ICES™ Certification

Become the certified culture expert your organization needs.

The International Cultural Engagement Specialist™ certification gives you the framework, tools and confidence to drive trust, engagement and performance in any organization. Self-paced, practical and career-defining.

International Cultural Engagement Specialist Certification (ICES)

Certificate and digital badge when you complete the program

Why ICES

You see what’s breaking. Now lead the fix.

Disengagement, disconnection and burnout are costing organizations their best people. Most HR and culture leaders know it, but feel:

Undervalued in strategy

You see the people side of every decision, but don’t always get a seat at the table.

Overwhelmed by resistance

Change feels like pushing uphill, without the right tools to bring people with you.

Unsure what sticks

You’ve tried initiatives that fade after a month. You want a method that lasts.

The framework

A proven system built on the 5 Cultural Keys

Developed in 2014, ICES has certified culture leaders from 19 countries, from across Europe to the US, Brazil, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. It gives you a complete, proven way to assess and transform engagement.

Collaboration

Creativity

Connection

Celebration

Contribution

Curriculum

6 parts, 14 modules

Video-based and self-paced, with worksheets, tools and frameworks you can use right away.

Part 1 · The foundation

  • Introduction
  • Disruptive changes and global trends
  • Why engagement matters

Part 2 · The science

  • The science behind engagement

Part 3 · Purpose and the keys to culture

  • Passion in business and the 4 triggers
  • Purpose
  • Building a culture of collaboration
  • A culture of creativity and innovation

Part 4 · The inner work

  • Feet on the ground
  • Connecting emotionally with customers and employees

Part 5 · More keys to culture

  • Celebration
  • Contribution
  • The engagement activities

Part 6 · Putting it into practice

  • Your 30-day C.A.P.E. (Cultural Action Plan on Engagement): a tangible action plan you take back to work and implement
  • Report back on your results, then the final assessment and certification

What’s included

  • Full online certification training, video-based and self-paced
  • Downloadable worksheets, tools and frameworks
  • Your C.A.P.E. (Cultural Action Plan on Engagement): a 30-day action plan you implement at work and report back on to earn your certification
  • Quizzes, a final assessment, your ICES certificate and a digital badge
  • Access for 12 months
  • Immediate start, no waiting for a cohort

Bonuses included

  • Joy Ambassador mini-training for 3 colleagues
  • Culture ROI Toolkit: the stats and a ready-to-send email to get your company to fund it
  • Culture Transformation Playbook
  • Thriving as an AI-Savvy Leader masterclass
ICES certification workbooks from a live training group
ICES workbooks from one of our live certification groups

What past participants say

“Evoloshen’s groundbreaking ICES Training is an elite program that provides a true holistic approach to driving employee engagement in the 21st century workplace. Karin, I can’t thank you enough for approaching me on LinkedIn and extending the invitation to become a Joy Bringer!”
April SmidlApril Smidl
HR Manager, First Advantage
“What I got most of this training is how important it is to have the employee workforce engaged and the negative aspects of having it disengaged. It was also great to see, realize and learn all the different ways of making or engaging the workforce.”
Petra SundströmPetra Sundström
VP People & Organization, Construction Division, Husqvarna Group
“I would definitely recommend this training. It gave me a lot of new ideas and energy. I’m already implementing a few of our group exercises with great results”
Sofie BackmanSofie Backman
HR-specialist, Husqvarna
“Great to dive into the ICES Certification training. You had me on the first slide! so Yes, exciting times ahead!”
Pete JarrattPete Jarratt
Strategic Coaching and Training Specialist, BDO
“I loved the ICES training! I got great insights and clear actions points to drive forward. I’m very grateful being part of this really great group.”
Aniel BhagaAniel Bhaga
Global Community Manager, Nova
“The ICES Certification program was a great course! It included a combination of hard facts together with valuable actions, suggestions and discussions around engagement. I walked away feeling very enthusiastic and passionate about it. I feel ready to spread this and make a difference.”
Hanna FrickHanna Frick
Strategic HR Specialist, Husqvarna Group

For your CEO and CFO

Engagement is a profit lever, not a soft cost

Disengagement shows up in your numbers long before it shows up in a survey: lower output, more sick days and the cost of replacing people who walk out the door. ICES gives your organization the in-house capability to turn that around, and the business case is easy to make.

Protect your margins

Gallup’s meta-analysis found that the most engaged teams are 23% more profitable than the least engaged (Gallup, 2024).

Cut the cost of turnover

Replacing an employee costs one-half to two times their annual salary (Gallup, 2019). Highly engaged teams see 21–51% lower turnover (Gallup, 2024).

Keep the expertise in-house

One certified culture specialist, plus training for three colleagues, for $2,500. No consultancy retainer, and the capability stays in your business.

Calculate your own Culture ROI

Enter your headcount and average salary. Every figure updates instantly.

