The Dynamic Enablement Revolution: L&D’s Pivot to Real-Time Performance Support

The corporate learning and development (L&D) landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, moving beyond traditional education and credentialing towards a more agile and integrated approach. This evolution, characterized by the emergence of "Dynamic Enablement," signifies a critical shift where L&D teams leverage their expertise and resources to provide employees with immediate, context-specific support directly within their workflows. This paradigm shift is amplified by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), which are accelerating the development and adoption of these new enablement solutions.

The Genesis of Dynamic Enablement

The concept of Dynamic Enablement was recently articulated in the "Definitive Guide to Corporate Learning," a comprehensive study by Josh Bersin. This new framework redefines the role of L&D, urging a transition from solely focusing on formal learning programs to providing "dynamic enablement." This means utilizing existing knowledge libraries and tapping into subject matter experts to deliver timely assistance that addresses immediate needs. The author, Josh Bersin, notes that this concept is a more expansive evolution of the earlier idea of "learning in the flow of work." Enablement can encompass answering a quick question, delving deeper into a complex topic, connecting an employee with the right expert, or facilitating new learning opportunities as they arise throughout the workday.

The urgency and significance of this shift are underscored by the swift market reaction. Within weeks of the study’s release, numerous vendors are reportedly "lurching" – a term used to describe a rapid and somewhat uncoordinated movement – in this direction. This rapid vendor response highlights a substantial market demand and the accelerating impact of AI in making such solutions more accessible and effective.

Understanding the Enablement Experience

Delivering an effective enablement experience requires a nuanced understanding of how employees seek and receive support. When faced with a challenge or a need for information, individuals can utilize various approaches:

• Self-Service: Accessing readily available resources like FAQs, knowledge bases, or internal wikis.
• Peer-to-Peer Support: Consulting colleagues or team members for guidance.
• Managerial Guidance: Seeking direction and feedback from their direct supervisors.
• Formal Training: Enrolling in structured courses or workshops.
• Expert Consultation: Engaging with subject matter experts for specialized advice.
• On-the-Job Coaching: Receiving real-time feedback and instruction during task execution.
• AI-Powered Assistance: Utilizing intelligent systems to find answers or generate content.

The optimal approach is often a combination of these methods, tailored to the specific role and context of the employee. Enabling an Uber driver, for instance, presents different challenges and requires different solutions than enabling a middle manager, a software engineer, a sales representative, or a manufacturing worker. The core responsibility for HR and L&D departments is to integrate an "enablement platform" that effectively caters to these diverse use cases.

The Frenzied Pace of Vendor Innovation

The current market for dynamic enablement is characterized by rapid innovation and intense competition. This "lurching" moment means that while exciting new solutions are emerging, organizations are advised to conduct thorough evaluations before committing to a single platform.

Key Players and Emerging Solutions:

Several companies are at the forefront of this dynamic enablement movement, each offering unique approaches and capabilities:

• Arist: Initially recognized for its mobile-first enablement platform, Arist has expanded its offerings significantly. It excels at dynamically generating content and can segment complex training materials for mobile delivery, covering areas like pharmaceutical sales, regulatory compliance, and technology. Arist’s recent introduction of an "AI Performance Consultant" is particularly noteworthy. This AI agent can interview operational staff, identify performance issues, and subsequently develop targeted content to address these problems. This capability represents a significant stride towards "autonomous corporate learning," where AI systems proactively identify and resolve issues, akin to self-driving vehicles. Arist’s consistent partnership with organizations on HR training and enablement programs further solidifies its position.

  

• Sana (Galileo Learn): Now part of Workday, Sana is highlighted as one of the most advanced AI-native platforms available. Founded in 2016 by Joel Hellermark, Sana was built with the vision of revolutionizing learning, integrating AI from its inception and utilizing OpenAI technology long before ChatGPT’s widespread adoption. Its early focus on corporate training has led to the development of a comprehensive, end-to-end learning platform, accessible through its per-user offering, Galileo. The recent launch of the Sana Agent platform complements the core learning system, functioning as a dynamic hub for learning, knowledge management, and AI agent development. The impending release of Sana Enterprise, which will allow Sana Agent to directly access Workday data and transactions, further solidifies its role as a dynamic enablement platform.

