エピソード

  • Sean Luitjens - Navigating the Mass Confusion in Compensation Today

    Sean Luitjens - Navigating the Mass Confusion in Compensation Today
    2025/08/14
    In this episode, we welcome back Sean Luitjens, VP of Product Strategy and Partnerships at Salary.com. Drawing from his recent conversations with over 20 WorldatWork affiliates, Sean shares his insights on the most pressing challenges and consistent messages from compensation practitioners on the front lines. He also unpacks the “mass confusion” caused by data overload and new compliance demands, the strategic allocation of limited budgets, and future of merit increases. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Sean! Today’s Topic: The Consistent Messages from WorldatWork [5:07] What are the most consistent messages you've heard from WorldatWork affiliates? Practitioners are facing “mass confusion” from the sheer volume of data, technology options, and compliance requirements. Despite increased demands, compensation budgets and headcount have not grown. [17:47] Where are compensation departments focusing their time and budgets? Technology now allows for more sophisticated segmentation and pay philosophy execution than was possible with Excel. The role of the compensation professional has expanded to include communications, as transparency makes it critical to explain the “why” behind pay decisions. [28:17] Are merit increases going away? The effectiveness of traditional merit increases vs. paying for the role and offering performance-based bonuses that are not added to base pay. The practical challenges of any model, whether it’s merit-based or role-based, often come down to inconsistent management and lack of buy-in. [34:36] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “We don’t always put ourselves in the seats of the [compensation] practitioner . . . There’s so much information coming at them from data, and the one thing that seems to not have changed in the comp budget.”
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    37 分
  • Neil Thompson - Why Your Best Tech Talent Needs Better Speaking Skills

    Neil Thompson - Why Your Best Tech Talent Needs Better Speaking Skills
    2025/08/07
    In this episode, we welcome Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, to discuss the critical need for developing speaker training programs for technical staff within an organization. Neil shares his personal story of struggling with public speaking as an engineer and how it inspired him to help other technical professionals improve their communication skills. He breaks down the common challenges technical experts face when presenting to non-technical audiences and offers practical strategies HR departments can implement to foster better communication across the organization. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Neil! Today’s Topic: Developing Speaker Training Programs for Technical Staff [6:59] Why is it so important for technical staff to be strong public speakers? How a lack of communication skills can lead to being overlooked for promotions and raises. The benefit of having the person with the expertise communicate it directly, rather than risk information getting lost in translation. [13:33] What are the biggest challenges for technical people presenting to non-technical audiences? The importance of remembering what it was like before becoming a technical expert and tailoring the presentation accordingly. The challenge of making assumptions about what the audience already knows. Strategies for understanding the audience before delivering a presentation. [20:32] What role can HR play in developing presentation and communication skills for technical staff? Involving technical staff in the creation of the training or presentation to ensure it meets their needs. Using feedback questionnaires to measure the effectiveness and improvement of the training over time. [28:52] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “A lot of times, technical people, we think that us being excellent at our jobs is good enough, and unfortunately, that's not the case. If you're not good at advocating for yourself, you're not good at communicating your worth to an organization, you get overlooked.”
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    32 分
  • Prem Kumar - A New Era of AI-Powered Recruiting

    Prem Kumar - A New Era of AI-Powered Recruiting
    2025/07/31
    In this episode, we welcome Prem Kumar, the CEO and co-founder of Humanly, an AI-powered hiring platform. We discuss how AI is reshaping the world of recruiting by improving speed, enhancing the candidate experience, and allowing for greater scalability without losing the essential human touch. Prem also discusses the importance of building trust with candidates through empathetic AI interactions, and provides real-world examples of how companies are using these new tools to make their hiring processes more efficient and effective. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Prem! Today’s Topic: How AI is Reshaping Recruiting [8:31] How is AI helping recruiters balance speed and candidate experience? AI can make bad processes happen faster just as easily as it can good ones; it's not a replacement for a sound strategy. The role of the recruiter will evolve into one of orchestration, strategically deciding where to implement AI in the hiring workflow. [16:10] How can you build an AI that earns candidate trust? Earning trust is about providing immediate value and setting clear expectations. The goal is not to trick a candidate into thinking an AI is human, but to be transparent about its role in assisting them. [24:57] What are some real-world examples of AI improving hiring efficiency? For AI to be effective, it must be integrated directly into a company’s primary workflow, such as its Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Chat agents are now handling candidate intake, answering questions, and initial screening. Companies are using AI to re-engage with the vast pools of candidates they already have in their databases. [35:23] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “AI, like any technology, has the ability to make this happen faster, more efficiently, and at a higher quality; but it also has the ability to make bad things happen faster, more efficiently bad, and at a higher quality of bad. It isn’t a way of getting around sound process.”
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    37 分
  • Carlee Wolfe - Balancing AI and Humanity in Leadership Development

