Workplace Stories by RedThread Research

HR teams have more data than ever, but many still rely on guesswork when it comes to people decisions. In this episode, we unpack the rapid growth of the people analytics tech market, which ballooned from $1.7B in 2019 to $8.1B by last summer.Hosts Dani Johnson, Stacia Garr, and Priyanka Mehrotra walk through how this market has evolved, what’s driving investment, and why the demand for better-connected, more useful insights keeps rising.We also dig into what’s not working, like customer frustration, disappointing ROI, and the reality that AI in these tools often overpromises and underdelivers. Whether you’re brand new to people analytics or looking to uplevel your HR tech strategy, this episode will help you move from “hoping for the best” to truly leading with insight. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) Setting the stage: Why people analytics tech is worth revisiting.(4:31) The market’s growth from $1.7B to $8.1B, and what’s fueling it.(8:31) Three big shifts: use cases, democratization, and ethics.(13:40) Pandemic-driven surge: Why execs finally cared about people data.(14:57) What vendors are getting right: Partnerships and practical AI.(23:25) Where vendors are falling short: UX, ROI, and unmet promises.(29:30) The near-term future: Middleware, consolidation, and embedded insights.(36:00) AI expectations vs. reality: Trust, risk, and what vendors still miss.Resources & People MentionedVisier –  https://www.visier.comCulture Amp –  https://www.cultureamp.comOne Model –  https://www.onemodel.coConnect with Dani, Stacia, and PriyankaDani JohnsonStacia GarrPriyanka Mehrotra on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work and host of the Edge of Work podcast, redefines the role of Learning and Development (L&D) within organizations. He argues that L&D shouldn't just be a support function but rather a strategic partner in business transformation. Al emphasizes the importance of embedding learning into business strategies, leveraging skills data, and adopting agile methodologies. He addresses the identity crisis L&D faces and encourages leaders to shift their focus from merely delivering training to solving pressing business challenges.

AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace, but many organizations still struggle to move beyond experimentation and into real implementation. In this episode, we sit down with Steven Moran, Chief Learning Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer at Bertelsmann, to explore how one of the world’s largest media, education, and services companies is tackling this challenge head-on. With 400 businesses and 80,000 employees worldwide, Bertelsmann is uniquely positioned at the intersection of AI, workforce learning, and industry partnerships—making its approach to AI adoption especially insightful.Steven shares how Bertelsmann strategically identifies which work AI should take over and which skills employees should double down on to stay competitive. He also unpacks why AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about fostering creativity, innovation, and business transformation.From collaborating with OpenAI to rethinking job structures, Steven offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Bertelsmann is future-proofing its workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, a learning professional, or simply curious about AI’s role in the workplace, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the next era of work.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) How Bertelsmann’s Chief Learning Officer also leads partnerships(1:10) AI’s shift from experimentation to real implementation in organizations(8:33) Bertelsmann’s strategic partnership with OpenAI and its goals(10:32) How AI is reshaping work and what skills employees should prioritize(16:40) The journey from AI experimentation to company-wide adoption(22:50) Balancing AI-driven efficiency with human creativity in the workplace(35:00) How Bertelsmann uses skill gap analysis to drive workforce strategyResources & People MentionedBertelsmannOpenAIEthan Bernstein & Job MovesConnect with Steven MoranConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Brenda Kowske, Senior Director of Talent Analytics at Boston Scientific, shares her insights on innovative workforce planning. She discusses how AI is transforming job structures and the importance of shifting from job-based to skills-based approaches. Brenda elaborates on using location and happiness data to enhance employee satisfaction. She emphasizes the need for continuous workforce planning and the ethical use of data, highlighting how these strategies can provide a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving corporate landscape.

In this discussion, Heather Bussing, a seasoned California employment lawyer, provides a clear-eyed interpretation of recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). She emphasizes the importance of fairness and transparency in workplace practices, avoiding overreactions to legal changes. Heather encourages organizations to rethink their DE&I metrics, advocating for genuine impact over superficial compliance. With actionable insights for leaders, she highlights the need for trust in performance management and adapting hiring practices to attract diverse talent.

We sat down with Tapaswee Chandele, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Development and System Partnerships at Coca-Cola, to talk about what it really takes to help managers succeed. She’s direct, transparent, and refreshingly honest about the challenges leaders face today—and what companies need to do to make things simpler. From setting clear expectations to measuring what matters, Tapaswee breaks down the way Coca-Cola supports managers without overcomplicating the process.One of the huge takeaways for us was the idea of prioritization: cutting through the noise and focusing on just a few key things that actually move the needle. Tapaswee also shared some thought-provoking perspectives on culture, manager accountability, and why companies need to be intentional about the kind of leaders they develop and reward.Oh, and we got into how AI could be a game-changer for taking boring admin work off managers’ plates so they can spend more time on what actually matters—like leading their teams.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]How Coca-Cola Defines Manager Effectiveness [4:45]Embedding Leadership into Culture and Processes [10:10]Why Manager Effectiveness Is Declining [15:00]Supporting Managers with Data and Feedback [21:00]Using AI to Simplify Managerial Work [30:10]Rethinking Leadership Roles and Rewards [38:00]Measuring Manager Effectiveness at Coca-Cola [43:10]Resources & People MentionedRadical Candor by Kim ScottBetterUp – A coaching platform focused on leadership and professional growthFuture of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic ForumConnect with Tapaswee ChandeleTapaswee Chandele on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

