Pioneers Podcast by Lyreco

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The podcast from Lyreco that explores the Future of Work, from Lyreco's innovation team.Each episode we talk to a pioneer of the future of work, exploring the themes and trends that will shape the workplaces of tomorrow.

  1. 1D AGO

    How MAD Turns Everyday Drinks Into Measurable Good

    Pioneers Podcast by Lyreco

    46 min
  2. How AI Flattens Customer Journeys And What To Do Instead

    APR 2

    How AI Flattens Customer Journeys And What To Do Instead

    AI is about to make “great customer service” normal and cheap, and that should worry every leader who thinks a chatbot equals customer experience. I’m joined by Steven Van Belleghem, a global authority on customer experience and AI, to explore what happens when large language models become the portal of our lives and customers no longer visit your website, browse your journeys, or even choose your brand directly. We get practical and provocative. Steven argues that automation can widen the gap between companies and the people they serve, because employees stop feeling real customer emotion and start managing graphs instead. We talk about why “authenticity” is overrated, why intention over perfection creates trust, and how the most memorable experiences are often carefully orchestrated rather than spontaneous. From there we map a path out of the efficiency trap. Steven shares IKEA’s standout approach to AI and reskilling, then introduces his three layers of loyalty: transactional convenience, transformational relevance, and deep belonging. We also dig into brand commoditisation, short-term marketing dopamine, AI advertising models, and even the next frontier of customer experience through humanoid robots. If you care about customer experience strategy, employee experience, brand differentiation, and the future of work, this one will give you frameworks to test immediately. Subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review telling us where you think human-made value will matter most next. You can get tickets for the Future Of Work event in Brussels on the 18th June 2026 at https://future-of-work.eu/

    50 min
  3. Reluctant Futurist, Real Agency: Henry Coutinho-Mason

    MAR 26

    Reluctant Futurist, Real Agency: Henry Coutinho-Mason

    Prediction is comforting, but it’s the wrong game. We sit down with futurologist Henry Coutinho-Mason to unpack a bolder approach: stop hunting for certainty and start building the muscle to spot shifts, test ideas, and turn change into advantage. Henry shares why he calls himself a “reluctant futurist,” how stable human needs meet “godlike” technologies, and why the real lever for leaders is redesigning medieval institutions into AI‑native organisations that distribute agency. Together, we map the difference between chasing efficiency and creating new value customers will pay for. From E.O. Wilson’s timeless framing to Jeff Bezos’ “what’s not changing” question, Henry shows how to pair AI abundance with human scarcity: empathy, taste, trust, and meaningful choice. We explore cognitive overload in a world of multi‑agent workflows, the rise of smaller, “spiky” teams with outsized impact, and why purpose – once dismissed as a fad – returns as an operating system for focus and speed. The conversation turns practical with IKEA’s “Billy” example, where routine queries shift to a chatbot and 8,500 people are retrained into entry‑level interior advisors, transforming a cost centre into a fast‑growing sales channel. We dig into what an AI‑native culture looks like – lightweight rituals for experimentation, clear decision rights, human‑centred services – and why empathy may become the decisive edge as intelligence becomes abundant. If you’re a leader, operator, or curious builder, you’ll leave with questions that matter and moves you can make on Monday. Ready to rethink your roadmap? Listen now, subscribe for future episodes, and share this with a colleague who needs a nudge toward human‑centred, AI‑native strategy. Your review helps more people find the show – what was your biggest insight today? To get your ticket for the Future of Work conference in Brussels on the 18th June (and hear more from Thierry and a host of thought leaders and AI experts) visit - www.future-of-work.eu

    55 min
  4. From Google To Brussels Chamber of Commerce: Leading Digital Change With Humanity

    MAR 18

    From Google To Brussels Chamber of Commerce: Leading Digital Change With Humanity

