Abhirami Prakash, Sales Development Manager at Whatfix, hosts an episode of the Digital Adoption Show, featuring Derek Bruce, CEO of Derek Bruce Associates and a global HR thought leader and head of learning, leadership, and talent development. Abhirami introduces Derek's diverse background, including his corporate roles, consultancy, and passion projects like the Extraordinary Mentors Network. In the "Digital Pulse" segment, Derek shares his love for football and community building after games.

• The conversation delves into Derek's role model, Muhammad Ali, highlighting storytelling as a key skill. They discuss Derek's eclectic interests, from football to sneakers, and his approach to time management, limiting virtual meetings to maximize productivity and well-being.
• The main discussion centers on cultivating people and culture. Derek emphasizes the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals, citing examples from his experience. He stresses the need for personalized approaches to motivation and recognition, tailored to individuals' preferences and goals.
• Derek then shares profound insights into cultivating people and culture within organizations. Derek emphasizes the importance of understanding individual motivations and adapting leadership styles accordingly. He suggests that investing time in understanding employees ultimately saves time and enhances team effectiveness.
• Reflecting on his background in design and architecture, Derek highlights the significance of aligning form with function in organizational development strategies. He shares a significant challenge from his early career, where he had to transition a group of journalists from a culture resistant to learning to one embracing development.
• Derek discusses adapting strategies across industries and organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and aligning with organizational cultures. He also addresses the impact of technology on HR strategies, emphasizing the need to balance accessibility with managing the overwhelming influx of information.

In closing, Derek offers invaluable advice to young leaders, urging them to lead by example, address cultural discrepancies, and have the courage to evolve organizational cultures.

In this insightful episode of the Digital Adoption Show's fourth season, we're honored to feature Cammy Bean, the esteemed author of "The Accidental Instructional Designer" and a venerated figure in the instructional design arena. Our host, Pavitra R., an Information Developer at Whatfix, navigates through a fascinating conversation that unravels the complexities and nuances of instructional design in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Cammy Bean, who embarked on her instructional design journey in 1996, long before e-learning was mainstream, shares her extensive experience that spans across various roles—from a junior instructional designer to a senior solutions consultant. Her narrative offers a deep dive into the transformative power of instructional design and its pivotal role in crafting compelling learning experiences in today's dynamic work environment.

The episode covers a wide array of topics, including:

• Cammy's Unexpected Entry into Instructional Design: Cammy recounts her initial foray into instructional design, shedding light on how serendipity led her to become an influential voice in the learning and development (L&D) space.
• Evolution of Instructional Design: A discussion on the significant changes within instructional design over the years, emphasizing the shift towards more personalized and data-driven learning experiences.
• The Role of AI and Emerging Technologies: Cammy provides her insights into how artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping instructional design, from creating more personalized learning pathways to leveraging data for more impactful learning outcomes.
• Critical Skills for Aspiring Designers: The conversation delves into the essential skills and knowledge areas that budding instructional designers should focus on, including understanding learning science, embracing creativity, and navigating the ever-changing tech landscape.
• Personalized Learning Pathways: Cammy highlights the importance of personalized learning in enhancing the effectiveness of educational programs and shares strategies for implementing personalized learning pathways.
• Integrating Data and Learning Analytics: An exploration of how data and analytics are integral to modern instructional design, offering insights into how Cammy and her team use data to inform and improve learning solutions.

Beyond the professional insights, the episode also ventures into Cammy's personal life, revealing her passion for hiking with her dog in the woods of New England—providing a glimpse into the person behind the instructional designer.

Listeners are treated to a fun rapid-fire round, where Cammy reveals her quirky side, choosing a dragon as her preferred mythical pet and sharing her humorous warning label.

This episode is not just a deep dive into instructional design; it's a blend of professional wisdom, personal anecdotes, and light-hearted moments that make for an engaging listen. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, education, and personal development.

Catch this enlightening conversation on the Digital Adoption Show across platforms like Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and Google. Whether you're deeply entrenched in the digital space or just dipping your toes in, this episode with Cammy Bean promises a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

In the latest episode of the Digital Adoption Show, Nabras Mohammed, business development leader at Whatfix, hosts Zeljko Ivkovic, CIO at ISS, a workplace management company. Zeljko's extensive career spans over 20 years across various industries and countries, showcasing his adaptability and leadership. The conversation delves into digital transformation insights, focusing on aligning technology with customer needs and strategic business goals.

• Zeljko emphasizes the significance of understanding cultural nuances and fostering collaboration to drive successful transformations. He highlights the need for a problem-solving approach and aligning innovations with operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Zeljko emphasizes a strategic, feedback-driven approach, balancing global priorities with local customer needs. He underscores the importance of flexibility in implementing technology solutions tailored to diverse industries and markets.
• Nabras and Zeljko then discuss the importance of top-to-bottom buy-in for successful strategy execution, highlighting the need for a mindset shift during transformation journeys.
• Zeljko shares challenges faced in driving organizational change, emphasizing the role of cultural nuances and resilience in overcoming resistance.
• They delve into emerging technologies like AI and IoT, foreseeing their impact on customer experience and operational excellence.Zeljko reflects on the lessons learned in leadership, stressing the importance of resilience and adaptability.
• A rapid-fire round reveals Zeljko's preference for unlimited creativity, eagles as his chosen animal for a day, and flight over underwater breathing.

Throughout the discussion, Zeljko's insights reflect a holistic understanding of digital transformation, emphasizing its people-centric nature and the importance of strategic alignment for successful implementation and long-term impact.