Unleashed

Peter Smith has been in the jewelry business for four decades. He is the former president of Hearts on Fire, Memoire, and Vibhor. He is the author of several well-known books on selling and hiring, including “Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent”, “Sell Something: Principles and Perspectives for Engaged Retail Salespeople”, and “The Sales Minute: 101 Tips for Retail Salespeople”. Peter is a columnist for National Jeweler and The Jewelry Book, where he writes about retail branding, sales, and hiring.

In this episode, Wendi and Peter discuss:

• The jewelry industry's struggle with retail evolution and product display issues
• Identifying innate traits like drive, optimism, empathy, and resilience in great salespeople
• Importance of personal connection and emotional selling over high product knowledge
• Behavioral interviewing to assess candidates' character, motivation, and cultural fit
• Need for a process-driven approach to align traits, resumes, and company culture for optimal hiring decisions

Key Takeaways:

• Success in sales relies more on inherent traits like drive, optimism, empathy, and resilience, rather than product knowledge alone.
• Revamping traditional hiring practices through behavioral interviews allows companies to uncover the innate traits necessary for top performance, often overlooked in typical processes.
• A process-driven hiring approach, involving multiple interviews, ensures candidates are thoroughly assessed for key qualities like resilience, competitiveness, and a strong sales mindset.
• Cultural alignment is vital; placing the right candidate in a supportive culture fosters success, while a mismatch can lead to underperformance.

“If you're struggling to hire, it's not about finding people being difficult—it's about lacking a process. You need a structured approach that seeks out candidates with drive, optimism, empathy, and resilience, even if they don't have the experience. Sometimes, the best fit for your business isn't looking for you—you have to go find them.” - Peter Smith

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bEv5wzBAeYU?si=eL0mfQwMid7jycPV

Connect with Peter Smith:

Website: https://www.theretailsmiths.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-smith-20a77a33/ 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Recommended Books:

• Hiring Squirrels, Peter Smith https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-Squirrels-Essential-Interview-Questions/dp/1500269271 
• Good to Great, Jim Collins https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 
• First, Break All The Rules, Marcus Buckingham https://www.amazon.com/First-Break-All-Rules-Differently/dp/1595621113 
• How To Hire A-Players, Eric Herrenkohl https://www.amazon.com/How-Hire-Players-Recruiting-Department/dp/0470562242 
• Never Hire A Bad Salesperson Again, Christopher Croner and Richard Abrahamhttps://www.amazon.com/Never-Hire-Bad-Salesperson-Again/dp/0578972522 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Ryan Vescio, as a state attorney for 15 years, managed criminal matters ranging from high-profile murders to heart-wrenching child abuse and sex trafficking cases. This daily experience of handling a wide variety of complex cases required him to be a quick study and exposed him to a vast network of attorneys, judges, and experts providing technical and detailed testimony. Intensive on-the-job training equipped Ryan with the ability to effectively navigate the complexities of the court system, while boldly representing his litigation clients on the grounds of what is fair, just, right, and good.

Chuck Whittington has over 30 years of experience as a business leader in the food packaging industry, holding roles in sales, marketing, and national-level leadership. He currently serves as the senior executive leading the Business Transformation Office (BTO) and advises the company’s President and CEO on transformation and integration strategies. In addition to his business career, Chuck served for over 32 years in the U.S. Army, most recently as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard, where he led strategy, policy, and budgeting efforts in partnership with state and territory Adjutants General. He also served as Acting Director of the Army National Guard, working closely with the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

In this episode, Wendi, Ryan, and Chuck discuss:

• Evolution of leadership skills through self-awareness, humility, and teamwork
• Challenges of volunteer leadership
• Traits of a leader include empathy, accountability, followership, and more
• Balancing humility with authority in leadership to drive change effectively
• Power of vulnerability in leadership to create meaningful human connections

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership development hinges on self-awareness, humility, and teamwork, with continuous learning being a key driver of growth and effectiveness.
• A successful leader empowers their team, recognizing and coaching individual strengths and weaknesses, which fosters a culture of mentorship and support.
• Followership requires active listening, constructive feedback, and accountability, making it essential for organizational success.
• Leaders are encouraged to cultivate sound decision-making, resilience, and perspective, with failure embraced as a powerful opportunity for personal growth.
• Volunteerism and unexpected opportunities provide rich learning experiences, helping develop leadership skills beyond formal roles. 

“What reinforces being human, real, and vulnerable is that when you resonate with someone beneath you, they build a connection. And to me, that connection pushes things forward—it drives people to raise extra money for philanthropy or put in two extra hours off the clock because you’re in the same fight, even though you're in different places.” 

