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. APR 27 ·  VIDEO

    54. Blaze Pizza: Bold Reinvention Strategy That Transforms Franchise Growth

    What does it really take to scale a modern franchise brand in a rapidly evolving market? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Kevin Moran, Chief Development Officer at Blaze Pizza, to explore how one of the most recognizable fast casual brands is reinventing itself for the next phase of growth. This conversation goes beyond traditional franchise development. Kevin shares how his career path, which spans finance, operations, and strategy, shaped a cross-functional approach to building and scaling businesses. Rather than staying in a single discipline, he developed a deep understanding of how every part of the organization connects. That perspective now plays a critical role in how Blaze Pizza evaluates franchise partners, designs support systems, and drives performance across its network. A central theme of the episode is what Kevin describes as Blaze 2.0. As customer expectations shift and digital ordering becomes a dominant channel, Blaze Pizza is rethinking its entire operating model. From store design and kitchen layout to labor strategy and customer flow, the brand is evolving to reflect how customers behave today, not how they behaved a decade ago. At the heart of this transformation is Ignite by Blaze, a live innovation restaurant where new ideas are tested in real-world conditions. This is not a theoretical exercise. It is a fully operational location where Blaze experiments with equipment, digital ordering systems, and service models while gathering direct feedback from customers. The result is a continuous learning environment that allows the brand to refine its strategy before scaling it across the franchise system. The discussion also explores the growing impact of digital ordering on restaurant operations. As more customers engage through online channels, brands must rethink how they balance in-store experiences with digital demand. Blaze Pizza is addressing this by separating workflows, improving efficiency, and reducing friction for both customers and employees. Kevin also shares valuable insights on international expansion. From understanding cultural preferences to navigating supply chain and regulatory challenges, he explains why global growth requires flexibility and strong local partnerships. Success comes from adapting the brand to fit the market while maintaining its core identity. Throughout the episode, one theme consistently emerges: curiosity. The willingness to ask better questions, explore how things work, and challenge assumptions is what drives innovation and long-term success. It is also what enables leaders to build stronger systems and more effective partnerships. This episode is especially relevant for franchise leaders, training professionals, and operations teams looking to scale performance in a complex and changing environment. For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on Social Media https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast For more information on Blaze Pizza, visit their website https://www.blazepizza.com/   #BlazePizza #FranchiseGrowth #RestaurantInnovation #FranchiseDevelopment #TrainingImpact #RestaurantStrategy #DigitalTransformation #FastCasual #BusinessGrowth #ScalingPerformance

    39 min
  2. APR 20 ·  VIDEO

    53. Freddy Media: The Brutal Reality of Weak Marketing Execution

    In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter sits down with Adam Gaedke of ⁠Freddy Media⁠ to explore how influencer-driven marketing is transforming the automotive industry—and what it means for dealers, brands, and channel performance. Freddy Media is redefining how companies connect with customers by leveraging a powerful network of social media influencers. Instead of relying on traditional advertising, they help automotive brands build trust, awareness, and demand through authentic, grassroots content that reflects real dealership experiences. Adam shares how Freddy Media partners with companies to not only market their products, but also help sell them into dealership networks. By combining deep automotive expertise with modern marketing strategies, they focus on driving adoption, increasing revenue, and improving the bottom line for their partners. A major theme in the conversation is trust. The automotive industry has long struggled with transparency, but influencer content—showing real service work, day-to-day operations, and honest interactions—helps break down those barriers. When customers engage with a dealership on social media before ever walking through the door, their confidence and buying experience fundamentally change. The episode also explores how platforms like YouTube are shaping the modern buyer journey. Today’s consumers start their research online, and content-driven strategies are becoming essential for capturing attention and guiding buyers through a more transparent path to purchase. Adam also discusses Freddy Media’s approach to growth—focusing on going deep with select partners rather than scaling broadly—ensuring meaningful impact and long-term success in the automotive space. If you’re in automotive, marketing, or any channel-driven business, this episode offers a practical look at how influencer networks, content, and trust can drive real performance. #AutomotiveMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #FreddyMedia #TrainingImpactPodcast #ChannelPerformance #DealershipMarketing #DigitalMarketing #CustomerExperience #SalesStrategy #ContentMarketing