    Carlee Wolfe - Balancing AI and Humanity in Leadership Development
    2025/07/24
    In this episode, we welcome Carlee Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Leadership Development and Organizational Effectiveness at Hyatt Hotels. We discuss how AI is reshaping leadership, growth, and coaching in the workplace. Carlee also explores the shift from generalized feedback to personalized, data-driven insights, and the importance of balancing AI tools with genuine human connection and empathy. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Carlee! Today’s Topic: How AI is Redefining Leadership and Growth [6:13] How is AI Changing People Analytics and What Does It Mean for Leaders? Parallels between AI-powered customer personalization and its potential to tailor employee development. By handling data analysis, AI frees up time for leaders to focus on high-value, human-centric tasks like coaching and mentoring. [18:05] How can Insights on Skills, Feedback, and Careers Help People Move Toward More Intentionality? AI creates the opportunity to democratize development tools, making them accessible to employees at all levels, not just senior leadership. The ethics of programming AI with empathy versus fostering it as a critical human leadership skill. [27:06] What Does It Look Like When We Pair Development With Insightful, Data-Driven, and Personalized Real-Time Coaching? AI coaching tools can help employees identify blind spots in their communication and daily work. The ideal approach is using AI tools for curating content and insights while relying on human coaches for connection, reflection, and building relationships. [34:03] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “Oftentimes [development tools] are just accessible [at] senior leadership levels. But now I think the question is like, can [AI] democratize that?”
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    37 分
  • Stan Suchkov - How AI is Transforming the L&D Sphere

    Stan Suchkov - How AI is Transforming the L&D Sphere
    2025/07/17
    In this episode, we welcome Stan Suchkov, Founder and CEO of Evolve, a next-gen learning platform. We discuss the transformative impact AI could have on the L&D sphere and explore the new opportunities generative AI created for everything from onboarding to employee assessments. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Stan! Today’s Topic: How AI is Transforming the HR and L&D Sphere [4:11] What New Opportunities has the Rise of AI Brought to L&D? How AI agents can autonomously generate courses, personalized employee training, and automate assessments. Making sure AI agent are successfully integrated into existing workflows. [13:32] What Potential do AI Agents Hold for the Workplace? Viewing AI as a tool for human augmentation, not human replacement, making jobs more efficient rather than eliminating them. How AI agents can gather and analyze data from various systems (like a CRM) to help HR measure the impact and ROI of training programs. [21:21] How can HR Overcome the Barriers to AI Adoption? Focusing on low-hanging fruit, like creating personalized learning plans, to prove ROI. The challenge of adoption is often a lack of awareness; many in HR don't yet know what is possible with modern AI. Reimagining work processes is necessary to move beyond outdated, paper-based workflows. [33:08] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “If any HR solution finds the opportunity to show ROI, they will become a unicorn in zero years, I have no doubt. It's a huge treasure every platform searches for.”
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    35 分
  • Natalie Tincher - Fostering Inclusion Through a Workplace Dress Code

