Intelligent CXO Issue 45 | Page 64

GET TO KNOW
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES I FACE IS NAVIGATING THE CURRENT TALENT SHORTAGE .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
The skills gap remains a top issue for many businesses and so upskilling and training . The skills gap continues to challenge businesses across industries , making employee development a critical priority for organisations and the LMS industry alike . A significant driver of this gap is a historical underinvestment in skills training by both businesses and governments . Now , more organisations are recognising the immense value of upskilling their existing workforce , not only to bridge this gap but also to boost employee satisfaction and retention .
Investing in employee development isn ’ t just about addressing the skills shortage – it ’ s about empowering individuals , fostering growth and creating a workplace where talent can thrive . Personalised learning paths and ongoing professional development show employees that their growth matters , which helps companies retain top talent in a competitive market .
At LearnUpon , we ’ re passionate about making employee development as seamless and engaging as possible . We prioritise creating an exceptional user experience to ensure learning is accessible , impactful and effective for both employees and employers . By equipping teams with the tools they need to grow , organisations can future-proof their workforce while driving business success .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
I don ’ t have many regrets , but before founding LearnUpon , I had an idea for a tech software company that I let slip away . I sought advice from a mentor , and he told me to abandon the idea because a similar company existed in South Africa . I let that feedback sway me , and I moved on . Years later , I saw companies in the UK and Ireland thriving with the same concept . If only I ’ d believed in myself a little more and persevered , things might have been different . It ’ s a lesson I ’ ve carried with me ever since : don ’ t let doubt or external opinions hold you back .
What ’ s your go-to productivity trick ?
I consider myself incredibly lucky that I have Des , LearnUpon ’ s Co-founder , by my side . I ’ ve known Des for 20 + years ; we both came up together in the industry , and I can always rely on him to be a sounding board for ideas and help hone my focus . Other than that , I ’ d say playing sports with my kids is always a great break , to recharge and come back with more mental clarity .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
One of the biggest challenges I face is navigating the current talent shortage . Finding top talent is more competitive than ever , and it ’ s increasingly difficult to attract and retain skilled professionals in an environment where so many companies are vying for the same pool of candidates . To address this , we focus heavily on creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported , offering ample opportunities for career development and growth . We ’ ve been lucky to retain our first two hires , which speaks volumes about the work environment . x
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