The Plumm Pod

In this episode, Shoshana Davis discusses the importance of understanding and engaging early career professionals, particularly Gen Z. She shares her journey into HR and career development, emphasising the need for clear expectations, effective communication, and the impact of pre-boarding on new hires. The conversation highlights retention strategies, the generational disconnect in the workplace, and the significance of purpose in job roles. Shoshana advocates for empowering managers to better support young talent and addresses the challenges faced by new employees in today's job market.Chapters00:00 Understanding Gen Z's Desire for Purpose01:32 Shoshana's Journey into HR and Career Development07:40 Defining Early Careers and Their Challenges09:34 Retention Strategies for Young Talent12:47 Generational Disconnect in the Workplace17:06 Pre-boarding: Preparing Young Talent for Success23:02 Engagement Strategies for Early Career Professionals30:37 The Importance of Role Clarity and Expectations35:09 Communication as the Key to Retaining Talent

This isn’t your typical DEI conversation.In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia sits down with powerhouse inclusion strategist Maria Balogun to pull back the curtain on what real inclusion looks like in today’s workplace.They challenge surface-level diversity, unpack the real impact of employee resource groups, and go deep into why organisations that don’t embrace inclusive practices are already falling behind.Maria doesn’t hold back sharing bold insights on why “culture fit” is outdated, how “culture add” changes everything, and what it really takes to create workplaces where people belong.From personal stories to practical frameworks, this conversation is a call to action for leaders who say they care about inclusion… but need to prove it.Because in a world that’s finally listening, it’s not enough to look diverse. You need to be inclusive.Episode Chapters 00:00: The Essence of Diversity and Inclusion03:51: Understanding Inclusion: Beyond Diversity10:03: The Role of Employee Resource Groups13:59: The Impact of DEI on Organizational Success17:48: Culture Fit vs. Culture Add24:08: Hiring Practices: Shifting Perspectives30:07: Empowering Authenticity in the Workplace

In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia sits down with Kellie Nedelcoux, HR Parental Transition & Leadership Coach, to discuss how organisations can better support parents in the workplace.They unpack the real challenges faced by parental returners, the role of leaders in easing the transition back to work, and why inclusive policies need to reflect all family structures, not just the traditional ones. This is a powerful conversation about psychological safety, belonging, and what it takes to build truly supportive environments for working parents.Episode Chapters00:00: Setting the Scene for Parental Transition04:45: Challenges Faced by Parental Returners10:02: Strategies for Supporting Parental Returners14:48: The Role of Leaders in Parental Transition20:02: Creating Inclusive Policies for All Parents24:52: Best Practices for Supporting Working Parents30:02: The Importance of Psychological Safety in the Workplace

In this episode of Plumm Pod, Georgia Dixon chats with AI strategy expert Mary Kemp about what HR leaders need to know when introducing tools like ChatGPT and Gamma. They cover the real impact of AI at work, how it can free up time for more meaningful tasks, and what a people-first approach to tech adoption really looks like. They also unpack policies, change management, and the small shifts that make a big difference when rolling out AI across teams. Whether you’re new to HR or leading change in your organisation, this one’s full of ideas you can actually use. Episode Chapters:00:00 Intro: HR Leading the AI Revolution with Mary Kemp01:25 From Nursing to AI: Mary's Unique Career Journey03:20 Understanding GenAI: A Human-First Technology04:41 The Four Stages of AI Adoption in the Workplace06:37 Transforming Work Culture: The 80/20 AI Principle10:04 Getting Started: Practical Tips for AI Implementation15:41 Creating Safe Spaces for AI Culture Change19:33 People-First Approach: How AI Empowers HR Leaders23:28 Building an AI-Ready Organization Through Training26:57 Managing AI Compliance and GDPR Considerations28:16 Final Thoughts: Being Visible and Speaking Up in Tech

In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon welcomes Holly Leckenby Rye, Senior People Manager at Lottie, the UK Startup of the Year 2025. Together, they explore the key elements of building high-performing teams in startups. From innovative pre-boarding strategies to fostering psychological safety and effective feedback mechanisms, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Whether you're an HR professional or a startup leader, tune in for expert advice on cultivating trust, enabling manager success, and creating a thriving workplace culture.Episode Chapters:00:00 Welcome to The Plumm Pod: Building High Performance Teams02:15 From Geography to HR: Holly's Journey to People Leadership05:59 Creating an Effective Pre-boarding & Onboarding Experience10:40 Manager Enablement: Supporting Leaders for Success16:57 Building a Culture of Feedback & Trust21:37 Managing High Performance During Emotional Challenges26:20 The Power of Psychological Safety & Trust in Teams28:52 Creating Purpose & Mission-Driven Culture at Lottie30:07 Key Takeaways & Career Advice for HR Professionals

In this episode of Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon chats with Chantal Cross, Founder and Director at Cross Check Consultancy Ltd . They discuss new legislation requiring employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. They cover practical steps for compliance, from conducting risk assessments to creating effective reporting systems. The episode emphasises the importance of building a culture of respect and psychological safety. Whether you're new to HR or an experienced leader, this episode offers valuable insights into preventing harassment and protecting your organisation.Episode Chapters:00:00 Intro: New Duty to Prevent Workplace Sexual Harassment04:24 Understanding the New Prevention Duty: Why It Matters09:18 Creating a Customized Approach: Risk Assessment Essentials11:36 Breaking the Silence: Why People Don't Report Harassment14:23 Modern Workplace Challenges: Digital Communication & Boundaries17:05 Building a Positive Reporting Culture: Best Practices20:14 The Business Case: Financial Impact of Prevention23:56 Case Studies: Real-World Examples & Lessons Learned26:28 Taking Action: Practical Steps for Implementation29:43 Final Thoughts: Creating Safer Workplaces Together

In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon welcomes storytelling, culture expert and Founder of THO, Tommy Hatto to discuss how HR leaders can use storytelling to transform workplace culture. They explore strategies for fostering authentic leadership, breaking communication barriers, and creating psychologically safe workplace spaces. From micro-doses of personal sharing to HR-marketing collaboration, this episode provides actionable insights for leaders looking to build stronger connections and enhance employee engagement through the power of storytelling.Episode Chapters:00:00 Intro & Welcome02:15 Understanding Storytelling's Power in the Workplace04:23 Starting Small: Building Trust Through Personal Stories08:32 Breaking Down Barriers: Mental Health & Psychological Safety12:17 HR & Marketing: A Powerful Partnership for Culture18:41 Leadership Storytelling: Being Relatable While Maintaining Authority22:23 Setting Boundaries: Balancing Personal Stories & Brand Protection26:35 Face-to-Face Connection: The Impact of In-Person Storytelling28:27 Final Thoughts: Believing in Yourself as an HR Professional

In this episode of Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon chats with Chalene Hanson, Global HR Director at Burberry, about excelling in HR leadership while staying authentic. Chalene shares her journey from accidental HR professional to global director, offering insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, mastering multi-generational team management, and building influence through business language. Learn how to network effectively, invest in personal development, and embrace the mantra: "Go where you're celebrated, not tolerated." This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals seeking strategic growth.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The Future of Multi-Generational Workplaces01:43 - An Unexpected Journey: From Politics to HR Leadership06:25 - Building Your Personal Brand in HR: Beyond Job Titles11:00 - The Three Levels of Organisational Awareness14:55 - Breaking Free from HR Jargon: Speaking Business Language16:57 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Finding Your Authentic Leadership Style21:04 - Managing Multi-Generational Teams: Understanding Different Needs24:11 - Taking Ownership of Your Career Growth26:00 - Investing in Yourself: Building Networks Beyond Your Organisation30:14 - Final Wisdom: Go Where You're Celebrated, Not Tolerated

In this episode of Plumm Pod, host Georgia Dixon welcomes Kate Phillips, a global HR professional and the Talent Attraction and Employer Brand lead at Priory, to explore the dynamic world of global human resources. Kate shares her unexpected journey into HR, insights on navigating cultural differences, and the importance of understanding local employment laws. They delve into post-COVID talent acquisition trends, the challenges of compliance, and practical advice for aspiring global HR professionals. Packed with anecdotes and actionable tips, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating or aspiring to thrive in global HR.Episode Chapters:[00:00] Intro [01:27] Falling into HR [04:32] Understanding Global HR [06:19] The Complexity of Global Hiring [11:16] Cultural Nuances in Global HR [15:56] Legal Complexities in Global HR [24:07] Advice for Aspiring Global HR Professionals

In this episode of The Plumm Podcast, host Georgia speaks with Harry Gasiorski, an experienced HR Director and currently a Strategic HR Consultant, about his unexpected journey into HR, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building strong relationships with stakeholders. They explore aligning people strategy with business goals, transitioning from operational to strategic HR, and using data to demonstrate HR's impact. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for HR professionals!Episode Chapters:[00:00] Intro[00:04:34] Unexpected Path to HR[00:06:49] Embracing Additional Work for Growth[00:09:01] Building Trust with Senior Stakeholders[00:11:29] Transitioning to Strategic HR[00:21:03] Fostering Diversity and Inclusion[00:27:30] Measuring HR Impact with Data