Up Next @ Work

CEO of Socrates, Randy Womack, helps us understand ChatGPT in the context of generative AI and precise AI. Two separate concepts that tend to be erroneously combined, the differences between generative and precise AI should have all of us thinking about how these tools should be used and in which circumstances. Randy shares how ChatGPT’s well written content will influence many aspects of our lives, including the potential to replace the employment handbook (albeit under a consortium model.) Time with Randy makes all of us smarter. Thanks for listening and liking this episode of #TheWork.

When it comes to HR technology, Thomas Otter has seen it all. He joined Acadian Ventures from his own advisory firm in March 2022 as a General Partner, advising early-stage technology companies building the future of work. Before that, he led the product management organization at SAP SuccessFactors, Earlier in his career, he was a research vice president at Gartner, responsible for proprietary research in HR and HR technology. He earned a PhD from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, where he explored the relationship between enterprise software and compliance. In this episode of #TheWork, he tells us about his firm's investments in pay transparency, nudging technology, a skills engine solutions provider and a copyright infringement vendor. The last one led to a fun-filled discussion about ChatGPT, on which Thomas encourages us to slow our roll because - after all - weren't we all excited about blockchain just a few short years ago? Thanks for following #TheWork.

We kick off the new year with a repeat visit from one of our most popular guests: Meg Bear, President & Chief Product Officer of SAP SuccessFactors. Meg accepted our challenge to discuss ChatGPT - what it means now and what possibilities it holds for the future of work. Her take on how it can be used was refreshing and goes beyond the obvious such as writing marketing content and cover letters. Please listen in and be sure to share your feedback about this episode of #TheWork.

George LaRocque holds a special place at the intersection of HR tech funding, M&A, and what's best for customers. In this episode of #TheWork, George muses over how the world is now moving faster than the technology that supports it. We discuss the moniker "Talent Intelligence" and what that means to customers. John questions if we’re still just conquering what hasn't worked before instead of innovating. We also turn our attention to lower birth rates, the scarcity of qualified talent, and what workflows can be automated when the people to fill jobs simply aren’t available. John calls balderdash when it comes to labor shortages and argues the issue is making work accessible instead. Thanks for listening to #TheWork.

Why are we making it so difficult to hire? Why are employers expecting candidates to share details of every position ever held and how it ended? Why aren’t hiring managers required to tell candidates how many people they’ve hired in the last five years and where they are now? Restricting information to what can improve decision-making is a big fail for companies in the U.S. says Gerry Crispin, the indisputable kingpin of talent acquisition expertise. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Gerry upon his return from Burning Man to discuss the current state of recruiting and what TA leaders need to do to improve hiring outcomes.

In one of our favorite episodes ever, Ben Waber gives us new ways of thinking by dispelling people decision assumptions and myths. He explores probability and the role of chance, acknowledging how uncertain we are about being certain. If you're responsible for making business decisions - for yourself, your team, your customers and your organization - you'll want to listen to this MIT course in how to use data, creatively.

Quiet quitting. The Great Resignation. Low employee engagement. It seems like every headline illuminates how unhappy workers are and what that means to business outcomes. In this episode of #TheWork, Tracey Parsons calls BS. She says we know what employees want and have known for decades. Giving them what they want seems to be the elusive change that employers struggle with and that's why turnover rates remain high. We learned so much from Tracey about creating career opportunities through internal mobility programs. And you will too.

Stacey Harris is the keynote speaker on Thursday, September 15 at this year's HR Tech Conference. Why is this so important? Because Stacey conducts the industry's most important buyer decision-making research, which is based on 25+ years of survey data. Stacey observes that HR professionals are stretched to the limit, John jumps in with tough questions about ethics and Jeanne reminds all of us about the importance of boundaries.

Cecile Alper-Leroux is GVP of Research and Innovation at UKG. Since 2010, she has focused on fostering a culture of innovation, resulting in the delivery of advanced, people-centric technology solutions and services. Cecile is an economic anthropologist and best-selling author of "From Dissonance to Resonance, Bringing your People and Organization into Sync." In this episode of #TheWork, she questions why the trauma created by working through COVID times hasn't been addressed by many employers and the damage being created by organizations pushing tone-deaf agendas like it's still 2019.

Matt Charney is a legend in the #HRTech category. Known for his ability to see the truth quickly (and call it out), John says Matt is one of the smartest people he knows and Jeanne thinks Matt is a polymath. At HR.com, Matt gets the opportunity to truly shine. In this episode of #TheWork, he talks about HR.com's global community, advisory boards and deep research offerings. Matt also takes us into the nitty-gritty of talent acquisition including the impact of dated technology and bad processes.