HR Unplugged

Sara Jones, CEO of InclusionPro and an acclaimed TED speaker, joins the discussion on empowering HR leaders to effectively convey their strategic impact. She highlights the importance of storytelling in making HR work relatable and valuable to executives. Sara shares success stories of leaders who transformed their messages to demonstrate measurable business value. Tips include using data creatively, balancing emotional narratives with analytics, and practicing public speaking to build confidence—essential skills for gaining a seat at the table.

Are your employees just working, or are they growing, too?Many people feel stuck at work because no one’s ever asked them about their dreams. But what if you made space for that conversation?Kate Volman, CEO of Floyd Consulting and author of Do What You Love, joins host Vanessa Brulotte to talk about what it means to support employees as whole people with their own dreams. Kate shares why personal dreams belong in the workplace and how they can be a secret weapon for retention, culture, and performance. She also discusses how leaders can ask questions that boost engagement, build trust, and create a culture where people feel seen.Key takeaways:Why conversations about dreams help reduce turnoverWhat it means to be a great coach in the workplaceWhat HR teams can do today to support both personal and professional developmentKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Kate Volman(02:38) The link between disengagement and purpose(05:17) How leaders can support personal growth(07:09) Real stories from The Dream Manager program(10:46) Coaching vs. managing: what’s the difference?(14:28) Helping employees hit personal milestones(22:29) How to introduce dream conversations at work(31:24) A powerful story about trust and belongingKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “Leadership vs. Management: 5 Tips to Become a Better Leader”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/leadership-vs-authority Read BambooHR’s blog, “Transparency in Leadership: How Open Communication Builds Trust in the Workplace”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/importance-of-transparency-in-leadership Read BambooHR’s blog, “10 Management Styles, Ranked from Best to Worst”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/learn-management-style Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevolman/

What makes a workplace truly stand out to job seekers? It’s not just the perks or the pay. It’s the story you tell and the experience you deliver.In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Nancy Boyce, Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR. They discuss what it takes to create an authentic employer brand that connects with the right candidates and reflects the real employee experience.You’ll learn the difference between corporate and employer branding, the role of employee reviews, and why alignment between brand and experience matters more than ever. Plus, Nancy shares actionable tips for tracking brand impact and creating a solid brand even with an HR team of one.Key takeaways:How to align your employer brand with real employee experiencesWhy employee reviews matter more than you thinkSimple ways to build an employer brand without a big budgetKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Nancy Boyce(02:09) What employer branding means (03:30) The shift in candidate expectations post-pandemic(07:22) Why recruiting and marketing must work together(11:49) How Glassdoor reviews shape first impressions(13:02) Brands that are innovating in employer branding(18:19) Metrics that show if your brand is working(25:07) Inside BambooHR’s new employer value propositionKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “Why Customers Care About Your Employer Brand (And Why You Should, Too)”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/why-employer-brand-mattersRead BambooHR’s blog, “How to Create Great Candidate Experiences”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/how-to-create-great-candidate-experiences Read BambooHR’s blog, “Want to Improve Employee Experience? Follow These 4 Steps”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/how-to-define-measure-and-improve-your-employee-experienceSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series:https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community:https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage:https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-boyce616/

What does “No Tax on Overtime” mean for your employees?With the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s changing. Colleen Rynne, Senior Manager of Payroll Services Compliance at BambooHR, joins Vanessa Brulotte to help us make sense of the new provisions on tax deductions on overtime pay and tips. This is a must-listen for those in HR and payroll, or for anyone who wants to understand their tax returns going forward.You'll learn how to prep for year-end reporting, what qualifies for deductions, and how to talk to employees about what’s changing.Key takeaways:What “No Tax on Overtime” and “No Tax on Tips” really meanWhy state taxes aren’t changingHow to prepare for year-end reporting under OB3Key topics:(00:00) Introducing Colleen Rynne(03:30) Who qualifies for deductions under OB3(06:47) Why overtime deductions are more complex(09:57) What counts as a qualified tip(15:24) Year-end reporting and IRS guidance tips(21:50) FSA changes and permanent tax creditsKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “What Are Payroll Taxes? A Guide to State and Federal Tax Withholding”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/payroll-taxes-guide Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Manage Employee W-2 Forms (And Go Paperless)”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/manage-employee-w2 Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Tax Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/tax-mistakes-to-avoid Read BambooHR’s blog, “Compliance Corner: Payroll Updates from Q2 2025”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/payroll-compliance-june-2025Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rynne-2978b332/

