In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell sits down with 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to tackle the question that comes up in almost every Helix conversation: is this Big Brother?
They break down how Helix delivers meaningful skills insights while keeping privacy at the centre. Philip explains how meeting data is processed, how anonymisation works, why transcripts are deleted, and the different privacy modes organisations can configure based on their own policies.
You will hear how Helix reinforces learning without monitoring, why trust and communication are key to rollout, and how employees stay in full control through opt in and opt out choices.
A simple idea sits at the heart of this episode. Real skills insight without intrusion.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell and Philip Huthwaite explore how Helix brings consistency, evidence and clarity to coaching and facilitation quality. Quality assurance in coaching has always been difficult to scale and often relies on subjective observation. Helix changes this by analysing real sessions, identifying the signals that matter and aligning them to each provider’s own standards.
Philip explains how organisations can upload their competency frameworks and have Helix assess sessions directly against those criteria. Coaches and facilitators receive clear summaries of their practice, including patterns like open question use, reflection time and strengths to build on. Organisations gain aggregated insight into quality trends across teams, making targeted uplift and CPD planning far easier.
This approach removes the need for sit-ins, delivers consistent evidence at scale and goes far beyond surveys alone. Most importantly, it is built around a developmental ethos with privacy options and anonymised rollups to support improvement, not policing.
A practical look at how AI can bring objective, actionable insight to training quality.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell introduces the next member of 5app’s AI family: VeeCreate, the AI authoring assistant designed to help L&D teams close skill gaps fast. If Helix identifies the gaps and VeeCoach helps people practise the right behaviours, VeeCreate is the agent that helps you produce the right learning content at speed.
Philip Huthwaite explains how VeeCreate accelerates the journey from insight to intervention, tackles limited design capacity, and keeps content aligned to real business context. You’ll hear how it works behind the scenes, starting with Helix signals, searching existing catalogues first, and only creating new content when needed.
We cover what VeeCreate can draft, including micro-courses, guides, scenarios and action plans. We also look at how humans stay firmly in the loop, and what this means for designers, partners and pathways across the 5app ecosystem.
A practical look at how AI can make content creation faster, smarter and more connected to the skills that matter. Next time: raising the bar for coaching and facilitation quality.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell sits down with 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to discuss how organisations are moving beyond surveys and smile sheets to measure real behaviour change. Helix is 5app’s AI powered skills intelligence module that analyses authentic workplace communication to identify and track soft skill development over time.
Corey and Philip explore how the Helix Learning Impact Agent helps companies understand whether training truly changed how people show up at work. They unpack how the agent analyses meeting transcripts with consent to spot signals of key behaviours such as communication, accountability and active listening. The results show where new habits are taking root and where reinforcement is still needed.
Philip explains how this approach provides genuine Kirkpatrick Level 3 evidence by assessing behaviour in context, not perception at a single moment. The discussion also covers how the data is handled. No audio or video is used. Privacy is protected through anonymisation and aggregation, and individual performance data is never surfaced for review.
Listeners will hear how L&D teams use these insights to target interventions, adjust programmes and make smarter investment decisions. They also touch on how Helix connects seamlessly with the wider 5app platform, linking signals from Helix to coaching moments in VeeCoach and content in the Hub and VeeCreate to create a true 360 degree learning loop.
A must listen for L&D and coaching leaders who want to see the real impact of learning, not just the feedback forms.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell sits down with 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to explore one of the most practical applications of Helix for learning and coaching providers. Helix is 5app’s AI powered skills intelligence module that analyses real workplace communication to surface behavioural signals and track how learning shows up in the flow of work.
Corey and Philip focus on the Helix Learning Reinforcement Agent. This is not an assessment tool. It is a post programme sidekick designed to keep new behaviours alive long after the workshop ends. They discuss why providers struggle with learning transfer, how the agent detects whether taught behaviours are actually being used and why this beats generic nudges or reminder emails.
Philip walks through how the agent connects to meeting transcripts with consent and spots behaviours like open questioning, active listening or accountability. Learners get timely email prompts and weekly summaries that tie back to programme themes without disrupting the flow of work.
The episode also covers the value to providers. Instead of relying on smile sheets or self-reporting, they can now show that learning is being lived, not just liked. Philip explains how this supports genuine Kirkpatrick Level 3 evidence by closing the blind spot between the classroom and real performance.
They wrap up by showing how the agent fits seamlessly into the wider 5app experience. Helix signals can trigger VeeCoach reflections and scenarios, as well as surface relevant bite-size content from the Hub when behaviours dip.
A practical look at how AI can extend programmes, reinforce learning and prove real world impact.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell sits down with 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to explore one of the biggest steps forward in Helix since launch. Helix is 5app’s AI powered skills intelligence module that analyses real workplace communication to surface measurable soft skill signals and track development over time.
