Training Impact Podcast

LatitudeLearning

Training Impact Podcast Scaling Channel Performance Through Learning and Discipline Growth does not create strength. It exposes weakness. The Training Impact Podcast explores what it truly takes to scale performance across franchise systems, dealer networks, resellers, service providers, and distributed partner ecosystems. Hosted by Jeff Walter, Founder and CEO of LatitudeLearning, this show goes beyond instructional design and course development. It examines the architecture required to build disciplined, high-performing channel networks. Most business leaders invest heavily in sales, marketing, and product innovation. Far fewer treat training as performance infrastructure. This podcast bridges that gap. Through executive conversations, strategic frameworks, and real-world case studies, we explore: How learning systems evolve from content libraries to measurable performance engines The disciplines required to scale partner networks without increasing variance Certification architecture and role clarity Skill development at scale KPI integration and performance alignment Structural stress tests that reveal weaknesses during growth The emerging role of AI in distributed performance systems Each episode fits within one of three tracks: Learning as Infrastructure, Channel Performance Disciplines, and Structural Stress Tests. If you lead franchise development, partner enablement, channel sales, field operations, or learning strategy in a distributed enterprise, this podcast is designed for you. Because scaling a channel is not multiplication. It is load amplification. And architecture determines the outcome. 🎧 New episodes every week featuring channel experts from across industries including retail, finance, automotive, healthcare, and tech. 👉 Follow Jeff Walter on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreywalter 🌐 Learn more about LatitudeLearning: www.LatitudeLearning.com #ChannelPerformance #FranchiseGrowth #PartnerEnablement #ChannelEnablement #FranchiseTraining #ExtendedEnterprise #DealerNetworks #ChannelSales #OrganizationalPerformance #ScalingSystems #LearningArchitecture #PerformanceInfrastructure #FieldOperations #BusinessScaling #TrainingImpactPodcast

  1. 11h ago ·  Video

    81. Topsail Steamer: Building a Powerful Franchise Brand Through Simplicity, Local Connection, and Scalable Growth

    Topsail Steamer: Scaling a Unique Seafood Experience Through Franchising What does it take to turn an entirely new customer experience into a scalable franchise brand? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter talks with Danielle Mahon, founder and CEO of ⁠Topsail Steamer⁠, about the journey from a single seafood concept in Surf City, North Carolina, to a growing franchise system. Topsail Steamer offers ready-to-cook seafood steam pots that customers take home and prepare on their stovetop. The model combines the convenience of a meal kit with the communal experience of a traditional seafood boil, while avoiding many of the operational complexities of a full-service restaurant. Danielle shares how the original idea came from seeing a similar steam-pot experience during a family trip to the Outer Banks and recognizing an opportunity to make seafood gatherings easier without losing what makes them special. The conversation explores what happens when a simple concept begins to scale, including: • How operational simplicity can make a business easier to replicate • Why franchise consistency does not always mean complete uniformity • How Topsail Steamer balances product standards with local seafood and regional preferences • Why supply-chain strategies have to evolve as a franchise network grows • What Topsail Steamer looks for when selecting franchise partners • Why local grassroots marketing is essential for an emerging franchise brand • How franchisees can help educate customers about an unfamiliar concept • Why franchise training must evolve alongside the operating model • How a hub-and-spoke expansion strategy can make franchise support more sustainable Danielle also discusses the importance of finding franchisees who understand what it means to join an emerging brand. Owners are not simply stepping into a mature national system. They need the determination to build local awareness, engage with their communities, and contribute to the continued development of the franchise. For training and franchise leaders, the episode offers an important reminder that scalable franchise training extends far beyond teaching operating procedures. Franchisees need to understand the brand, customer experience, sourcing standards, marketing expectations, local opportunities, and the reasoning behind changes that occur as the network matures. Ultimately, Topsail Steamer is scaling more than a seafood product. It is scaling an experience centered on bringing people together around the table, while building the systems, training, supply chain, and franchise support required to deliver that experience consistently across a growing network. 🎧 Watch the full episode to hear Danielle Mahon share the story behind Topsail Steamer and the lessons the company is learning as it grows from an emerging franchise into a broader seafood brand. 🌐 Visit Topsail Steamer: ⁠https://topsailsteamer.com/⁠ #TrainingImpactPodcast #TopsailSteamer #FranchiseTraining #Franchising #FranchiseGrowth #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingStrategy #FranchiseDevelopment #ExtendedEnterprise #PartnerTraining #OperationsTraining #LatitudeLearning