• Seismic (Sales Enablement): Seismic is a recognized leader in the substantial sales enablement market, a sector valued at $4-6 billion annually and experiencing double-digit growth. This market caters to the critical need for sales teams to access up-to-date pricing guides, product launch materials, sales tools, and competitive intelligence. Seismic competes with other prominent players like Allego, Mindtickle, Highspot, and Showpad. The author notes the surprising absence of Salesforce from this specific market, despite its extensive "Agentforce" initiatives. Arist also competes in this space, offering a diverse range of solutions for organizations to consider.

• Docebo (Next-Gen LMS): As one of the few publicly traded Learning Management System (LMS) companies, Docebo has aggressively embraced AI-native learning and enablement. Their recent innovations include AI tutors, AI-native authoring tools, and templated AI assessments, all designed to enhance their existing offerings in revenue-generating training and corporate L&D. The acquisition of 365 Talents has further bolstered Docebo’s capabilities, providing a comprehensive AI-driven skills intelligence system. This system allows for the identification of skills within content, the development of a corporate skills taxonomy, and the deployment of learning aligned with identified needs. Major European organizations like SNCF and Airbus utilize Docebo, underscoring its effectiveness as a key sub-market for enablement solutions. This addresses the need for employees to query, "I need to learn more about XYZ, what do I need to know?"

• LinkedIn Learning: A trusted resource for L&D leaders, LinkedIn Learning has become a major corporate content provider. Its recent introduction of LinkedIn Learning AI Coaching offers employees a dedicated "coach" to assist with their learning journey. This feature enables users to discover relevant content and then engage in AI-powered role-playing scenarios to practice skills, interact with simulated situations, and build confidence. While described as a "heavy touch" approach to enablement, it addresses significant use cases for leaders, new managers, sales professionals, and individuals new to a domain. LinkedIn Learning is gradually integrating into the dynamic enablement space, though with potentially less customization compared to some other platforms.

• Uplimit: Positioned as the missing piece in many L&D tech stacks, Uplimit focuses on performance support through AI. It challenges the outdated concept of fixed learning styles, emphasizing that learning is best achieved through active doing and practicing. Uplimit specializes in technical and sales training, where skill development is paramount. The platform guides learners through real-world projects and AI-powered role-plays, providing scalable, personalized feedback. This iterative process of doing, receiving feedback, and refining skills is central to Uplimit’s methodology. For cohort-based programs, Uplimit offers scalable, personalized coaching for communication, scheduling, and just-in-time support without requiring a proportional increase in headcount. Fast-growing companies like Databricks utilize Uplimit for its effectiveness.

  

• Degreed: A pioneer in the Learning Experience Platform (LXP) space, Degreed has long advocated for performance enablement. The platform now integrates extensive AI-native content generation capabilities. Degreed’s next-generation Maestro Studio empowers L&D and sales enablement teams to create custom AI-based experiences, including coaches, simulations, and role-plays, without the need for frequent course updates. Maestro Studio functions as a contextual coach and tutor, analyzing a learner’s skill profile, past learning history, and progress within pathways to offer targeted suggestions and feedback. The platform is also incorporating adaptive assessments and coaching, providing real-time support to employees.

• Perceptyx: A leader in employee engagement surveys, Perceptyx has acquired Lyceum, a company specializing in building AI tutors from existing content. This integration aims to provide employees and leaders with dynamic enablement tools to address workplace challenges. For instance, if an engagement survey reveals micromanagement issues, the data can directly inform coaching needs through the Lyceum integration. Managers can then use the AI agent to inquire about improvement strategies, accessing company leadership content and receiving personalized coaching. This trend signifies a broader convergence where traditional employee experience and survey platforms are evolving into front-doors for enablement, blurring the lines between feedback mechanisms and learning support.

• Disprz: This AI-native learning platform offers comprehensive solutions for onboarding, performance enablement, upskilling, reskilling, mobility, and compliance training. Disprz is built with an "impact-first" philosophy, ensuring that all initiatives are tied to tangible business outcomes rather than mere learning completion rates. Its unique selling proposition lies in the combination of dynamic content development, robust analytics, and automated performance coaching. Disprz has a strong presence in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, with ongoing expansion into North America and Europe.

• Cornerstone: Cornerstone provides a suite of skills-based learning and talent management products designed to enhance workforce agility and sustain performance amidst evolving work designs and roles. Their platform personalizes learning, development, and performance management experiences, aligning them with business and individual performance goals. The upcoming rollout of Cornerstone Galaxy, its new skills-based talent and learning system, is anticipated to introduce further AI-native learning capabilities. For years, Cornerstone has offered microlearning content, dynamic content development, job aids, and a network of partners to integrate learning into workflows. A significant announcement regarding AI-driven content is expected from Cornerstone soon.

• 360 Learning: This collaborative learning platform operates on the principle that "everyone is a teacher." It enables any expert—from sales professionals to IT specialists—to create courses, share content, and disseminate knowledge without requiring extensive instructional design expertise. While initial skepticism existed among AI-first L&D leaders regarding subject matter expert-led content creation, the results have consistently exceeded expectations, leading to increased organizational agility and improved performance. The market for knowledge sharing through democratized content authoring is rapidly expanding, with platforms like Syllog offering specialized solutions for industries such as manufacturing, engineering, banking, insurance, and technology, focusing on rapid content authoring and personalized training programs.

  

Specialized Frontline Enablement

Beyond the broader enablement market, a specialized segment is emerging focused exclusively on frontline workers:

• Axonify: A pioneer in frontline enablement, Axonify utilizes brain science and AI to deliver adaptive training tailored to each employee’s role and knowledge level. It reinforces critical behaviors through spaced repetition, ensuring long-term retention and application.

• Kahuna: This company focuses on operational training and in-depth skills validation, with a strong presence in industries like oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, and distribution. Kahuna’s partnership with Workday as a Gold Innovation Partner highlights its ability to enable frontline workers to recertify and up-certify their skills.

Unique Enablement Providers

Complementing the specialized frontline market are niche AI-powered enablement solutions with highly specific applications:

• IMMERSE: This platform offers AI-powered language fluency performance enhancement. It moves beyond traditional proficiency assessments to boost communication confidence across languages through AI and live enablement experiences.

  

• Feedly: Chalhoub Group, a luxury retail experience provider in the Middle East, has integrated Feedly into its AI-enabled L&D stack. This allows for the translation of external market signals into continuous, role-relevant learning moments, helping employees stay current and make informed real-time decisions.

• Glean: Initially an AI-powered search engine, Glean now facilitates real-time content discovery and access through platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack. It is positioned as a comprehensive enablement platform, often described as a "work platform," that provides employees with instant access to relevant information and resources.

The Future Trajectory: Convergence and Customization

The pervasive adoption of AI is driving a convergence of traditional L&D market categories. The distinctions between LMS, LXP, microlearning platforms, and employee experience platforms (EXP) are blurring as these systems increasingly incorporate dynamic enablement features. Platforms like Microsoft Viva, for example, are transitioning from HR portal consolidation to leveraging AI assistants like MS Copilot for integrated enablement.

The future of enablement is characterized by use-case specific solutions. The dynamic enablement needs of an Uber driver are vastly different from those of a software engineer, who might prefer integration with tools like GitHub or Atlassian. This necessitates a shift towards platforms that can be customized to meet the unique requirements of various roles and industries.

Dynamic enablement ultimately seeks to synthesize expert and validated internal content with external resources and meticulously designed experiences that cater to the specific demands of employee roles. In the evolving landscape of enterprise AI, where organizations are increasingly becoming "builders" rather than mere "buyers" of technology, a careful examination and experimentation with these dynamic enablement solutions is paramount. The journey towards truly empowering employees with the right knowledge and skills, precisely when and where they need it, has officially begun.