    Forget buzzwords - this conversation digs into how AI creates real value only when it’s aligned to people and outcomes. With Thierry Geerts, former Google country director and current CEO of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce, we unpack the moves that matter: training every employee, cleaning your data, starting with low‑risk wins, and anchoring change on customer satisfaction rather than cost cuts. We chart three practical waves of adoption-traditional AI for pattern detection, generative AI for content, and agentic AI for reliable task execution-and show where each wave fits. Thierry explains why GenAI headlines outpaced real business impact, how hybrid models outperform either ‑ or thinking, and why SMEs can move faster than giants when the CEO leads from the front. We also challenge a pervasive myth: technology doesn’t dehumanise by default. Used well, it frees time for service, creativity and relationships, much like previous revolutions did with electricity and mobile banking. Expect candid stories - from Google’s “AI‑first” bet in 2016 to a Belgian bank’s culture shift - that reveal what separates momentum from motion. We talk enterprise lock‑in, compliance bottlenecks, and the underrated power of simple tools like Gemini and Copilot to build literacy before you invest in bespoke projects. The takeaway is clear: demystify AI, set guardrails, measure the benefits, and keep the goal human. That’s how teams become truly digital and more human at the same time. If this sparked ideas for your roadmap, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review - it helps more leaders find practical guidance on building AI‑proven businesses. To get your ticket for the Future of Work conference in Brussels on the 18th June (and hear more from Thierry and a host of thought leaders and AI experts) visit - www.future-of-work.eu

    45 min
  5. Designing a Future Where Workwear Works for Everyone

    06/12/2025

    Designing a Future Where Workwear Works for Everyone

    Workwear should be a tool that helps you do your job safely and comfortably, yet for women across numerous industries, ill-fitting protective equipment remains a daily frustration. In this special episode recorded at the Future of Work event in Brussels, we explore the often-overlooked world of gender-specific workwear with two experts at the forefront of this issue. Lena Bay-Høyland, Product Director at Fristads, reveals that while women's workwear has existed for decades, awareness and accessibility remain the biggest hurdles. "It's there, but somehow, miraculously, we don't notice," she explains. Meanwhile, Martyna, Lyreco's UK Innovation Ambassador and previous winner of our Pioneers program for her work on this very issue, describes the real-world challenges women face when forced to wear men's workwear in professional settings. The conversation unveils fascinating insights into corporate purchasing behaviors that perpetuate these problems, with many companies opting for the simplicity of ordering a single product line rather than accommodating different body types. We also explore surprising specialized options that many don't realize exist – from maternity PPE to flame-retardant religious accommodations. Most exciting is Fristads' innovative solution launching in 2026: gender-inclusive workwear offering both men's and women's fits under a single product code. This approach not only simplifies purchasing decisions but addresses sustainability challenges caused by inefficient production of women's sizes while creating more inclusive workplaces for everyone. Whether you're responsible for workwear purchasing decisions, interested in workplace equality, or simply curious about how something as seemingly straightforward as protective clothing intersects with important issues of gender, sustainability and inclusion, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating workplaces where everyone can perform at their best.

    39 min
  6. Brain Moving: The Psychology of Workplace Change

    05/20/2025

    Brain Moving: The Psychology of Workplace Change

    Organizational psychologist and BrainMove founder Anton Maes explores how workplace environments impact productivity, wellbeing, and organizational culture, particularly in the shift to hybrid working models. Anton reveals practical strategies to manage change, engage teams, and create productive workplaces that balance business needs with human psychology. • The psychology of resistance to change and why people experience change as uncomfortable • Balancing productivity objectives with employee wellbeing needs • Why face-to-face interaction remains critical for knowledge sharing and team building • The limitations of using solely physical environments to attract employees • Creating effective activity-based workspaces that support different work processes • How leadership practices need to adapt to hybrid working models • Practical approaches to bring teams back together while maintaining flexibility • The four key elements for successful hybrid working: environment, structure, knowledge exchange, and leadership • Why leadership communities are becoming increasingly important • How disruption can be positive for organizational growth when managed well Join us at our Future of Work event on June 5th where Anton will be speaking and participating in a panel on return-to-work strategies.