  2. Sep 28 ·  Video

    80. Grasply: Powerful AI Simulations Transform the Knowing-Doing Gap in Training

    What happens after someone completes training and actually has to perform? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter talks with Edmundo Barrientos, founder and CEO of ⁠Grasply⁠, about closing the critical gap between knowing and doing through artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and simulation-based learning. Grasply takes existing organizational knowledge, including SOPs, manuals, methodologies, presentations, transcripts, and other training resources, and uses AI to create simulations where learners can practice applying what they know. The conversation explores why repetition is essential for retention, how cognitive fidelity can make simulations effective without recreating an entire workplace, and why practice is such an important bridge between knowledge transfer and real-world performance. Jeff and Edmundo also explore how AI simulations can support sales role-play, difficult management conversations, operational procedures, and training on expensive or specialized equipment. Looking ahead, they discuss the potential for virtual environments, tactile learning, and even 3D-printed components to create increasingly realistic practice experiences. 🎧 In this episode: • Why knowing something is different from being able to do it • How repetition helps strengthen learning and retention • How Grasply turns existing training content into AI simulations • Why cognitive fidelity matters more than perfect visual realism • Using AI for sales, leadership, and operational training • Creating scalable practice for expensive equipment and medical devices • The potential of VR, tactile learning, and 3D printing • Why AI should complement rather than replace existing training For L&D professionals, training leaders, and enablement teams, this conversation offers a practical look at how AI can move beyond content generation and help solve one of training’s oldest challenges: giving people enough meaningful practice to perform successfully when it matters. 🌐 Visit Grasply: ⁠https://www.grasply.ai/⁠ 🎧 For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on social media: ⁠https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast⁠

  3. Sep 21 ·  Video

    79. Commence Foundation: Building Confident Young Professionals Beyond the Classroom

    What are the career and life skills students need to succeed that traditional education does not always teach? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter talks with Alex Dripchak, Executive Director of Commence Foundation, about helping students and young adults develop practical skills that can shape their careers, financial futures, and lives. Alex explains how Commence Foundation focuses on what he calls compounding skills, including financial well-being, authentic networking, productivity, interviewing, storytelling, emotional intelligence, negotiation, career planning, and business communication. These capabilities are designed to complement traditional education by helping young people better understand how to navigate opportunities once they enter the workforce. The conversation explores why financial well-being is one of the foundation’s most important areas of focus, including the power of starting early, delayed gratification, investing, and learning to make money work for you. Alex also shares how Commence Foundation uses storytelling, analogies, and creative learning experiences to make complex subjects easier to understand and remember. Jeff and Alex also discuss why so-called soft skills deserve a much larger role in education and workplace training. Whether we call them essential skills, compounding skills, or character-building skills, capabilities such as communication, reciprocity, discipline, relationship building, and self-awareness can influence far more than performance in a single job. For L&D professionals, training leaders, educators, employers, and organizations that hire people early in their careers, this conversation offers a broader perspective on what meaningful development can accomplish. Training does not have to focus exclusively on what someone needs to perform a job today. It can also give people skills that create opportunities and value throughout their careers. 🎧 In this episode: • Why career readiness needs to extend beyond technical skills • How Commence Foundation approaches financial well-being • Why authentic networking is a skill that can be taught • How storytelling makes complex learning more memorable • The importance of productivity, purpose, and peak performance • Why “soft skills” may actually be essential or character-building skills • How employers can invest in the person, not just the employee • Why skills developed early can compound throughout a lifetime Connect with Alex Dripchak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexdripchak/ Learn more about Commence Foundation: https://www.commenceyourcareer.com/ For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on social media: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast

  4. Sep 14 ·  Video

    78. AIM Training & Consulting Inc.: Why Great Sales Performance Begins with Better Habits

    What separates top-performing sales professionals from everyone else? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter sits down with Amy Lemire, Founder of AIM Training & Consulting Inc, to explore why technical sales skills are only part of the equation. Amy shares her approach to helping organizations accelerate sales performance by combining structured sales processes, effective playbooks, proven methodologies, and habit-based coaching that creates lasting behavioral change. Together, they discuss the four pillars of successful sales organizations, the difference between a sales process, playbook, and methodology, and why habits often determine whether even the best training produces measurable results. Amy also explains how her Habit Finder assessment helps leaders identify the behaviors that drive productivity, confidence, accountability, and long-term sales success. The conversation also explores the role of coaching in sustaining performance, why organizations often document processes but overlook the supporting context and behaviors, and how blended learning, Learning Management Systems, and instructor-led training each contribute to a modern sales enablement strategy. Jeff and Amy discuss how technology can deliver foundational knowledge while coaching and human interaction remain essential for developing the habits that lead to consistent business results. Whether you're a learning and development leader, sales executive, trainer, enablement professional, or business leader looking to improve team performance, this episode offers practical insights into building learning programs that change behavior, not just transfer knowledge. 🎧 Connect with AIM Training & Consulting Inc.: ⁠https://aimtandc.com/⁠ 📢 For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on social media: ⁠https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast⁠ To take the Free Habit Finder assessment, visit ⁠https://habitfinder.com/coach/alemire/ ⁠ Interested in Amy's books, find the links below.   ⁠From Zero to Sales Hero: How to Double Your Sales and Income in Less Than 90 Days⁠ ⁠From Zero to Speaker Hero: How to Achieve Fame, Fortune, and Fun as a Speaker and Presenter

  5. Sep 10 ·  Video

    77. Kaufmann Gildin & Robbins: Proven Franchise Legal Strategies That Drive Successful Growth

    Whether you're launching your first franchise or expanding an established brand, legal strategy plays a critical role in sustainable growth. In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with David Ramsey, Partner at Kaufmann Gildin & Robbins, to explore the legal and operational foundations that help franchise systems scale with confidence. David shares practical insights into franchise compliance, Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), state registration requirements, franchise agreements, training considerations, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding joint employment. The conversation also examines how franchisors can protect their brands while empowering franchisees, why documented systems and operational consistency matter, and what organizations should consider before expanding internationally. Topics covered include: • Building a legally compliant franchise system • Understanding Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) • State franchise registration requirements • Franchise agreements and operational standards • Training without creating joint employer liability • Scaling through repeatable business processes • Supporting franchisee success • International franchise expansion strategies • Common mistakes emerging franchisors should avoid • Creating a foundation for long-term franchise growth Whether you're an emerging franchisor, franchise executive, legal professional, consultant, or business leader, this episode provides practical guidance for building stronger franchise systems while avoiding costly legal pitfalls. Learn more about Kaufmann Gildin & Robbins: https://www.kaufmanngildin.com/ Follow the Training Impact Podcast: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in learning, training, franchising, workforce development, and organizational performance. #TrainingImpactPodcast #Franchising #FranchiseLaw #KaufmannGildinRobbins #DavidRamsey #JeffWalter #FranchiseDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #LegalStrategy #FranchiseCompliance #Leadership #LearningAndDevelopment #Training #BusinessStrategy #InternationalFranchising

  6. Sep 7 ·  Video

    76. Real Projects: Transformative Learning Localization and AI Strategies That Deliver Powerful Global Training Results

    Can artificial intelligence make learning more effective, or does success still depend on strong instructional design? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Scott Hewitt, CEO of Real Projects, to explore how organizations can combine AI, localization, metadata, and learning design to build engaging digital learning experiences that scale globally. Scott shares the entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of Real Projects, how production disciplines from manufacturing shaped the company's approach to learning, and why focusing on one core mission helped the business grow. The conversation dives into one of today's biggest topics in Learning and Development: using AI responsibly to improve learning without sacrificing quality. You'll also discover why localization is far more than simple translation, how metadata and taxonomy influence personalization, and why organizations should rethink the way they use learner data. Scott explains how AI can accelerate localization, improve search, organize learning content, and streamline production, while emphasizing that experienced learning professionals remain essential to creating impactful learning experiences. Whether you're responsible for corporate training, Learning and Development, instructional design, enablement, or workforce performance, this episode offers practical strategies for building scalable learning ecosystems that deliver measurable business value. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why localization creates a better learner experience than simple translation • How AI is transforming content development while keeping humans at the center • The importance of metadata and taxonomy for personalized learning • How search behavior reveals learner intent and business needs • Why production processes are critical for scaling learning successfully • How data and analytics can improve both learning design and business performance • Emerging trends in cybersecurity, compliance, and AI learning content Learn more about Real Projects: https://realprojects.co.uk/ Connect with the Training Impact Podcast: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast #LearningAndDevelopment #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CorporateTraining #eLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningTechnology #LearningAnalytics #Localization #Metadata #Taxonomy #WorkforceDevelopment #TrainingImpactPodcast