- Ryan Vescio

“Understand that the crucible that you're going to move through to become a young leader will have the highs and lows. If you surround yourself with good, capable people, if you're honest, if you have integrity, if you're a communicator, and if you can prove yourself to be resilient over time, stick to it.”

- Chuck Whittington

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/85fWUIjbA88?si=h6-nHE-IvqNLyJE_

Connect with Ryan Vescio and Chuck Whittington:

Websites: https://shuffieldlowman.com/ / https://pactivevergreen.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-james-vescio-11a30740/ 

                https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-whittington-688b2256/              

Emails: [email protected]  / [email protected] 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it

Clinton Bui is a sales and service professional with a passion for strategy to achieve individual and business goals. He is currently a store manager for Rogers Communications in Canada. Throughout his career, he has intentionally and strategically built high-performance teams, committed to customer experience and the achievement of KPIs. The key to Clinton's success has been his commitment to ongoing growth through learning and innovation.

In this episode, Wendi and Clinton discuss:

• Transition from individual sales to team leadership and management
• Importance of understanding customer needs and delivering exceptional service
• Creating a fun and authentic work environment to foster team happiness
• Adapting to labor force shifts and customer expectations during COVID-19
• Continuous recruitment and building trust for sustainable success

Key Takeaways:

• The transition from individual sales to team leadership showcases how removing obstacles, equipping team members, and leading by example are pivotal for driving sales and team success.
• Understanding customer needs and providing a trusted consultancy approach fosters loyalty, repeat business, and valuable referrals.
• The value of authenticity in leadership, where creating a fun and genuine work environment allows employees to thrive and feel comfortable being themselves.
• Retention and team happiness are highlighted as crucial metrics, driven by celebrating victories, fostering empathy, and maintaining a culture that values both fun and support.
• A reflection on post-COVID challenges shows that continuous adaptation, innovative problem-solving, and a people-centric approach—both for employees and customers—are essential for overcoming modern business hurdles.

“Be your genuine self. There are going to be times when customers will walk in, and you might want to tell them this or that, but at the end of the day, they need to know who you are as much as you need to know who they are. So, as long as there’s that authentic trust between both parties and both can succeed together, I think that’s what really matters. It doesn’t really matter what you’re selling or if you’re a manager or not. I think whoever your client may be, you need to have that two-way street of, 'Hey, we can trust each other, and I’ll be your person to do this.” 

- Clinton Bui

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEQXGYkwU_A

Connect with Clinton Bui:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintonbui/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Peter Smith has been in the jewelry business for four decades. He is the former president of Hearts on Fire, Memoire, and Vibhor. He is the author of several well-known books on selling and hiring, including “Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent”, “Sell Something: Principles and Perspectives for Engaged Retail Salespeople”, and “The Sales Minute: 101 Tips for Retail Salespeople”. Peter is a columnist for National Jeweler and The Jewelry Book, where he writes about retail branding, sales, and hiring.

In this episode, Wendi and Peter discuss:

• Peter's unexpected entry into sales and passion for continuous improvement
• Differentiating skills of top retail sales professionals and evolving retail landscape
• Role of consumer psychology and sensory experiences in enhancing customer engagement
• Impact of choice limitation on simplifying decision-making for customers
• Importance of human interaction, empathy, and continuous learning in retail sales success

Key Takeaways:

• Retail sales require a deep understanding of nuanced skills to distinguish top performers and create successful careers in the industry.
• The retail landscape is evolving with the rise of online retailers opening physical stores, making it crucial to adapt to new consumer behavior.
• Sensory experiences such as lighting, scent, and music play a vital role in emotionally engaging customers and enhancing their interaction with the store.
• Simplifying decision-making by limiting choices helps customers feel less overwhelmed, allowing them to make more confident purchases.
• Empathy and human connection are key elements in modern retail sales, with the in-store focus shifting toward engaging, relationship-based interactions rather than pure product knowledge.

“More product knowledge won't move people, but more people knowledge will move more product.” - Peter Smith

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5U3LImH2QU

Connect with Peter Smith:

Website: https://www.theretailsmiths.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-smith-20a77a33/ 

Peter’s BOOK: 

Hiring Squirrels: https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-Squirrels-Essential-Interview-Questions/dp/1500269271 

Sell Something: https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Something-Principles-Perspectives-Salespeople/dp/1537628569 

The Sales Minute https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Minute-Tips-Retail-Salespeople/dp/1647195756 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

References:

• Mindfulness - Ellen Langer https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-25th-anniversary-Merloyd-Lawrence/dp/0738217999 
• The Art of Choosing - Iyengar https://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Choosing-audiobook/dp/B003D7S8W4 
• Influence - Cialdini https://www.amazon.com/Influence-New-Expanded-Psychology-Persuasion/dp/B08RLT11Q3 
• You Have More Influence Than You Think - Bohns https://www.amazon.com/Have-More-Influence-Than-Think/dp/B097J348F6 
• Using Behavioral Science in Marketing - Harhut https://www.amazon.com/Using-Behavioral-Science-Marketing-Instinctive/dp/1398606480 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Mark Ryski is the Founder and CEO of HeadCount, a pioneering company in store traffic and conversion analytics since 1994. He is the author of two influential books on the subject: When Retail Customers Count, the first written on the topic, and CONVERSION: The Last Great Retail Metric, which has become the industry’s definitive guide. As the leading expert in the field, Mark’s insights have been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Retail Dive, Chain Store Age, Retail Insider, CBC, and The Globe & Mail. He is also a featured BrainTrust contributor on RetailWire – retailing’s premier online discussion forum. Today, HeadCount operates in 24 countries, helping retailers improve their in-store conversion rates and extract valuable business insights from traffic data. His vision is to enhance retail performance for shareholders, employees, and shoppers, establishing him as one of the most recognized experts in retail traffic.

In this episode, Wendi and Mark discuss:

• Improving retail performance through traffic and conversion data
• Aligning staffing with traffic patterns for operational efficiency
• Revolutionizing retail with AI-driven SKU-level conversion analysis
• Importance of staff engagement in boosting conversion rates
• The pandemic's impact on store traffic and potential for conversion improvements

Key Takeaways:

• A major focus is placed on aligning staffing schedules with traffic patterns, emphasizing that retailers often overlook crucial insights from traffic counters.
• Prioritizing insights over raw data reveals the importance of empowering frontline staff with actionable information, driving culture change beyond mere technology upgrades.
• AI's role in revolutionizing retail shines through its ability to provide SKU-level conversion analysis, optimizing localized assortments and operational decisions.
• Despite pandemic challenges, store traffic has rebounded, highlighting the potential to improve profitability by just a 1% increase in conversion rates.
• The conversation shifts to emphasize optimizing conversion from existing visitors as a more effective strategy than simply driving more traffic.

“We want to create a wonderful, personalized shopping experience and remove all barriers and friction points within the store. What many fail to appreciate is that conversion rates can show you, right down to the hour—literally the hour of the day—when these things are occurring. If you know what time of day and exactly where they're happening, you're in a position to do something about it: improve those friction points, minimize them, and boost conversion rates.” 

- Mark Ryski

Connect with Mark Ryski:

Website: https://headcount.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ryski-8826601/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Mark’s BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/When-Retail-Customers-Count-Ryski/dp/1420824759 

https://www.amazon.com/Conversion-Last-Great-Retail-Metric/dp/1463414226 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Matthew Gould is an executive coach, leadership facilitator, and mediator who has helped grow a company from 250 to over 750 employees, with 85% of leaders promoted from within. With a deep belief that relationships drive results, Matthew guides teams through healthy conflict, leading to stronger bonds and improved outcomes. After 27 years in the telecommunications industry, where he first experienced leadership challenges, he now shares lessons from his journey, shaped by mentors, coaches, and his own successes. A certified co-active coach (CPCC), co-author of "Lead from Your Heart" (2020), and currently pursuing further certifications, Matthew empowers leaders at all levels to embrace their potential.

In this episode Wendi and Matthew discuss:

• Overcoming ego-driven leadership failures through humility and vulnerability
• Empowering teams through inclusive, collaborative leadership
• Challenges of budget cuts in employee training and development
• Building trust and reducing turnover through coaching
• Fostering employee well-being with humane leadership

Key Takeaways:

• Effective leadership stems from embracing humility, vulnerability, and curiosity, fostering a mindset focused on personal growth and inclusivity rather than positional authority.
• Leadership thrives on a collaborative approach, where open dialogue, shared vision, and diverse perspectives empower team members and promote innovation.
• Humane, relationship-based leadership generates extraordinary results by fostering employee well-being across mental, physical, spiritual, and financial dimensions.
• Skillfully embracing conflict in a truthful way builds trust, improves relationships, and accelerates both personal and organizational success.
• Stepping out of comfort zones, seeking mentorship, and committing to authentic conversations help leaders and teams grow both personally and professionally.

