The Navigating Disruption Podcast

Resources: Report: www.nexticshift.com LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexticshift/ About Ambuj Dixit: “In life and in the corporate world, 'Communications' is the bedrock of everything....meaning EVERYTHING! Two human beings, two friends, two colleagues...are able to pursue anything together only because the process / activity of communication exists. And only together, we...

Jonathan Phillips and Sharon O'Dea challenge Western assumptions about the future of work in their conversation with Janet Hitchen and Mike Klein exploring how demographic shifts in Japan and elsewhere in the world drive global workforce innovation. They examine digital nomadism as economic necessity rather than lifestyle choice, question corporate rigidity amid demands for agility, and critiq...

Francisco Marin is the Founder and CEO of Cognitive Talent Solutions (CTS), a Palo Alto-based company specializing in AI-powered Organizational Network Analysis. He's also a Founding Member of the Network-First Manifesto, a global initiative advocating for a shift from rigid hierarchies to network-based models of work. Connect with Francisco: Cognitive Talent Solutions: CognitivetalentsolutionsLin...

Tijana Bejatovic is southeast Europe’s leading consultant, trainer and advocate for Internal Communication as a strategic discipline. Based in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, Tijana brings more than 14 years of experience working in internal comms and leads TopIC training and consulting business. Connect with Tijana: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tijanabejatovic/ Website: https://www.topi...

Ann Melinger is an internationally recognized expert in organizational culture, employee engagement and change management. As CEO and owner of bink, she leads a team of senior advisors dedicated to helping life sciences and biotech companies build high-performing cultures that align with business strategy and fuel organizational performance. Learn more about Ann and subscribe to bink’s resources a...

Max Forsyth brings an informed, contrarian perspective on the current communications job market that challenges several prevailing narratives. As principal of Comms Search and Selection, Max is a recruiter working with Fortune 500 companies and senior communications professionals. Today, he offers insider intelligence on hiring practices, the role of AI in recruitment, and what's actually happenin...

Dan is a tech futurist and optimist who equips leaders in how to think about the future of work and who trains organisations in how company cultures and technologies including AI will change the world in this Fifth Industrial Revolution. He’s also an ex marketing agency owner and serial tech startup co-founder, with companies like HR tech startup YourFlock, Dan Sodergren is a digital marketing and...

Adesh is the President of The Institute for Internal Communication Africa (IFICA), and holds the position of Group Head: Integrated Communications at Nedbank. His two decades-plus experience, and executive-level leadership in communications at multinational companies, is demonstrated by award-winning marketing and communications solutions, that reinforce strong foundations on the basics and drive...

Are Gen Z Tired of Messages… and Craving Real Connection? When asked if they’d rather talk to a manager or AI, many Gen Z professionals chose AI. But why? In this clip from Navigating Disruption , Austra explores: – Digital overload and why Gen Z may be avoiding managers – A surprising coffee shop moment about returning to phone calls – The quiet shift back toward human connection Is this the begi...

In this episode of Navigating Disruption, Mike Klein & Janet Hitchen sit down with Tarek Kamil, CEO & Founder of Cerkl, to explore how AI, machine learning, and natural language processing are revolutionizing internal communication and employee engagement. What You’ll Learn: - How AI-driven personalization improves employee communication - Why internal communicators must embrace AI as a to...

In this episode of Navigating Disruption, Mike and Janet sit down with Susan Jackson, an accomplished leader who transitioned from chemical engineering into corporate communications and sustainability leadership at BASF. With over 30 years at the company, Susan shares her unique career journey—from engineering and business roles to leading communications in a major global industrial company. She d...

In this episode of Navigating Disruption, we sit down with Shan Chatoo, a self-described communications warrior who has mastered the art of making meaningful connections, speaking truth to power, and navigating disruption with resilience. With a background in both internal communication and personal training, Shan shares how her passion for strength training has shaped her professional mindset—emp...

In this episode of Navigating Disruption, hosts Janet Hitchen and Mike Klein sit down with Amanda Todd, Senior Director of Communications at Expel, to discuss the evolving role of communications in organizations today. From internal communications to corporate communications, Amanda shares how strategic clarity can transform both employee engagement and business outcomes. We explore: - The shift f...

How should businesses approach communication in an era of constant disruption? In this episode of Navigating Disruption, hosts Mike Klein and Janet Hitchen sit down with senior consultant and strategic advisor Natasha Plowman to discuss the evolving role of corporate communications, reputation management, and sustainability in today's shifting landscape. About Natasha: Natasha has worked across co...

In this episode of Navigating Disruption, hosts Mike Klein and Janet Hitchen welcome Giedrė Simanauskaitė and Vija Valentukonyte Urbanaviciene, co-founders of Partners in Comms and pioneers in internal communication in Lithuania. They discuss the evolution of internal communication, their journey in writing the first Lithuanian IC book, and the challenges of translating global communication models...

Join hosts Mike Klein and Janet Hitchen as they speak with Christopher Wade, VP of Internal Communication and Employee Engagement at Fresenius Medical Care. With over 20 years of global experience, Christopher shares actionable insights on aligning communication with business goals, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of engagement. Key Takeaways: - Strategic Alignment: Link internal co...

Welcome to the first episode of Navigating Disruption with co-hosts Mike Klein and Janet Hitchen. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Anthoine, the self-styled "Employee Experienced," to unpack the evolving challenges and opportunities for leaders and communicators during disruptive times. From exploring the nuances of employee engagement to rethinking how organizations can align communication...

In this special bonus episode, hosts Mike Klein and Janet Hitchen dive into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations and communicators in today’s volatile landscape. Episode Highlights 0:01 – Welcome and Introductions 3:13 – From Disruption to Navigation 6:36 – Organizational Complacency vs. Communication Challenges 10:08 – Emerging Risks for Communicators 13:35 – Political and Regula...

In this episode, we sit down with Monique Zytnik, a global internal communication leader and author of Internal Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Together, we explore how AI is reshaping internal communications, why strategy matters more than ever, and how communicators can empower leaders in a rapidly changing landscape. What You’ll Learn: - The role of AI in transforming inter...

In this episode of Changing the Terms: The Comms Disruptors, Mike Klein is joined by internal communications and employee experience experts Lee Smith and Emma Bridger. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of employee experience (EX), employee engagement, and the role of internal communication in shaping modern workplaces. They also discuss the importance of designing human-centered workp...

In this episode of Changing the Terms, host Mike Klein sits down with Preston Lewis, founder of Intactic and a communication expert with nearly 25 years of experience working with global brands. They dive deep into the evolving role of communication professionals in a world increasingly driven by AI and technology. From AI-powered platforms like Microsoft Viva to the importance of storytelling and...

In this episode of Changing the Terms, Mike sits down with Ambuj Dixit, Founder and CEO of ThoughtCom, to discuss the evolving role of internal communications in a rapidly changing world. In this conversation, Mike and Ambuj dive deep into the opportunities and challenges facing global communicators today, with a focus on aligning the workforce, employee advocacy, and the need for internal comms p...

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) with Andras Vicsek, Chief Innovation Officer at Maven7 and OrgMapper. Explore how ONA is revolutionizing change management, HR practices, and boosting organizational performance through strategic insights into social capital and internal networks. Key Discussion Points: - Innovation in HR and Organizat...

In this episode, we are joined by Adedoyin Jaiyesimi and we discuss the strategic roles of communication professionals worldwide and the challenges they face within organizations. In this episode: - Strategic Influence: Adedoyin emphasizes communication professionals' role in guiding top management and enhancing organizational trust. - Recognition Barriers: We address the undervaluation of com...

In this episode of The Changing The Terms Podcast, I sit down with Tan Sukhera, CEO of Piar. Co, which specializes in PR data analytics. Tan delves into the importance of integrating data across PR, marketing, and sales functions to create cohesive, impactful communication strategies in the B2B sector. Key Discussion Points - Blue Ocean Strategy: Tan shares how his company identifies and capitaliz...