Nine To Thrive HR

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle interviews Kevin Ring, COO and lead workers' compensation analyst at the Institute of WorkComp Professionals. The discussion centers on strategies for developing effective workers' compensation (WC) programs and the critical role of human resources (HR) in fostering a culture of safety and employee well-being. Ring emphasizes the importance of proactive education, clear communication, and integrating safety culture into broader workplace values. He also outlines best practices, including conditional hiring protocols and post-offer medical evaluations, to mitigate risks and enhance program success. The conversation highlights how HR practitioners can align WC strategies with organizational goals, ultimately improving employee engagement, safety, and profitability.

More information from Kevin Ring:

IWCP's primary website is WorkCompProfessionals.com and the site for the program we've built specifically for employers is at LockedAndLoadedTraining.com.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle speaks with retired Lt. Col. Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, founder of Vanguard Veteran LLC. This episode is a guide for HR leaders seeking to build inclusive environments that champion veteran talent, strengthening both the workforce and community. Kathy shares her mission to help civilian employers recognize the value of veterans’ unique skill sets, including adaptability, leadership, and teamwork. She outlines strategies to attract and retain veteran talent, from robust onboarding and mentoring to establishing veteran Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Kathy also dispels common myths about veterans in the workplace, emphasizing that veteran employees can greatly enhance organizational culture when properly supported.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle interviews Dr. Mohamed Lazzouni, Chief Technology Officer at Aware, about the integration of biometric technology in HR practices. Dr. Lazzouni provides an accessible breakdown of biometrics, addressing both its applications and ethical considerations, such as consent and privacy. He discusses how biometric data like facial and voice recognition can enhance security and streamline processes like identity verification, onboarding, and credentialing in remote work environments. Emphasizing the technology’s accessibility and affordability, Dr. Lazzouni highlights the potential for companies, even smaller or evolving HR departments, to adopt these tools for operational efficiency and to foster employee trust and data security. The conversation wraps up with practical insights on how companies can implement these biometric solutions with ease, thus enhancing security, operational speed, and employee retention.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle interviews Carol Bowser, a workplace conflict expert and former employment lawyer, to discuss the persistent issue of conflict in the workplace. They explore how conflict often stems from unmet expectations and differences in communication styles, exacerbated by generational shifts and workforce turnover. Bowser emphasizes the importance of addressing conflict through clear communication, fostering trust and respect, and developing conflict resolution skills as core workplace competencies.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle engages in an insightful conversation with Jenny Cotie Kangas, Director of Talent Centered Transformation at Eightfold AI. Jenny shares her expertise in HR technology, focusing on the evolution of work and the need for organizations to adopt a skills-based approach to talent management. We cite projections from the World Economic Forum about the need to reskill 375 million people by 2025 and the priority this raises for organizations to fulfill this need. Jenny emphasizes that the traditional systems of record, like applicant tracking systems, are static and unable to keep pace with the dynamic nature of human skills. She advocates for the implementation of systems of intelligence to enhance agility and address skills gaps. The episode highlights the critical need for organizations to evolve their talent practices and invest in adaptive HR technologies that can support continuous learning and diversity. The discussion concludes with a call to action for HR professionals to embrace change and lead the transformation needed to prepare for the future of work.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle welcomes Robert Jordan, Co-Founder and Head of Leadership at InterimExecs, and Author of "Right Leader, Right Time." Robert shares his journey from launching the world's first magazine on "online access" to leading a global matchmaker organization for interim executives. He delves into the importance of understanding leadership styles, emphasizing the four distinct types: Fixer, Artist, Builder, and Strategist. He explains how recognizing and embracing one's leadership style can lead to a more personally fulfilling/successful career and improved team dynamics. As an unexpected add, the conversation touches on the role of AI and unblocking creative potential and enhancing productivity.

In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle welcomes back Celia Fleischaker, Chief Marketing Officer at isolved, to discuss the landscape of employee experience as a kryptonite for employee burnout. The discussion delves into the generational shift in workplace expectations, the importance of personalized employee experiences, and the role of leadership in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation also explores the connection between employee and customer experience, emphasizing the significance of an organization's culture in aligning with its external brand. With nearly a year of insight, Celia reinforces the company's commitment to living its values internally and leveraging HR technology to enhance the employee journey.

In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle welcomes Tricia Binder, co-founder and president of the global art activation agency, Muros. The conversation delves into Tricia's journey from working in consumer-packaged goods to founding Muros, highlighting her passion for workplace dynamics and diversity of thought. Tricia discusses how her experiences with workplace cultures inspired her to create an inclusive and engaging work environment at Muros. She emphasizes the importance of slowing down to maintain quality, foster a positive workplace, and avoid long-term negative impacts. As a unique listening bonus, Tricia also shares insights on how Muros connects brands with artists to create meaningful community connections through art, while also providing artists with a platform to showcase their work. This episode underscores the value of intentionality in building a positive workplace culture and the benefits of taking time to reflect and reset in a fast-paced environment.

In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle engages with Opal Wagnac, Senior VP of Market and Product Strategy at isolved, to discuss the integration of AI in HR practices. A compelling story begins our conversation reaching back to Opal's early journey in the tech industry and her pioneering focus on a retention predictor back in 2012. Opal advocates for the adoption of AI in HR, illustrating how it will enhance efficiency and decision-making. With practical guidance, she encourages HR professionals to leverage AI to focus on tasks that require humanized thinking, while machines handle data processing and consistency. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of AI in the workplace, advocates for a strategy-led integration of technology, and awareness of “Jetson” level employee expectations.

In this episode of "Nine to Thrive HR," host Cindi Koetzle explores the power of professional branding with guest Chellie Phillips, owner of Successfully Ever After. Chellie shares her transformative career journey, highlighting the importance of personal branding, especially after experiencing a career-changing event. She offers practical tips for HR professionals to support employees in developing their personal brands, ultimately benefiting the entire company. Chellie drills into strategies for building a strong professional brand for personal career growth and the link to organizational engagement and retention. Join us for an inspiring conversation about turning challenges into opportunities and the lasting impact of effective personal branding.