Future-Focused with Christopher Lind

Latest Episodes:

Upskilling | Content is Not Enough with Learn In Mar 23, 2021

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Access to content is not equivalent to access to opportunity. Having a library card doesn't mean you have the ability, motivation and triggers to go to the library, and then when you are there have the knowledge to both find and learn what is relevant and important.

With the continued pressure to hack the upskilling code, many continue looking for ways to grow and develop their workforce despite the sea of new technology. Perhaps that’s because the right technology and content pathways are only part of the solution.

In this episode, I’m joined by David and Taylor Blake, founding members of Degreed who wanted to go even further because they recognized access to content does not directly translate to access to opportunity.

We’ll talk about how to move away from the talk of upskilling and focus on the implementation while highlighting what infrastructure is needed to remove blockers and create a proactive, perpetual talent-building pipeline to inclusively advance today's workforce.

We’ll also hear how their new venture LearnIn can help solve every barrier that stands in the way of creating tomorrow’s workforce.

State of Skills 2021: Endangered with Degreed Mar 19, 2021

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Upskilling is no longer a conversation of necessity. It is a matter of SURVIVAL. 2020 has shown us that the entire global workforce is vulnerable and the supply and demand for skills is at an order imbalance. Will you be added to the list of endangered skills?

The impact of skills only being to scratch the surface with compounding effects on mental health, productivity and retention. And they are all AT RISK.

In this episode, I'll be talking with Sarah Danzl and Todd Tauber with Degreed about the global workforce skills shortage and highlighting some insights that were discovered in the #StateofSkills2021 global report and what they are doing to help organizations flourish in a time of change and disruption.

Combating Racism with Dignii Mar 11, 2021

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It’s time we have a tough conversation. Diversity and inclusion programs AREN’T working. 2020 has shown us that WE aren’t there yet and WE need to improve. The search for the answer to a viable and sustainable program is pertinent to the #futureofwork.

Organizations NEED to take positive steps to remove systemic barriers and promote inclusion.

In this episode, Elisabeth Cooke and I are talking about the exciting new ways Dignii is helping organize demystifying D&I training with a holistic view of diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement.

Demystifying the Learning Ecosystem with Matt Donovan Mar 09, 2021

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Too frequently our learning leaders are draining resources on a multitude of external systems that work against the environment they are trying to create. It’s not you, it’s me. In reality, building a larger capability map to design and weave both internal and external systems to work together in tandem is how a true ecosystem should function. There is no “I” in team with the #futureofwork and collaboration is key in a blended learning environment.

Let me ask you this. Is your organization’s learning ecosystem self-sustaining? Have you identified the components of your ecosystem and are there ways restructuring would provide nourishment to those wilting components? Are you MAXIMIZING your learners collaborative experience?

In this episode, Matt Donovon with GP Strategies Corporation helps us to answer these questions by demystifying the learning ecosystem and provides the tools to combine learning ecosystem components to create an XL blended smoothie learning experience with whipped cream on top. Yum

Value Realization with Virtual Reality | XRTech Marketing Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

VR with VR. Value Realization with Virtual Reality. We are witnessing the new age of products that require a sales pitch like nothing we’ve ever seen before. How do we present products in the #immersivetechnology sector to businesses that HAVE a need but HAVEN’T realized it yet.

Leaders are seeing the importance of LISTENING in on these important conversations that concern the #futureofwork to learn how these technologies may be deployed and plan accordingly for their impact on the workforce.

In this episode, James Watson and I talk about his experience in the immersive technology sector and the challenges that companies face when building a sustainable business model and effectively marketing to the right customers.

Leadership Development with Impact with Abilitie Feb 26, 2021

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Organizations often make the fatal assumption that their leaders already have the skills they need to thrive in the current business environment.

Unfortunately, many leaders have received little to no development on these critical skills. As a result, avoidable mistakes are frequently made, and countless opportunities are missed.

However, when it comes to developing leaders, it takes a lot more than getting people the right content and curriculum is important. Like developing any skill, it’s about architecting a comprehensive experience that brings together content aligned to skills with plenty of opportunity for practice.

In this episode, I’ll be talking with Matt Confer about what it takes to develop leaders from all levels of the organization at scale and with impact. We’ll also dig into the way Abilitie is using immersive simulations designed to develop the behaviors your leaders need most.

Put Your Skills Data to Work with Techwolf Feb 23, 2021

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One benefit of employees using so many digital platforms is the creation of massive amounts of data about employee skills.

When harnessed, this has the potential to provide organizations with unprecedented visibility into the skills of their employees and the way work is really done.

Unfortunately, the volume of data makes analyzing it impossible for any human. However, when you augment that team with the power of the latest AI, the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

In this episode, Mikael Wornoo and I will be talking about using artificial intelligence to analyze real-time skills data and its potential for strategic workforce planning. We’ll also talk about the challenges and risks that need to be mitigated while exploring how Techwolf is pulling it off.

Upskilling through Digital Problem Solving with theMission Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

In complex organizations many people work, we collaborate with people from around the world to solve important problems together. Given that’s the way work is done, why aren’t more learning opportunities designed around that kind of experience?

It’s a good question and a gap worth discussing as we kick off 2021 and continue to enhance the way we develop real skills digitally.

However, one challenge when encouraging people to engage in their development is showcasing the purpose and outcomes that development is driving toward and providing a clear pathway to get there.

Tomorrow on Learning Tech Talks I’ll be talking with Matthias Klein and Guido Schnarwiler about a fun and engaging way to do by architecting a mission-based simulation that aligns people to their development pathway and steps them through the journey. You’ll also hear how theMission is making this a reality.

Let's Do Digital Right with DevBridge Feb 12, 2021

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Regardless of the function you’re in or the industry your company serves, #digitaltransformation is affecting everyone.

Yet, it is estimated that somewhere to the tune of 70% of digital transformations fail.

That’s because digital transformation isn’t about simply seeking out the latest in tech and layering it on top of the way work is done today. Making it a success requires diagnosing root issues to identify opportunities where the change will net the greatest return.

It also requires diligence and discipline to ensure efforts not only make it to market but remain sustainable.

In this episode, I’m talking with Aurimas Adomavicius, President at DevBridge, about the mindset, process, and capabilities required to do digital right.

Enable Success with Video with kPoint Feb 05, 2021

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There’s a reason YouTube boasts over 1.9 billion users with over 500 hours of video content every minute. The reason is video is an extremely powerful tool for a multitude of use-cases.

Whether it’s an inspirational messaging about the latest organizational change or a clip highlighting the most efficient way to repair a product on the front line, video can be a powerful way to drive organizational success.

Unfortunately, creating video within an organization can be a lot more complicated and overwhelming than people realize, especially when attempting to do it at scale.

Fortunately, technology is making it easier and democratizing this capability, making it easy and manageable for the masses to create content.

In this episode, I talk with Sunil Gaitonde and Shridhar Shukla about the value of video for learning, communication, and change management. We’ll also gain a better understanding of the way kPoint is making it easy.