HR Happy Hour Network

System of Record: The AI Powered Future of HR TechHost: Steve BoeseGuest: Dan Beck, President and Chief Product Officer, SAP SuccessFactors SummaryIn this inaugural episode of System of Record, host Steve Boese welcomes Dan Beck, President and Chief Product Officer at SAP SuccessFactors. They discuss the current trends in HR technology, focusing on the impact of AI and the importance of skills management. Dan shares insights from his extensive experience in the HR tech space, emphasizing the need for organizations to get their foundational systems right before exploring advanced technologies. The conversation highlights the excitement surrounding AI adoption, the challenges of implementation, and the future potential of AI in enhancing user experiences and operational efficiencies in HR processes. Chapters00:00 Introduction to System of Record02:21 Current Trends in HR Tech: AI and Skills05:25 Customer Priorities: Fundamentals and AI Adoption10:57 Contextual AI: Enhancing User Experience15:25 The Future of AI Use Cases in HR Tech18:25 Adoption Challenges and Considerations for AI25:43 Looking Ahead: Business Data Cloud and AI Integration Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. By some estimates, over 80% of AI projects fail because of bad data. But here's some good news for HR: when AI leverages the rich, authentic data of employee recognition, you get something truly unique. Human Intelligence from Workhuman, creators of the world's #1 recognition platform. Human intelligence unlocks insights into performance and skills, culture and engagement. And helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture. To learn more about Human Intelligence, go to Workhuman.com.

How Gen Z is Redefining Home Ownership and a Sustainable FutureHosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer SummaryIn this episode of The Play by Play, Jack and Nick discuss the evolving landscape of home buying for Gen Z. They reflect on personal experiences and the challenges faced by their generation, including rising costs and the desire for sustainable living. The conversation explores the impact of technology on home searching and financing options, as well as the changing preferences for location due to remote work opportunities. The episode concludes with a fun quiz to determine Nick's alignment with Gen Z characteristics - join in the fun! Chapters1:21 Gen Z Home Buying Trends04:29 Sustainable Housing Preferences08:13 Finding Homes in the Digital Age09:38 Innovative Financing Models17:49 Are you Gen Z? (Game)33:08 Final Results and Reflections37:13 Quote of the ShowThank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. By some estimates, over 80% of AI projects fail because of bad data. But here's some good news for HR: when AI leverages the rich, authentic data of employee recognition, you get something truly unique. Human Intelligence from Workhuman, creators of the world's #1 recognition platform. Human intelligence unlocks insights into performance and skills, culture and engagement. And helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture. To learn more about Human Intelligence, go to Workhuman.com.

In this engaging conversation, Bill McGowan, founder of Clarity Media Group and an Emmy-winning journalist, shares his secrets to impactful communication. He highlights the art of storytelling and the importance of preparation in making memorable presentations. Bill discusses how humor can enhance audience connection and emphasizes empathy as a vital communication skill. He also tackles effective strategies for navigating meetings and how to stand out in a distraction-filled world. A must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their communication game!

Felix Wetzel, VP of Product Management at Cielo, dives into the transformative power of AI in HR. He discusses how AI reveals flaws in hiring processes and can elevate recruiters to talent strategists. The conversation highlights the importance of human-centric approaches, integrating AI for efficiency while maintaining personal engagements. Felix also addresses the risk of bias in AI and emphasizes the need for HR to discern tasks best suited for human touch versus AI capabilities. Tune in for insights on the future of recruitment!

The Evolution of AI: Past, Present, and FutureHost: Steve Boese Guest: Miranda Nash, Group Vice President of Applications Development Strategy, Oracle SummaryIn this episode of the HR Happy Hour Show, Steve Boese interviews Miranda Nash, Group VP of Applications Development Strategy at Oracle, discussing the transformative impact of AI in enterprise applications. They explore the evolution of AI from predictive models to generative and agentic AI, emphasizing the importance of security, reliability, and data management. Miranda shares insights on how Oracle is leveraging AI to automate complex processes and enhance user experience, while also addressing the future of AI in enterprise solutions. Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Enterprise3:17 Understanding Enterprise AI vs Consumer AI6:10 The Evolution of AI: From Predictive to Generative09:16 Agentic AI: A New Frontier11:14 Real-World Applications of Agentic AI14:05 The Future of AI in Enterprise17:12 Advice for Organizations Adopting AI20:20 Conclusion and Future OutlookThank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.These days, it feels like there isn’t much good to go around in the world of work.  But Workhuman knows when we celebrate the good in each of us, we bring out the best in all of us. It’s why they created the world’s # 1 employee recognition platform — and they didn’t stop there, combining rich recognition data with AI to create Human Intelligence, so you can get uniquely good insights into performance, skills, engagement and more. To learn more about how you can join their force for good, go to Workhuman.com, or check out their own podcast, “How We Work,” which explores, the trends, issues, relationships, and experiences that shape our workplaces. 