    Natalie Tincher - Fostering Inclusion Through a Workplace Dress Code
    2025/07/10
    In this episode, we welcome Natalie Tincher, Founder of BU Style & Principal Style Strategist. We unpack the often-overlooked intersection of personal style, workplace culture, and inclusion. Natalie shares insights on how employee authenticity and appearance impact confidence and connection, how the shift to hybrid work is redefining professional norms, and how HR leaders can balance dress code policies with generational expectations and DEI commitments. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Natalie! Today’s Topic: The impact of dress guidelines on workplace authenticity and inclusion. [5:55] The Impact of Personal Style on Employee Confidence and Connection How others perceive style, even if it’s not a personal priority. Distinguishing between expression and perceived “work” norms. [14:32] How Hybrid Work is Redefining Professional Dress Guidelines How dress expectations have evolved since the pandemic. The challenge for those accustomed to more rigid dress codes. [22:35] HR’s Role in Balancing Dress Policy, DEI, and Generational Expectations The importance of open conversations about dress codes. Supporting employee self-expression while respecting workplace values. Finding ways for employees to bring more of their full selves to work. [31:29] Closing Thanks for listening! To schedule a meeting with us: https://salary.com/hrdlconsulting For more HR Data Labs®, enjoy the HR Data Labs Brown Bag Lunch Hours every Friday at 2:00PM-2:30PM EST. Check it out here: https://hrdatalabs.com/brown-bag-lunch/ Produced by Affogato Media
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    33 分
  • Season Recap and Predictions

    Season Recap and Predictions
    2025/07/07
    As Season 9 of the HR Data Labs podcast comes to a close, join David and Dwight for a reflective look back at the season’s episodes, guess, and key topics. They revisit their predictions from the Season 8 finale, evaluate hits and misses on trends like AI adoption and expected DEI shifts. Finally, they peer into the future, offering bold new predictions for what HR professionals can expect regarding financial strategies, AI integration, and the evolving landscape of HR data and analytics. [0:00] Introduction • Welcome, David and Dwight! • Today’s Topic: Season Recap and Future Predictions for HR Data [4:43] Reflecting on Season 9 & announcing our new live podcast • Expect a renewed focus on AI in HR in Season 10 • Our new live podcast series: Brown Bag Lunch! [15:25] Grading our Season 9 predictions • Reviewing AI adoption trends in customer service • Assessing DEI changes from the new administration’s policies [20:55] Predictions for Season 10 • Dwight’s prediction: Anticipating a slight loosening of organizations’ cautious financial strategies • David’s prediction: Forecasting a widening gap between organizations embracing AI in HR and those delaying adoption [28:14] Closing Thanks for listening and stay tuned for Season 10! Quick Quote “I’m predicting that people will start to adopt [AI], slowly at first, but then in a storm—and I’m talking in the next six months. People will see they can’t get away from [AI].” To schedule a meeting with us: https://salary.com/hrdlconsulting For more HR Data Labs®, enjoy the HR Data Labs Brown Bag Lunch Hours every Friday at 2:00PM-2:30PM EST. Check it out here: https://hrdatalabs.com/brown-bag-lunch/ Produced by Affogato Media
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    31 分
  • Amri B. Johnson - Rethinking DEI to Create Anti-fragile Organizational Cultures

    Amri B. Johnson - Rethinking DEI to Create Anti-fragile Organizational Cultures
    2025/06/19
    Send us a text Amri B. Johnson, inclusion strategist and founder of Inclusion Wins, joins us this episode to discuss the tumultuous climate of DEI practices in today’s organizations and how companies can navigate toward more effective inclusion strategies. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Amri! Today’s Topic: Creating Anti-fragile Organizational Cultures [7:27] How to begin tackling DEI challenges Shifting current DEI practices built on outdated paradigms Understanding viewpoints of those with opposing opinions [16:39] Navigating DEI amidst anti-DEI rhetoric Recognizing that people are multi-dimensional, not two-dimensional Building trust within an organization to improve inclusion [30:55] Helping employees overcome fear of organizational change Recognizing the root cause of employee concern Focus on building relationships and engaging with colleagues [35:27] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote: “A lot of DEI practices in the US are based on paradigms of old. We need to think about what’s possible now . . .” To schedule a meeting with us: https://salary.com/hrdlconsulting For more HR Data Labs®, enjoy the HR Data Labs Brown Bag Lunch Hours every Friday at 2:00PM-2:30PM EST. Check it out here: https://hrdatalabs.com/brown-bag-lunch/ Produced by Affogato Media
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    38 分