In this episode of Train to Gain, hosts Erin Raitt and Katie Merrill kick off the first episode of 2026 with a special guest as part of their OG Series—highlighting the people who helped shape B-Lynk in its earliest days.

They welcome Tim Sisneros (Cisco), a longtime partner, collaborator, and early advocate who played a key role in B-Lynk’s growth. Together, they reflect on how partnerships, trust, and training have evolved—from the early VoIP days to today’s subscription-based cloud and contact center solutions—and why adoption is more critical than ever.

What We Talk About

1. The early days of VoIP and UCaaS—and how adoption challenges then mirror what we’re seeing today
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3. Why new technology feels overwhelming, even when the functionality hasn’t changed much
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5. How training helps reduce resistance and build confidence during technology transitions
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7. The shift from one-time purchases to subscription models—and why adoption is now priority one
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9. Why onboarding can’t be a one-and-done event in a world of growth, churn, and role changes
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11. The importance of ongoing training to support renewals, expansion, and long-term value
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Partnerships & Adoption Insights

1. How strong partnerships are built on trust, mutual support, and “opening doors together”
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3. Why recorded, on-demand training is essential for scaling enablement over time
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5. The role of snackable, bite-sized learning in driving real feature adoption
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7. How training supports outcomes—not just product usage
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Contact Center Focus

1. Why contact center adoption is significantly more complex than traditional VoIP
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3. The growing importance of admin vs. end-user education
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5. How reporting has become a major adoption hurdle—and a major opportunity
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7. The shift from manual wrap-up tasks to AI-assisted workflows, and what that enables next
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9. How reducing employee resistance starts with the right tools and clear guidance
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Key Takeaway

Adoption is no longer optional—it’s foundational. In a subscription-based world, training and enablement directly impact renewals, expansion, and customer loyalty. When organizations invest in ongoing, accessible education, they reduce resistance, increase confidence, and help users get real value from the tools they rely on every day.

Thanks for listening to Train to Gain! Be sure to like, follow, subscribe, and share—and stay tuned for more conversations on adoption, enablement, and training throughout 2026.