How Adaptive Learning Builds Sales Confidence - Eileen Brooker

In this episode of The Emblazers: B2B Leaders Igniting Revenue, host Abby Kerr introduces a conversation between resident expert Tim Riesterer and Eileen Brooker, Vice President of Worldwide GTM Training and Enablement at Palo Alto Networks. With a career spanning IBM, Extreme Networks, Proofpoint, and now Palo Alto Networks, Eileen has seen enablement evolve from broad training programs to personalized, adaptive learning powered by AI. She shares how enablement leaders can move away from one-size-fits-all approaches to deliver “just-in-time” skill development that keeps sellers and managers sharp without overwhelming them. Eileen also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Palo Alto’s ambitious onboarding program—a 10-week bootcamp that blends deep product knowledge, role plays, and cultural immersion, cutting ramp time by over 30 percent. She explains why first meetings are the make-or-break moment for sellers and why human skills like storytelling, curiosity, and relationship-building will remain essential, even as AI becomes more embedded in training and sales execution. Tune in to learn: How AI makes adaptive, personalized learning possible at scale Why onboarding is the most overlooked yet critical investment in enablement How to blend product depth with storytelling to win customer trust Why “first meetings” are the most important skill to master The human attributes sales leaders must hire for in today’s market Links and Resources Connect with Abby Kerr Connect with Tim Riesterer Connect with Eileen Brooker Subscribe to The Emblazers for more episodes with top thought leaders Check out the Emblaze revenue community and start your membership today Learn about Eileen Brooker Eileen Brooker is Vice President of Worldwide GTM Training and Enablement at Palo Alto Networks, the largest cybersecurity company in the world. Her career began in high-tech at IBM, where she discovered her passion for sales, eventually leading teams on a global scale and becoming a Corporate Officer at Extreme Networks. After transitioning to cybersecurity at Proofpoint, Eileen found her calling in enablement, a field she now leads globally at Palo Alto Networks. A survivor of Multiple Myeloma, she embraces life with humor, love, and generosity, mentoring future leaders and inspiring those around her with her authenticity and resilience Learn about Abby Kerr As Director of Content & Community at Emblaze, Abby Kerr designs content experiences that spark conversations and strengthen the connective tissue between B2B revenue leaders. With a background that spans brand voice strategy, enterprise B2B content, and education, she brings a sharp eye for nuance and a deep understanding of how people learn and grow. A champion of insight-driven storytelling and peer-to-peer learning, Abby helps make Emblaze a place where leaders don’t just consume content—they contribute to it. She’s also a warm, un-shy introvert who reads fiction, asks big questions, and drinks her coffee black. Learn about Tim Riesterer As Chief Strategy Officer at Corporate Visions and Chief Research Officer at Emblaze revenue leaders’ community, Tim Riesterer is a pioneering force in developing customer conversations that break through the status quo and drive measurable business results. His innovative approach helps companies craft differentiated messages and deploy them through powerful self-service and sales-directed tools that consistently outperform traditional content strategies. A recognized expert in value creation and capture, Tim enables organizations to transform their customer conversations through proven methodologies that elevate their market position and drive sustainable growth.