The Edge: A Skillsoft Podcast

With great power comes great responsibility. In this groundbreaking era of technology, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. The advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly GenAI, have propelled us forward, giving us capabilities that can feel straight out of a sci-fi novel. But rather than fearing AI and all of its capabilities, we need to understand it. On this episode of The Edge, our host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by artificial intelligence ethicist and edtech entrepreneur, Ben Roome. Together they discuss the importance of fairness, accountability, and transparency when working with AI, and how companies can ensure that they are using this technology responsibly.  

Over the past 30 or so years, big capitalism has been perceived as a force of massive destruction and chaos on the planet. But what if we told you that it could actually be used for good? Engaging with billons of people and companies around the planet to participate in reversing climate change can happen, and it must be done using auditable, transparent, trustworthy data ecosystems that are critical to igniting change. 

We dive deeper into this topic on this episode of The Edge with Josh Knauer, a social and tech entrepreneur who fundamentally believes that there’s a viable window of time to reverse the climate crisis. All it takes is getting everyone involved. From farmers, to investors, to businesses, and individuals like you who all want to participate in lowering their carbon footprint on the planet. Join in as Josh and host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek discuss how the intersection of technology and sustainability can help companies and individuals contribute to a healthier planet.  

Creating a strong cybersecurity culture depends on continued investment in education. Whether your organization serves the consumer or other businesses, the vast amounts of data entrusted to your care are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, and the success of your business depends on safeguarding that resource. So, when organizations invest time and effort to stay current with the latest cybersecurity practices, they are also investing in a safer and more trusted work culture.  

We dive deeper into this topic on this episode of The Edge with Okey Obudulu, Chief Information Security Officer at Skillsoft. Join in as Okey and host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek discuss how to protect yourself, your company, and your employees from cyberattacks while also serving to build a more trusted organization. 

In the pursuit of leading inclusively, organizations must be willing to establish learning, development, and job opportunities for underrepresented populations. Incarcerated women is just one of many underrepresented populations rarely discussed, but who deserve a place at the forefront of the conversation surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).  

We explore this topic deeper in this episode of The Edge with Danna Tongate, the Head of Demand Generation at Televerde. Together, Danna and host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek chat about how a corporate commitment to embracing DEI initiatives and Impact Sourcing can drive quantifiable results—a “win-win” for both employees and the organizations who are willing to hire diverse talent.  

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The foundation of every business is its people. Every organization has a diverse set of  employees with different backgrounds, personalities, beliefs, and behaviors who all contribute to the organization’s success. However, achieving alignment among employees and instilling shared company values can often prove to be challenging.  

In the wake of the pandemic, organizations are finding themselves increasingly compelled to establish meaningful connections with their employees, customers, and communities. One powerful way to achieving this connection is by fostering a cohesive team culture from within. In fact, it’s proven that alignment work can help significantly boost employee productivity and engagement, enhance customer ratings, and drive overall profitability. 

In this episode of The Edge, host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Mark Iorio, a marketing strategist and fearless entrepreneur who is committed to connecting professionals with the tools they need to succeed. Together, they discuss Mark’s innovative approach to helping organizations align their employees with their purpose in order to inspire trust, leadership, and a commitment to building high performing organizations. 

Learn more about Skillsoft’s Leadership & Business solution portfolio.   

Organizations around the globe are being challenged to strike a balance between profitability and responsibility, particularly in the context of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) programs.  As ESG initiatives gain prominence, these organizations will continue to grapple with the task of defining and operationalizing their commitment to doing “the right thing” while ensuring profitability.  

And even though CSR and ESG efforts tend to reflect a company’s values, values and financial success are not mutually exclusive. In fact, values-driven organizations often enjoy greater long-term success by building trust, fostering innovation, and attracting loyal stakeholders. 

In this episode of The Edge, Host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Layli-Miller Muro, a global consultant and advisor on ESG practices and corporate value. Together, they dive into the differences between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG; the value of ESG, particularly to HR leaders; and the best practices for building ESG programs that reflect corporate values and profits.  

Today’s organizations are under intense pressure to uphold the new “social compact” between employers and employees built on mutual growth. But how can businesses retain top talent to create sustainable workforces? On this episode of The Edge, our host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Adrian Koehler, a leadership engagement expert and founding senior partner at the executive coaching firm, Take New Ground. Adrian shares his expert opinion on the passion and opportunity of becoming a great leader through transformative learning experiences. 

Leaders are required to make intentional decisions about what’s right and what’s wrong for their businesses. How can organizations ensure that their employees are set up for success in making ethical choices, but also empower them to speak up when things go awry? On this episode of The Edge, our host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Asha Palmer, Senior Vice President of Compliance Solutions at Skillsoft. Asha shares her expert opinion on how organizations can empower their employees to become ethical leaders by leading with emotional intelligence, actively listening, and accepting personal accountability. 

Recently, the talent shortage has sparked many conversations around the challenges of talent retention in the workplace, particularly among technical teams. As today’s top tech skills continue to evolve, how can leaders and organizations best equip their employees to succeed? On this episode of The Edge, our host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Zach Sims, the co-founder and CEO of Codecademy and General Manager of the Tech & Dev portfolio at Skillsoft. Zach shares his expert opinion on how organizations can tackle the talent shortage, upskill their workforces on the most in-demand and critical technical and leadership skills, and develop work environments that support professional development and learning.

Although we are not yet in a recession, layoffs and hiring freezes have insighted some fear that we may be headed that way. As these changes in the economy impact the workforce, how can employees and employers prepare? On this episode of The Edge, our host Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek is joined by Diana Ransom, an executive editor at Inc. who specializes in covering small businesses, entrepreneurship, and economic inflations and recessions. Diana shares her expert opinion on the changing state of the economy, its effect on the job market, and what we can all do now to weather what’s ahead.