Ronald Hovsepian is a seasoned business executive whose career spans more than four decades across technology, software, and corporate leadership. Currently serving as CEO of Skillsoft Corp., he oversees a global platform dedicated to corporate learning and workforce development, aligning business strategy with evolving skills demands. Ronald Hovsepian has previously held chief executive roles at organizations including Indigo Ag, Intralinks, and Novell, where he led large-scale operational transitions, technology partnerships, and commercial growth initiatives. His experience includes guiding companies through digital change, scaling enterprise solutions, and supporting innovation in sustainability, data management, and secure information exchange. Through board service at public and private companies and earlier leadership roles at IBM, his work reflects a consistent focus on building organizational capability, developing talent pipelines, and strengthening long-term competitiveness. This background provides practical context for examining how structured learning programs support employee performance and organizational resilience.
Understanding Corporate Learning
Corporate learning encompasses programs and processes that а company implements to develop employee skills and knowledge. Training delivery can be through in-person workshops, e-learning, а microlearning module, or virtual classrooms. Human resources departments or dedicated learning and development teams design and oversee these programs.
Corporate learning drives productivity. Trained staff complete tasks more efficiently, make fewer errors, and adapt faster to changes. This capability translates to better customer relationships. Well-trained staff demonstrate deeper product knowledge and deliver more effective support. Empowered workers also feel that their organizations value them. As such, they tend to stay longer since they recognize pathways for advancement.
On the other hand, companies benefit by securing а competitive edge when they retain skilled talent. Corporate learning programs that build а new capability or refresh an existing one also help organizations address skill gaps created by technological advancement, evolving job functions, or market transformations.
Onboarding programs help integrate new hires by keeping them in sync with company culture/policies and specific roles. Technical training develops job-specific capabilities like equipment operation, software development, or financial analysis. Interpersonal skills training builds competencies that boost workplace collaboration and effectiveness – communication, time management, and team coordination fall into this category. Organizations also need training programs for products to ensure employees in customer-facing roles maintain current knowledge of company offerings.
One vital corporate learning solution organizations seek is technology training programs. These programs directly address the skills gap created by digital transformation – especially now that technologies such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) are mainstream. Training providers like Skillsoft offer solutions that build internal capability.
Organizations struggling to hire enough qualified tech professionals benefit the most. These programs equip employees with а technical know-how on how to deploy and maintain cloud infrastructure, implement automation systems, and apply AI-powered tools. IT teams also gain proficiency in emerging frameworks, programming languages, and security protocols. Additionally, programs prepare employees for industry-recognized certifications.
Leadership development is a corporate learning solution that cultivates competencies (e.g., mindsets, skills, and behaviors) employees need to advance into supervisory, managerial, and executive positions. Relying on external hires for these higher positions requires substantial investment. New hires may not ensure continuity or preserve institutional knowledge. Internal promotion through structured training strengthens succession planning.
Good leadership skills trickle down to teams, who benefit by becoming more productive, engaged, and good decision makers. Also, business conditions and technology evolve at a pace that demands adaptive leadership. Development programs prepare leaders to anticipate change, navigate uncertainty, and guide teams through complex challenges with informed judgment.
Compliance training programs build а workplace where ethical standards, safety protocols, and accountability shape everyday work. These programs teach employees to recognize and reduce risks, make sound ethical choices, maintain consistent practices across changing conditions, and weave compliance into routine tasks. Skillsoft offers а compliance suite that addresses the most pressing risks organizations face. Its programs also cover ethical technology use, particularly in emerging fields like generative AI. Research shows these training initiatives deliver quantifiable value by lowering compliance failures.
Busy schedules make completing training and staying engaged hard. To address this, а company can integrate learning into work routines through microlearning modules, mobile platforms, and flexible formats. These approaches allow employees to absorb content in brief sessions. When content feels dull or disconnected from job responsibilities, motivation drops.
Organizations can use interactive methods such as simulations and scenario-based exercises, and recognize employees who pursue development. Some organizations fail to invest adequate budgets, tools, and dedicated personnel, which weakens program quality and consistency. The solution requires committing sufficient resources – both financial and human – to ensure programs are high-quality, scalable, and sustainable.
About Ronald Hovsepian
Ronald Hovsepian is a business executive with extensive experience leading global technology and software organizations. He serves as CEO of Skillsoft Corp., focusing on corporate learning and workforce development solutions. His prior roles include chief executive positions at Indigo Ag, Intralinks, and Novell, where he managed enterprise growth, strategic partnerships, and operational transformation. He also serves as chairman of Ansys, Inc. and has held multiple board appointments. Earlier in his career, he spent 16 years at IBM in senior leadership roles and holds five technology patents related to sustainability and data management.