“What’s led me to this is I’m passionate about people thriving mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially. And I believe, and it’s proven, there’s so much proof out there that when you do it in a humane, relational way, you generate extraordinary results. Actually, extraordinary results. Five-star. And when you do it the other way, you still might get profit. But boy, is that a costly way. That’s a really costly way to do it. The fighting way or the loving way.” 

- Matthew Gould

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rJUKynEUbw

Connect with Matthew Gould:

Website: https://www.moreco.ca/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgouldmoreco/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 604.328.8500

More Co Resources: https://www.moreco.ca/resources 

Matthew’s BOOK: https://www.amazon.ca/Lead-Your-Heart-Relationship-based-Leadership/dp/1777103606/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687893058&sr=1-1 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Daniel Mendonca is a results-driven leader focused on enhancing the customer experience journey as Head of Growth at Halight. He specializes in customer education, helping businesses achieve measurable success through retail training programs that improve sell-in, sell-through, and peer-to-peer sales. His work strengthens the connection between consumers and brands, driving growth and long-term relationships.

Guided by core values like collaboration, empowerment, and authenticity, Daniel leads with a practical, people-first mindset. He emphasizes clear communication, teamwork, and sustainable success in all his efforts. Alongside his corporate role, Daniel also coaches’ university soccer, where he applies his leadership principles to help student-athletes grow. His diverse experience informs his approach to leadership, blending practical outcomes with personal development.

In this episode Wendi and Daniel discuss:

• Importance of customer experience in modern retail strategies
• Millennial and Gen Z buyer behavior shaping sales approaches
• The need for training programs that prioritize collaboration, communication, and empowerment
• 'Learn, Sell, Earn' philosophy and its impact on sales growth
• Role of active listening and storytelling in business success

Key Takeaways:

• Continuous learning and active listening have been essential for overcoming imposter syndrome and excelling in leadership roles, underscoring the value of self-awareness and adaptability.
• For brands and retailers, owning the "last mile" is crucial to customer satisfaction and retention, and measuring customer experience beyond transactions remains a challenge.
• Millennials, who dominate B2B buying, value self-discovery, and extensive pre-purchase research, making it essential for brands to provide educational resources to build lasting relationships.
• Blending voluntary and mandatory learning programs, along with using gamification and personalized experiences, significantly boosts sales performance and learner engagement.
• Engaging Gen Z and millennial learners through interactive, multimedia training methods is critical for enhancing retention and productivity while embracing failure and learning from new experiences drives ongoing growth.

“Listen first, talk last. You may not have all the experience or know what you're doing, but you can leverage what you learn from those around you. Move forward with something you're passionate about. I was lucky to relate business to coaching and leadership. Not everyone gets that opportunity. So, try different things, and remember that listening is a huge component.” - Daniel Mendonca

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_iIQRQnL04

Connect with Daniel Mendonca:

Website: https://halight.com/ 

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halightlms/ 

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmendonca89/ 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Kurt Reinhart is an author, consultant, teacher, and mentor, currently serving as the Vice President of Learning & Development for Russell Cellular, one of Verizon’s largest premier authorized dealers with over 700 stores across 43 states. In addition to this role, he leads Create Training & Consulting, LLC, a company he founded 17 years ago, dedicated to personal and leadership development.

With over 30 years of experience in learning, development, and training across North America and Europe, he worked with organizations of all sizes. His expertise spans workshop facilitation, consultation, speeches, curriculum design, and offering insight as a trusted advisor.

At his core, Kurt is a servant leader who embraces a mindset of continuous learning, believing that growth and change are possible for everyone. His passion for encouraging others drives his work, and he lives by the motto: “Do what you love with a passion for growing others, and your reward will follow.”

In this episode Wendi and Kurt discuss:

• Building an intentional culture during adversity and disruption
• Gauging culture through accountability, learning, and success
• Creating a "pitch culture" and increasing engagement through a pilot initiative
• Embedding core values in hiring, onboarding, and training processes
• Overcoming challenges like securing buy-in and addressing microcultures in maintaining a culture

Key Takeaways:

• Caring for employees and fostering a supportive culture leads to increased productivity and performance, as well as trust in leadership.
• Building an intentional organizational culture is crucial for thriving amidst adversity, disruption, and chaos, helping companies persevere through challenges.
• Consistent follow-through, overcoming resistance, and avoiding the flavor-of-the-month mentality are -key challenges in maintaining organizational culture.
• Organizational culture is shaped by stories, core values, transparency, progress over perfection, grace for learning and failing, and perseverance, forming the foundation for growth.
• Buy-in from employees, addressing micro-cultures, and consistent follow-up are essential for effective collaboration and adoption of desired behaviors and initiatives.