When Helix first arrived, it focused on a Core 9 set of soft skills drawn from real L and D research. But things have moved on.
Corey and Philip unpack how Helix has expanded from a tight, research led starting point into a fully flexible skills intelligence engine. They discuss the new 80 plus skills library, why organisations kept asking for more and how you can now create your own custom skills mapped directly to your culture and competency models.
You will hear how organisations are using Helix to assess everything from creativity and stakeholder management to their own internal behaviours like customer obsession. Philip explains how Helix activates competency frameworks by turning them from static definitions into observable, trackable signals that show up in everyday communication.
If you are wondering how to get started, the episode closes with practical guidance. Pick a few skills from the library, run a simple pilot or begin shaping your own organisation specific skills inside Helix.
A great listen for anyone looking to modernise skills, move beyond generic models and build a learning experience that actually reflects how your teams work.
Insight is only half the battle, it’s what you do next that counts.
In this episode of 5Cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager) and Philip Huthwaite (CEO of 5app) unpack the powerful new integration between Helix, 5app’s AI-powered skills intelligence platform, and VeeCreate, its AI content authoring tool, designed to turn skill gaps into personalised training programs in minutes, not months.
You’ll hear:
What VeeCreate actually is and how it works
Real-world examples of dry policy docs turned into interactive experiences
How Helix identifies specific skill gaps
And how VeeCreate instantly generates tailored content to close them: micro-courses, guides, action plans, and more.
This integration closes the loop for L&D: from measuring soft skills to developing them with purpose-built content, all with a few prompts.
No more content-for-content’s-sake. No more guesswork. Just relevant, role-based learning; when it’s needed, and where it matters.
Helix gives you insight. VeeCoach turns that insight into action.
In this episode of 5Cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager) is joined by 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to explore how integrating Helix, the AI-powered skills intelligence platform, with VeeCoach, 5app’s AI coaching agent, delivers something L&D has been chasing for years: personalised learning at scale.
You’ll hear:
What VeeCoach actually is, and how it fits into the wider 5app ecosystem
How it surfaces the right content from your platform (not just more content)
How “capabilities” let you build realistic, role-based training scenarios
How Helix scores trigger tailored coaching experiences from beginner to expert
And what’s next in the roadmap for even deeper AI-powered personalisation
If you’ve ever wanted to do something useful with your learning data, this is the episode for you.
We’ve talked about showing up. We’ve talked about growing. Now it’s time to talk about standing out.
In the final episode of our Core 9 soft skill mini-series, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager) sits down with 5app CEO Philip Huthwaite to explore the three high-impact skills at the top of the pyramid:
Growth Mindset: Are you curious, open to feedback, and learning from failure?
Results Focus: Are your decisions data-led and goal-driven; or are you just filling up your to-do list?
Strategic Vision: Are you aligning your actions with the bigger picture, not just doing the day job?
These aren’t just buzzwords, they’re measurable signals that Helix is now tracking in real workplace conversations, giving L&D leaders a whole new lens on impact. Not just activity.
If you’ve ever wondered how to prove you're not being a “busy fool” (Philip’s words!), then this is the episode for you!
In part two of our Core 9 deep dive, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager) and Philip Huthwaite (CEO) explore the softer — but critical — side of leadership: coachability, coaching, and communication.
You’ll learn:
Coachability: How open are you to feedback, and what behaviours show you’re willing to grow?
Coaching: The art of asking the right questions, creating reflection moments, and adapting your style for one-to-one vs. group settings.
Communication: Why clarity, structure, and adaptability matter more than simply how much you speak.
Philip explains how Helix’s AI tracks these subtle behaviours in real workplace interactions — giving leaders and teams insights they can act on. Whether you’re mentoring, managing, or learning, these skills help everyone move forward together.
Learn more: https://5app.com/helix.
Welcome to part one of our mini-series diving into the Core 9 soft skills tracked by Helix, 5app’s AI-powered Skills Intelligence platform.
In this episode, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager) and Philip Huthwaite (CEO) explore what it really means to “show up” at work, and how Helix is finally helping L&D teams measure it.
Together, they unpack three foundational skills:
Accountability: Do you step up in meetings, take ownership, and share progress?
Active Listening: Are you truly hearing others, asking clarifying questions, and confirming understanding?
Change Management: Can you demonstrate progress and steer your work, even without a Gantt chart?
From micro-moments to shared ownership, you'll hear how Helix uses real workplace signals to track soft skill behaviours in action, not theory.
Helix is going on tour! In this episode of 5Cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) talks with CEO Philip Huthwaite about why the team is packing their bags and taking Helix, the AI-powered Skills Intelligence Platform, on the road.
