HR Interviews Playlist

In this episode, join us as we sit down with Debbie Tang and Ryan Whitacre from Bridge Partners, a leading executive search firm focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Debbie, a former lawyer from DC, and Ryan, adopted from Seoul and raised in Flint, Michigan, share their unique journeys into executive search and their passion for DEI.

We delve into why DEI is a cornerstone at Bridge Partners, tracing its roots back to the early 2000s when multiculturalism was at the forefront. Our guests discuss a recent survey they conducted on DEI initiatives in corporate America, revealing that 80% of respondents consider DEI important, with it ranking as the top priority among non-core business initiatives.

The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Chief Diversity Officers, who often have the shortest tenure in the C-suite due to a lack of support and resources within companies. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of DEI in organizations and the future of leadership diversity.

Talent Acquisition stands on the edge of revolution, with AI tools promising to make recruiting faster and more effective. But will it make hiring fairer? Recruiting and HR are already a key focus for governments as they develop legislation for AI, and employers are already at risk of breaking existing laws if they use AI tools that discriminate against protected groups of people.

My guest this week is Commissioner Keith Sonderling of the EEOC. In our conversation, we talk about the benefits and risks of using AI in hiring, what employers need to know to ensure compliance with existing laws, and the new regulations many countries will implement shortly.

In the interview, we discuss:

• Background context of The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

• Bridging the gap between policy-making and HR practice

• What advantages does AI bring to talent acquisition?

• The potential for technology to make clearer, more transparent hiring decisions than humans

• The dangers AI poses if incorrectly implemented

• How AI is used in hiring already falls under existing employer equality legislation.

• Who is liable, the employer or the AI vendor?

• The EU AI Act and New York City Law 144

• Are there common themes in new AI legislation being developed around the world?

• Reskilling, upskilling and changing dynamics in the workforce

• What does the future look like?

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Many employers regularly offer internships, but the role of these internships in long-term hiring strategies can be pretty tenuous. So what happens when a company puts internships at the centre of its hiring strategy and proactively leverages this to build long-term pipelines of valuable talent?

My guest this week is Leah Bourdon, Vice President of Talent at staffing and consulting firm ALKU. For several years, ALKU has made internships the heart of its resourcing strategy. In our conversation, Leah shares precisely how they do this and the considerable benefits and value it drives.

In the interview, we discuss:

• The market for recruiting recruiters

• Having a unique focus on entry-level talent

• The employer brand of a career in recruiting

• Training interns during the school year

• Faster ramp-ups and higher retention rates

• Talent spotting

• How are the skills needed to be a recruiter changing

• Training interns in the same way as full-time employees

• How will recruiting change over the next five years

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In this episode of Talent Acquisition Week 2024, Liz Owens, the Talent Acquisition Manager at West Coast Fitness, joins Chad & Cheese for a laid-back therapy session. Liz delves into the intricacies of hiring for a renowned brand within the profitable fitness sector, discusses the challenges of collaborating with HR technology providers, and educates Joel on why the phrase "Fitness pizza in my mouth" isn't an accurate application of the word 'fitness' in the workplace.

Round up is the monthly show on The Recruiting Future Podcast channel that highlights episodes you may have missed and gives you my take on some of the key learnings from the guests.

Episodes mentioned in this Round Up:

Ep 597: Talent Acquisition Excellence

Ep 598: Building Exec Search In House

Ep 599: Data Sophistication

Ep 600: Did We Predict The Future?

Ep 601: Quiet Hiring

Ep 602: The Skills Mismatch In Hiring

Ep 603: Talent Lessons From Elite Sport

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In this riveting episode of HR's most dangerous podcast, Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman take the stage at Transform in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside a distinguished panel of HR leaders. Carolyn Frey from Hungry Root, Jessica Swank from Box, and Joey Lee from Panda share their unfiltered insights on a broad range of pressing HR topics. From leveraging AI in talent acquisition and management to navigating the complexities of remote work, this episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions. The panelists delve into how their organizations are pushing the envelope in HR technology, addressing talent shortages, and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in today's evolving workplace. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that punches the recruiting industry right where it hurts, all while offering loads of snark and invaluable perspectives on HR's future.

Companies can learn a massive amount from elite sports in terms of spotting and nurturing the talent required to build highly effective teams. Having an adaptable, flexible, and self-aware mindset is critical in these disruptive times, and professional sports have coaching models that can help leaders develop this mindset in their teams.

I was lucky enough to speak to former England Cricket Captain Sir Andrew Strauss at the recent Transform conference in Las Vegas. After his playing career finished, Andrew ran elite cricket in the UK for four years. He is now the co-founder of Mindflick, a high-performance coaching business that uses psychology and technology to make the lessons from elite sports accessible to companies.

In the interview, we discuss:

• What can elite sports teach business about leadership?

• Learning how to be adaptable in dynamic environments

• The importance of self-awareness

• Understanding how teams react under pressure

• What makes top talent

• Understanding and accepting weaknesses 

• The role of technology

• Getting buy-in and building an emotional connection with a group vision

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Paying employees as soon as they clock out of a grueling day of work seems like science fiction, but it shouldn't. That's why we invited Nico Simko, founder & CEO at Clair, a company who helps employees get paid as soon as possible to the podcast. Nico's also a Forbes 30 Under 30 and a Harvard grad. Founded 2019, they've raised $194.6M, and have 80 employees. But while it's as common sense idea, it's not without its detractors, including those who claim businesses like his are just a payday loan scam preying on the poor and desperate. So, an invaluable tool to improve retention and solve the problem of absenteeism, or the devil? You decide.

Strap in for Talent Chasing, the podcast that throws you into the twisted maze of finding top-notch talent while shamelessly flaunting its sports-meets-business swagger.

Brought to you by a trifecta of hosts including MLB baseball’s big shot, Brian Johnson, a workforce wizard, Chad Sowash, and a no-nonsense storyteller, Jasper Spanjaart, this show serves up a winning combination of Major League sports glam and corporate ruthlessness. Expect an all-access pass to the cutthroat world of scouting and corporate talent, where the game isn't just about numbers—it's about wrangling those elusive MVPs for your team.

Get ready to dive deep into the psyche of the talent game as our Jasper, Chad, and Brian dissect the delicate balance between gut instincts and data-driven decisions. With high-stakes anecdotes, real-life stories and insider insights, Talent Chasing will make you question everything you thought you knew about talent acquisition. So tune in, because the war between old-school scouting and high-tech analytics is about to get a whole lot louder.

Skills-based hiring is a hot topic as many employers seek to better understand the skills they need in their businesses both now and in the future. With the shelf life of hard skills shortening by the day, companies need to bridge the gap between talent acquisition and talent management to ensure that they are hiring for the skills that actually drive value for the business.

My guest this week is Jason Putnam, CRO at Plum. Jason has tremendous experience in the industry and is continually talking to senior corporate leaders about their skills strategies. He has some interesting and unique insights to share, and this is a must-listen for everyone trying to make sense of skills-based hiring.

In the interview, we discuss:

• The current market challenges

• Are companies prioritizing talent management over talent acquisition?

• How is the relationship between the talent management and talent acquisition function evolving?

• The shortening shelf life of hard skills and the importance of soft skills

• The mismatch between the skills employers hire for and the skills they actually value in their organizations

• Skills and productivity

• Are mapping skills within the organization necessary or even possible?

• How job seekers' use of AI will change talent acquisition.

• What does the future look like

Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts.