Podcasts about Penn Foster

The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by AI, Web3, quantum computing, and global interconnectedness. The rapid acceleration of technology and shifting workplace dynamics present both immense opportunities and challenges for professionals across industries. In an age where adaptability and resilience are key to success, how can individuals navigate this disruption while maintaining personal growth and well-being?What does it take to thrive in a world where change is constant and disruption is inevitable? How can professionals embrace uncertainty, build resilience, and achieve success while maintaining a fulfilling personal life?On this episode of DisruptEd, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Joe Gagnon, a serial entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and author, to discuss the evolving nature of work and the mindset needed to succeed in today's fast-changing environment. From his humble beginnings in the Bronx to leadership roles at Ernst & Young and IBM, and ultimately launching multiple successful ventures, Joe shares the principles that have guided his journey and how endurance training has strengthened his professional and personal resilience.Key takeaways from the conversation…Adaptability and Curiosity Drive Success: Joe's journey highlights the importance of embracing new technologies and challenges with an open mind. His willingness to say “yes” to opportunities allowed him to transition from an unknown professional to a highly successful entrepreneur.Resilience is Built Through Consistent Effort: Whether in business or ultra-marathons, endurance and perseverance are key. Joe emphasizes the need to push through setbacks and continue learning and growing.Intentional Living Leads to Fulfillment: Success is not accidental—it results from deliberate effort over time. By making conscious choices and prioritizing personal growth, individuals can lead more meaningful and impactful lives.Joe Gagnon is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with over 25 years of experience leading high-growth companies across industries, including SaaS, healthcare, and customer engagement. He is currently the CEO of RaYnmaker, an AI-powered sales and marketing platform for small businesses, and has previously led companies like 1upHealth, Sparkcentral, and Penn Foster. In addition to his business leadership, Joe is an endurance athlete, author, and podcast host, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and high-performance living.

The rapid evolution of online education has ushered in new challenges and opportunities for engaging learners and improving outcomes. With millions of students relying on virtual platforms, educators and ed-tech innovators face the critical task of creating dynamic, relevant, and impactful learning experiences. The stakes are high, as effective education not only shapes career trajectories but also addresses issues of accessibility and equity in underserved communities. How can we make online education more engaging, learner-centric, and aligned with real-world skills?In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski is joined by Andrew Shean, Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster, to explore the transformative potential of ed-tech and discuss strategies for optimizing the learner experience in online environments. Together, they dive into the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of education.The main points of conversation:- Transformational Learning Models: Shean highlights the innovative LADS framework (Learner-Centric, Authentic, Active, Differentiated, and Skill-Based) and its 30-40% improvement in student outcomes.- Lessons from Experimentation: Insights into why some approaches, like cosmetic course redesigns, fail to improve engagement, while evidence-based, learner-focused methodologies succeed.- Relevance and Authenticity: The importance of situating learning in real-world scenarios to foster relevance and engagement, particularly for career-focused learners.Andrew Shean brings over two decades of expertise in ed-tech and learning sciences. As Chief Learning Officer at Penn Foster, he spearheads initiatives to make education accessible and impactful for underserved learners. Shean's pioneering work includes developing scalable, evidence-based frameworks for online education and contributing to industry thought leadership.

Today, we're honored to have a true trailblazer in the realm of electromagnetic field (EMF) protection and home wellness – Andrew McAfee. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Andrew's journey is a testament to turning personal challenges into a quest for solutions.   He is also the inventor of the ground-breaking NCB, which is available at Shield Your Body. This is the world's first product to safely strip dirty electricity and contact current from the grounding conductor. Andrew explains today how the NCB is different from other dirty electricity filters, what dirty electricity is, and how it can often manifest in electro-sensitivity.    In this episode, you will hear:  What electro-sensitivity is, how it manifested for Andrew and his wife, and the levels of perception.  Defining dirty electricity (DE).  How electricity affects the infections in our bodies.  Things power companies, homeowners, and corporations can do to help clean up dirty electricity.  The necessity for health standards, not just fire safety standards in building codes.  The NCB Pro and why it addresses the grounding conductor, unlike other dirty electricity filters.  The key difference between the NCB and the NCB Pro.  Handling dirty energy in your apartment.  Diseases and other conditions caused by electrical sensitivity.  Your grounding is dirty and dangerous until proven otherwise.    A seasoned EMF consultant, Andrew's story began with a realization—health issues tied to wiring problems in his own home.    After moving into a brand new home Andrew and his wife became electrically sensitive in 2001. He was fortunate to have Charles Keen and Karl Riley as early mentors. Beginning in 2010 Andrew successfully petitioned the NC Utility Commission to order Duke Energy to provide a no-cost, non-emitting meter for its customers.   After 15 years as Principal Horn of the NC Symphony, earning a master's degree in conducting, and 10 years as a professor of music at UNC Chapel Hill, he left music to help others with ES. Andrew was featured in a 2014 TIME docu-film “Searching for a Golden Cage” about electro-sensitivity.   In 2017, he made the leap to become a full-time EMF consultant, channeling his knowledge into creating safer living spaces for all.   Utilizing electrical training materials from Mike Holt, Andrew earned a Residential Electrician's Career Diploma in Penn Foster's year-long program in 2019.  In 2020, he wrote 6 short books as a part of his Killing Current series to raise awareness about the dangers of contact current, and in 2021 co-created a web course “Staying Healthy in a 5G World.”    Fast forward to today, and Andrew stands as the innovative mind behind the NCB Pro, a groundbreaking solution reshaping the landscape of home grounding safety. As a career diplomat in residential electricity, he brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the world of EMF protection.   He currently works full-time for Bonneville Electric as a project manager and service technician and has earned an OSHA 10 safety certification.   He is also the inventor of the ground-breaking NCB, which is available at Shield Your Body.   Connect with Andrew McAfee: Website: https://www.homeemftracing.com/    Find out more about the NCB at: https://shieldyourbody.com/ground      Connect with R Blank and Stephanie Warner:  For more Healthier Tech Podcast episodes, and to download our Healthier Tech Quick Start Guide, visit https://HealthierTech.co and follow https://instagram.com/healthiertech   Additional Links: Shield Your Body website: https://ShieldYourBody.com Shield Your Body Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/shieldyourbody Host R Blank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rblank9/ Shield Your Body on Instagram: https://instagram.com/shieldyourbody

