HRchat Podcast

In this episode of the HRchat show, we consider ways to streamline everything from recruitment to retirement and where tech will fit in over the next few years.The guest this time is Prashant Khambekar, SVP at Harbinger Group, a global technology company that builds products and solutions aiming to transform the way people work and learn.For 30 years, the firm has been innovating alongside organizations that are in the people business – serving the Human Resources, eLearning, Digital Publishing, Education, and High-Tech sectors.Questions For Prashant Include:What would you say the future of HR looks like? What should HR expect in the future in terms of the evolution of the workplace, HR function, HR process, employee management, or nature of work? AI is replacing huge numbers of traditional jobs, what role do you believe technology will play in the future of HR?We all know DEI is a crucial area for HR to manage. How do think technology will shape the space over the next few years? What DEI technologies can HR adopt?How will automation and integration help resolve challenges with HR systems or improve HR processes?How can technology enhance employee experience?More About HarbingerAt Harbinger, we understand that building a great solution requires in-depth knowledge of the user, the nuances of the business, and expertise in technology. That is why we provide both end-to-end product development and content services.Their pedigree in eLearning and building next-generation products has fostered a culture of continuous learning. We experiment with new technologies, easily embrace new ideas, and creatively apply them to our customer’s products. Their products and solutions enable workforce transformation through continuous innovation. We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Our guest this time is Andrew Graft, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Access Development and Access Perks, a company committed to making the workplace a better place through its network of exclusive discounts from over 1 million of the world’s best brands. Andrew's responsibilities include overseeing the company's B2B, B2C, and loyalty marketing efforts, growing company revenue and generating new business leads, driving product sales and web traffic, and providing marketing support services to client companies. Questions For Andrew Include:How can an employee discount network improve recruiting, retention and morale? You lead a team of graphic designers and marketing managers to execute an extensive campaign calendar of electronic, print and tradeshow marketing initiatives. What do you believe are some of the key characteristics of effective leaders? For those who may not be as familiar, what exactly is an employee discount program?What should an employer look for if they’re considering such a program for their own employees?What problems do employee discount programs try to solve for employers?Let's talk about the brands your team works with. Who are some of the discount providers in your program?How much can employees save using your program? Do you have any examples or stories you can share?How can listeners connect with you and learn more about Access Perks?About Access Perks and Access DevelopmentAccess Perks – America’s largest employee discount network – helps employers boost the value of their benefits by stretching employee paychecks on the purchases they make every day – from restaurants and retailers to entertainment and travel providers. Through its direct relationships with over 1 million local businesses and national brands, no other employee discount program delivers more savings in more communities throughout America.  For over 30 years, its parent organization Access Development has provided high-value, high-impact engagement and loyalty programs for organizations, employer groups, businesses and associations worldwide. The company is an award-winning employer and has been recognized nationally for its commitment to healthy, happy workplaces.  To download the ebook referenced in this episode, click here (accessperks.com/ebookSupport the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Our guest this time is Rita Sookrit, Canada Learning Lead at Hemsley Fraser. Rita is a globally-experienced L&D leader. Skilled in aligning business goals with L&D strategy, she helps companies implement innovative solutions using technology, tools, and frameworks. She also combines business acumen with portfolio skills to build trust, align stakeholders, tackle challenges, and inspire creativity for workplace learning. Questions For Rita Include: Tell us about Hemsley Fraser Group's award-winning multi-modal library and ways it allows for the 'ultimate flexibility in program design'.Users can choose from the Hemsley Fraser library's range of topics and content types – fluid books, videos, animations, podcasts, infographics, and quizzes as well as virtual training, in-person or bite-size sessions. Depending on the industry and/or job type, do some forms of learning content work better than others?Leaders and executives must be able to develop and fine-tune their teams’ workplace skills to ensure resilience during another tough year ahead (slowing economy, Ukraine war, lasting effects of Covid). How can an employee development framework help leaders adapt to the changing marketplace and business environment?Considerations for wellness and mental health are a priority for many organizations. How do these impact learning efficacy?Remote learning is a top adjustment for trainers and learners in 2023. Tell us more about the challenges and opportunities.Legacy & third-party content: How does Hemsley Fraser Group help transform clients' old training programs so they are fit for the future? ("Utilize our design studio to uplift your existing content and/or integrate with other third-party content to create a one-stop-shop for your learners").About Hemsley FraserHemsley Fraser is a turn-key learning partner that helps organizations activate the change they need. The team creates, delivers, and manages learning experiences that engage individuals, teams, and the entire workforce. Passionate about learning, and the transformative effect that it can have on today’s work experience, their mission is to transform how people learn, engage and develop in the rhythm of their work, wherever they are!We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

