Whether it be in the office or on the airplane headed to our next program, we’re always talking about the issues and trends that are shaping the way we learn as well as what interests each of us on the team.
Learning to fix the car while you drive it
How can we transform our workplace training from a separate “to-do” list into the “secret sauce” that is baked directly into our daily grind? By embedded learning into an AI-enabled evaluation tool, McKinsey allowed employees to develop skills while performing their actual work. The keys to success? Quick wins (like fixing a broken process while embedding learning), fostering experimentation with AI, creating rotational apprenticeship programs, and integrating resilience training into learning curricula. L&D teams must evolve to help organizations navigate accelerating change through more human-centered, integrated approaches to development.
“Alright, alright, alright“
In a reflection of the shifting roles due to AI, the actor Matthew McConaughey has eight trademarks of himself and is pioneering a federal “legal perimeter” to defend his persona where state privacy law falls short. This strategy reframes a celebrity’s identity as a federally protected commercial asset, allowing him to sue for trademark infringement rather than just personal misappropriation. While he is building a fortress against unauthorized deepfakes, his investment in ElevenLabs proves he isn’t anti-AI, but rather pro-ownership—positioning himself to be the sole architect of his digital legacy.
The most interesting rerun in the world
Proving that everything old is new again, especially when it comes to staying thirsty with friends, Dos Equis has resurrected the Most Interesting Man In The World. The campaign was an early viral success when it launched in 2006, but has been dormant for 10 years. Returning to old ideas can be a risky move as it may not connect with younger buyers. But an old hook may also be just what brands and ideas need to rejuvenate messaging; after all, the original campaign witnessed a 3x increase in sales over it’s entire run. We don’t always recommend reusing old ideas, but when we do, we prefer they be excellent ones.
Reflect on the past year, plan for the next
Finally, as the year is still young, it might not be too late think about the successes and failures of last year and plan out our hopes and dreams for the future. We came across YearCompass, a free booklet designed to help users reflect on the past year and plan for the next one. It offers a series of thoughtfully crafted questions and exercises to uncover personal patterns, learn from experiences, and set meaningful goals. Whether you use a guide or just sit on your own to reflect and plan, setting time aside is always the most difficult first step.