Higher productivity

–

A very modest 1.5% increase in productivity.

Less sick leave

–

Just one fewer sick day per employee per year.

Lower turnover

–

A 20% reduction in staff turnover.

Engaging your people could benefit you at least

–

every year

Keep just one $50,000 employee from leaving and, at Gallup’s lowest replacement estimate, ICES has paid for itself 10 times over.

Enroll in ICESGet the ROI Toolkit

How we calculate it

We deliberately use conservative assumptions, so the real value is likely higher.

  • Productivity: a 1.5% gain on total salary cost.
  • Sick leave: one fewer day off per employee per year, based on 240 working days.
  • Turnover: an average annual turnover of 16%, reduced by 20%. Replacing someone is assumed to cost 100% of their annual salary. Gallup estimates the real cost at between one-half and two times annual salary.
  • Why it matters: Gallup’s meta-analysis found that the most engaged teams have 23% higher profitability and 21–51% lower turnover than the least engaged (Gallup, 2024).

Invest in your career

Ask your company to invest in you

ICES isn’t just a course. It’s a credential and an expertise you’ll carry through every role you take on next. Many organizations happily fund it, because they get an in-house culture expert in return.

1

Copy the email

Use the ready-made request below and fill in the brackets.

2

Make it about results

Add one challenge your team is facing right now, and your own numbers from the Culture ROI Calculator above.

3

Send it and enroll

Once approved, enroll below. Your company can pay by card at checkout.

Sample email to your manager

Subject: Professional development request: ICES™ Culture Certification

Hi [Manager's name],

I'd like to ask for your support for a professional development opportunity that would help me build deeper expertise in culture and engagement, which matters more than ever as we [grow / go through change / bring in AI].

The program is the ICES™ (International Cultural Engagement Specialist) Certification from Evoloshen Academy. It's built on a proven framework, the 5 Cultural Keys, and has certified people from companies like Ericsson, BDO, Husqvarna, Telia and Sogeti.

What our team gets:
- A clear way to assess and improve engagement, trust and collaboration in [team/department]
- Tools I can apply right away, plus a 30-day Cultural Action Plan on Engagement (C.A.P.E.) that I will implement and report back on
- Training for three additional colleagues, included at no extra cost
- An in-house culture champion with a recognized certification

The investment is $2,500 (or 3 payments of $895). It's self-paced, so I can complete it alongside my work, and it comes with a 15-day money-back guarantee.

I believe it would directly support our goals around [engagement / retention / a merger / AI adoption], and I'd be happy to share what I learn with the team. Could we talk about this in our next 1:1?

Thank you,
[Your name]

Free download

The Culture ROI Toolkit

The research, the 5 Cultural Keys and their ROI, a worksheet for your own numbers, and this email, in one 5-page PDF to share with your manager.

Open the toolkit (PDF)

Your investment

ICES™ Online Certification

$2,500

or 3 payments of $895 · choose at checkout

15-day money-back guarantee. Our programs are built on trust: if it isn’t right for you, let us know within 15 days and we’ll refund you.

Want your company to cover it? Use the ready-to-send email. Certifying a whole team? Talk to us at Evoloshen.com.

Karin Volo smiling

Who teaches it

Your guide: Karin Volo

Karin Volo, CEO and Chief Joy Bringer of Evoloshen, is a Certified C-IQ Coach and Certified AI Consultant, and the international bestselling author of AI Dystopia or Utopia, Engage! and 1,352 Days. For more than 20 years she has helped leaders and teams at companies like EasyPark, Capgemini and Husqvarna build cultures where people thrive.

Questions

Is ICES live or self-paced?

It’s 100% self-paced and video-based, so you can start anytime and go at your own speed.

How long do I have access?

You’ll have full access to the content and tools for 12 months.

Can my company pay for it?

Yes, many participants do. Use the ready-to-send email on this page, and once you enroll you’ll also get the Culture ROI Toolkit with the key stats to back up your request.

What if I’m paying for it myself?

You’re in good company. Many professionals self-fund ICES for the credibility, new opportunities and confidence it brings.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. Once you’ve completed the program and implemented your C.A.P.E. (Cultural Action Plan on Engagement), reported back on your results and passed the final assessment, you’ll receive a digital badge and a printable certificate.

Is ICES only for people in HR?

Not at all. Sales managers, project managers, team leads, coaches and consultants have all become certified, alongside HR, People and Culture and L&D professionals. ICES is for any leader who truly wants to become an expert in developing culture.

Can you certify a whole team in-house?

Yes. Companies like Husqvarna, Trafikverket and Alektum have run ICES with us. Visit Evoloshen.com to talk about your team.

What if it’s not right for me?

You’re covered by our 15-day money-back guarantee.

Lead the change your organization needs

Start today, get access immediately and earn your certification at your own pace.