In this employee wellbeing-focused episode of the HRchat show, Bill Banham talks with Cole Egger, co-founder and CEO of Kindly Human. In his role, Cole leads the company’s vision to provide 24/7 empathy, privacy, and support for millions of people who need to feel heard. Through his own personal journey serving as a stem cell donor for his father who battled cancer for 5 years, Cole found that he needed to talk with someone who understood his situation more than someone with a specific degree. Kindly Human’s foundation on shared experiences is the company’s secret formula for valuable human connections. Questions For Cole Include: “We discovered that most employees are looking for support within 24 hours,” you say. “Yet our nation’s shortage of therapists has resulted in delays of 48 days or more for employees seeking clinical care. In response to that crisis, we’ve designed Kindly Human to offer employees the pre-clinical support they need immediately. At Kindly Human, it’s all about humans helping humans at the moment.”  Tell me about the mission and company culture of Kindly Human. Why is a tech-enabled HR service like Kindly Human so important for an employer – even if the employer already has an Employee Assistance Program?Can you explain why it’s important that employees benefit from pre-clinical support provided by their employer?How does the Kindly Human peer support platform integrate/fit into an employer’s existing employee well-being and HR platforms?How are your Peer Listeners trained?Why did Listeners On Call rebrand and change its name to Kindly Human?About Kindly HumanThe Kindly Human mental well-being platform provides 24/7 pre-clinical support to help employees navigate the life stressors that so many people experience, such as financial, relationship, work, and health concerns. Employees can quickly connect with a supportive trained peer without having to navigate a complicated, time-intensive benefits program or health care system. Most importantly, Kindly Human matches users with supportive peers who have similar life experiences and truly understand the situation each employee finds themselves in.We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Joining Bill Banham in this episode are David Cartlidge, Managing Director, and Jamie Keeling, Sales Director at My Staff Shop, a company specializing in creating tailored employee benefits and rewards & recognition via their Platform.Based in Shrewsbury, UK, My Staff Shop provides employees with exclusive deals and discounts, free financial advice, and saving tips to suit every situation.David, Jamie and the team pride themselves on their friendly and collaborative way of working, putting the interest of clients at the heart of everything they do.Questions For David and Jamie Include: What style of leadership is working for this newly formed EOT? Why is failing so important? Is failing more powerful than succeeding? You claim that employees using My Staff shop can save over 1000 pounds/USD 1200 each year. Tell us more.You're launching the My HR Headaches Podcast very soon. Tell our listeners why you're launching it and what they can learn from tuning in.Jamie, you recently presented at DisruptHR Norwich. Why did you decide to get involved? What's the fit?We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

Our guest this time is Larysa Grant, a Breaking Barriers Program Coordinator at Times Change Women’s Employment Service, a non-profit helping women find meaningful employment. Larysa loves helping people grow in their professions and use their talents to the fullest. At Breaking Barriers, she helps women remove barriers to entering the jobs they like. She also offers training, consulting, and coaching for small - and medium-sized businesses in diversity, inclusion, leadership development and creating a sense of belonging at organizations.Questions For Larysa Include:Tell us about the mission of Times Change Women’s Employment ServiceWhy should businesses care about diversity and inclusion? Why is your program free for small and medium-sized organizations? What rationale is behind this decision? Research shows that anti-bias training is not always efficient. What is the solution? How can we learn more about you and Times Change Women’s Employment Service? More About Larysa GrantPrior to this Larysa was a mentoring coach with The Neighbourhood Organization in Toronto. Her responsibilities include matching job seekers with professional mentors; and coaching them in the journey of achieving professional goals.Larysa worked as a recruiter for the CDI Corporation, a professional services firm that places qualified information technology professionals with government, banking and transit agencies.She has also served as a director of the board for the United Nations Association in Canada and was a board member at the North York Women’s Centre.We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

In this HRchat, we consider ways HR leaders can scale 'people-first' company culture when so many new barriers exist.  Listen too, as we discuss ways to support the mental wellbeing of employees through a potentially difficult 2023.Our returning guest is Kim Tabac, Principal Consultant at Kim Tabac Human Resources, a company helping businesses big and small across North America to leverage their number one asset: their people.Kim has 20+ years of experience designing and executing People & Culture strategies for leading organizations across various industries.Questions For Kim Include:Let's get this conversation rolling with a big question - how can HR pros help to scale a "people-first" company culture when new barriers exist  and priorities have changed again? Many companies will, actually, be looking to streamline processes and reduce headcounts in 2023. What are some ways this can be achieved without damage to the employer brand and engagement levels within a company?Leveraging the international talent market to fill key roles is one way to keep people costs down. What are some of the benefits and complexities of building a global workforce? How has mental health in the workplace changed since the pandemic? How have the needs and expectations of employees changed since Covid?How can employers prioritize and support employees' mental health in the post-pandemic world?Is returning to the office the solution for improving employee mental health?It seems that the younger generations are wanting to return to the office and the older cohorts prefer Hybrid. Is the debate really one of generational divisions? How important is it for junior/new employees to get in-person time with their team, coaches, and leaders? Listen to our previous conversation with Kim, all the way back in 2018, it's episode 64 and available on your favorite podcast platforms!We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