Transforming Workplace Mental Health in 2025Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish SteedGuest: Dr. Nick Taylor, CEO of Unmind SummaryIn this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Dr. Nick Taylor discuss the critical importance of mental health in the workplace, emphasizing the need for early intervention and the role of AI in transforming mental health support. They explore the stigma surrounding mental health, generational shifts in awareness, and actionable steps organizations can take to improve employee wellbeing. The discussion highlights the necessity of training leaders to support mental health and the ethical considerations in deploying AI tools. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in the Workplace05:02 The Importance of Early Intervention08:15 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health11:08 The Role of AI in Mental Health Support17:18 AI's Impact on Mental Health Services23:25 Scaling Mental Health Support with AI29:13 Actionable Steps for Organizations Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.These days, it feels like there isn’t much good to go around in the world of work.  But Workhuman knows when we celebrate the good in each of us, we bring out the best in all of us. It’s why they created the world’s # 1 employee recognition platform — and they didn’t stop there, combining rich recognition data with AI to create Human Intelligence, so you can get uniquely good insights into performance, skills, engagement and more. To learn more about how you can join their force for good, go to Workhuman.com, or check out their own podcast, “How We Work,” which explores, the trends, issues, relationships, and experiences that shape our workplaces.  This episode of At Work in America is sponsored by Paychex, one of the leading providers of HR, payroll, retirement, and insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes. Listeners, quick question for you: How prepared is your business for a surprise I-9 audit? If that question made your stomach drop, you're not alone. Even if all your employees are authorized to work, small errors on your I-9 paperwork could lead to fines that rack up into the thousands. That's where our friends at Paychex come in. With audits on the rise, they've got a free, on-demand webinar called I-9 Audits and ICE Raids: What Employers Need to Know to Stay Protected. It's a step-by-step guide to help you protect your business from expensive fines, stress, and confusion.  Don't wait until it's too late. Watch it today at paychex.com/awia.It only takes 45 minutes to gain peace of mind. 

Misha-Ann Martin, VP of People Research at Workhuman, shares her insights on leveraging people analytics for a more human-centered workplace. She emphasizes the impact of recognition on culture and performance. The discussion explores how AI tools can enhance communication and address microaggressions. Misha-Ann also highlights the need for continuous feedback mechanisms to truly capture employee sentiment. Lastly, she challenges traditional survey methodologies, advocating for stronger connections between employees and feedback processes.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Libretto, President of Workhuman and an expert in HR innovation, dives into the transformative power of AI in enhancing employee recognition. He shares insights on how AI can drive better business outcomes and tackle challenges like AI fatigue. The conversation highlights the significance of educating the workforce on AI's benefits and the future role of human intelligence in the workplace. Tom also explores innovative tools for talent recognition and the shift towards dynamic HR processes for improved collaboration.

Making Hybrid Working EffectiveHost: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Gary Cookson, Epic HRIn this podcast interview Mervyn talks with Gary Cookson from Epic HR whose latest book - Making Hybrid Working Work - helps business leaders and HR professionals ensure that hybrid working works for their people.During the conversation they discuss:- What is and isn't 'hybrid working'- Evolution of the 9-to-5 routine and mindset- Personalisation of work with a people centric approach- Technology and space- The hybrid employee experience- HR and Leadership's role in making hybrid work successfulThanks for listening! Remember to subscribe to all of the HR Happy Hour Media Network shows on your favorite podcast app!These days, it feels like there isn’t much good to go around in the world of work. But Workhuman knows when we celebrate the good in each of us, we bring out the best in all of us. It’s why they created the world’s # 1 employee recognition platform — and they didn’t stop there, combining rich recognition data with AI to create Human Intelligence, so you can get uniquely good insights into performance, skills, engagement and more. To learn more about how you can join their force for good, go to Workhuman.com, or check out their own podcast, “How We Work,” which explores, the trends, issues, relationships, and experiences that shape our workplaces. 

Made in China? The Price of Global TradeHosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer SummaryIn this episode of The Play by Play, Jack and Nick discuss the complexities of tariffs and the ongoing trade war between the US and China. They explain what tariffs are, their purpose, and the timeline of events that have led to the current state of trade relations. The conversation highlights the effects of tariffs on consumers, the job market, and young entrepreneurs, as well as evaluating the success of tariffs in reshoring manufacturing. They also explore the ideal future outcomes of tariffs and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of economic challenges. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tariffs and Trade Wars07:47 Tariffs Definition and Purpose14:02 The Timeline of the US-China Trade War22:21 Evaluating the Success of Tariffs28:10 Game Time Segment Begins43:39 Closing Thoughts and Quote of the ShowThank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.These days, it feels like there isn’t much good to go around in the world of work.  But Workhuman knows when we celebrate the good in each of us, we bring out the best in all of us. It’s why they created the world’s # 1 employee recognition platform — and they didn’t stop there, combining rich recognition data with AI to create Human Intelligence, so you can get uniquely good insights into performance, skills, engagement and more. To learn more about how you can join their force for good, go to Workhuman.com, or check out their own podcast, “How We Work,” which explores, the trends, issues, relationships, and experiences that shape our workplaces.