HRchat Podcast

In HRchat episode 742, we consider the business case for caring about culture. The guest this time is Becky Norman, Managing Editor of online HR and L&D publications HRZone and TrainingZone. Becky is also the co-creator of CulturePioneers, a campaign launched in 2020 by HRZone to inspire, empower, and celebrate organizations committed to building thriving workplace cultures. The campaign offers guidance and direction on tricky culture topics, while also shining a light on those creating exceptional, people-first organizations through its awards program.Published today, the report identifies modern workplace culture trends including how women’s reproductive health is being taken seriously, igniting career curiosity, smart flexibility, and board-level buy-in for inclusion strategies.Questions for Becky include:We're talking about culture today. What work cultures/leaders have inspired you in your career?You’ve just published a report on modern workplace culture trends. What are the trends and how did you identify these commonalities among people-focused organizations?Going a bit deeper into the third trend of smart flexibility…We’re four years on from the pandemic shifting the nature of how we work and yet many organizations are still struggling to find the right hybrid/on-site/remote framework that works for both the business and its people. How can this be remedied? Thoughts on the right to ask for compressed hours/4-day workweek?From this research and the awards program, you’ve seen how 240 different organizations are striving to create a better culture for both the business and its people. Can you share a few inspiring examples that stood out for you?For those starting out on a culture change journey, or not seeing good results from existing efforts, are there any lessons that can be taken from your Culturepioneers cohort? 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

Curious about how to bridge the ever-widening skills gap in the tech industry? Join us as we welcome Laurie Carey, CEO of Nebula Academy, who brings 40+ years of industry wisdom, including an impactful decade at Microsoft. Laurie shares her approach to tech training, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety and resilience. Discover how these elements can create a fear-free learning environment that fosters both innovation and growth. Laurie also delves into the future of tech training programs, highlighting the crucial role of AI and data analytics while maintaining the human touch in education. Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable strategies and forward-thinking perspectives on the future of tech training and education!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

What if you could transform your workplace learning strategy to achieve remarkable performance improvements? Join us on the HRchat Show as we welcome Tom McDowell, the innovative chair of The Learning Network and speaker at DisruptHR Birmingham 2.0. Tom takes us through his inspiring journey in Learning and Development and his shift from traditional educational approaches to performance-driven initiatives. He shares his philosophy that achieving tangible performance outcomes is far more valuable than merely delivering educational content, and discusses the necessity of embracing risks and experimentation for continuous growth and innovation. Tom also gives us a sneak peek into his talk at DisruptHR Birmingham 2.0 and his participation in other industry events. Explore the inspiring community fostered through his podcast and YouTube channel, which offer practical ways for L&D professionals to connect and share innovative ideas. 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 special episode of the HRchat Show, Bill Banham talks with My Staff Shop MarComms Manager Verity Gough. Tune in as Verity gives the lowdown on what to expect from DisruptHR Birmingham 2.0 on September 5th at The Button Factory. Verity also offers insights into ways My Staff Shop and partner brands are helping to reshape the world of work for the better. Get your tickets here to network with HR pros and leaders plus hear from such speakers as: Pauline Gunn, Head of L&D at Securitas UKDeborah Hartung, Culture & Leadership Transformation ExpertDr Ali Raza Nemati, Senior Lecturer and Head of Human Resources at Magna Carta CollegeDebra Corey, Consultant, Speaker and Best-Selling Author at DebCo HR LTDNicky Marshall, Author, Speaker and Director at Discover Your BounceKul Mahay, Leadership & EQ Specialist, Tedx Speaker, CEO Ignite Your Inner PotentialLara Holding-Jones, Founder and CEO at Pink JellyCarl Hinett, Director at re:find, Interim & Executive SearchLiz Crutchley, CEO and Founder, Orange OrchidTom McDowall, Chair of The Learning NetworkChris Robinson, Learning and Development Manager at Octopus EVVicky Campbell, Founder of Advance PopulusMore About DisruptHR BirminghamDisrupt returns to Birmingham on September 5th at the Button Factory! Join us to network and hear from lots of top HR, Talent, Leadership and Tech experts.The Disrupt Birmingham summit is an information exchange designed to energise, inform and empower executives, business leaders and people in HR:Hear what HR leaders and workplace innovators are doing in 2024 to improve the workplaceDiscover innovative approaches to how companies are disrupting current practices and adding value to the Birmingham HR communityNetwork with forward-thinking HR and Tech people - we want to ensure we network and build connectionsSupport 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

Unlock the secrets to transforming your HR practices and significantly boosting employee satisfaction with our latest episode of the HRchat Show. This time, we sit down with Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, to discuss the game-changing potential of earned wage access (EWA). Learn why EWA is a must-have for attracting and retaining Millennials and Gen Zers in high-turnover industries like retail and hospitality. Tal brings a wealth of fintech experience to the table, revealing how Instant Financial seamlessly integrates tips, earned wage access, and payroll cards into one efficient service, providing employees with immediate, fee-free access to their earnings. Discover how this innovative approach not only benefits employees but also simplifies payroll processes for employers.Join us for an in-depth look at the evolving benefits of instant pay, backed by hard-hitting studies that show a 27% boost in employee retention when EWA is implemented. We also highlight the importance of pay optionality for Gen Z workers, who prioritize immediate access to their earnings and flexible banking options. Tal Clark shares his insights on current HR trends, best practices, and effective strategies for managing talent in today's fast-paced work environment. Tune in for invaluable advice and expert opinions that can help you stay ahead in the competitive landscape of modern workforce management. 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