    1h 7m
  7. Beyond Carbon Footprints: What Electronics Sustainability Really Means

    05/13/2025

    Beyond Carbon Footprints: What Electronics Sustainability Really Means

    The path to sustainable electronics isn't straightforward, but Trust International's ESG Manager Arjan Steenbergen is navigating it with remarkable dedication. Having spent his entire career at Trust since 1995, Steenbergen's journey from IT to sustainability exemplifies how environmental consciousness can evolve within corporations. Electronics sustainability presents unique challenges - how do you make products more environmentally friendly when they're essentially "chemicals put together with electricity running through them doing something magical"? Trust approaches this complexity through comprehensive life cycle assessments, examining impacts from production to end-of-life. This methodical approach reveals that different products require different sustainability strategies: for mice, it might mean incorporating rechargeable batteries and recycled plastics; for keyboards, it could involve designing for repairability. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when exploring the apparent contradiction between product longevity and carbon footprints. Counterintuitively, a longer-lasting electronic device might calculate a higher overall carbon footprint simply because it consumes energy for more years. This reveals how current sustainability metrics often lack critical context, prompting Steenbergen to advocate for more sophisticated communication approaches - perhaps expressing impact as carbon footprint per year rather than as a lifetime figure. Looking ahead, the European Union's Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation will fundamentally transform electronics design. Batteries will need to be removable, parts replaceable, and products more repairable overall. For Trust, this means rethinking product architecture from the ground up, eliminating practices like gluing components together that make disassembly difficult. While these changes present engineering challenges, they represent crucial steps toward true circularity. The passion driving this transformation isn't just regulatory compliance - it's a genuine belief in building a more sustainable future. As Steenbergen puts it, having a level regulatory playing field helps, but seeing "so many people active in this space" provides the real energy to continue pushing forward. His story reminds us that behind corporate sustainability initiatives are individuals deeply committed to making meaningful environmental progress, one product design decision at a time. Find out more about the Future of Work conference here: https://www.future-of-work.eu/ Trust: https://www.trust.com/en Edelman trust index: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometer

    55 min
  8. Unleashing Improv in the Workplace: Pep Rosenfeld's Work Laugh Balance

    04/29/2025

    Unleashing Improv in the Workplace: Pep Rosenfeld's Work Laugh Balance

    Meet Pep Rosenfeld, co-founder of Boom Chicago, a comedy club in Amsterdam, and champion for incorporating comedy into the workplace. In this conversation, we explore why humor is a powerful tool for business success, discussing practical ways to harness comedy for better team communication, engagement, and handling of difficult situations. • Founding Boom Chicago as "the greatest stoner idea ever" in Amsterdam in 1993, now grown into a successful business • Comedy across cultures – reference points matter more than cultural differences • How improvisation skills directly translate to business success through better communication and mental agility • Using humor to address challenging topics in the workplace without crossing inappropriate boundaries • The impact of remote work on workplace humor and strategies for maintaining human connections in virtual settings • Research showing teams that laugh together work better together and view their leaders more positively • Practical applications of improv techniques for building psychological safety and team cohesion • Using comedy to navigate difficult situations like economic downturns or organizational changes Check out Pep's book "Work Laugh Balance" for more insights on how to effectively introduce humour into your workplace. For more information on the Future of Work conference in Brussels - June 5th - visit: https://www.future-of-work.eu

    57 min
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About

The podcast from Lyreco that explores the Future of Work, from Lyreco's innovation team.Each episode we talk to a pioneer of the future of work, exploring the themes and trends that will shape the workplaces of tomorrow.

Information

  • Creator
    Lyreco
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pioneers Podcast by Lyreco
  • Show Website
    Pioneers Podcast by Lyreco