Philip shares the thinking behind the tour, the cities they’re visiting — including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and more — and what attendees can expect from the live sessions, including:
A relaxed, live walkthrough of Helix
Early access to the platform (free!)
A chance to shape what comes next
And most importantly — a real conversation about the future of L&D
Want to see the future of soft skills measurement in action? Book your spot here: https://info.5app.com/helix-on-tour.
In this episode of 5Cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) sits down with CEO Philip Huthwaite to unpack everything that went down at the London launch of Helix — 5app’s brand-new AI-powered Skills Intelligence platform.
Philip shares how Helix evolved from a rough sketch into a product that's already shifting how organisations think about measuring soft skills like communication, accountability, and active listening; not via surveys, but through real workplace behaviour.
Expect reflections on:
Why Helix was built in the first place
What went into the London launch (yes, including the cinema reveal moment!)
The incredible live feedback that’s already shaping the product roadmap
And a sneak peek at what’s coming next…
Didn’t make it to the launch event? No problem... Helix is hitting the road. Join us next episode to find out more about Helix on Tour, or check out https://info.5app.com/helix-on-tour for more details.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) is joined by CEO Philip Huthwaite to take a closer look at VeeCreate: 5app’s new AI-powered content authoring tool designed specifically for L&D teams.
You’ll learn:
What VeeCreate actually is (and what it isn’t)
How it turns prompts, files, or rough ideas into structured learning content
Why it’s different from using generic tools like ChatGPT
And how it balances automation with human creativity, so you stay in control
Philip also shares one practical insight: the teams who get the most from AI don’t treat it as the end product, they treat it as a faster way to start.
If you’re curious about AI’s real potential in learning design, this episode is your inside look.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) is joined by CEO Philip Huthwaite to explore one of the biggest headaches for L&D teams today: creating great content, fast.
They dig into:
Why most teams are stuck in a content backlog
What happens when learning content takes too long to ship
Why traditional tools like PowerPoint just aren’t cutting it
And how L&D leaders can start thinking differently about content creation
Philip also shares one practical tip to ease the pressure: stop starting from scratch. In the next episode, the team will introduce VeeCreate, 5app’s new AI-powered authoring tool designed to help you build better learning content—faster.
If you’ve ever felt the frustration of slow content cycles or clunky tools, this one’s for you.
In the final episode of this 5cast mini-series, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) is joined by CEO Philip Huthwaite to reveal what early access users can expect from 5app’s new AI-powered skills intelligence platform.
What’s included?
A live integration with tools like Zoom, Teams and Meets—plus your own personal skills snapshot across these 9 core behaviours:
You’ll also hear who early access is for, what the value is even for those just testing the waters, and how privacy and consent are built into the experience from day one.
Thinking about joining? Philip shares one tip for getting the most out of your trial: start small, stay focused, and learn fast.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) and CEO Philip Huthwaite dig into one of the most exciting concepts behind their new product: skill signals - the real-world indicators that show whether learning is making an impact.
They explore:
What skill signals are (in plain language)
How they show up in everyday tools like Zoom, Slack, and Teams
Why they’re more reliable than surveys or self-ratings
And how organisations are already using them to prove ROI on soft skills
If you’ve ever wondered how to move from “completed the course” to “changed how they work”, then this episode is for you.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) and CEO Philip Huthwaite dive into the conversations that have shaped the direction of 5app’s new AI-driven skills product. After speaking with over 100 L&D leaders—from CLOs to consultants—they’ve heard it all: the frustrations, the wish lists, and the hard truths about what’s actually useful.
You’ll hear:
The common theme that came up in nearly every conversation
One insight that flipped the product roadmap on its head
How early feedback led to a simpler, smarter first release
And why asking the right questions matters more than ever
If you’re building anything for L&D—or just want to hear how real-world feedback shapes better tech—this one’s for you.
In this episode of 5cast, Corey Mitchell (Sales Manager at 5app) is joined by CEO Philip Huthwaite, to lift the lid on the product they’re building to solve one of L&D’s biggest challenges: measuring real skill development, not just course completions.
Together, they explore:
What 'AI-driven skills intelligence' actually looks like
The kinds of workplace data it uses (with permission)
Why now’s the moment to build it
What makes this different from traditional analytics
And what they’ve learned from the frontline so far
If you're curious about how AI is reshaping the way we track learning impact, this episode is a must-listen.
Season two of 5cast is here, and we kick-off with a mini-series, unpacking a big problem in corporate learning: the metrics most teams rely on don’t actually show whether learning worked.
Join Corey Mitchell and Philip Huthwaite, as they explore why measuring completion rates and relying on smiley-face feedback often mask a lack of real change, and what to do instead.
💡 One Thing That Works: Ask “Did they use it?” instead of “Did they like it?”
This episode kicks off a series on what’s broken in L&D, and what we’re building to fix it.