“Culture, to me, is about how you treat the people around you. It's the environment that you create for them to be who they are and who they are becoming. That's something I'm always doing my very best to live out: I want to be who I am, and I want to be conscious of who I am becoming.” 

- Kurt Reinhart

Connect with Kurt Reinhart:

Website: https://russellcellular.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-reinhart-363202a/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Bruce Herscovici is an accomplished growth marketer, sales leader, and corporate strategist who excels at building, inspiring, and transforming teams to drive change across organizational, customer, and partner channels. He has a career-long record of success in identifying, evaluating, and executing cutting-edge strategies to sustainably grow sales, turn around businesses, win market share, and reduce costs and inefficiencies, ultimately enhancing margin and profitability. A creative and empathetic leader, Bruce is recognized for his approachable, pragmatic, and motivational approach, which engages teams and drives results.

In this episode, Wendi and Bruce discuss:

• Importance of consistency and outperforming competitors by staying true to brand values
• Issues arising from automation overshadowing customer-centric approaches
• Need for effective training and resources to enable employees to deliver on the brand promise
• The role of culture in ensuring a positive customer experience and continuous improvement
• Prioritizing customer experience through leadership that aligns with brand values and employee engagement

Key Takeaways:

• It underscores how consistent leadership that fosters team ownership through collaboration is vital in driving long-term business transformations.
• The increasing disconnect between brand promises and actual customer experiences highlights how companies often fail to deliver on their commitments.
• By focusing on efficiency over customer-centricity, many brands are unintentionally damaging their customer relations, with automation sometimes exacerbating the issue.
• The conversation sheds light on the need for businesses to invest in proper training and resources, ensuring employees are equipped to uphold the brand's values in every customer interaction.
• A misalignment between company culture and customer experience can lead to widespread dissatisfaction, underscoring the importance of continuous improvement and employee engagement.

“It's all about living up to the expectation you set as an organization. To me, it's about bringing to life that brand experience. Whatever your brand promise is, that is the customer experience you're trying to deliver against.” 

- Bruce Herscovici

Connect with Bruce Herscovici:

Website: https://www.mileendretailgroup.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bherscovici/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Resources: 

4 Elements of Execution: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/16M800vA3v21ZZj0ArDC_s1BsL9L0bViUBy3-YCcNBqc/edit 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Olivier Paiement has extensive experience in market analysis, business strategy, and building long-lasting relationships with clients. After 15 years leading leaders, sales experts, and a learning portfolio, he brings his passion for learning and sales to New Era Learning. With a strong background in sales, consultation, and customer engagement, Olivier has a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

David Noiseux is a talented and visionary design creative with a desire to create innovative and impactful learning solutions. After 16 years in the Telecommunication and Public sector as a Facilitator and Creative Lead, he made the decision to offer his learning expertise to all organizations.  He uses his creativity and extensive expertise in the learning field to design courses that drive user engagement and compelling experiences for your teams.

In this episode Wendi, Olivier, and David discuss:

• Impact of technology on learning and development
• Shifts in corporate training budgets and their effects
• Challenges in demonstrating training ROI in a tech-driven world
• Advantages of continuous learning and creating a culture of accountability
• The cost of inaction and the need for effective post-training support

Key Takeaways:

• The confluence of technology, pandemic-driven changes, and evolving workplace values necessitates a fresh approach to learning and development, recognizing its broader impact on business success.
• Despite a shrinking workforce and declining employee satisfaction, training budgets are being redistributed, potentially neglecting a vital element of workforce empowerment and engagement, causing employee turnover, which often has unrecognized losses.
• Real success in learning and development doesn't come from the training event itself. It comes from how well the learnings are integrated into daily work and reinforced over time.
• Key statistics highlight the tangible benefits of employee engagement, including lower turnover rates, heightened productivity, and increased customer satisfaction, thereby painting a picture where training investments are not a cost. They are a crucial driver of overall company performance.
• Budgeting for employee development isn't just a good HR practice; it's a strategic move that boosts revenue and profitability by reducing turnover costs and fostering a dedicated workforce.

“What's important for employees these days is feeling recognized, respected, and that their values align with the company's values. They also want to bring their authentic selves to work and be able to be themselves.” 

- David Noiseux

“I think it's important for organizations to survey their employees, find out what they're looking for, and build a strong plan to put that in place.”

-Olivier Paiement

Connect with Olivier Paiement and David Noiseux:

Website: https://www.neweralearning.ca/ 

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formation-new-era-learning/ 

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-paiement-149100a2/ 

               https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-noiseux-7258b24b/ 

Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.