When it comes to transferring essential know-how, companies have traditionally relied on their best people—the ones who know the work inside out—to guide the next generation of workers. This is a smart approach, but it has limits. Not every business can afford to have top performers stepping back to coach and mentor on a regular basis. Innovative tools, like GenAI-augmented simulations, are coming to the rescue to serve as an AI business mentor—offering a scalable way to build knowledge and skills in a highly contextualized, just-in-time fashion.
I recently read an article by Scott Gilbey in Entrepreneur Magazine titled “I Know Why Your Customer Service Sucks.” If there’s one thing that Gilbey’s story captures, it’s that real learning takes place outside of the traditional classroom. Gilbey, once a senior executive, traded his suit for an apron to work on the floor of several well-known retail businesses. He quickly realized that the reels of training videos he was subjected to didn’t adequately prepare him for the real-world pressures and improvisations required in front-line work.
His biggest takeaway? Knowledge transfer doesn’t happen by watching videos or checking boxes in a Learning Management System (LMS). It happens through mentorship, contextual learning, and hands-on experience.
Why we rely on top performers to pass on knowledge
Top performers are invaluable, not only for their work output, but for the knowledge and insights they bring. When they mentor others, they do more than teach tasks and checklists; they convey the subtleties, best practices, and critical problem-solving skills that make a difference. The process, also known as tribal knowledge transfer, is a key ingredient to company culture and operational success. However, as effective as this method is, it’s not always practical.
Consider that top performers are often busy with high-impact work. Taking time away from their core responsibilities to train others may disrupt workflows and affect output. Then there’s the reality of turnover—when experienced team members leave, they take a lot of unwritten knowledge with them. So, how do we capture the expertise of our top employees without pulling them out of their roles or losing knowledge when they move on?
You may also be interested in: Tribal Knowledge Transfer: Succeeding Beyond Baby Boomer Brain Drain
The power of customized, GenAI-augmented simulations as an AI business mentor
GenAI-driven simulations allow companies to capture, contextualize, and scale tribal knowledge in a way that feels just as effective as real-life mentorship. Simulations don’t replace people, but they do offer employees a dynamic, hands-on learning environment where learners can experiment, make decisions, and learn from outcomes in a realistic setting.
Our own platform, ExperienceBUILDER™, integrates generative AI to create simulations that adapt to specific business challenges, cultural nuances, and decision-making frameworks.
Here’s what makes these simulations stand out.
Context-rich scenarios
Traditional training programs often lack depth, leaving out the real-world complexities that employees face. AI-powered simulations let us create scenarios that are true to a business’ unique challenges. Whether it’s making data-driven decisions or mastering a complex procedure, employees learn by doing in a simulated environment that mirrors the actual stakes of their work.
Real-time feedback
Simulations provide instant feedback on decisions, helping employees understand the impact of their choices in real-time. Through this feedback loop and the chance to fail forward, they develop the skills, judgment, and confidence that usually come with years of experience.
Highly customized
The structured, one-size-fits-all approach of traditional training methods can’t address the nuanced needs of diverse teams. AI-powered simulations, by contrast, are tailored to each company’s specific environment, allowing employees to build skills that feel immediately relevant to their day-to-day work.
For example, instead of presenting generic scenarios, AI-driven simulations can reflect your company’s specific workflows, customer base, and values. Employees aren’t merely learning generic best practices—they’re learning your best practices, embedded in scenarios that mimic the reality of your organization.
You may also be interested in: How to Maximize the ROI of AI in Learning and Development
How to start using GenAI-powered simulations in your organization
To successfully implement AI simulations, use authentic intelligence to identify the common challenges and knowledge gaps that your employees face. Then, work with a team that specializes in AI simulation design to create scenarios tailored to your needs. Each simulation should be customized to reflect the specific challenges that your team encounters, ensuring the training feels authentic and applicable.
Curious to see how this might look in action? We’d love to show you how GenAI-driven simulations can empower your employees to learn faster, retain more knowledge, and perform better—without pulling your best people away from their roles.
Contact us to schedule a demo.