In this episode of the HRchat show, we talk about the connections between the HR and Marketing departments. Our guest today is Ron Tite, Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Church + State.An entrepreneur, speaker, and best-selling author, Ron Tite has always blurred the lines between art and commerce. He has been an award-winning advertising writer and Creative Director for some of the world’s most respected brands including Air France, DoorDash, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Volvo, Walmart, and many others.Questions For Ron Include:You have a history of working in the marketing and advertising space and believe either HR has to report into marketing or marketing has to report to HR. How are the two departments interconnected and why should HR take it's direction from Marketing or v.v.? What are some common HR activities previously managed by Marketing (e.g. projecting the employer brand).In a recent LinkedIn post, you wrote: "Employers are looking for people who can manage their relationships AND do their job. Especially now. In May 2020, nearly half of US workers reported feeling that their boss cared about their wellbeing. That number has since HALVED. Plus - workers who reported feeling uncared for by a boss were 69% more likely to look for a new job, or report suffering from burnout". Why do you suggest many leaders have reverted to pre-pandemic form and are being less empathetic/supportive of their employees?In another recent post, you shared some thoughts on work-life balance: "When we talk about work/life balance, we usually define it as "making sure my work life doesn't creep into my personal life". I think it's way more complicated than that. Often, our personal life creeps into our work life in the form of emotional distraction. The toughest part is that those people often feel like they can't or don't want to talk about it with their colleagues. It's difficult to acknowledge their efforts at work but we can certainly do it". How important is it to company culture that employees are able to share info on their personal lives with colleagues? What does this do to engagement levels? Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

The returning guest in HRchat 529 is Matt Charney, Talent Acquisition Practice Leader at HR.com and former Executive Editor at RecruitingDaily.We are big fans of Matt; not only is he a leading global expert and influencer in the talent and technology space, he’s also an authentic and warm pro!Matt has extensive expertise within the recruiting and HR technology industries, with nearly 20 years of marketing leadership experience at global talent organizations such as Monster Worldwide, Cornerstone OnDemand, Talemetry, and the Allegis Group.Matt began his career in corporate talent acquisition as a sourcer and recruiter for companies such as Warner Bros. and the Walt Disney Company.Questions For Matt Include: You're Talent Acquisition Practice Leader at HR.com. Tell us about Talent Acquisition Excellence Magazine and your role.How has hiring changed since over the past few years? How have processes changed as a result of the pandemic and remote hiring?What are yoiur thoughts on the role of hiring based on culture fit?Any tips for HR leaders looking to fill gaps and supplement departments with contingent workers: what are the benefits and negatives of developing a blended pool of people resources with Gig workers? We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.   Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events

In this HRchat, we welcome Ben Eubanks back to the show. Ben is an HR analyst, author, fellow podcaster, and Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory.As a human capital management industry analyst, Ben helps companies and vendors with strategy, content, and more. He has been a speaker for over a decade at events such as the SHRM Annual Conference, ATD TechKnowledge, and the HR Technology Conference.Previously, Ben worked as an "in-the-trenches leader in the HR field" within smaller organizations, government contracting firms, and the non-profit sector. Questions For Ben Include:You recently wrote a piece for the team at Workplace from Meta on creating an environment where employees can raise their voice and contribute without fear or judgment called The Democratic Workplace. In the article, you touched on the PRESS framework for transparency, how leaders can commit to openness, and whether this will ultimately lead to chaos.  Can you tell us about this PRESS framework and how it can help foster work environments that embrace innovation, collaboration, and free-thinking? "While there are some core concepts that remain critical (respect, fairness, and so on), the way companies approach it is continuing to go deeper than the old-fashioned (and ineffective) diversity quota on hiring." In an October 2022 session hosted by you and George Rogers, you talk with some leaders and experts that are pushing the boundaries when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. You also unveiled some of your new research on the topic; shedding light on what contributes to employee belonging (and what it means in terms of retention, performance, and more). Can you tell us more about the session and your new findings? In a recent recruiting study, you asked "what metrics are you using most often?" What are the findings and do you agree with the people analytics focus of, and hiring metrics used by, most orgs? How can we measure culture fit and 'culture add' in Support the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events