HRchat Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Leading DEI at Hootsuite with Tara Ataya Oct 12, 2023

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The guest this time is Tara Ataya, Chief People & Diversity Officer at Hootsuite.
Tara joined Hootsuite in 2020 as VP People, and was announced as Hootsuite’s first Chief People and Diversity Officer later the same year.
Tara leads Hootsuite’s employee experience and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives across the organization globally. Tara has more than 15 years of experience working in all aspects of Human resources in SaaS, technology and services companies.
Questions for Tara include:

Can you describe a specific initiative or program you've implemented at Hootsuite to foster a sense of belonging among employees? What were the key components of its success, and what challenges did you encounter along the way?
Is the rise of AI good or bad for DEI?
In a diverse workforce, individuals may come from various backgrounds, cultures, and identities. How do you ensure that your initiatives address the unique needs and perspectives of all employees, and how do you measure their impact on different groups within the organization?
Creating a culture of inclusion and belonging involves both top-down leadership and grassroots efforts. How do you collaborate with senior leadership to integrate diversity and inclusion principles into the overall organizational strategy, while also empowering employees at all levels to contribute to a more inclusive workplace? How do you prove it out?
Based on your experience and successes, what actionable advice would you give to organizations that are just starting or looking to improve their initiatives for fostering a sense of belonging? Are there any best practices or pitfalls to avoid that you could share?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.
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HR Technology Conference and OrgDev 2023 Oct 10, 2023

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In this special episode of the HRchat podcast, Chris Bjorling and Bill Banham briefly look ahead to the OrgDev Conference by ATD and HR Technology Conference in sunny Las Vegas.
No matter where you are on your HR technology journey and no matter your role as an HR professional, HR Systems leader, IT professional, investor, entrepreneur, project manager, or other HR technology stakeholder, there are possibly not many better ways to get up to speed on the industry and gain clarity to enhance your HR tech strategy roadmap than by attending HR Tech 2023! The event kicks off today and promises to be lots of fun.
The OrgDev Conference, produced by the awesome Mallory Flynn and ATD team starts later this week and will offer strategies and guidelines for organization development programs with award-winning OD insights and practitioners. Attendees can learn from leading experts in the areas of change management, coaching and mentoring, culture, DEI, employee experience and engagement, leadership and employee development, mental wellness in the workplace, and onboarding and retention.
We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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Opportunities in Guyana with Rita Sookrit, Pritipaul Singh and Dr. Vishnu Oct 09, 2023

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In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham talks with Pritipaul Singh, the entrepreneur behind Guyana Port Inc. (GPI), Dr. Vishnu, founder of ActionINVEST (ACI), and Rita Sookrit, the Canada Learning Lead at Hemsley Fraser. Their insights shed light on the dynamic landscape of business and learning in Guyana.
This episode illuminates the diverse strategies and collaborations shaping Guyana's business landscape. Pritipaul Singh's entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Vishnu's community-driven approach, and Rita Sookrit's market insights exemplify the innovation and collaboration driving Guyana's future.
Pritipaul Singh: Setting Sail for Success
Pritipaul Singh, the driving force behind GPI, shared his ambitious plans for the future. Singh discusse marine solutions in Guyan; particularly dry docking and management. His passion for this field has steered GPI's unique direction. As one of the youngest entrepreneurs in Guyana, Singh highlighted the obstacles he overcame, showcasing his resilience and determination. When asked about his choice of learning partner, he expressed his confidence in Hemsley Fraser, emphasizing the strategic alliance they share.
Dr. Vishnu: Charting a Course for Development
Dr. Vishnu, the brains behind ACI, provided insights into their initiative, ActionINVEST. He discussed the impact of the oil & gas discovery on ACI and Guyana's economy. As a community leader and board member, Dr. Vishnu shared his predictions for the future of learning & development in Guyana, painting a promising picture. Additionally, he explained his pivotal role in connecting Guyana Port with Hemsley Fraser, underscoring the importance of collaboration in the business world.
Rita Sookrit: Unraveling Market Surprises
Rita Sookrit, representing Hemsley Fraser, offered intriguing perspectives on the Guyana market. She discussed the surprises they encountered and Hemsley Fraser's vision for the Guyana market. Sookrit also shared her positive experience working alongside GPI, highlighting the synergy between their organizations.

