Reflecting on our first combined GRIST + YakTrak conference
What happens when two powerhouses in learning and development join forces? We recently found out at the first-ever GRIST + YakTrak conference, and it was nothing short of transformative.
A few weeks ago, we hosted a combined GRIST and YakTrak conference—an event that signified more than just a meeting; it marked the beginning of an exciting, metamorphic journey.
YakTrak, a tactical people development system that leverages human-centred design to log coaching interactions, manage compliance, and provide insights into employee development, has worked alongside GRIST for the past 10 years. With both companies sharing common philosophies and approaches, we’re excited to be aligning ourselves more closely in the future.
But this wasn’t just about celebrating our partnership; it was about uniting around a joint mission, igniting excitement for what’s to come, and mapping out our collective strategy.
“Walking into the room, there was an undeniable buzz. This was more than just a conference—it was a celebration of two teams combining their expertise and shared vision.” - Caitlin Ziegler, Director
The key takeaway was compelling: GRIST + YakTrak + AI paves the way for faster, smarter learning and development pathways that drive engagement and elevate performance. By working together, we’re harnessing the best of both worlds. GRIST’s expertise in leadership and coaching seamlessly complements YakTrak’s tech-driven platform. This combination empowers us to deliver innovative solutions that are bigger, bolder, and better equipped to solve client challenges.
This partnership isn’t just strategic—it’s symbiotic. YakTrak benefits from GRIST’s tailored IP and deep consulting knowledge, allowing its platform to go beyond tech and become a truly integrated coaching tool. In turn, GRIST gains a powerful means to scale its solutions and enhance their impact, reaching more clients efficiently. Together, we’re creating a smarter, future-ready approach that supports leaders, inspires teams, and sets a new industry standard.
A unified vision for the future
The event began with an inspiring presentation by Peter Grist on why ‘we are better together.’ Peter shared how both businesses have evolved in response to the changing landscape, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, the rise of AI, and the rapid pace of change. He spoke about how combining our strengths, we are now positioned to tackle client challenges in new, innovative ways.
The integration of AI into our strategy only strengthens this position. We discussed how the combination of GRIST’s IP, YakTrak’s platform, and AI is revolutionising the way we deliver learning and development. AI-driven coaching analytics will allow us to automate and scale key processes, reducing the reliance on human intervention while increasing the overall effectiveness and making a more affordable access point for our customers.
Welcome to Club 20, Peter!
Evening came and it was time to celebrate with a dinner in part to honour Peter Grist’s 20-year legacy at GRIST. It was an evening filled with heartfelt speeches and stories that showcased the qualities that have made Peter an exceptional leader: humour, honesty, and fairness. A leader who values inclusiveness and treats everyone like family. Peter’s steady, reliable nature was praised as a ‘safe set of hands’ through times of change, reminding us of the core values that continue to guide GRIST.
Smart Work workshop: practical tools for productivity
On the second day, we were fortunate to have Matt Lumsdaine from Adapt Productivity lead a Smart Work workshop. This session introduced practical strategies for managing workloads more efficiently using Microsoft 365 tools. Matt’s approach was simple yet effective, shifting our mindset from living in our inboxes to proactively managing our tasks and schedules. The core principles of consolidating work, forward scheduling, and prioritising daily tasks were eye-opening for many of us, and since the workshop, we’ve seen a significant improvement in productivity. It was a great reminder of how small changes in structure can lead to big improvements in how we manage our time.
As we look ahead, the partnership of GRIST and YakTrak presents exciting opportunities. By combining our unique strengths, we can better solve customer problems and provide more compelling offers. This combined conference not only solidified our shared vision but energised us for the work ahead. Peter Grist captured it best when he said, ‘Our shared journey is about more than just integration; it’s about redefining what’s possible in development and performance.’
By working together and embracing new technologies, we are poised to create smarter, faster learning and development pathways that will drive greater engagement and performance for our clients. As we continue to combine our strengths and innovate, we invite our clients and partners to join us on this journey to redefine learning and development.
The GRIST & YakTrak teams
