In this episode of the Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work podcast, host, David Wentworth, Managing Director of Learning and Talent, Brandon Hall Group, sits down with Mahesh Kumar, Founder of TraineryHCM, for a wide-ranging conversation that is equal parts origin story and industry forecast. Mahesh brings an unconventional lens to the world of HR technology, one shaped by over two decades on Wall Street across three continents. What emerged from that career was not a planned pivot into SaaS, but what Mahesh himself calls an "accidental" one. The result is a company built with the sensibilities of an enterprise operator: obsessed with scalability, skeptical of hype, and relentlessly focused on client outcomes. This conversation covers how TraineryHCM came to be, what scalability really means in today's learning technology landscape, and how Mahesh is thinking about AI, not as a feature to bolt on, but as something to weave into the fabric of a product.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer at Brandon Hall Group, Michael Murphy, Director of the U.S. Office of Sustainable Development for Generations at Boehringer Ingelheim, and Jason Parrish, Director of Corporate Programs at UGA Executive Education, explore how Boehringer Ingelheim's award-winning Sustainable Development Excellence (SDX) program is building a culture of sustainability from the inside out, and why the best solutions to the world's biggest challenges are built through partnership.
In this episode of the Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work podcast, host Rachel Cooke, COO of Brandon Hall Group, sits down with Angela Ostermann, Senior Manager of Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness at Paylocity, to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performing leadership pipeline before people ever step into the role. Drawing on Paylocity's award-winning Leading Advantage program, which earned a Gold in Leadership and a Silver in Learning and Development from Brandon Hall Group, Angela brings a practitioner's lens to one of the most pressing challenges in organizational development today: turning high-potential individual contributors into confident, capable, and strategically aligned leaders.
Angela shares the philosophy behind Leading Advantage, a program purpose-built not for theory, but for real-world application. Designed specifically for Paylocity's operations group, the company's largest and most business-critical division, the program brings together high-performing ICs and prepares them for leadership through structured learning, on-the-job activities, professional coaching, and peer mentorship. The conversation also explores how deep business immersion, cross-functional collaboration, and ongoing iteration have made this program a genuine growth lever and not just a training initiative.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer at Brandon Hall Group, and Scott Kinney, CEO of NovoEd, explore how organizations can navigate volatility, build workforce capability at speed, and make smart, sustainable decisions about AI in learning and development.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Meredith Riley, Chief Sales Officer for New Business at iSolved, explores how iSolved's Center of Influence (COI) program is transforming the way trusted business advisors deliver value to their clients. From benefit brokers to business bankers and accountants, Meredith breaks down why strategic HCM partnerships are no longer optional in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Spencer Johnson, Treasury Management Officer at Zions Bank, and Suzanne Santana, Regional Vice President of Sales for the West at iSolved, explore how iSolved's Center of Influence (COI) program is redefining the way trusted business advisors like bankers and brokers deliver strategic value to their small and mid-sized business clients.
In this thought-provoking episode, David Wentworth, Managing Director of Learning and Talent at Brandon Hall Group, sits down with Derek Bruce, Chief Learning Officer at Easy Generator, to challenge the prevailing rush to use AI for content creation in L&D. Rather than asking what AI can do, they push organizations to first ask what they're actually trying to achieve — arguing that without a clear purpose and human expertise at the center, AI-generated learning content risks being generic, decontextualized, and ultimately ineffective.
Unlock the secrets to creating leadership development programs that leave a lasting impact. Discover how top organizations design tailored, practical, and measurable initiatives that develop tomorrow’s leaders—and turn investment into real business results.
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the dynamic interplay between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. Discover how AI can amplify human potential, the sweet spot where technology meets creativity, and the future of personalized learning. Featuring insights from industry experts Michael Rochelle and Pranav Shastri, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of AI. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that bridges the gap between technology and human insight. Watch now and be part of the conversation!
In this episode of the "Excellence at Work" podcast, host Rachel Cooke, CEO of Brandon Hall Group, engages in a dynamic discussion on team effectiveness with guests Tamarah Saif and Lara Gibbs from Gallagher. The conversation delves into the importance of team dynamics, psychological safety, and the role of trust in building high-performing teams. Tamarah and Lara share insights from their extensive experience in HR and consulting, emphasizing the need for inclusive environments and agile teams to drive innovation and growth. They also discuss the impact of effective teams on organizational success and the importance of intentional leadership in fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
Join Mike Cooke and Rachel Bolton in this engaging episode of "Excellence at Work, After Hours" as they delve into the evolving landscape of leadership. Discover insights on the impact of AI on job markets, the importance of power skills in the modern workplace, and why promotions aren't always the path to progress. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on leadership development, career growth, and the future of work.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Claude Werder, Senior VP and Principal Analyst, engages in an insightful conversation with Steve Lange, Director of Metrics and Matter Consulting and Insights at Explorance. They explore the critical challenges and opportunities in learning measurement, addressing why measurement remains the least mature aspect of corporate learning despite years of evolution.
In this Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work Podcast, Michael Rochelle, Chief Strategy Officer, engages in an insightful conversation with Katrin Mulford, SVP at BTS, and Christine Tao, Co-founder of Sounding Board. They explore the transformative impact of BTS’s acquisition of Sounding Board on leadership development and coaching. The discussion delves into how organizations can leverage coaching to drive leadership effectiveness and organizational change at scale.
Dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Rachel Bolton and Mike Cooke as they unravel the complexities of AI and its impact on the modern workplace. In this episode, they challenge conventional wisdom with unpopular opinions and explore why organizations must reinvent themselves every three years to stay relevant. Whether you're a leader looking to drive innovation or simply curious about the future of work, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.
In a world where data drives decisions, the latest episode of the "Excellence at Work" podcast delves into a transformative approach to leadership: AI coaching. Join Claude Werder and Gal Rimon as they explore how AI is reshaping the way frontline managers lead high-performing teams.
Join leadership experts Mike Cooke and Rachel Bolton as they dive into the dynamic world of leadership development and talent management. In this engaging podcast, they explore the evolving landscape of work, from the shift in employment markets to the impact of AI on jobs.
Join leadership expert Mike Cooke and AI transformation leader David Chestnut as they dive into the revolutionary world of artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of work. In this engaging podcast, they explore the evolving landscape of AI transformation, from IBM's recent workforce changes to the emergence of agentic AI systems. With a blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, Mike and David discuss the challenges and opportunities facing today's leaders as they navigate AI implementation. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this podcast offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you harness AI's potential while keeping humans at the center. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions about digital pareidolia, the "Three I's" of AI implementation, and the skills needed for tomorrow's workforce. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain fresh insights and stay ahead in the AI-driven future of work!