As companies face a rapidly evolving workforce, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing presence of AI and automation, the traditional approach to employee education is no longer sufficient. A report by Springboard, highlights that upskilling is now crucial, with 70% of corporate leaders recognizing a significant skills gap that is negatively affecting business performance. Sectors like financial services (75%) and tech (73%) are among the most affected. Corporations such as Walmart, Amazon, and Starbucks have introduced comprehensive training programs to address these gaps.So, how are organizations navigating the disrupted learning environment? What strategies are they adopting to ensure their workforce is prepared for the future?On this episode of DisruptED hosted by Ron Stefanski, we're joined by Steve Nolan, former Chief Revenue Officer at Myers-Briggs and Penn Foster. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of corporate learning and the need for organizations to embrace lifelong learning to thrive.Key Discussion Points:The shift from selective corporate training to widespread employee education programs, including McDonald's, Starbucks, and other large enterprises.The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate learning strategies, pushing companies to "disaster-proof" their upskilling initiatives.How "living organization" principles and "selling with heart" are reshaping the way companies approach employee development and sales.Steve Nolan is a seasoned leader in corporate education and upskilling strategies. A mentor and thought leader, Steve has a reputation for driving change in workforce development, focusing on personalized employee training and innovative organizational strategies. He is passionate about embracing lifelong learning and fostering human-centric approaches to business growth.

In episode 164 Steph is co-hosting again with Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365. Have a look at the questions below that they cover in this rich and informative edition of the Friday 15! 1. Hi Steph. I worked as a Travel Manager at my previous company, however, it was a created position and I used a combination of Concur, Expedia, Hotels.com, National Car rental and all the other sites. I loved this position but it all went away during Covid. Now, I'd like to get back into it but everything I'm interested in requires some Sabre experience. I know it's easy and I know I could do it but do you think it's worth taking the 60 hour course with The Travel Institute? Is there a better place to obtain this training? It could add a few lines on my resume and I'm great with self-study. $149 doesn't seem high for getting some experience. What are your thoughts? Thanks for your time! :) —Anonymous 2. Hi Steph. I have a diploma from Penn Foster and when I look at the CTA, I feel like I've already done all of the same lessons. Is it better to have one of these certifications over the diploma I've already received? Are these just better recognized and received by people in the industry and clients? It seems like these have a more elevated status over my diploma. Is that the case? —Anonymous 3. I refunded a non refundable ticket by accident. The agency paid it back but now I'm on the hook for over $6000. The airline does not reverse the transaction so the traveler has a credit. Have you ever worked with this? I would like to find out how this is even legal? ---Anonymous RESOURCES: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.) https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/product/sabre-personal-trainer/ (Travel Institute's program) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent (Tips on how to become a corporate travel agent.) https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/molly-williams-the-optimists-travel (TAC episode with Molly Williams. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-certification (What travel agent certification is and isn't. Plus, what are the certifications out there for agents?) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo (What is a travel agency debit memo?) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.) https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-leaders-365 (TL 365's HAR profile) https://TL365.com (TL 365's website) ltaylor@tl365.com (Lindsay's email address) https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)

Join Jess and Samantha in their conversation about the transformative power of homeschooling in today's episode of Keeping It Real. Hear why we believe homeschooling is more than just academics; it's a lifestyle choice that nurtures free thinkers and agents of change. Discover the significant reasons behind the shift from traditional schooling to homeschooling, including personal stories, safety concerns, and the desire for a customized learning environment that fosters curiosity and empowerment. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just curious about alternative education methods, this episode is packed with insights, resources, and real-life experiences that will challenge the way you think about education.  Highly Effective Kindergartner: Discover Jess's perspective on the impact of behavioral charts in kindergarten in this article, as she critiques their effects on young learners. Read Jess's article here. Missouri Homeschooling Laws: Learn about the specific legal requirements for homeschooling in Missouri with this detailed guide from HSLDA. Explore Missouri's homeschooling laws here. Free CLEP Exam Prep: Access free CLEP exam preparation resources and vouchers at Modern States to help you earn college credits. Start preparing for free here. CLEP Exams: Gain college credits through examination with the College Board's CLEP program. Learn more about CLEP exams here. Penn Foster High School: Explore self-paced high school diploma programs at Penn Foster, designed for flexible, independent learning. Learn more about Penn Foster here.

Joe Gagnon is the Chief Executive Officer of 1upHealth, responsible for leading the development of healthcare's FHIR® data cloud. A creator and explorer, Joe is a seasoned entrepreneur and enterprise executive with 20+ years of CXO experience. In addition to his role at 1upHealth, Joe is the founder of The High Performance Life, an avid blogger, and the co-host of the Chasing Tomorrow podcast. Prior to joining 1upHealth, Joe has held CEO positions at Sparkcentral and Exit41. He has also held President positions at Penn Foster and e-Dialog, and was Global Leader of IBM's Retail business.

Today, we're honored to have a true trailblazer in the realm of electromagnetic field (EMF) protection and home wellness – Andrew McAfee. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Andrew's journey is a testament to turning personal challenges into a quest for solutions. He is also the inventor of the ground-breaking NCB, which is available at Shield Your Body. This is the world's first product to safely strip dirty electricity and contact current from the grounding conductor. Andrew explains today how the NCB is different from other dirty electricity filters, what dirty electricity is, and how it can often manifest in electro-sensitivity.    In this episode, you will hear:  What electro-sensitivity is, how it manifested for Andrew and his wife, and the levels of perception.  Defining dirty electricity (DE).  How electricity affects the infections in our bodies.  Things power companies, homeowners, and corporations can do to help clean up dirty electricity.  The necessity for health standards, not just fire safety standards in building codes.  The NCB Pro and why it addresses the grounding conductor, unlike other dirty electricity filters.  The key difference between the NCB and the NCB Pro.  Handling dirty energy in your apartment.  Diseases and other conditions caused by electrical sensitivity.  Your grounding is dirty and dangerous until proven otherwise.    A seasoned EMF consultant, Andrew's story began with a realization—health issues tied to wiring problems in his own home.  After moving into a brand new home Andrew and his wife became electrically sensitive in 2001. He was fortunate to have Charles Keen and Karl Riley as early mentors. Beginning in 2010 Andrew successfully petitioned the NC Utility Commission to order Duke Energy to provide a no-cost, non-emitting meter for its customers. After 15 years as Principal Horn of the NC Symphony, earning a master's degree in conducting and 10 years as a professor of music at UNC Chapel Hill, he left music to help others with ES. Andrew was featured in a 2014 TIME docu-film “Searching for a Golden Cage” about electro-sensitivity. In 2017, he made the leap to become a full-time EMF consultant, channeling his knowledge into creating safer living spaces for all. Utilizing electrical training materials from Mike Holt, Andrew earned a Residential Electrician's Career Diploma in Penn Foster's year-long program in 2019.  In 2020, he wrote 6 short books as a part of his Killing Current series to raise awareness about the dangers of contact current and in 2021 co-created a web course “Staying Healthy in a 5G World.”  Fast forward to today, and Andrew stands as the innovative mind behind the NCB Pro, a groundbreaking solution reshaping the landscape of home grounding safety. As a career diplomat in residential electricity, he brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the world of EMF protection. He currently works full-time for Bonneville Electric as a project manager and service technician and has earned an OSHA 10 safety certification. He is also the inventor of the ground-breaking NCB, which is available at Shield Your Body.   Connect with Andrew McAfee: Website: https://www.homeemftracing.com/    Find out more about the NCB at: https://shieldyourbody.com/ground      Connect with R Blank and Stephanie Warner:  For more Healthier Tech Podcast episodes, and to download our Healthier Tech Quick Start Guide, visit https://HealthierTech.co and follow https://instagram.com/healthiertech   Additional Links: Shield Your Body website: https://ShieldYourBody.com Shield Your Body Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/shieldyourbody Host R Blank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rblank9/ Shield Your Body on Instagram: https://instagram.com/shieldyourbody