AI is shaking up industries everywhere, including HR. But how much influence should technology have over the hiring process?Nancy Boyce, Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR, joins host Vanessa Brulotte to explore how companies are using AI in recruiting today. With 15 years of hiring expertise, Nancy reveals when AI can help recruiters work smarter and where the human touch is still essential. She also shares practical tips for using AI tools, spotting misuse, and creating a transparent AI hiring policy.Key takeaways:Common misconceptions about AI in recruitingHow to spot AI-generated responses in interviewsBalancing efficiency and humanity in recruitingKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Nancy Boyce(02:43) AI tools and processes that help recruiters(08:51) Transparency of AI use in hiring(11:57) Can AI conduct culture fit assessments?(14:29) BambooHR's guide to ethical AI use for candidates(18:57) Crafting your AI hiring policyKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “Guide to HR Automation: Benefits, Examples, and How to Get Started”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/hr-automationRead BambooHR’s blog, “HR Spotlight: What a Recruiter Really Thinks about AI, Talent Strategy, and More”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/hr-spotlight-recruiter Read BambooHR’s blog, “AI in HR: Using Technology to Focus on People”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/ai-hrRead BambooHR’s blog, “15+ Innovative Ways to Use AI in HR”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/chatgpt-prompts-for-hrSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-boyce616

HR was always meant to be a strategic partner to businesses, but it’s not always recognized that way.In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Amy Mencarelli, Senior Director of People and Culture at Bloomerang, about how HR professionals can position themselves as key decision-makers by using data in meaningful, business-focused ways. Amy shares practical advice on how to track metrics and tell stories that spark action, presenting HR insights in a way leaders can use. Key takeaways:Tips for storytelling with data, not just reporting itWhy partnering with finance and IT elevates HR’s impactFree and creative ways to build influence without a budgetKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Amy Mencarelli(03:01) The mindset shift HR leadership needs(09:28) Volunteering and networking for career growth(15:02) Leveraging data and metrics in HR(18:37) Working with a limited budget in HR(22:00) Collaboration with AI, IT, and finance for HR analytics(27:06) How to refine your storytelling and presentation skillsKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “7 of the Most Useful HR Reports, According to HR Pros”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/most-useful-hr-reports-new-usersRead BambooHR’s blog, “The 29 Most Important HR Metrics You Need to Track”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/key-hr-metricsDownload BambooHR’s guide, “How to Analyze Data That Measures HR Impact: Free HR Report Checklist”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/analyze-data-hr-report-templateSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymencarelli/

Perks and benefits are nice, but they aren’t enough to retain the best talent. According to Jon Franko, co-founder of Gorilla 76, employees want transparency, growth opportunities, and a culture that supports their lives outside of work. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Jon about how building a culture based on core values and empathy can drive stronger employee retention. Jon shares how his Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis shaped his approach to supporting his team. Key takeaways:How to create a workplace people don’t want to leaveStrategies for building high-trust environments at workWhy HR can steer the organization in the right directionKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Jon Franko(03:13) The MS diagnosis that changed Jon’s leadership perspective(05:00) Hire people better than you(08:41) How Gorilla 76 encourages people to give back(13:53) Transparency that attracts top talent(17:00) Evaluating the impact of your benefits package(21:59) Retention and engagement metrics to trackKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Powerful Benefits of Transparency in Business”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creating-transparency-in-workplaceRead BambooHR’s blog, “Perks At Work: What Benefits Make Your Employees Happy?”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creative-benefit-ideasDownload BambooHR’s guide, “Learn How to Retain Top Talent in 2025”: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/definitive-guide-to-employee-retentionSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfranko/Learn more about Gorilla 76: https://www.gorilla76.com/