    35 min
  3. APR 6 ·  VIDEO

    52. Tote&Carry: The Explosive Growth Strategy That's Changing Influencer Marketing

    What if your most effective growth channel wasn’t a franchise, dealer network, or sales team—but a network of influencers? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter sits down with Emily Vernon, Head of Social Media at ⁠Tote&Carry⁠, to explore how the brand is redefining channel development through ambassadors, affiliates, and creator-driven content. Tote&Carry has built a distributed ecosystem where influencers act as an extension of the brand, generating content across platforms like TikTok and Instagram to drive visibility, engagement, and revenue. This approach goes beyond traditional marketing and reflects a new model of partner enablement built on authenticity, experimentation, and relationships. Emily shares how influencer marketing can function as a scalable channel strategy, where repeated exposure across diverse voices builds trust and drives performance. She also explains why authentic, relatable content is consistently outperforming highly polished campaigns—and what that means for brands trying to connect with modern audiences. The conversation also explores how Tote&Carry structures its ambassador program, combining AI-driven discovery tools with direct outreach to build stronger, more aligned partnerships. Performance is measured through engagement, conversions, and revenue, creating a system that continuously evolves based on results. Another key theme is experimentation. Tote&Carry operates with a test-and-learn mindset, constantly refining its approach to creators, content, and messaging. This iterative model mirrors modern training and enablement strategies, where feedback loops and continuous improvement are critical to success. Emily also emphasizes the importance of seeing through the customer’s eyes, evaluating every touchpoint from the user perspective to improve alignment and drive better outcomes. This episode is especially relevant for learning and development leaders, training managers, and enablement teams looking to understand how distributed networks can be aligned and scaled effectively. To learn more about Tote&Carry, visit: ⁠https://www.totencarry.com/⁠ For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on social media: ⁠https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast⁠ #ToteAndCarry #InfluencerMarketing #AmbassadorProgram #AffiliateMarketing #ChannelStrategy #PartnerEnablement #EcommerceGrowth #CreatorEconomy #TrainingImpactPodcast #LearningAndDevelopment

    53 min
  4. APR 2 ·  VIDEO

    51. CCAR: Building a Safer Automotive Industry Through Training and Compliance

    How does safety training protect an entire industry? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter speaks with Katherine Henmueller, President and Chief Operating Officer of the ⁠Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair ⁠(CCAR). The discussion explores how specialized safety and hazardous materials training helps prevent accidents across the automotive repair ecosystem. Founded in 1994 through an Environmental Protection Agency grant, CCAR has grown into a national safety advocate for the automotive industry. The organization develops eLearning programs that help repair shops, dealerships, logistics providers, and trade schools understand how to safely handle hazardous materials commonly found in automotive environments. Katherine explains how CCAR’s training programs focus on real world risks associated with chemicals, batteries, refrigerants, and other materials that technicians and service teams encounter every day. The training also helps organizations comply with Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations, including the 49 CFR standards that govern safe packaging and transportation. One of the most interesting challenges discussed in the episode is the perception of compliance training. Because safety training is designed to prevent incidents, its success is often invisible. When it works well, accidents never happen, and workers simply assume safety systems are part of everyday operations. Jeff and Katherine explore how education helps technicians and automotive businesses understand the bigger picture of safety. By establishing consistent industry standards through training, CCAR helps make the entire automotive repair environment safer for workers and customers alike. The conversation highlights the broader role of learning in complex industries. Training is not just about knowledge transfer. In sectors like automotive repair, it functions as infrastructure that supports safety, compliance, and operational consistency. Learn more about CCAR and their safety training programs: ⁠https://www.ccar-greenlink.org/⁠ For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on Social Media: ⁠https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast⁠ #TrainingImpactPodcast #CCAR #AutomotiveRepair #AutomotiveSafety #HazmatTraining #ComplianceTraining #AutomotiveIndustry #WorkplaceSafety #LearningAndDevelopment #CorporateTraining #SafetyTraining

    46 min
  5. MAR 30 ·  VIDEO

    50. CourseCREEK: The Powerful Impact of Turning Expertise Into Scalable Learning

    How do organizations turn expert knowledge into scalable digital learning? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠, Jeff Walter speaks with Robert Lunte, founder and CEO of ⁠CourseCREEK,⁠ about the process of transforming expertise into structured online learning programs. Robert shares his journey from internationally recognized voice coach to leading an eLearning development company. After creating his own digital courses, he discovered how powerful digital education could be for scaling knowledge and helping professionals reach far larger audiences. That realization led to the creation of CourseCREEK, a company focused on helping experts and organizations convert their knowledge into structured digital learning programs. The conversation explores why many professionals struggle to scale their expertise. Much of what they know exists as implicit knowledge inside their heads. Instructional design and course development help convert that knowledge into structured training programs that can be delivered consistently to learners anywhere in the world. Robert explains how CourseCREEK works with clients ranging from executive coaches to healthcare educators and corporate training teams. These organizations often possess valuable expertise but need help transforming it into engaging digital learning experiences. Jeff and Robert discuss the instructional design process used to develop effective courses. It often begins with gathering existing materials such as presentations, notes, documents, and videos. Instructional designers then organize the information into a storyboard that maps the learning journey, including modules, lessons, and engagement activities. This structured approach ensures that courses are not simply collections of content but carefully designed learning experiences that help learners absorb and apply knowledge. The conversation also explores the importance of engagement in digital learning. Modern learners benefit from a combination of multimedia elements such as video instruction, reading exercises, quizzes, and interactive scenarios that reinforce key concepts. By combining instructional design with modern learning technologies, organizations can create training programs that scale expertise, preserve knowledge, and deliver consistent education to large audiences. If you are responsible for learning strategy, course development, or digital education programs, this episode offers valuable insight into how organizations convert knowledge into scalable learning systems. 🌐 Learn more about CourseCREEK ⁠https://www.coursecreek.com/⁠ For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on Social Media https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast #TrainingImpactPodcast #CourseCREEK #Elearning #InstructionalDesign #DigitalLearning #CorporateTraining #KnowledgeManagement #OnlineCourses #LearningLeadership

    39 min
  6. MAR 26 ·  VIDEO

    49. Immersivevision Technology: Solving the Hidden Gaps in Medical Training

    In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Steven King, President of U.S. Operations at ⁠Immersivevision Technology⁠, to explore how immersive 3D visualization is transforming medical education and healthcare training. Steven shares the story of how he discovered the company’s groundbreaking virtual dissection table and helped bring the technology to the United States. The system functions like a seven-foot interactive tablet, allowing students and clinicians to explore the human body layer by layer through fully interactive digital cadavers. Learners can examine male, female, pediatric, and prenatal anatomical models while also accessing libraries of CT scans, MRIs, radiology images, histology slides, and clinical case studies. The conversation highlights how immersive tools like these move medical education beyond memorization and toward true comprehension. By allowing learners to explore anatomy in three dimensions and visualize spatial relationships between organs, arteries, nerves, and tissues, the technology supports deeper experiential learning and stronger clinical understanding. Jeff and Steven also discuss how immersive imaging can support real-world healthcare applications, including surgical planning. High-resolution scans can now be converted into detailed three-dimensional anatomical models, enabling clinicians to examine a patient’s anatomy before entering the operating room. These capabilities open the door to improved outcomes, better preparation, and reduced medical error. The episode also examines the challenges of introducing new technology into healthcare and education. While immersive training tools can dramatically improve learning outcomes, institutions must still address funding, curriculum integration, and faculty training. At the same time, today’s digital-native students expect highly interactive learning environments that match the speed and engagement of modern technology. Looking ahead, Steven shares his perspective on the future of immersive learning, the role AI may play in building new simulations and training environments, and why hands-on experiential practice will always remain central to developing skilled healthcare professionals. If you’re interested in the future of healthcare training, immersive simulation, and experiential learning, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how technology is reshaping the way medical professionals learn. To learn more about Immersivevision Technology and their immersive 3D medical imaging solutions, visit ⁠https://immersivelabz.com/⁠ For more from the Training Impact Podcast, follow us on social media ⁠https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/trainingimpactpodcast⁠ #TrainingImpactPodcast #MedicalEducation #ImmersiveLearning #HealthcareTraining #EdTech #SimulationTraining #MedicalTechnology #AnatomyLearning #RadiologyTraining #ExperientialLearning

    47 min

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