Ep.20 - Why Companies Are Building VR Training Fleets - Shanta Bodhan

In this episode of The Experience Edge, Jochem van der Veer speaks with Shanta Bodhan, Associate Director of Innovation Customer Experience at Cornerstone, about the evolving landscape of employee development through immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), and generative AI. Drawing on her background in HR and sustainability, Shanta shares how her team is reimagining workforce learning at scale for global brands including Siemens, Nestlé, and UPS.

The conversation explores the challenges and advantages of remote-first organizations, how immersive learning can drive measurable outcomes, and the balance between personalization and scalability in customer experience. Shanta also discusses the intersection of employee and customer journeys, the role of mentorship in combating imposter syndrome, and how innovation teams can align business and individual goals. With practical insights and a vision for the future of learning, this episode offers a compelling look at the power of human-centered technology in shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

Guest Bio

My guest today is Shanta Bodhan, Associate Director of Innovation Customer Experience at Cornerstone. A visionary in corporate learning, Shanta is leading transformative initiatives using extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR), and generative AI to redefine how global organizations approach employee development and engagement.

With a background spanning sustainability and human resources, she’s passionate about aligning innovation with purpose. Shanta is a dedicated advocate for mentorship, diversity, and inclusion, and is helping shape the future of work through equity-driven solutions and cutting-edge learning strategies.

Chapters

01:17 Shanta's Background and Move to Remote Work

02:31 Defining Workforce Agility and Its Relevance

04:25 Remote vs. Return-to-Office: What's Working?

06:28 Scaling Remote Work at Cornerstone

08:19 The Value of In-Person Connection

09:26 Using XR and Generative AI for Learning

11:17 Overcoming Adoption Challenges in VR Training

13:18 Measurable Impact of Immersive Learning

14:51 Measuring Learning Retention with Hard and Soft Skills

17:21 Partnering with Companies on XR Implementation

19:08 Shanta’s Role in Innovation CX at Cornerstone

21:16 Customer Experience vs. Customer Success

23:48 Customer Feedback and Innovation Integration

24:53 All-Remote Deployment of VR Learning

28:28 The Future of Learning with XR and AI

30:08 Who Buys XR Learning: HR, Innovation, or Leadership?

32:35 Impact on Attrition and Personalization in Learning

35:54 Can VR Learning Be Mandatory?

38:56 Adoption Through Normalization of Immersive Tools

40:31 Employee Experience vs. Customer Experience

43:05 Mentorship vs. Management and the Rise of Imposter Syndrome

48:13 When and How to Introduce Mentoring

51:14 Aligning Employee and Business Goals

53:03 Customer Journey Goals and Measuring Success

54:45 Balancing Scalability and Personalization

56:44 Customer Journey as a Cross-Functional Tool

58:16 Fixing Friction Points in the Customer Journey

59:34 Personal Reflections on Journey Moments

Jochem’s Profile - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jochemvanderveer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shanta Bodhan - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanta-bodhan/