On this week's episode of Panic with Friends, I speak with Joe Gagnon. Joe is a seasoned adventurer, creator, and explorer, combining his entrepreneurial spirit with executive expertise as a COO/CEO for over two decades. Joe is currently the CEO of 1upHealth, a cloud-based data interoperability platform that is revolutionizing healthcare outcomes. He is also an active blogger and co-host of the Chasing Tomorrow podcast. Previously, he held the CEO position at Sparkcentral, specializing in digital messaging solutions for customer care, and co-founded Performance Tea, a plant-based beverage company aimed at unlocking human potential. Joe's impressive career includes being the President of Penn Foster, a prominent online school, and the President of e-Dialog, an influential SaaS multi-channel digital marketing organization under eBay's ownership. As the CEO of Exit41, an innovative restaurant solutions company, and the Global Leader of IBM's Retail Industry business, he demonstrated his industry acumen. Joe started his career at Mainspring, a strategy consulting firm, where he was COO until the company was acquired by IBM. He also spent a decade at Ernst & Young as a consultant implementing emerging technologies. In his free time, Joe is an accomplished endurance athlete having completed six Ironman triathlons and over 85 marathons.  Guest - Joe Gagnon, CEO at 1upHealth, Inc howardlindzon.com, 1up.health  Twitter: @howardlindzon, @1up_health, @jgagnon2023, @PanicwFriends, @knutjensen Joe's blog: The High Performance Life, Joe's Chasing Tomorrow Podcast, Joe on Linkedin, Joe on instagram, Joe's Book  #fintech #invest #investment #venturecapital #stockmarket #finance  Time Stamps:  Intro (0:00) What is 1upHealth (5:50) The Healthcare Industry (14:40) Business Travel (19:55) 1upHealth's Latest Fundraise (21:30) Acquisitions in Healthcare (27:00) Longevity (37:00) Outro (46:40)

In 2012, Spencer Thompson founded Sokanu, a career assessment platform aimed at replacing the outdated assessments that existed at the time. Sokanu's “Career Explorer” quickly became one of North America's most prominent assessment tools and was adopted by the U.S. Government and top colleges around the world.  The assessments were a huge hit with job seekers, yet Thompson struggled to generate sales. Rather than fix his revenue model, Thompson looked for an acquirer who would value his enormous user base. Soon after, Sokanu received a lucrative acquisition offer from Penn Foster, an online educational institute.

Tom O'Rourke is a Partner at BayPine. Previously, he was a Principal at Bain Capital, which he joined in 2008 and where he was a member of the North American Private Equity team. Most recently, he worked in the Consumer and Business Services verticals, where he was a member of the senior leadership team and evaluated and executed investments across a broad spectrum of industries, including auto services, consumer health, retail, and travel & leisure. Prior to that, he worked in the Healthcare vertical, spanning opportunities across the healthcare ecosystem. Mr. O'Rourke began his career at Goldman Sachs as an analyst in the Private Equity Group covering a variety of industries across primary, secondary, and direct investments. Mr. O'Rourke serves on the Boards of Penn Foster and Mavis. He holds an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Misty Frost has emerged as a voice for authentic leadership. She's an a-typical Utah native with an East Coast vibe and dry wit that kept us laughing. Her experience runs deep and wide as a marketing and leader for several successful companies. As the SVP of Global Marketing on the Instructure rocket ship she helped navigate a successful IPO. She currently serves as CEO for Penn Foster post the Carrus acquisition. Misty also serves as an advisor and board member to several tech companies here in Silicon Slopes. She was named to Utah Business Magazine's 2021 list of Women to Watch. We will be watching and, in this case, listening to Misty's unique perspective and treasure trove of expertise!

In this episode of Capital for Good, we speak with Governor Deval Patrick, one of the country's most talented and inspiring leaders, who has blazed many trails across and between the public, nonprofit and private sectors. In this conversation, we explore some of the through lines in a career that has included successful chapters in civil rights law and activism, policy and politics, and entrepreneurship and investing. We discuss Governor Patrick's decision, after two terms as Governor of Massachusetts, to turn his “social impact” lens to the private sector by launching the first impact investing fund — Bain Capital Double Impact — of a global alternative investment firm. Governor Patrick walks us through BCDI's investment thesis and approach, which is focused on health and wellness, sustainability and education, and workforce development. Early investments included Penn Foster, an affordable education, workforce preparation, and skills development company that achieved strong financial and impact returns through an active partnership with BCDI. “If you can demonstrate that you don't have to trade return for impact, it's a whole new game,” Governor Patrick says. We also discuss the growth of the impact investing field, and more broadly increased corporate engagement on issues of equity, justice, and democracy — efforts that Governor Patrick believes mirror the groundswell in community building efforts that he is involved in at the grassroots level. “I see these two as linked,” he says. “This is about everyone taking responsibility for their own civic and political community.” We talk about our shared fortunes coming out of the pandemic, and whether our increased attention to issues of inequity, racial injustice, income, and wealth inequality can put us on a better path forward. “I think there is every opportunity to emerge better,” he says. Thanks for listening!Subscribe to Capital for Good on Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Drop us a line at socialenterprise@gsb.columbia.edu. Mentioned in this Episode Bain Capital Double Impact Bain Capital Double Impact, “Our Blueprints: Strong Foundations Build Lasting Companies” in Year in Review, (May 2021) Penn Foster Social Finance TogetherFund American Bridge 21stCentury's Bridge Together Initiative Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership

In August 2021 I officially graduated from Penn Foster! I'm so excited to give a complete review of the program and my overall recommendations! All of the things I mentioned in this episode can be found in my link tree, including a discount code! https://linktr.ee/making_an_rvt

Welcome back to America's leading higher education podcast! In this episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by The EvoLLLution, we welcome Warren Valdmanis, Partner, Two Sigma Impact! Interested in hearing from one of the partners from the organization behind investment in the expansion of Penn Foster? Warren talks to guests hosts Dr. Stacey Gonzales, and Holly Owens, about the meaning of social impact investing and how he assists organizations balancing the desires of shareholders with the necessity of serving stakeholders. Warren discusses why investing in Penn Foster is so important to close the gap between K-12 and the workforce, particularly for those that aren't interested in the four-year-college route. Through Two-Sigma Impact, Warren works to combine active, principled ownership and data science with the goal of achieving superior returns and positive social outcomes. Warren is a Partner at Two Sigma Impact. Warren comes to Two Sigma from Bain Capital Double Impact, where he helped to launch the firm's first dedicated social impact fund and develop the firm's strategic approach to social impact investing. Warren worked at Bain Capital from 2005 until 2019 and was a Managing Director with the firm from 2014 until his departure in 2019. During his tenure at Bain Capital, Warren worked for the firm's North American private equity business from 2005 until 2012, and then for the firm's Asian private equity business from 2012 until 2017, where he helped to expand the firm's capabilities in Japan and was instrumental to the opening of Bain Capital's office in Sydney. Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode! Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening!

Frank Britt shares with us what it was like to grow up in a paycheck-to-paycheck home, where financial anxiety was an underlying theme. At a young age, Frank used his thirst for knowledge to redefine the path of his life and reimagined who he would become. Frank is a consummate investor in self-development and self-discovery. As you'll hear in this episode, Frank is someone who brings his heart, his soul and his brain to important conversations, including those about money. During the course of the Money Tales interview, Frank talks about the role personal finance played in his development and career path, and the lessons he learned as an executive, investor, parent and husband. In the end, his story highlights how people get molded and shaped by the choices they make, and how others are affected by those decisions. He can't say what is best for you, but instead why it's important to build yourself a story that includes being focused on helping others find the agency to create their own stories. Frank is preoccupied with the issue of income inequality, notably in the nation's cities and hardest-hit communities. He believes the market for empowering people to more fully believe in themselves is nearly infinite, and helping individuals change their futures and redefine their personal story starts with creating career pathways where everyone has access and opportunity. Frank's unlikely narrative centers on his own path to self-empowerment, growing up in a diverse community outside of Manhattan, as he struggled to draw the connections between education, a successful career and a fulfilling life. Fast forward 25 years, after an impactful career across several leading companies, he heard a persistent voice that he couldn't ignore and ended up as the leader of an institution focused on helping to transform the lives of the often left-behind middle class adult workers in the US. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Penn Foster, the leading skills development training, credentials and employment matching enterprise for frontline workers. His social-purpose organization is focused on employment outcomes for middle class workforce through ed-tech enabled workforce solutions and today has more than 200,000 active adult learners and 100's of partners, including employers, youth organizations and academic institutions. See all episodes >

Frank Britt shares with us what it was like to grow up in a paycheck-to-paycheck home, where financial anxiety was an underlying theme. At a young age, Frank used his thirst for knowledge to redefine the path of his life and reimagined who he would become. Frank is a consummate investor in self-development and self-discovery. As you'll hear in this episode, Frank is someone who brings his heart, his soul and his brain to important conversations, including those about money. During the course of the Money Tales interview, Frank talks about the role personal finance played in his development and career path, and the lessons he learned as an executive, investor, parent and husband. In the end, his story highlights how people get molded and shaped by the choices they make, and how others are affected by those decisions. He can't say what is best for you, but instead why it's important to build yourself a story that includes being focused on helping others find the agency to create their own stories. Frank is preoccupied with the issue of income inequality, notably in the nation's cities and hardest-hit communities. He believes the market for empowering people to more fully believe in themselves is nearly infinite, and helping individuals change their futures and redefine their personal story starts with creating career pathways where everyone has access and opportunity. Frank's unlikely narrative centers on his own path to self-empowerment, growing up in a diverse community outside of Manhattan, as he struggled to draw the connections between education, a successful career and a fulfilling life. Fast forward 25 years, after an impactful career across several leading companies, he heard a persistent voice that he couldn't ignore and ended up as the leader of an institution focused on helping to transform the lives of the often left-behind middle class adult workers in the US. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Penn Foster, the leading skills development training, credentials and employment matching enterprise for frontline workers. His social-purpose organization is focused on employment outcomes for middle class workforce through ed-tech enabled workforce solutions and today has more than 200,000 active adult learners and 100's of partners, including employers, youth organizations and academic institutions. Learn more about Money Tale$ > Subscribe to the podcast Recent episodes See all episodes > Form CRS Form ADV Terms of Use Privacy Rights and Policies