Ever wondered what it takes to truly transform a coaching culture? Join us for an enlightening conversation with David Morelli, PhD, co-founder and CEO of OwlHub, as he unveils his journey in executive coaching and leadership development. Inspired by his collaboration with a Harvard doctoral student, David discusses the Respect Coaching Styles framework—a groundbreaking approach designed to unlock potential and cultivate genuine human connections. This episode takes you behind the scenes of our recent experience at the ATD conference in New Orleans, where David's impactful dialogue with Marshall Goldsmith, a legendary executive coach, led to a notable endorsement of OwlHub's coaching styles assessment.Bill Banham's questions for David include: We met at the ATD Conference in New Orleans. Why exhibit at that event?OwlHub's mission is to help create a society where each individual can express their greatest gifts and be celebrated. Tell us moreTell us about OwlHub's 7 'RESPECT' Coaching StylesYou mention that OwlCast (previously Enwaken Radio) has over 1.2 million subscribers and hit #1 on iTunes in two categories, passing Oprah! The show talks about personal and professional growth delivered with humor, authenticity, and insight. Tell us more about the show and audience.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

Every year, millions of vacation days are rendered worthless to the employees who earned them. As employees accrue vacation time, the value of that time sits as a liability on a balance sheet and that number can drastically increase over time. While the first option for employees should be to use all their paid time off, the next best solution is to gain value from a benefit that would otherwise expire. Joining Bill Banham on the show this time is Rob Whalen, CEO & Co-founder at BNFT (formerly PTO Exchange), the first benefits platform that allows employees to self-direct the value of their unused paid time off (PTO) for other needs and causes. About Rob WhalenRob is a serial entrepreneur who has over 25 years of experience selling and developing software and hardware products.While building the company, Rob and his co-founder, Todd Lucas, found their mission was to enable flexibility in those benefits that employees earned but could not utilize. They also discovered that by enabling this capability and accountability, BNFT created equity and inclusion for workers to be compensated for their accrued productivity - creating a better benefit.About BNFT (PTO Exchange)BNFT is a comprehensive benefits platform for employees to unlock the full flexibility and value of their total rewards while providing HR teams with a low-cost and easy-to-use tool. PTO Exchange and LPA Exchange are powered by BNFT, which brings innovative solutions via one platform. Companies will have the flexibility to design cost-effective benefits while also empowering their employees to choose the benefits that support them through their transitions. BNFT is SOC 2-certified and trusted by Fairway Mortgage, Howard Brown Health, Agile Defense, UCare, Praxis Engineering, STRATACACHE, and others.We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sSupport 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

Unlock the secrets of professional success through the transformative power of music with our guest, Bill Scheidt, Managing Partner at Sewa Beats.Bill shares his life-changing experiences in Africa and how they inspired a unique approach to corporate training. Discover how music serves as a powerful metaphor for essential business skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork. Learn how experiential learning, enhanced by the principles of music, can significantly boost employee engagement and performance in leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and change management.We also explore the scientific benefits of integrating music into leadership development programs, especially amid the challenges of the pandemic. From improved cognitive abilities to stress reduction, the impact of music on brain function is profound. Bill emphasizes the power of intention and its critical role in achieving personal and professional goals. Through the lens of music, we examine how setting clear intentions and valuing diverse contributions can foster a culture of inclusion and engagement. Tune in to understand the tangible benefits of experiential learning and DEI initiatives in organizational settings. Questions for Bill include:Why is music as a metaphor for professional success?How does music connect to DEI?  How does experiential learning connect with music? Sewa Beats’ clients include organizations such as BMW, Pfizer, Wells Fargo, Hewlett Packard, and the Harvard Business School. Can you share some use cases you're particularly proud of? Why is the ATD Conference an important event in the L&D and HR calendar? Any sessions at ATD that stuck out for you? What is the secret to setting clear intentions and how can it help accomplish one's goals?   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, we talk about ways to support mental wellness in the workplace. The guest this time is Tom Oxley, Workplace Director at Bamboo Mental Health. Tom is an independent consultant specializing in mental health at work. He reviews employers, gives talks, and trains people. His material comes from 100s of interviews with employees who have experienced poor mental health – and more than 35 organizations that he has reviewed, from PLCs to local SMEs. He believes any employer can support any employee on mental health – but not at any cost. Tom spoke at the World Congress on Health and Safety and you can see his TEDx talk here.Questions for Tom include:Why is supporting mental wellbeing important to you?Presenteeism costs 1.8 times more than absenteeism. How can managers be better at spotting signs of stress and/or anxiety? You spoke earlier about "grown-up conversations". You believe that "any employer can support any employee on mental health – but not at any cost". You also promote supporting employee mental health "while keeping boundaries" What do you mean by this?You spoke at the Disrupt session within the Cambridge AI Summit on June 18. Tell us about your session.You recently spoke at the 23rd World Congress on Safety & Health at Work. Tell us more.How can organizations achieve psychological safety in the workplace?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

What happens when you blend empathy, strategy, and a deep understanding of human behavior in a corporate setting? Meet Claude Silver, CHRO and 'Chief Heart Officer' at VaynerMedia, whose unique career journey - from the dot-com boom to founding an outdoor adventure surfing company and strategic agency roles - has shaped her into a leader dedicated to building a compassionate company culture. In the conversation with host Bill Banham, Claude takes us through her early experiences, her innate passion for coaching, and how she became a pivotal force at VaynerMedia, infusing the agency with empathy and human connection.Claude is an emotional optimist, coach, manager, and mentor. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia, she is in touch with the heartbeat of every single person in the company. Her role is to infuse the Agency with Empathy.  Questions for Claude include: Can you share the journey that led you to become the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia?Why try to create the "kindest and most compassionate company"? How can we spot and tackle toxic employees?You say that culture is three-dimensional and alive. Can you elaborate on what this means and how you cultivate this vibrant culture at VaynerMedia?What advice would you give to companies looking to create a role similar to the Chief Heart Officer?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