  7. Sep 3 ·  Video

    75. Motiva Education: Powerful AI and Learning Analytics for Smarter Learning Experiences

    Can artificial intelligence make learning more effective without replacing human expertise? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter sits down with Ashley Etemadi of⁠ Motiva Education⁠ to explore how AI, learning analytics, predictive modeling, and simulation-based learning are reshaping education and workforce development. Ashley shares how organizations can use AI to identify learners who need support, personalize learning experiences, create immersive practice environments, and improve learner outcomes while keeping people at the center of every learning experience. Whether you're an L&D leader, instructional designer, educator, or training professional, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of learning technology. Learn more about Motiva Education:https://motivaeducation.com/ 🎧 For more Training Impact Podcast episodes:https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlinktrainingimpactpodcast

  8. Aug 31 ·  Video

    74. Mary Ligon Company: The Leadership Skill That Changes Everything Starts Within

    What separates truly great leaders from those who simply manage people? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Mary Ligon, founder of Mary Ligon Company, to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: leading yourself before leading others. Drawing from decades of experience coaching executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizational leaders, Mary shares practical strategies for developing emotional resilience, communicating with intention, and building workplace cultures where people genuinely want to contribute. The conversation challenges the traditional view of leadership as charisma or authority, revealing instead that the strongest leaders remain calm under pressure, inspire others through a compelling vision, and help people discover strengths they didn't know they possessed. Jeff and Mary also discuss why leadership development is often the missing piece in franchise organizations and growing businesses, how fear influences decision making, why anxiety is frequently created by the stories we tell ourselves, and how leaders can train their minds to respond more effectively during challenging situations. Through memorable examples involving Walt Disney, Richard Branson, skiing, and river rafting, they illustrate how vision, mindset, and emotional regulation influence both individual leadership and organizational success. Whether you're an executive, franchise owner, training leader, HR professional, manager, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights for building stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more confident leaders. Topics Covered: • Why leadership begins with self-leadership • Building emotional resilience under pressure • Coaching people to reach their potential • Creating vision that inspires commitment • Leadership lessons for franchise organizations • How mindset shapes business performance • Practical techniques for reducing anxiety and making better decisions Learn more about Mary Ligon Company: https://www.maryligonco.com/ Follow the Training Impact Podcast: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast

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About

Training Impact Podcast Scaling Channel Performance Through Learning and Discipline Growth does not create strength. It exposes weakness. The Training Impact Podcast explores what it truly takes to scale performance across franchise systems, dealer networks, resellers, service providers, and distributed partner ecosystems. Hosted by Jeff Walter, Founder and CEO of LatitudeLearning, this show goes beyond instructional design and course development. It examines the architecture required to build disciplined, high-performing channel networks. Most business leaders invest heavily in sales, marketing, and product innovation. Far fewer treat training as performance infrastructure. This podcast bridges that gap. Through executive conversations, strategic frameworks, and real-world case studies, we explore: How learning systems evolve from content libraries to measurable performance engines The disciplines required to scale partner networks without increasing variance Certification architecture and role clarity Skill development at scale KPI integration and performance alignment Structural stress tests that reveal weaknesses during growth The emerging role of AI in distributed performance systems Each episode fits within one of three tracks: Learning as Infrastructure, Channel Performance Disciplines, and Structural Stress Tests. If you lead franchise development, partner enablement, channel sales, field operations, or learning strategy in a distributed enterprise, this podcast is designed for you. Because scaling a channel is not multiplication. It is load amplification. And architecture determines the outcome. 🎧 New episodes every week featuring channel experts from across industries including retail, finance, automotive, healthcare, and tech. 👉 Follow Jeff Walter on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreywalter 🌐 Learn more about LatitudeLearning: www.LatitudeLearning.com #ChannelPerformance #FranchiseGrowth #PartnerEnablement #ChannelEnablement #FranchiseTraining #ExtendedEnterprise #DealerNetworks #ChannelSales #OrganizationalPerformance #ScalingSystems #LearningArchitecture #PerformanceInfrastructure #FieldOperations #BusinessScaling #TrainingImpactPodcast

Information

  • Creator
    LatitudeLearning
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Training Impact Podcast