Building a sense of belonging at work starts with intentional effort. It’s shaped through consistent moments of connection, shared ownership, and a clear focus on community.In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Lee Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO of Confetti. They explore practical ways HR leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and create a stronger culture. Lee shares how to simplify employee participation, support managers in leading culture, and use feedback to show real impact.Key takeaways:How to design engagement that feels personalWhy culture should be owned beyond HRWays to show the business value of connectionKey topics:(01:12) Introducing Lee Rubin(02:41) Common mistakes in engagement strategy(05:03) Rebranding engagement as true belonging(10:26) Revamping engagement ideas for established companies(13:25) Virtual events that build connection(17:19) Connecting burnout to a lack of engagement(21:00) Securing leadership buy-in for engagement(25:08) How better engagement drives business success(29:49) Redefining success for employee programs(32:21) Advice for building a more connected workplaceKey links:Download BambooHR’s guide, “Discover the 10 Best Ways to Measure Employee Engagement”:https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/how-to-measure-employee-engagementDownload BambooHR’s guide, “Are You Experiencing HR Burnout? Know the Signs”:https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/hr-burnoutDownload BambooHR’s guide, “HR Company Culture Checklist”:https://www.bamboohr.com/pl-pages/company-culture-checklistSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community:https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinl/ Learn more about Confetti:https://www.withconfetti.com/

Words carry weight, and genuine appreciation goes a long way in making people feel valued and motivated.In this replay episode, BambooHR’s Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte chat with Trevor Larson, CEO at Nectar. They discuss how thoughtful recognition fuels employee engagement and helps retain your best talent. Together, they share simple ways to start a recognition program and how to make recognition a natural part of an organization’s culture.Key takeaways:How recognition influences productivity and performanceWhy executive buy-in drives recognition program successWhat your employee recognition program should includeKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Trevor Larson(02:34) The power of employee recognition (07:57) How recognition reduces turnover (13:28) Common challenges in implementing recognition programs(18:23) Recognition 1.0 vs. 2.0(22:05) Getting the executive team to prioritize recognition(27:08) How to show appreciation for remote teams(30:23) Making recognition a consistent habitKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Simple Ways to Make Employee Recognition More Meaningful”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/meaningful-employee-recognitionRead BambooHR’s blog, “How to Celebrate Success: 20+ Creative Employee Recognition Ideas”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/employee-recognition-ideasSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevordegnlarson/

Hiring the right people isn’t about luck or gut feelings. It starts with a clear, consistent process and a solid understanding of what success looks like in each role. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte talks with Jonathan D. Reynolds, CEO of Titus Talent Strategies. They discuss why most hiring efforts fall short and how to define measurable outcomes before bringing someone on board. Jonathan also explains why accountability after the hire matters. Key takeaways:Why your hiring strategies might not be workingThe importance of an objective hiring processHow to address underperformance promptly and fairlyKey topics:(00:00) Introducing Jonathan Reynolds(04:03) Common hiring mistakes companies make(09:45) The head, heart, and briefcase approach (16:23) Who should be accountable for the success of new hires? (21:45) Importance of onboarding and integration in helping employees become successful (27:56) Setting clear expectations for success(32:00) Handling underperformance and difficult decisions(34:25) Define and quantify every role(36:45) Embracing AI while maintaining human connectionKey links:Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Build Candidate Profiles for Better Job Descriptions”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/candidate-profilesRead BambooHR’s blog, “Recruit Better Candidates with These Outside-the-Box Ideas”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creative-recruitment-ideasSubscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreynolds/ Read Jonathan’s Book, Right Seats, Right People: A Leader's Guide to Hiring and Developing Top Performers: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Seats-People-Developing-Performers/dp/1642256404 Learn more about Titus Talent Strategies: https://www.titustalent.com/