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Leading with Vulnerability with Jacob Morgan Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

The returning guest today is Jacob Morgan, Keynote & TED Speaker, Futurist, and Host of the Great Leadership Podcast.
Jacob is a multi-best-selling author. His latest book is called Leading with Vulnerability: Unlock Your Greatest Superpower to Transform Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization. And we'll be delving into some of the points from the book in today's show.
Questions for Jacob include:

You have a very well-recognized personal brand. Can you share some of your top tips for others out there looking to develop and better project their personal brands?
Let's now focus on some issues raised in your new book, designed to show readers why it’s so crucial to lead with vulnerability and how to do it well:
- What makes leaders feel most vulnerable at work and why?
- What keeps leaders from being vulnerable at work and how can they overcome it?
- Offer up 5 vulnerable leader superheroes. Tell us more.
- You speak in the book about an ROI attached to leading with vulnerability. Tell me more.
- You also talk about ways to climb the “vulnerability mountain”. What do you mean by this?
- How can we learn more about you and get a copy of your new book?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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Compliance and Employment Law Tips with Eric De Wames, IEA Training Oct 04, 2023

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Our guest this time is Eric De Wames, consultant, guest lecturer at IEA Training, and Managing Partner at Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP.
An engaging speaker, Eric conducts seminars across California to assist employers in navigating the state's rigorous, ever-evolving compliance regulations, always with an emphasis on preventing litigation.
Eric is a published contributing author for Forbes and he co-authored MS&A’s e-book, “Navigating COVID-19: A Legal Guide for California Employers.”
Questions for Eric include:

As part of your role at Michael Sullivan & Associates, you conduct seminars across California to assist employers in navigating the state's rigorous, ever-evolving compliance regulations, always with an emphasis on preventing litigation. From the conversations you've had, what have been some of the biggest challenges faced by employers in the past 12 months?
You are also an employment law expert consultant with IEA Training, an organization dedicated to providing HR, risk managers, and insurance carriers education on disability management and other employment-related compliance mandates. Tell us about your role there.
IEA Training has been a trusted partner to California's workers' compensation system and to absence management professionals across the US for 140 years! The acquisition by Michael Sullivan & Associates LLP in 2020 marked a new chapter in IEA's story. Tell us about the fit between IEA and Michael Sullivan & Associates.
You advise on IEA's course materials. How will generative AI impact the creation of course content in the coming years?
How can absence and disability management courses help users to better understand workplace wellness and gain essential skills for managing absences and disabilities effectively?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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UK Police Culture with Kul Mahay Oct 02, 2023

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Culture in the police force, from top to bottom, is back in the headlines.
In the past week, police officers have been accused of mishandling body-worn video in more than 150 incidents, including switching off cameras and sharing footage on WhatsApp.
We've also seen more than 100 officers hand in permits allowing them to carry guns on duty after a colleague was charged with the murder of Chris Kaba.
Talk even turned to putting the UK army on standby.
In this episode, we talk about the perceptions and realities of the culture within the UK police force, as well as exploring strategies for leading with greater emotional awareness.
Joining us on the pod this time is Kul Mahay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Ignite Your Inner Potential. Kul is the former Chief Superintendent of the Derbyshire Constabulary and he's a big proponent of creating human-centered cultures.
Listen as Kul makes the case to leaders to put people-first strategies in place and prevent scenarios where toxic individuals can poison the culture of an organization.
Kul is also a speaker at the inaugural DisruptHR Birmingham summit happening on October 19.
The inaugural DisruptHR Birmingham summit is an information exchange designed to energise, inform and empower executives, business leaders and people in HR.
Folks will come together at Halton Turner Brewery on October 19 for an evening of inspiring speakers and networking.
Questions for Kul include:

You're speaking at Disrupt Birmingham. Tell us about your session and some of the hoped-for learning outcomes
What do you believe is the most important leadership skill set right now?
What needs to change in the police force to counter the toxic culture we're hearing so much about in the UK news at the moment? How systemic is the reported toxicity? In your opinion is it, actually, not as severe as we're hearing?
Is there ever any excuse for police officers to turn off their body cameras?