In 2025, the HR landscape is already transforming–quickly. With AI moving from hype to reality, workforce cultures evolving, and organizations pausing to get their data and systems in order, leaders face both big opportunities and bigger decisions. To truly make sense of it all, we sat down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, whose decades of experience as both a practitioner and industry analyst give her a grounded, data-backed perspective on what HR teams need to focus on right now.From the rise of personalization and the cultural barriers blocking internal mobility to the critical role of managers and why workforce planning is finally having its moment, Stacey gave us a clear-eyed view of where HR is heading—and what’s holding it back.She challenged us to think differently about what “engagement” truly means, the limitations of current AI applications, and why a company’s culture—not its tech—might be the biggest obstacle to success in 2025.If you’re ready to make sense of this rapidly changing landscape and get practical advice on how to navigate the year ahead, Stacey’s insights are the perfect guide.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]Meeting Stacey Harris [4:26]2025 Trends in HR Tech [7:08]AI in HR: Hype vs. Reality [9:06]The Data Problem and Internal Mobility Challenges [12:47]Managers as Barriers and the Role of AI [18:00]Rethinking Engagement and Personalization [23:54]Workforce Planning’s Evolution [38:20]Final Thoughts and Why Stacey Does the Work She Does [42:00]Resources & People MentionedSapient Insights Group – Sapient Insights Group WebsiteSierra-Cedar HR Systems Survey LightcastConnect with Stacey HarrisConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Most organizations waste money on L&D technology because they don’t think like investors. We sat down with Kimberly Williams, CEO of Absorb Software, to talk about her unique perspective on learning and development technology. As someone with a private equity background, Kimberly offers a fresh take on how investment thinking can shape smarter decisions in the L&D space.Our conversation covered everything from AI’s role in upskilling to trends driving workforce productivity. Kimberly shared practical advice for leaders making tech investments and gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how organizations can align learning tools with real business outcomes.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...How Kimberly’s Background Ties L&D to Investments [2:41]Major Trends Shaping People Tech [3:54]AI’s Role in Upskilling and L&D Tech [6:07]AI Integrating Learning Into Work [8:30]If L&D Is Becoming More Strategic [10:20]Corporate L&D as a Consultative Role [13:10]Creating Measurable Value in L&D [15:20]Exciting Investments in People Tech [28:00]Evaluating Vendors’ Stability and Growth [34:40]Lessons From Mistakes Were Made [42:52]Resources & People MentionedAbsorb SoftwareHarvard Business Review – Article that touches on the “half-life of skills”."Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)" by Carol Tavris and Elliot AronsonCoach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K)Connect with Kimberly Williams Find Kimberly Williams on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Cari Bohley, Vice President of Talent Management at Peraton, talks about solving real workplace problems by focusing on skills. From finding highly specialized talent in competitive markets to helping employees see clear career paths, Cari explains how tools like AI are changing the game. She shares what it takes to turn skills into a practical solution for hiring, retention, and engagement—especially in an industry where the stakes are high. Her story offers actionable insights for tackling challenges in hiring and L&D while proving the value of these efforts to leadership. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Cari’s role at Peraton and its mission-critical focus [0:00]Metrics that make leadership care about skills [1:20]How timing impacts a business case [2:00]Using AI to hire in niche markets [7:07]Boosting retention with clear career paths [13:10]Skills as the foundation for hiring and growth [16:10]Tailoring a business case for leadership buy-in [32:30]What success looks like with skills tools [35:00]Lessons from implementing too quickly [39:06]Why Cari enjoys the “fun” side of HR [40:20]Resources & People MentionedPeratonSeekOutConstellation Research Supernova AwardsConnect with Cari BohleyCari Bohley on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

What happens to an organization when learning and development disappears? It’s a question more leaders are facing as L&D teams shrink or are deprioritized, even as the demand for a skilled workforce grows. Michelle Kay, Head of Learning and Development at Albertsons, has a clear answer: the unique expertise of L&D is irreplaceable. Managing learning for over 355,000 associates across one of the nation’s largest grocery chains, Michelle demonstrates how L&D can be a driving force behind business success, even in the face of change and uncertainty.Michelle’s perspective blends optimism and realism as she tackles pressing challenges like AI integration, burnout, and evolving workforce expectations. She explores how L&D functions as a critical link between talent development and business needs, offering tools for long-term growth and innovation.Through her candid insights and stories, she shows how learning teams can remain relevant, impactful, and future-focused—despite the shifting dynamics of the workplace.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...How L&D can remain relevant in shrinking organizations [2:10]How generative AI might reduce burnout and simplify work [12:00]Balancing alignment and innovation in L&D leadership [17:22]Why curiosity is key for navigating rapid change [21:00]The unique skills L&D professionals bring to the table [25:55]How to approach AI experimentation in a low-risk way [30:10]What happens when L&D teams partner with AI for growth [33:30]Resources & People MentionedGenerative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, AI voice generators):Explore ChatGPT | AI Voice Generators like ElevenLabsMalcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point audiobookConnect with Michelle KayMichelle Kay on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES