We're Only Human

"I think you can't make the mistake of designing an optimal, or academically perfect HR operating model in a vacuum. It really must be aligned with your fundamental business strategy and the overall operating model." Lauren Duprey, Takeda Pharmaceuticals This is the first in a fascinating new series of episodes where we interview talent and HR leaders from a select set of IBM Talent and Transformation clients about their innovative practices and approaches.  We're Only Human -- Episode 96 What does it take to change the fundamental model for how HR operates in a business? In the case of Takeda, it took considerable time to settle on an approach that balanced global governance and accountability with localized, agile decision-making. The rollout of this HR transformation began in February of 2020.Yes, right as COVID was beginning to hit.Some would say that's the worst time, but in hindsight it might have also turned out to be the best. In the turmoil that followed globally, Takeda's HR team was set up to respond to business needs, adapt to change, and deliver service in a tailored and agile manner. In today's discussion, Ben talks with Lauren Duprey and Dominique Brewer about the firm's shift in operating models, deep focus on equity and inclusion, and more. This session is a master class on how to design an HR model that enables the talent team to support the critical objectives of the business.  To learn more about IBM Talent Transformation Services:http://ibm.biz/talentacquisitionTo see the work Takeda is doing and understand more about the firm, visit takedajobs.comSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"And to me, just hands down learning is the future of work. Let's just put a period on that. That's how I feel about this.  We've entered this era of where there's continuous, rapid change. It just keeps coming for us. Every day we're faced with a new change. And the only way that we can sort of ride those changes or rise to them is through continuous learning." Shelley OsborneWe're Only Human - Episode 95If that statement doesn't convey the sentiment of this episode, nothing will. In this discussion with Shelley Osborne, the conversation explores key points and ideas from The Upskilling Imperative, Shelley's new book. Ben and Shelley dig into why we learn the way we do, what it takes to shake up corporate learning practices, and how to drive better outcomes with manager involvement, feedback, and so much more. Want to get the book? Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3iG8o55See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"One of the things that I find most fascinating about using neuroscience in the [change management] work that I do is that there's a lot of really common misconceptions about neuroscience." Travis Hahler, GoogleWe're Only Human - Episode 94What is neuroscience and why should we be thinking about it as HR and business leaders? Neuroscience is the study of how the brain works, how we make decisions, and what drives our behaviors. If we can understand some of the underlying evidence and contributing factors, we can change behaviors of the people we work with. It sounds easier than it is, but using neuroscience principles to guide these changes can lead to powerful outcomes. In today's discussion, Travis Hahler from Google talks with Ben about some of the elements of brain science that fit into change management and behavior modification. This interview was recorded during the first ever virtual reality conference for HR leaders, the Global HR Summit, in September 2020. Connect with Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisdhahler/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"What we're telling customers is that we can help make work more human. First is really putting empathy at the forefront of the employee experience. It's up to HR to work with leadership and create this human experience." Munjal Munshi, Oracle We're Only Human - Episode 93Organizational agility is a critical part of adapting to and overcoming change. What does this mean in the context of the work HR does? Everything. Our newest data at Lighthouse Research & Advisory show that 96% of employers that claim to be future-ready also say that their HR technology plays a critical role in enabling that agility at an organizational level. In today's discussion, Ben talks with Munjal Munshi of Oracle to discuss the concept of organizational agility, how HR technology plays a role in that, and the practical lessons and ideas for today's business leaders.One critical part of the talk? How HR and IT can work more closely together to create better relationships and better outcomes. Check out the free research report: http://oracle.com/goto/lighthouseSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"At the beginning of my career, HR was looked at as a necessary evil. Now it's completely flipped to where HR is the driving force for how companies grow and expand." Eric Storm, StarmindWe're Only Human - Episode 92Skills are the currency of business. Research shows that in the 1980s, 85%+ of organizational value was in tangible assets (property, facilities, equipment, etc.) Today, that has shrunk to just 15% or less, and the rest of value is in