The Experience Edge 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/