Episode Overview On episode 10 of EdUp EdTech, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stephen Laster, Chief Product Officer at Ellucian. "Inspired by the transformative impact of education, Ellucian develops solutions that power the essential work of colleges and universities. As the world's leading provider of software and services designed for higher education, Ellucian works with more than 2,500 institutions in nearly 50 countries—enhancing operations and enriching the experience for over 18 million students." We had a wonderful conversation surrounding higher education and what Ellucian is doing to propel institutions forward as they step into a world of change post-covid. There's a big announcement drop in this episode about their new learning platform. Check out the announcement article. About Stephen Laster As senior vice president and chief product officer, Stephen J. Laster leads all aspects of Ellucian's product direction and strategy, across the product and research and development organizations. Stephen is a seasoned technologist, business leader, strategist, e-learning designer, and educator with an extensive background in higher education. He comes to Ellucian from Penn Foster, where he served as chief digital and learning officer. In this capacity, he led the technology, courseware, and education practices to advance the impact and engagement of the organization's learning experiences, both in pursuit of learner success and to advance the technological capabilities of the firm. Prior to Penn Foster, Stephen served for more than a decade in technology leadership roles related to higher education, including as chief digital officer at McGraw-Hill Education, chief information officer at Harvard Business School, and director of curriculum innovation and technology at Babson College. His expertise in this field is widely respected and has led to advisory positions for organizations such as EDUCAUSE Corporate Advisory, IMS Global, Microsoft Higher Education, the Online Learning Consortium, Preserve, Inc., and Babson College. A frequent commentator on education technology and innovation, he has spoken and written articles for ASU GSV, EDUCAUSE, IMS Learning Impact, and Campus Technology. Stephen holds a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. How to Connect Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn & Follow Ellucian on Social Media Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Connect with the host: Holly Owens Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! Follow us the EdUp Experience Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube We Make Education Your Business! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, Jess and Nicole discuss Vetcove as a veterinary purchasing/ordering platform and a few tips for streamlining the process of getting help and ordering products.  View more information and the show notes at: www.vetlogic.co/podcastDownload the FREE Pathway to Inventory Success Roadmap: https://vetlogic.co/inventory-pathway/Jess is one of Vetcove's Customer Success Managers. She always knew that she wanted to work with animals, so after obtaining her BS in Zoology from Michigan State University, she took a job as a veterinary assistant to see if veterinary medicine was "for her". Sure enough, from that moment, Jess knew veterinary medicine was where she wanted to build her career! That was in 2012 and since then Jess has obtained her CVT from Penn Foster, spent some time in the field sales and pet insurance world, and eventually stepped outside of the clinic to ultimately take on this role at Vetcove. Jess loves working for Vetcove because she gets to help make a difference in the lives of veterinary professionals. She loves seeing practices thrive. Jess has a goofy dachshund at home named Myrtle and a fat angry cat named Smaug that she loves to spend time with while not working!  #veterinarymedicine #vettech

Listen to Dara Warn, Chief Customer Officer at Penn Foster discuss education options for all! Penn Foster is dedicated to helping hardworking people prepare for careers. Learn how they are taking it to the next level!  Education and Training Solutions for Organizations | Penn Fosterwww.pennfoster.edu  

In this amazing episode of The EdUp Experience, sponsored by MDT Marketing, we have the honor of speaking with Frank Britt, CEO, Penn Foster! Penn Foster is the original correspondence school in the United States. Their focus is on middle-skill income jobs - 'gray jobs', as they market to a student consumer that defines the type of education they want to consume. As the largest provider of upskilling the middle class in the US, Penn Foster's aspirations are not to be a school - they strive to become the premier career management provider for the middle class. Hear Frank define what is missing in the space, and how Penn Foster is filling a critical need. Frank is the Chief Executive Officer of Penn Foster, the leading skills development training, credentials and employment matching enterprise for frontline workers. This for-purpose organization is focused on employment outcomes through ed-tech enabled workforce solutions and today has more than 125,000 active students and 1,000 partners, including employers, youth organizations, government organizations, and academic institutions. He previously served as an Operating Partner at Bain Capital Ventures and CEO of Pri-Med – the largest medical education training company for primary care physicians. He is a recognized education authority, with media and investor community engagement such as Bloomberg TV, C-SPAN/ U.S. Congress, SXSWedu, TEDx, BMO and ASU/GSV investor conference, and was appointment by Governor Corbett of Pennsylvania on the Advisory Committee on Future of Postsecondary Education. Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode! Contact Us! Connect with the hosts - Elvin Freytes, Elizabeth Leiba, and Dr. Joe Sallustio ● If you want to get involved, leave us a comment or rate us! ● Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience! ● Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Thanks for listening! We make education your business!

On this week’s episode of Humanize Your Workplace, we are joined by Carrie Krott. Carrie is currently a Senior Talent Specialist at Benco Dental Supply Company specializing in talent acquisition, associate relations, compliance, and performance management. With over 9 years of experience in the HR field, Carrie is experienced working across all levels of an organization, delivering excellent customer service to internal and external clients. Carrie has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Pennsylvania State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Legal Studies with a Concentration in Human Resources Compliance from Drexel University. Carrie holds a current SHRM-CP certification and is an active Notary Public for the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, Carrie is an active volunteer in her community. Carrie is currently on the Board of Directors for NEPA SHRM and has held advisory board and co-chair positions at United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA and Penn Foster. Carrie is also a religious education teacher and youth sports coach. We chat about: Advocating for employees Setting expectations for performance reviews Virtual performance management Gauging performance improvement with metrics --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alissa-carpenter/message

Alphonse describes how private equity firms look for investment opportunities and how they help companies succeed.PEOPLEGuest: Philip Alphonse, Senior Partner and Cofounder at VistriaHost: Anil Hemrajani, Founder of Startup SidekickTAKEAWAYSFit: There are various flavors of PE firms out there (e.g. $2-5mm EBITDA versus $5mm+). Get to know the type of PE firm you’re talking to and their parameters (e.g. profitability, company stage, industry). Interview the PE firms to understand the “box” the firm plays in.References: Make your calls and do your reference checks, just like you would hiring someone important. You’re essentially getting married by forming this new partnership, so you want as much clarity on your partner. Talk to our CEOs and operating partners to understand the qualitative aspects.Learn: Always keep learning. We love learning from the different approaches our CEOs take.TIMELINE01:15 – Overview of Vistria. Private Equity firm, typically looking for business with $10-50mm EBITDA. Focused on three primary verticals: education, financial services and healthcare. We aspire to take a more strategic and partnership approach in how we invest; we get excited about investments where our network is uniquely suited to upgrade and support the business. How we can move the dial operationally, resource partners in the space (e.g. Blue Cross).03:15 – What is a PE Firm? It’s largely called “alternatives” — it’s a universe of investors looking to generate higher ROI, using vehicles such as PE, VCs, Hedge funds, etc. What we do differently is we invest in later stages of a company — we are not early stage through growth capital (e.g. seed through series B-D). Once a company is more seasoned/mature, then it has a different set of buyers. 04:45 – When should a “mature startup” consider a PE firm (versus VC)? It’s determined by the stage of the company; typically earlier stage companies aren’t profitable. We pull certain levers that require companies to have a positive EBIDTA and cash flow; hence we have different tools & drivers from VCs. Another driver is a matter of control; typically companies look to PE firms for partial/full liquidity events versus with VCs, it’s a minority investment. 06:40 – How active do you get in the operations? We’re fairly active but it’s a balancing act since we have to support the operating team and system but also give the CEO and management team space, especially if most things are working. Some businesses need a lot more of a lift (e.g. CEO change, improve sales productivity) but when we jump in, it’s in alignment with the management team. 08:15 – Can you share a story of how you worked with a company? As an investor, you look for tailwinds. One of these is in education, around workforce training and development since there’s a massive market (pre-pandemic) of working adults that need skills training. We looked at employees-to-opportunities matching or straight up skills training. We invested in a company called Penn Foster; it was a largely B2C play but we felt B2B would make for a powerful enterprise channel. We were helpful in supporting that business and getting them into several channels (e.g. hospitality), built relationships with staffing companies and helped upgrade their technology infrastructure. We bought a venture backed system and brought that in, which worked quite well — we doubled the EBITDA and had a great exit.13:58 – Are you always networking for talent? There’s a perception out there that PE firm employees only network all the time. When we identify a space, we spend a lot of time getting to know all the CEOs and relevant compa