More about Kul Mahay
Kul served for 32 years in the UK police service, of which two-thirds were spent at the leadership level. In his life as a police leader, he oversaw complex and varied departments and commanded critical and major operational scenarios.
He is regularly called upon to comment on issues around organizational culture and embedding emotional intelligence into organizational practices. Kul has been coaching leaders for over 20 years and works with a global client base. Using his deep knowledge of Emotional Intelligence, Kul has worked with police forces, universities, fire services, and the oil industry in the UK, UAE, Qatar, India, and Ukraine to help develop empowered cultures. His passion for leadership is evident in everything that he does. His personal coaching client base has spanned the globe.
We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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Previewing the Ethical Leader of the Year Award 2024 with Brian Peckrill Sep 28, 2023

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In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill welcomes Brian Peckrill back to the show. Brian is the Interim Executive Director of the McGowan Fund Fellows Program.
In the build-up to the third annual Ethical Leader of the Year Award, Brian and Bill catch up and talk about the 2024 edition and the involvement of SHRM's Johnny C. Taylor.
Questions for Brian include:

Can you reflect on the success of the Ethical Leader of the Year Award so far? What are the commonalities between each year's recipients?
How important was teaming up with SHRM to co-host the accolade?
How do the principles of ethical leadership championed by William McGowan apply to the 2023-era world of work?
Can we talk a little bit about 'experiential education' and how that programmatic distinction has evolved at the Fund?
You're shortly holding your annual Symposium - What is the run of the show and the goals?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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Communicating the Power of Employee Benefits with Ben Hale, Brite Sep 26, 2023

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In this HRchat episode, we take a look at ways to better communicate benefits to employees so they are engaged and more likely to stick around.
Our guest today is Ben Hale, CEO and Co-founder at Brite, a benefit decision software that helps employees pick the right employer benefits for them and their dependents. The decision tool is integrated with what the Brite team calls their “digital benefit guides” so users have an all-encompassing experience to learn about, and get a recommendation about their employer benefits.
Questions for Ben include:

Brite claims to help educate and communicate employee benefits in an engaging and more effective way; making it easier for employees to choose the right benefits and paving the way for higher employee understanding and satisfaction. How does the Brite platform drive employee benefits engagement with sharable, easy-to-create digital benefit guides, packed with decision support tools?
Sending ongoing benefits communications year-round can be beneficial to both employees and employers. Tell us about what to send and the tools one can use to make the process easier for both teams and employees.
What's a good cadence for communications with employees?
Developing a compelling employee benefits strategy is a key aspect of an HR team’s role as it significantly influences workplace dynamics and satisfaction. Offering employees comprehensive benefits is a good place to start, but if you don’t have a plan for launching, educating, and communicating these benefits, employees are less likely to engage with them. Can you share some tips for developing a compelling employee benefits strategy to help ensure employees understand and appreciate the value of a company's offerings?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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Looking Ahead to DisruptHR Events in the UK with Bill Banham Sep 23, 2023

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In this special episode of the HRchat Podcast, regular show host Bill Banham shares what's coming up for him on the HR and leadership events front.
Listen as Bill gives a run-through of what to expect from DisruptHR London on September 25th. Bill also highlights events happening in October in Milton Keynes, Norwich, Birmingham, and Cambridge.
Within this episode, you'll also hear from Disrupt co-founder Jennifer McClure plus DisruptHR London 18.0 speakers Perry Timms and Ben Geoghegan.
Check out upcoming Disrupt events produced in partnership with HR Gazette.
We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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2024 Labor Market Predictions with Daniel Altman Sep 20, 2023

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The guest today is Daniel Altman PhD, Chief Economist at Instawork. Dan leads Instawork's Economic Research Division and is an expert on local labor markets, especially for in-person hourly work.
After completing his doctorate in economics at Harvard, he wrote commentary on the staffs of The New York Times and The Economist, served as an economic advisor in the British government, taught on the faculty of New York University's Stern School of Business, and was the first head of strategy at Kaplan-Levien Sports Group and the first director of thought leadership at Dalberg. Dan is a frequent speaker and writer on the labor market and the economy at large.
Questions for Daniel include:

What are your predictions for the US labor market in 2024?
How has the use of flexible in-person labor changed from before the pandemic and during the early years of the pandemic to now?
The inaugural Instawork report State of the Flexible Workforce was recently released. It sheds light on the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce. The data detail the diversity, quality, and motivations of these hourly workers, as well as pinpointing the factors that make them successful. Can you share some of the findings?

We do our best to ensure editorial objectivity. The views and ideas shared by our guests and sponsors are entirely independent of The HR Gazette, HRchat Podcast and Iceni Media Inc.

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