In a market increasingly cluttered with technologies claiming to revolutionize employee development, SageX, an AI-powered virtual coaching solution for enterprises aimed at younger workers, actually stands out as truly differentiated in a crowded market.
Heide Abelli, who was a real innovator when she headed up Leadership Development products for Skillsoft, is a co-founder and SageX is clearly a labor of love for her. When she talks about the product her voice resonates with enthusiasm. Abelli has also benefitted from her decade-plus as an adjunct professor at Boston College, where she was surrounded by GenZ learners and understands their unique challenges in today’s workplace.
” What I’ve learned, especially from working with Gen Z, is that much of the traditional training content available — whether it’s from LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or other legacy providers — just doesn’t resonate with them. They’re looking for a different approach” Abelli said during a briefing with Brandon Hall Group™. ” They don’t want to sit through 30 minutes of an instructor talking to the camera. It’s not engaging or effective for them. They need something more accessible, actionable, and interactive.”
One of SageX’s most impressive features is its laser focus on practical, real-world scenarios. Unlike many platforms that offer “soft skills” training, SageX tackles the specific challenges young professionals face daily, from improving communication skills and resolving conflicts to navigating workplace dynamics, maintaining professionalism, and adapting to feedback. The learning is video-based and the titles of the reels are casual but specific and direct:
- What to do when you no longer feel a sense of purpose in your job
- Redefining yourself after a change at work
- How to improve behaviors at work
- Owning your mistakes at work
- Building resilience on the job
- Upping your task completion game
- Being in tune with your boss’s goals
- Projecting a professional image in the workplace
The SageX app threads the needle between having a TikTok feel and a professional approach rooted in a deep understanding of what Gen Z learners face at work. Abelli explained, ” I designed the SageX content based on what I consistently heard from young people: ‘I need help solving this,’ or ‘I’m really struggling with that,’ and ‘I want clear, actionable solutions.’ These real, daily challenges drove the focus of what we deliver.”
AI-Enabled Role-Play: Practice Makes Perfect
SageX also offers AI-powered role-play simulations where users can practice scenarios in a low-stakes environment, receiving personalized feedback that’s genuinely useful. Sure, many providers are offering that now. Again, SageX’s vibe is different. “The holy grail has always been to provide personalized feedback in online, asynchronous training — especially in soft skills development. The challenge was making it engaging and customized to the individual learner. Now, with AI, we’re finally able to deliver on that in an impactful way,” Abelli said.
This feature is a scalable solution to the coaching bottleneck many organizations face. The ability to provide personalized, contextual feedback without the need for expensive, time-constrained human coaches is a significant leap forward in learning technology.
Customization and Integration: Built for the Enterprise
While SageX’s out-of-the-box content is impressive, its customization capabilities set it apart. Organizations can work with SageX to create custom reels that address specific company culture, context or sector needs. This level of customization ensures that the learning content is directly relevant to each organization’s unique challenges.
A Solution Worth Considering
Abelli and her team are working to raise capital and are just beginning the journey toward gaining traction in the market, but the product itself represents a step forward in addressing the Gen Z development challenge. Its innovative approach aligns perfectly with current trends in corporate learning, particularly the shift toward mobile-first, bite-sized and personalized learning experiences.
As organizations continue to struggle with engaging and developing their Gen Z workforce, SageX offers a fresh, effective approach. For organizations serious about developing their young talent, SageX is a solution that deserves serious consideration.