Episode  Live With - “You are the power of yourown future. Tomorrow is going to be better than today and I know that in my heart because I am going to make it that way. “This episode is with Joesph Gagnon. Joesph is an ultra-marathon and iron man athlete who has a discipline  and consistency that is elite level.  In 2017, Joe  ran Six Marathons across Six Continents on Six Consecutive days.  He has competed in competitions such as the Tahoe 200 and was a Vice President at IBM. His combination of skillsets makes this conversation truly eye opening. Topics covered in the episode -- How to create a life of your dreams - How to have Personal breakthroughs - Why Joe chooses to run Ultramarathons and Ironmans- How can one Conquer there fear- The power of displine and consistency - The power of creating goals and follow through- Why white-collar success  wont bring deeper fullfillmentJoes Bio-  Joe Gagnon is a rare mix of entrepreneur, innovator and transformation executive who has held the role of CEO, COO, partner, and President. He is the founder of THPL, The High Performance Life, and is an avid blogger and serious endurance athlete Joe is currently CEO of Performance Tea where his mission is to help people achieve their potential. He leads a team united in a passion for uncovering the leading edges of performance, recovery and community, naturally and conveniently. Performance tea creates all natural products for better energy, better focus, better recovery, and better sleep. Joe was previously CEO of Sparkcentral a company focused on providing digital messaging solutions for customer service.Prior Joe was President of Penn Foster one of the largest online schools in the country. He served as president of e-Dialog, a leading SaaS multi-channel digital marketing organization owned by eBay that served clients focused on driving engagement and loyalty with consumers Prior to e-Dialog Joe was CEO of Exit41. He joined Exit41, from IBM where he was VP, Global Leader of IBM's Retail Industry business where he led overall strategy, direction, and business operations. He joined IBM in 2001 when the company acquired strategy consulting firm Mainspring, where Joe served as COO. Before Mainspring, Joe was a consulting partner at Ernst & Young where he spent ten years implementing new and emerging technologies. Earlier in his career, Joe led the store systems group at Mercantile Stores, an apparel retailer.Joe also provides his expertise in growth strategies to emerging companies as an advisory board member. A speaker at numerous industry conferences, Joe has also been featured in broadcast media outlets including The History Channel's Modern Marvels, CNBC's On the Money, and FOX News Live. Joe has been widely quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, and Inc. MagazineA firm believer in the parallel challenges of leading a company and pushing physical fitness limitations, Joe is also an accomplished endurance athlete. He has completed six Ironman Triathlons and over 70 marathon distance races. He recently published his book Living the High Performance Life.  Joe Gagnon's Website and Linkedin-Linkedin-https://www.linkedin.com/in/joegagnon/Website -http://www.thehighperformancelife.netTea company -https://www.performancetea.com Please follow John Foley here -Twitter - @JohnFoleyInc - https://bit.ly/2FRF3G9Instagram - @gladtobehere - https://bit.ly/2FRXo6a Facebook - @johnfoleyinc - https://bit.ly/33O

