Propeller

Change is no longer something organizations move through. It is becoming the environment they operate in.

The research behind our 2026 People & Change Insights Report shows organizations underestimated total change last year by an average of 11 percentage points across categories, including technology implementations, learning and development, and organizational restructuring.

That kind of underestimation puts real pressure on the managers and teams trying to absorb new priorities, tools, workflows, and expectations at the same time.

As Riley Smith shares in the report: “Organizations are no longer navigating waves of change. They’re operating in a constant current.”

Now that 2026 is well underway, the report offers a useful lens for pressure-testing how your organization is planning, sequencing, and supporting change in real time.

Download the full report: https://info.propeller.com/l/689863/2026-03-11/2ntmtt

Is your organizational data building toward AI readiness, or is it just piling up?

The pressure to adopt AI is revealing a critical gap for many organizations: years of unfocused data collection without a strategy to turn that data into business value.

In our latest blog, Propeller experts Maria Sara Roberts and Anna Tatara explore how to shift from reactive data gathering to strategic data readiness, equipping your teams with the metrics, governance, and shared language needed to fuel AI and beyond.

They share real-world examples of what happens when data collection efforts are misaligned with business goals and how organizations can course-correct.

Beyond Collection: Transforming Organizational Data into AI-Ready… Discover how to transform organizational data into AI-ready assets. Avoid data chaos, boost governance, and align data strategy with business goals.

In today’s business environment, transformation is constant, but sustainable transformation doesn’t happen without culture. And culture doesn’t shift unless people do.

That’s why HR’s role in change can’t be limited to facilitation. It has to start with modeling the mindset needed to lead through disruption.

In her latest article for HR Daily Advisor, Propeller Senior Director Lauren Lightbody shares how HR leaders can embrace a growth mindset—not just in theory, but in practice—to drive real impact.

She explores key moves HR teams can make to lead from the front:
✔️ Upskilling their own teams through stretch roles and cross-functional development
✔️ Experimenting with AI and new technologies to accelerate learning
✔️ Listening continuously and acting on feedback
✔️ Recognizing smart risks—even when they don’t go as planned

It’s a fresh and practical look at how HR can set the tone for adaptability, learning, and resilience across the enterprise.

Read the full article here:

How (And Why) HR Needs to Model a Growth Mindset to Drive Organizational Transformation - HR Daily Advisor In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, the need for agility and a learning-oriented workforce—one with a growth mindset—has never been greater.

Customers don't just make decisions based on logic—they make them based on emotion.

That’s why even the most polished customer experience strategy can fall flat if it doesn’t connect on a human level.

The latest blog from our Experience Design team asks an important question: Are your customers emotionally engaged?

And more importantly—how would you know?

We break it down with 7 key questions to help you assess and improve your CX strategy. Along the way, you’ll find lessons from Aristotle, cake mix, and coffee loyalty programs (yes, really) to inspire deeper emotional connection with your customers.

Check out the full blog:

Are Your Customers Emotionally Engaged? Three Questions to Assess Your Learn how to improve your CX strategy and emotionally engage your customers with insights and key questions.

"We need to add AI to our customer experience.”

It’s a phrase that’s echoing across industries right now. But when AI is bolted onto broken processes—or rushed without user insight—it can do more harm than good.

Before you implement that chatbot or recommendation engine, ask yourself:
What customer problem are we actually solving?

In our latest blog, we break down what it really takes to make AI a value-add in customer experience—from avoiding costly missteps to building adaptable systems grounded in UX principles.

Inside the post:
• Red flags to watch for when AI adds friction, not value
• Real-world examples of AI done right (and wrong)
• A readiness checklist to assess your AI foundation
• Metrics that actually reflect user experience impact

If you're thinking about AI, don't skip the design phase. Start with your users and build from there.

Read the blog:

AI for UX: A Guide to Enhancing Customer Experience Learn how to implement AI for UX the right way, avoiding common pitfalls and designing solutions that truly enhance customer experience.

Is your talent strategy ready for the future? In an article for Training Magazine, Propeller's Lauren Lightbody explores how shifting to a skills-based approach can reveal untapped potential and redefine how you hire, promote, and develop your team.

• Dynamic Insights: Learn how real-time skills inventories can expose hidden strengths.
• Tech-Enabled Growth: Discover how AI tools are reshaping workforce planning and performance management.
• Strategic Transformation: Find out how integrating a skills-based model drives engagement and agility across the board.

Read the full article here:

Transforming the Employee Experience by Taking a Skills-Based Approach Organizations that create comprehensive talent strategies built around skills will increase engagement and agility.

91% of employees are frustrated with their work software.

Outdated systems, poor usability, and fragmented workflows create unnecessary friction—slowing teams down instead of helping them move faster.

Yet businesses continue to prioritize customer-facing tech, leaving internal enterprise tools lagging behind.

It’s time to rethink how these tools are managed.

A product-led approach shifts enterprise tools from afterthoughts to strategic assets that drive productivity, adaptability, and innovation across the organization.

✔️ How does this model work?
✔️ What are the key imperatives for making the shift?
✔️ How can companies implement this approach effectively?

In our latest blog, we explore how organizations can transform their internal tools to serve employees and the business better.

Read the blog here:

Leveraging a Product-Led Model for Internal Enterprise Applications How to adopt a product-led approach for internal enterprise tools to drive efficiency, scalability, and innovation while meeting employee needs

AI can’t transform your business unless your people and processes are ready for it.

Most organizations want AI to drive efficiency and innovation, but the reality is that many struggle to realize its full potential. AI adoption is more than just implementing a tool; it requires operational agility, cultural shifts, and intentional change management.

Here’s how to set AI up for success:

1️⃣ Build operational agility – Create a foundation for experimentation, pilot programs, and iterative learning. AI should evolve alongside your business, not disrupt it.

2️⃣ Foster cultural shifts – AI adoption depends on mindset. Align behaviors, encourage cross-team collaboration, and emphasize ethical AI use.

3️⃣ Prioritize change management – Transparency is key. Employees need clarity on how AI impacts their roles, plus the right training and support.

4️⃣ Accelerate learning – Build AI fluency with ongoing education, from beginner training to advanced AI-driven decision-making skills.

Learn more in our latest blog:

Center People and Processes in Your Next AI Implementation Successful AI implementation isn’t just about tech, it’s about people and processes. Learn how operational agility and change management drives AI adoption.

88% of transformations fail. How can you ensure your organization is part of the 12%?

Enterprise transformation is no small feat—it requires a clear strategy, strong leadership, and full organizational alignment.

Propeller expert Molly Lebowitz shares five essential steps to help organizations kick-start successful transformations in an article with CEO Magazine.

Read the article:

Five steps to kick-start an enterprise transformation Take a good look at any company today and chances are, there’s a transformation underway. Businesses are moving quickly to respond to market changes, while technological advancements are disrupting entire business processes and economic pressures are sparking operational improvements.