Nine To Thrive HR

In this episode of the Nine to Thrive HR podcast, host Cindi Koetzle welcomes guests Diana Ralston, Executive Director of Can’d Aid and Bailey Saunders, Community Outreach Manager of the Journeys Group. They discuss how Can'd Aid, a national nonprofit, partners with organizations like Journeys to facilitate various volunteer initiatives that allow employees to give back to their communities in different ways. The podcast highlights the impact of these initiatives on employees, the communities they serve, and the connection between corporate values and volunteerism. They also emphasize the importance of employees witnessing the immediate impact of their efforts. The episode showcases how corporate partnerships with organizations like Can'd Aid can make a significant difference and foster a culture of giving back.

In this episode of the "Nine to Thrive HR" podcast, host Cindi Koetzle teams up with Gianna Ricciardi, co-founder and practice leader at Vita Assure, a Canadian brokerage firm specializing in employee benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises. They discuss strategies for improving the utilization of employee benefits within organizations. Gianna emphasizes the importance of effective communication and engagement when it comes to employee benefits. She shares insights on creating comprehensive communication plans, utilizing various communication styles, and tailoring content to fit employees' needs. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape of employee benefits, focusing on wellness and mental health initiatives, and the role of technology in benefit delivery. Throughout the discussion, the importance of feedback collection and continuous improvement is highlighted as an essential aspect of benefit communication and utilization.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, we are joined by change management expert Cyriel Kortleven, known as "The Simplifier." We explore the connection between creativity and change, discussing how every day is filled with opportunities for innovation. Cyriel introduces the concept of "Yes and act," urging listeners to suspend judgment, approach challenges from different perspectives, and take small nano actions. He shares practical tools like the "three-minute rule" to encourage open-minded brainstorming. The conversation highlights how HR professionals can facilitate change by infusing creativity into meetings, embracing diverse viewpoints, and fostering a culture of experimentation. Subscribe to Cyriel’s newsletter on his LinkedIn page: https://linkedin.com/in/cyrielkortleven/

In this episode we meet up with Meg Shea from New York Life Group Benefit Solutions (NYLGBS) to discuss the importance of mental health in the workplace. The podcast highlights the impact of mental health caregiving on work productivity and reveals that almost half of employed adults surveyed have helped a loved one cope with a mental health challenge in the past year. Furthermore, 80% of surveyed workers reported that assisting a loved one impacted their own mental health. By prioritizing mental well-being, employers can enhance employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall well-being, ultimately leading to a more productive and satisfied workforce. A must listen as Meg shares valuable insights from the recently released research by NYLGBS.

Link to research: https://www.newyorklife.com/assets/gbs/pdf/Caregivers-And-Mental-Health.pdf?

Pragya Gupta, Chief Product Officer at isolved, talks about the significance of HR data and people analytics. Gupta highlights the growing recognition among business leaders on the power of people data in understanding workforce readiness, engagement, DEI&B efforts and much more. Teeing up an isolved people hero (customer) story, we are encouraged to be mindful of “the next best step” in HR solutions and to look for the ROI to the larger people organization. All in all, Gupta reminds us to look for the people data story to make informed decisions and drive business strategy.

This podcast explores VF Corporation's proactive approach to promoting diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Lauren Guthrie, VP of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion showcases the VF commitment to creating a world that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible across race, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation and culture. VF’s intentional focus on action is witnessed through use of apprenticeships, mentorships and learning opportunities leading to growth. Listen in as Guthrie provides a glimpse into VF’s own inspiring initiatives "Powering Potential" and "Diversity by Design."

In this conversation, Lina Tonk, the CMO of isolved, discusses the importance of cultivating relationship with customers, an opportunity enhanced through experiences with isolved's customer roadshows. Lina emphasizes the transformative power of listening to customers and using their feedback to drive internal brand development. Lina's journey within isolved reflects her dedication to serving both employees and customers, and she emphasizes the significance of purpose, learning and authenticity in her role. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of customer-centricity, employee culture, and the continuous evolution of a brand.

In this episode of Nine To Thrive HR, Phoebe Anderson, the Executive Director of ATLAS Fellows, shares the program's thoughtful approach to developing the next generation of leaders in finance through internships. She emphasizes the importance of providing exposure and opportunities for talent from under-resourced communities, beyond just a pathway to full-time employment. Anderson shares the success story of Sandra, a first-generation Mexican immigrant who credits ATLAS Fellows for helping her find her professional passion and prepare for her future career. Listeners will gain insights into the value of internships and how ATLAS Fellows is making a difference in empowering young talent for career success.

“We all have experiential intelligence. It's kind of like our own unique internal fingerprint, because we all have different experiences.” In this podcast, Soren Kaplan and I explore Robert Sternberg’s (former President of American Psychological Association) experiential intelligence (XQ) as an often overlooked form of people intelligence. Soren boils the concept down for us with a simple, understandable and relatable example of learning to ride a bike. From there, he continues to share poignant illustrations of XQ as it relates to elevating/leveraging individual strengths, best practices, recruiting and developing people. Add XQ to your vocabulary and listen in today!

Soren Kaplan, Author, EXPERIENTIAL INTELLIGENCE: Harness the Power of Experience for Personal and Business Breakthroughs

Joelle LaGuerre, Founder, PRO-YOU and HCI Sr. Faculty says it best when she states “fixed mindset is a prove yourself mindset and growth mindset is an improve yourself mindset”. In this episode, we explore the concept of Dr. David Rock’s growth mindset and its value to the workplace. Valuing a growth mindset encourages failing, innovation, Dan Pink’s concept of “non-commissioned work” and providing critical feedback. Throughout the conversation, Joelle also shares some of the obstacle's organizations may experience while building a learning culture built on a growth mindset.