In this episode of Community Signal, Patrick talks to four past guests of the show, Paula Rosenberg, Tim Courtney, Scott Moore, and Daniel Marotta, who are all looking for new full-time career opportunities. We’re hoping that by tapping into the collective power of our listeners, we can help them find their next big thing. We’ve never done this before, and here’s how you can help: First, we hope that you’ll take the time to hear their stories and the work that they’re proud to have been part of. After doing so, if you know someone who has an opportunity that matches with their expertise, please connect with them through LinkedIn or reach out to us, and we’ll gladly make a connection. More than just links to job postings or job boards, we are trying to make direct, helpful connections to people who are hiring where one of these pros would be a great fit. And even if you don’t know someone who is hiring, if you’re willing, we’d love for you to spread the word about this episode.  With each guest, Patrick dives into the following three questions. Have you reflected on these points recently? How would you summarize your experience? What’s an accomplishment from your career that you’re really proud of? What type of job are you looking for, including title, level, department, industry? Where do you think you’ll be happiest? Our Podcast is Made Possible By… If you enjoy our show, please know that it’s only possible with the generous support of our sponsors: Vanilla, a one-stop shop for online community and Localist, plan, promote, and measure events for your community.   Big Quotes On working across customer success, customer marketing, and community management (3:20): “[Working on different teams that touch community and] trying these different areas out [has allowed me to] see where my passions and my niche really are. … No matter what role [you have], you go on to understand each of those worlds and how those roles work because you’re going to need to collaborate with those different teams no matter what your lane is.” –@NYC_Paula Creating experiences that reward users of all skill levels (11:25): “For every user, whether they succeed or not, we built a program [through LEGO IDEAS] that systematically treated everyone with respect and dignity, and also taught the organization how to systematically handle consumer feedback and consumer input, [in a way] that’s coming from a real place of passion.” –@timcourtney Community management is above all else, about putting people first (18:23) “Of all the lessons I’ve learned, everything that I do, whether it’s community guidelines, whether it’s social design and technology, or whether it’s actually sitting down and talking with community members, it’s always about putting that group of people first.” –@scottmoore Using data to explain the business impact of community (32:05): “We found out that people in the [Penn Foster] community are vested, and they want to do well. They were taking more exams. They weren’t defaulting on their tuition. They were actually paying more month-to-month on their tuition. We’re finding value for the customer, but we’re also solving a business goal, and that’s top line revenue.” –@MassMarotta   About Our Guests Paula Rosenberg has worked in community management, customer success, community events, and customer marketing. Her former employers include Vimeo, VHX, Quirky, and POGO Events. She’s also been a contributor to the WeSupport newsletter since 2016. Tim Courtney is a customer experience, crowdsourcing, and community leader who built the LEGO IDEAS crowdsourcing platform from pilot to over 1 million users. Scott Moore has over 25 years of experience helping organizations large and small build solid and successful, connected communities. This includes Digital Promise Global, Answers.com, Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, Communities.com, and Fujitsu. Daniel Marotta is a community management veteran with over 12 years of experience. You can most often find him fine-tuning content and engagement strategies to continuously improve the customer experience. He previously worked at Penn Foster. Related Links Sponsor: Vanilla, a one-stop-shop for online community Sponsor: Localist, plan, promote, and measure events for your community Paula Rosenberg on LinkedIn Paula Rosenberg’s portfolio of published works Paula Rosenberg on Community Signal: How to Transition a Community Team After You Acquire Their Company Tim Courtney on LinkedIn The LEGO IDEAS community Tim Courtney on Community Signal: LEGO IDEAS and the Building Blocks of a Successful Crowdsourcing Community Scott Moore on LinkedIn Scott Moore on Twitter Scott Moore on Community Signal: Threats to Section 230 Threaten the Very Existence of Our Communities, Threats to Section 230 Should Unleash the Political Power of Community Professionals, Facebook Doesn’t Protect Black Children, But They Did Add “Community” to Their Mission Statement, So…, Ending the Millennial Conversation, Customer Experience Insurance and Other Short Stories, Retaining Talented Community Pros and What Makes a Great Boss? (3 Years of Community Signal), and Learning from Theme Park Design Daniel Marotta on LinkedIn Daniel Marotta on Community Signal: Students Who Use the Community Pass More Exams – and Pay More Tuition Transcript View transcript on our website Your Thoughts If you have any thoughts on this episode that you’d like to share, please leave me a comment, send me an email or a tweet. If you enjoy the show, we would be so grateful if you spread the word and supported Community Signal on Patreon.

In this episode, Teresa Shaver from the Business Advisory Centre Durham talks to Patrice Esper. Patrice became part of the BACD Team in 2014. She is an experienced professional with a strong and diverse background in management and entrepreneurship having opened and operated businesses ranging from retail to real estate services in three countries. A Penn Foster honours graduate of an Associate of Science degree with a major in Hospitality management, Patrice coordinates the Starter Company Program and helps provide client services support. Patrice is an active member of the Ajax-Pickering Toastmasters Club and enjoys representing the Durham Region as a place to work and play, wherever possible. For more information about BACD, scroll down below. BACD Website: https://bacd.ca/ Phone: 905-668-4949 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bacd.sbec/ Email: clientservices@bacd.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bacd.sbec Twitter: https://twitter.com/BACD_SBEC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-advisory-centre-durham Music: Cheery Monday Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "Wholesome" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

#96: Have you heard God's call to start a business and are unsure on how to to take action on God's call for your business?  If so, I'd like to introduce to you, Michelle Mays! After working for 8 years as an executive assistant in corporate America, Michelle switched careers and used those planning skills to start her own business as the Chief Concierge for luxury wedding planning in New York. Not exactly the most conventional way to start a business either.   Michelle created a process called EDR, Engage, Design and Reveal which revamped the way that she tackles wedding planning and makes it easy for both her and her clients, prospective brides and grooms to be, have a clear picture of what the wedding is going to look like.  So what are you waiting for? Let's dive into my conversation with Michelle about how she started her entrepreneurial journey and why honor plays such a huge role in it.    Key Lessons From This Episode: Her journey from corporate America to luxury wedding planner Why active listening is just as much about what is not said Her process for planning weddings Challenges she has faced within the industry Why her approach to wedding planning is different from other wedding planners Difference she saw before and after she was in POOF Why we shouldn't try to blend in Michelle is a certified Wedding Planner from Penn Foster and also holds a degree in Wedding Institute - Accredited Special Events Designer Master’s Program from the Institute Wedding & Design. She is also a Certified Destination Wedding Coordinator from the Wedding Planner Institute of Canada. So if you need a wedding planner, you know where to go! ;)   IMPORTANT LINKS & MENTIONS IN THIS EPISODE: (https://www.renaymeshellevents.com/) (https://kellybaader.com/learn) (https://kellybaader.com/CCU) (https://kellybaader.com/review) (https://kellybaader.com/Spotify)       Remember, YOU Matter! See you in the next episode. 

Frank and I discuss the changes and transformations in his life that led him to the role of CEO, scaling the power of example to change the world, and the impactful initiatives Penn Foster is involved in.

The COVID economy is prompting millions of unemployed Americans to learn new skills to help their chances of getting a job. That's obviously good news for companies like Penn Foster, which has been offering distance learning since 1890. To meet the strong demand for healthcare workers, make training more doable, and speed the transition back to work, Penn Foster has launched short form courses that break job skills into smaller bundles. It's just one of the ways COVID is forcing all of us to think in new ways, as Dara Warn explains to Shiv Gaglani in this episode of Raise the Line.

This week, Mike sits down with Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster, to talk about the future of work from the perspective of "middle-skilled" employees. Middle skill jobs require a high school degree and some additional training, but do not require a bachelors degree. Middle skill jobs account for roughly half of the jobs in the US, and that figure is not expected to change much in the 2020s. Frank explains the impact of automation on middle skill jobs and the importance of empathizing with this part of the workforce and the social impact of providing training to this workforce to protect their ability earn. We also touch on "outskilling," "first-mile" services, and some forward thinking about how the middile skills educational marketplace will transform in the next decade.

In this 38-minute episode, host Rick Maher is joined by Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster, as they discuss the disruptive impact that technological advances will have on the workforce, and how his organization is delivering solutions to address future workforce needs. Frank shares his thoughts about why employers are taking a more proactive approach to upskilling employees, and how social media has empowered workers. He also reveals the need to focus on regional solutions, and how Penn Foster partners with traditional workforce boards.