intangible assets (ideas, capabilities, intellectual property, etc.)Skills are a key part of organizational value, but very few companies know the skills inside the business well enough to leverage their value. In this interview with Starmind, Ben digs in with Eric Storm to understand how the firm offers employers a way to identify, understand, and leverage the skills of the workforce. To learn more about Starmind, visit http://starmind.ai Also, check out episode 24, which Ben references during the show: https://upstarthr.com/the-secret-to-great-team-performance-may-surprise-you-podcast/ See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"We as an industry are driving toward the cliff and the HCM [technology] vendors are competing over who offers better tire pressure." Dror Gurevich, Velocity Network FoundationWe're Only Human Podcast Episode 91How are organizations gathering skill data inside the business? Our research shows that the most common method is also one of the most biased: manager observations. However, Velocity Network Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to solve the problem of unverified, unvalidated employee skills through the power of blockchain.Dror and Ben explore what this means for the future of the business world, what it enables organizations to do from a talent perspective, and how trusted career records can change processes like hiring and training forever. Learn more about Velocity Network Foundation: https://www.velocitynetwork.foundation/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"We need help communicating the benefits we pour our hearts and souls into and making them successful for our employees."Jesse Albro, Flimp CommunicationsWe're Only Human Episode 90Heads up: open enrollment will happen this year. While this seems like the strangest year in, well, forever, it also has some predictable elements to it. That said, how do you plan for a virtual approach to open enrollment? How do you measure the impact of your communications/ How do you support your people as they think more carefully about health and wellness than ever before? In today's conversation, Ben talks with Jesse Albro from Flimp about these topics and more. Jump in and learn how your company can plan and implement a more virtual and scalable approach to open enrollment. Learn more about Flimp: http://flimp.net/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"For me it's always been about focusing on how we can use technology to transform the way we develop, grow, and care for our employees." Christopher Lind, learning technology leader at GE Healthcare and founder of Learning SharksWe're Only Human episode 89In today's discussion, host Ben Eubanks digs in with Christopher Lind on how to use technology as a piece of the bigger picture of supporting the workforce from a learning perspective. Discussion topics include knowing the business, what your learning culture looks like, and how to stay current on the technologies that enable better business performance.  Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/Learn about the Learning Health Check Assessment: http://learningsharks.com/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"This year has really redefined what compassion means to me. The need to have compassion for others, whether it's wearing a mask for those at high risk when I'm going into a store or what role I can personally play in social injustice, it really is all just coming back to compassion."Lesley Lyons, PeopleStrategyWe're Only Human - Episode 88In this conversation Ben interviews Lesley Lyons, a marketing executive with PeopleStrategy, to talk about the themes of connection and compassion and how they play a part in helping each of us support each other during challenging times. Lesley also announces the new Antiracism Forum, a free event for business leaders to get expert insights on how to build antiracist cultures. https://www.peoplestrategy.com/AntiracismForumConnect with Lesley: lesley.lyons@peoplestrategy.com See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

"That hiring maanger still has a view of the candidate's abilities and skills without being exposed to their race, gender, or ethnicity." Scot Sessions, Talvista Did you know that there are nearly 200 cognitive biases that affect our decisions every day? While a decision about where to eat or what to wear is unlikely to have negative consequences, making a biased choice in hiring can lead to negative outcomes for people of color, women, and other minorities.  In this conversation, Ben speaks with Scot Sessions and Elaine Orler from the Talvista team to understand how technology can help minimize hiring biases and lead to better, more equitable outcomes. They discuss resume blinding and how it works and other practical advice for employers looking to hire more inclusively.  Connect with the Talvista team: talvista.comOn Twitter: @scotsessions @elaineorler  To get the HR Summer School on demand replay with five separate sessions on inclusion and equity at work,visit https://www.humanresourcesacademy.org/courses/hr-summer-school-on-demand and use promo code "onlyhuman" at checkout for 20% off for being a podcast listener!See the show archives and sign up for episode updates