean, and listen now.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers: 

Dean Possenniskie, Managing Director, Hearst Networks EMEA

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Join us and delve into the role of digital employee experience (or DEX) at Robert Half, one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Evelyn Lim, Senior Director, Digital Workplace Colleague Experience at Robert Half, joins Nancy Goebel in the studio. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Evelyn and a global team of Robert Half colleagues are working cross-functionally to set the standard for what it means to be an employer of choice in the digital age.

Evelyn describes their approach as ‘agile-ish’ and this is underpinned by her own passion and focus for supporting and enabling the digital employee experience. In their discussion, Evelyn reveals her perspective on why DEX is so important, and the parts personification and accessibility play for colleagues based around the globe.

The pair also talk about how input from colleagues is the air that fuels the digital employee experience. What shines through is the power of the DEX collective; a testament to Robert Half's commitment to the wellbeing and success of its employees, and to the company’s high standing as an employer of choice.

Listen now to Nancy and Evelyn to find out more.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers:

Evelyn Lim, Senior Director, Digital Workplace Colleague Experience

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Are you a technology enthusiast, a business leader or someone who is simply curious about the future of work? If so, sit back and enjoy this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, which is packed with insights and inspiration around responding to rapid technological changes and human factors whilst transforming the digital employee experience (DEX).

Host Nancy Goebel is joined in the studio by Ted Hopton, DWG alum and Manager of the Workplace Technologies Team at Motorola Solutions.  

The world of work is changing at pace – and it’s happening in impactful ways inside Motorola. Ted brings to life experiences and approaches that he’s taking in his work to balance the needs of the business with those of employees when making decisions about what's next.

For all this and much more about digital transformation at Motorola Solutions, join Nancy and Ted for this great discussion.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers: 

Ted Hopton, Manager, Workplace Experience Technologies Team at Motorola Solutions

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Looking to the future, do we need to shift from the language of the digital workplace to that of the business in storytelling? And how does storytelling play a part in helpfully promoting yourself and your team in the workplace? 

The latest guest in the Digital Workplace Impact podcast studio is Tanya Williams, Head of Internal Communications at Gallagher Retail. In this conversation, Tanya shares with host Nancy Goebel more about her approach to helping colleagues master the art of self-marketing and communication.

The conversation is a blueprint for digital workplace leaders to help build muscle around their storytelling, a skill that will not only help individuals with their future success, but also equips leaders to promote their teams and their work.

Alignment between online and physical presence plays a part in building a reputation. Add in some straightforward tools and techniques, along with your own authenticity, and you have a pathway to create trust at the same time.

The future of the digital workplace beckons, and the benefits of championing both your team and yourself will have its place within this. To hear more about the art of self-promotion in the digital age, listen today.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers:

Tanya Williams, Head of Internal Communications at Gallagher Retail

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How can the transformative power of AI be leveraged in the work of internal communicators? Can it really help to foster a more inclusive, high-performing environment for teams?

This time, our host Nancy Goebel is joined by Monique Zytnik, a global internal communication leader. Monique shares her perspective on the transformative power of AI in internal communications, drawing on insights from her latest book, which includes innovative strategies and real-world examples of how AI is reshaping workplace communication.

Every day, AI presents challenges and opportunities for internal communication professionals. Monique emphasizes the importance of a multilayered approach and an immersive communication mindset in effectively making the most of AI tools. 

While addressing common misconceptions about AI, Monique also offers practical advice for maintaining a human-centric approach when embracing technological advancements.

Ultimately, while technology brings new opportunities, the importance of ‘people come first’ shines through. For an enlightening discussion on internal communications in the age of AI, listen now.

Guest speaker:

Monique Zytnik, Global Internal Communication Leader

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It’s time to shine, so tell us your story! 

The Digital Workplace Group (DWG) Awards programme is back for 2025, offering a great opportunity to gain industry-level recognition for your team’s digital workplace achievements. 

In this short, sharp episode of Digital Workplace Impact, you can hear more as host Nancy Goebel is joined by Elizabeth Marsh, Director of Research for DWG, and Sarah Escott, DWG Events and Collaboration Director – the duo leading the programme. Together, they set out the application process and timescales, along with some essential advice for anyone considering taking part.

The DWG Awards 2025 celebrate those organizations and practitioners who have excelled in creating well-executed, high-performing digital workplaces. But if you’re putting together an entry, remember that, while facts and figures are important, painting a whole picture is even better! 

You can enter the Awards until June 27 and the online Awards event is set to take place on September 17. So, listen now for the inside track on DWG’s 2025 Awards.

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.)

Guest speakers: 

Elizabeth Marsh, DWG Director of Research

Sarah Escott, DWG Events and Collaboration Director

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How can AI and data combine to add to organizational decision-making? Does AI really give us the ability to interpret data better? And just how are changes in technology allowing us all to better access information in the digital workplace?  

In this latest episode of Digital Workplace Impact, host Nancy Goebel is joined in conversation by Cai Kjaer, Co-Founder and CEO of SWOOP Analytics. SWOOP supports organizations by providing insights to measure and improve internal communication and collaboration. 

Together, Nancy and Cai delve into the fascinating world of data-driven digital workplace leadership. They discuss how organizations are leveraging data that can transform digital workplaces and drive organizational success. Cai also shares insights and practical tips on using analytics to enhance communication, collaboration and overall performance in the digital age.  

So, for thoughtful insights, top tips and a look ahead at what might be coming next, listen now for more on data-driven digital workplaces. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

Guest speakers:  

Cai Kjaer, Co-Founder and CEO of SWOOP Analytics  

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In this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, we welcome Oscar Berg, a senior consultant, renowned author, content creator, and speaker with extensive expertise in intelligent collaboration and AI. 

Oscar joins our host Nancy Goebel in the podcast studio where the topic under discussion is generative AI, the catalyst for intelligent collaboration today and beyond. This episode was inspired by one of Nancy’s 2025 predictions for the digital workplace. The prediction sets out the future of intelligent collaboration and how generative AI is transforming team collaboration.  

During this fascinating conversation, Oscar and Nancy delve into the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven collaboration. Together, they share insights on navigating this evolving landscape to support advanced teamwork. 

Could generative AI become an extension of your team? Will culture eat AI for breakfast? Why is having a clear goal for AI adoption so essential? And what’s the role of the digital workplace leader in all of this?  

Listen now to this highly topical discussion on intelligent collaboration and its relevance in the rapidly changing digital workplace. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

Guest speakers:  

Oscar Berg, Senior Consultant at Exobe 

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“It's those continual conversations and interactions we're having with our members and wider community that inform us what people are excited about, what they are concerned about, what they are struggling with – perhaps because of its newness or due to the level of hype or confusion – to put it into perspective.” 

Elizabeth Marsh, Director of Research at DWG 

What are the top digital workplace questions on the minds of leaders today? And how are they tackling the challenges and opportunities they face? 

All this and more is taken into the mix to inform the DWG research programme every year. And in this episode of Digital Workplace Impact, Elizabeth Marsh, Director of Research at DWG, joins host Nancy Goebel to explain what’s shaping the DWG research programme for 2025. 

The conversation gives a tantalizing preview and delves into the key themes and topics driving this year’s research agenda. These include intranet futuring, AI readiness and literacy, digital workplace business cases and change management.  

Elizabeth also shares insights into how the research programme is designed to support and enable digital workplace teams and leaders, emphasizing the importance of change agility and storytelling in driving successful digital transformations.   

The 2025 programme comprises a rich set of topics, which balances the strategic and the tactical, the forward-looking and the ‘here and now’, in a robust and accessible fashion. To find out more about this research that will help unlock the future, listen now to discover more about DWG’s research programme for this year. 

(Show notes, links and transcript for this episode.) 

A collection of previous digital workplace reports produced by DWG can be viewed online. 

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