Mike shares his experiences with Dan after attending the HolonIQ Global Summit on the Future of Learning and Talent which was recently held in New York City as part of a Global tour. We dive into where the world of education is heading from a venture capital and investment lens based on Mike's impressions from the summit. In particular, we explore how companies like Western Governors University, Penn Foster, and Cluster, among others, are investing in new models to reach learners who may not easily fit into traditional models of post secondary education. We also revisit themes we covered on our recent show based on HolonIQ's Education 2030 report which looks at broader growth and investment trends in education which we're expecting to continue through the next ten years. We hope you'll listen in and enjoy.

Todd Hand sits down with Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster, Inc., and discusses the middle-skilled workers and how companies such as Penn Foster can help them grow professionally, and more. Get a transcript of the episode here: https://knowledgeleadersgroup.com/interview-with-frank-britt/ Share clips of this episode on Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9uJmaF1DGM&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPhMGGUMqo&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx0w0aO-w7M&feature=youtu.be Follow Todd Hand on Twitter: twitter.com/HandTodd Follow Todd Hand on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/toddhand/ Follow Frank Britt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/frankbritt Follow Frank Britt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbritt/ Follow Knowledge Leaders on Twitter: twitter.com/KnowledgeLDRS Follow Knowledge Leaders on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/knowledge-leaders

Explore success stories from two innovative companies, Penn Foster and Catalyte, training the workforce of today and tomorrow through innovative models.

Volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, welcome to the brave new world of education. Join us as we talk about the critical mindset and skills we need to adapt. Follow: @efranksnaesp @Ray_McNulty @NAESP @bamradionetwork Raymond J. McNulty is the President of the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), and the Successful Practices Network SPN). He is also a Senior Fellow to the International Center for Leadership in Education. Prior to that, Ray was Dean for the School of Education at Southern New Hampshire University which Fast Company magazine named the 12th most innovative organization in the world in its World's 50 Most Innovative Companies in the world. Ray has served as Chair of the National Dropout Prevention Network and was the Chief Learning Officer for Penn Foster a global leader in online education. Ray also was a senior fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Interview with Yoneida about her decision to enter the Vet Tech Program at Penn Foster as well our trip to Australia.

America’s skills ecosystem is broken. Employers are confounded by workforce development institutions. Middle skills employees can’t get the training they need. Educators aren’t held accountable for outcomes. Now, innovative providers are aligning stakeholders around a common cause: creating a pipeline of workers with 21st century skills. Joe quizzes Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster, one of the oldest non-traditional educators in the U.S., on how the new skills ecosystem must be radically redesigned.

According to a 2016 report by Payscale, 87% of recent grads say they're "well prepared" for the workplace. But only 50% of managers agree. Why is there such a gap between the skills taught in school and the skills needed in the workplace? And what can be done to fix it? Listen to our interviews with experts from Harvard, Liberty Mutual, and Penn Foster to find out.

Listen in to our interview with Collin Gutman to learn more about changing perceptions of what constitutes a good job, and the evolving routes to education and employment.

In today's age of accelerated technology and industry, there is a looming issue in the workforce. New innovations are creating jobs with skillsets never previously required, and there exists a workforce of employees with skills that are slowly becoming outdated. There is a gap between these two developments, and workers are going to need to adapt to the new circumstances to up-to-date in these fast-paced fields of growth. In this interview from the 2018 LearnLaunch conference, we speak to Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster, about the need for training to fill this skill gap. Listen in to learn more.

While at online education company Penn Foster, Daniel Marotta was able to prove that not only did students who participated in their online community take more exams and pass more exams, but they also paid more tuition and defaulted less on their tuition. Now at the largest provider of employer-sponsored child care, Daniel just launched a brand new community, and it’s always fun to talk to someone in the middle of a launch. Plus: Using community as a value-add to employer-provided benefits Jive Software’s decision to sell their external community business to Lithium Making gamification meaningful Our Podcast is Made Possible By… If you enjoy our show, please know that it’s only possible with the generous support of our sponsor: Higher Logic. Big Quotes “I think anywhere we can take negative feedback and be part of that conversation, and work with the customer to improve our processes and services, that’s where we can have the biggest impact.” — @MassMarotta “In some cases, you’re pinning your career, or at least your time at that company, on to this software decision. It’s such a big investment, where if it doesn’t go right, it could literally mean your job. That’s got to be a scary thing.” — @patrickokeefe “It’s fun for me to dive into what we’re trying to achieve with gamification. How do we change that behavior with a member of the base to actually achieve that result? There’s an element of psychology with it, and then you tie it in with technology and marry the two together, and you start making movements in the community in a positive direction. That’s where I enjoy myself, really seeing the results from inception to execution. Then, as we all know, community strategies evolve and change, so must the gamification strategy. It is a living, breathing thing that always needs attention. You can’t just set it and forget it.” — @MassMarotta “I don’t know if community gets more fun as you get more experience, but it definitely gets more interesting as your process becomes more refined as a professional.” — @patrickokeefe About Daniel Marotta Daniel Marotta has been a community professional for over 10 years. He’s implemented community strategies that span financial services, high tech, manufacturing, and education industries. Daniel lives for customer advocacy and has been the voice of the customer for some of Fortune 500’s most prominent companies. He currently resides in Boston, MA and works for the industry leader in child care. Related Links Sponsor: Higher Logic, the community platform for community managers Daniel on LinkedIn CommunityCo, where Patrick has accepted the role of director of community, leading online community efforts for the company’s portfolio of communities, including YEC, the Forbes Councils and Men’s Health Fitness Council Ryan Paugh and Scott Gerber, the founders of CommunityCo Jenn Pedde, former Community Signal guest, who helped make Patrick’s career move possible Bright Horizons, a provider of early education and preschools, employer-sponsored child care, back-up care, educational advisory services and other work and life solutions, where Daniel is director of community Bright Horizons Community Lithium Technologies, a community software company who recently acquired Jive Software’s external community platform, Jive-x Community Signal episode with Kim England, where we discussed how the selection of an enterprise community software vendor can have a professional cost “Lithium Adds Jive-x Tech to its Customer Community Platform” by Barry Levine for MarTech Today, about how Lithium will handle Jive-x customers for now Salesforce Community Cloud, which Bright Horizon uses to power their community Daniel on Twitter Transcript View transcript on our website Your Thoughts If you have any thoughts on this episode that you’d like to share, please leave me a comment, send me an email or a tweet. If you enjoy the show, we would be so grateful if you spread the word and supported Community Signal on Patreon. Thank you for listening to Community Signal.