In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks interviews Marcus Thorpe, Global Head of Talent Acquisition (TA) at ThoughtWorks, during the Starcircle Supernova Conference in Cork, Ireland. Marcus shares his experiences and strategies for scaling TA functions across 20 countries, centralizing recruiting processes, and leveraging data to make informed hiring decisions. Key topics include the importance of calibration, data-driven decisions, and building a cohesive global TA strategy. Marcus also provides actionable advice for TA leaders facing similar challenges in alignment and data utilization.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:03 Overview of the Conference 
00:57 Conversation with Marcus Stuart Begins
01:17 Marcus Thorpe's Background at Google and other companies
01:50 Challenges and Strategies in Talent Acquisition
04:05 Centralization of Talent Acquisition
05:15 Importance of Data in Talent Acquisition
08:32 Advice for Talent Acquisition Leaders
16:54 Connecting with Marcus Thorpe

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In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks discusses with Jessica Teitjen about her journey from law to executive leadership in HR and IT. Jessica shares her personal experience of burnout and her subsequent deep dive into the neuroscience of human performance. They explore the disconnect between current workplace practices and positive human outcomes, emphasizing the need for practices that balance both business and human results. Jessica outlines practical steps for HR professionals to align and optimize the nervous system for better performance, advocating for balanced breathing and a holistic approach to integrating creativity, compassion, and courage in the workplace.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:28 Jessica's Career Journey
01:26 The Disconnect in Work Design
04:02 Impact of Performance Reviews
06:56 Human Body and Workplace Stress
10:09 Aligning Neural Networks for Better Performance
13:32 Practical Tips for HR Leaders
16:53 Connecting with Jessica
17:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of 'We Are Only Human,' host Ben Eubanks is joined by Amy Mosher, Chief People Officer at isolved. They discuss the crucial elements of building a company culture where employees are eager to join and reluctant to leave. Amy shares insights from her experience transforming isolved's culture, emphasizing high trust, transparency, and a focus on diversity and inclusion. The conversation also covers practical advice for HR leaders on driving business success through culture and excellent leadership. Ben and Amy share laughs and personal stories, making for an engaging and insightful discussion.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:05 Meet Amy Mosher from isolved
00:31 Exciting Plans and Personal Stories
01:07 HR Summer School Replay
02:10 Creating a Workplace People Love
02:35 Building a Strong Company Culture
04:16 Challenges and Strategies in HR
09:16 Transforming Established Companies
17:05 Encouragement for HR Leaders

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In this engaging episode of 'We Are Only Human', host Ben welcomes Paul Norman, a seasoned TA leader and consultant. Paul shares his extensive experiences in talent acquisition across diverse industries like financial services, technology, and healthcare. The discussion covers TA strategy, aligning recruitment with business goals, user experience in recruiting, and building credibility with hiring managers. Paul also emphasizes the importance of listening, contracting during intake meetings, and simplifying the hiring process to be successful at scale. Tune in for practical tips on enhancing your talent acquisition function.

Key moments
00:41 Paul Norman's Career Journey
02:00 Challenges and Success in Talent Acquisition
03:50 Aligning TA with Business Goals
06:51 Strategies for High Volume Hiring
13:57 Improving Candidate and Hiring Manager Experience
19:37 Building Credibility and Effective Processes
31:34 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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In this episode of 'We're Only Human,' host Ben Eubanks converses with James Galvin, founder of Starcircle. They discuss key aspects of talent acquisition, including being data-driven, understanding market dynamics, and achieving internal alignment within organizations. James introduces Starcircle’s 12-component Hiring Friction Model, which addresses various elements such as demand alignment, candidate experience, and technology enablement. The discussion emphasizes proactive planning and continuous improvement in hiring practices to meet business objectives successfully.

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Rebroadcast note: For the first time in We're Only Human's 8-year history, we're rebroadcasting some of our most popular episodes to share them with new listeners. That means sometimes the speakers will have moved to a new company in the interim, but the lessons they shared are still relevant, topical, and valuable. Enjoy!

In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben Eubanks talks with Kristi Jones, a former Talent Acquisition leader at H&R Block, about their innovative approaches to seasonal recruitment and workforce planning. Kristi shares insights on building strong hiring manager relationships, the transition from recruiter to manager, and the importance of data and metrics in talent acquisition. She also discusses how H&R Block uses technology, including AI tools, to improve recruiting processes and stay ahead of industry trends. The conversation explores the challenges of high-volume recruitment, the importance of strategic planning, and the need for transparency and collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers.

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This episode of We're Only Human features a keynote panel discussion with Ben Eubanks, Broc Edwards, and Dana Ullom-Vucelich. The panel focuses on the importance of creating cultures centered around giving, seeking, and receiving feedback regularly. The discussion highlights how performance reviews should be routine and uneventful if feedback has been consistently shared throughout the year. The episode stresses the need for regular communication to avoid the pitfalls of ineffective performance reviews.

Speakers:
1. Ben Eubanks

2.  Broc Edwards, Director of Learning and Leadership at Baylor University
3. Dana Ullom Vucelich, CHRO of Ohio Living

Three Takeaways:
1. Establishing a culture of regular feedback is crucial for effective communication and growth.
2. Performance reviews should merely encapsulate ongoing discussions, making them less daunting.
3. Regular feedback prevents performance reviews from becoming painful experiences.

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In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben talks with Alli Ford, VP of HR at Assembly Software, about how they have created an off-the-charts employee NPS (eNPS) score. The discussion emphasizes the necessity for HR leaders to understand and articulate the strategy of their company. Alli underscores that knowing why the company exists, its history, and future direction is essential for success in an HR role. The episode provides several takeaways: 

First, HR leaders should have a deep understanding of the company's mission and vision. 

Second, they must be able to communicate the strategic goals clearly and effectively. 

Third, aligning HR practices with the company's overarching strategy is crucial for fostering a cohesive and productive work environment.

This episode is a replay from HR Summer School 2024. 

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In this episode of "We're Only Human," host Ben Eubanks welcomes Christopher Lind to discuss the impact of AI on jobs, skills development, and the future of work. They delve into topics such as the replacement of employees by AI at Klarna, the need to rethink skills development in the age of AI, and the importance of blending human expertise with AI capabilities. The discussion offers a deep dive into how organizations can better prepare their workforce for the evolving landscape while highlighting the roles that both human skills and AI play in this transition.

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In this episode of We're Only Human, host Ben Eubanks talks with Marjorie Williamson, the leader of Global Total Rewards and HR Operations at RTI International. They discuss the importance of connecting people strategy with business strategy, focusing on RTI's ambitious North Star goal to positively impact over 1 billion people by 2030. The conversation covers topics like the development of a holistic people strategy, creating a culture and organizational health dashboard, and using total reward surveys to inform compensation strategies. Marjorie also shares insights on leadership involvement, the importance of flexibility, and the challenges and progress in implementing these strategies at RTI.

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