The HR Tech conference is this week and my guest, Ransom Wydner who's the VP of Partnerships at SixFifty, joins me to discuss the unique skillsets needed for partnership roles and why HR tech is one of the most exciting and active industries for partnerships at the moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest, Matt Harvey, discusses how leading universities like Stanford are preparing students to work with AI in a rapidly changing workforce and how they're enabling business leaders to navigate AI implementation and adoption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Aaron Delgaty dives into the ethical implications of outsourcing and automating primary qualitative research with AI tools and agents. Come for the philosophical AI debate and stay for the Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park references. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've seen the job market numbers for July and the dramatic downward revisions made for May and June, then you know the data's finally matching up to what many are sharing and experiencing right now in the job market. It's not easy for folks navigating restructures and layoffs and many are having to dip into retirement savings to stay afloat between jobs. But adjacent to longer-term income shocks that could require 6-12 months of income replacement are unexpected expense shocks that can have huge impacts on financial wellbeing for large portions of the workforce. My guest this episode, Nick Maynard, discusses the impact of unexpected expenses and how employers can utilize available tools and programs to better support employees and protect the need for liquidity events on retirement savings. Enjoy this episode and maybe avoid peaking at your 401k balance for a bit... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I still clearly remember getting my first paycheck as a high schooler working over the summer at the local movie theater. The amount was shockingly low, there was some sort of loop hole where we were getting paid below minimum wage, but getting that handwritten check from the manager was exciting and a milestone moment for me nonetheless. Flash forward 5 years and I'm actually running payroll for the commercial real estate firm I'm working at as part of my property manager duties. It wasn't a huge group, but two dozen people began relying on me to make sure they got paid accurately and on time each month. That's when it hit me how critical it is to get payroll right and that a misstep in processing has a very real impact on people's lives. Technology has come a long way from the early 2000's Quickbooks software I was running. Payroll is evolving from a back office administrative function to a strategic pillar that enables organizational agility through data and insights. Payroll platforms are also leading the charge on building out holistic compliance suites that extend across the HR spectrum beyond just payroll. That's why I'm excited to have payroll industry expert and analyst, Pete A. Tiliakos, join me to discuss the evolution of payroll and its expanding strategic importance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I feel for anyone involved in sourcing and making new tech buying decisions these days. There's a lot to consider and there's much more that needs to be taken into account with bringing in new AI tools that doesn't line up cleanly with how businesses compute ROI. That's why it's great to have smart folks like Kyle Forrest and the team at Deloitte to conduct ongoing research and surface insights on this mismatch happening in the marketplace and how tech companies can take a different approach to show buyers the true ROI potential and expansive opportunities of AI-powered solutions while also addressing the elephant in the room — compliance, security, and governance of the AI. School might be out for summer, but come nerd out with me and Kyle as we dive into Deloitte's latest market research report, the adjacent rise of compliance alongside AI, and some sage advice for new college graduates entering the workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most prognosticators waxing about the future of work have been humbled since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Remote work environments were going to be the universal norm for office workers. Hiring and retaining talent were the top priorities for the foreseeable future with a historically tight labor market and baby boomers leaving the workforce. Now many are speculating what the role will be for human workers with continued advancements in AI, automation, and robotics. Change has been the consistent thread over the past 5 years. When we're all feeling comfortable about the direction things are going (labor market, work policies, funding environment), some dominoes fall and a shift happens that fundamentally changes that outlook. With change and a healthy dose of chaos being the new norm, it stands to reason that the companies with organizational agility - the ability to pivot and shift the workforce - are well positioned to succeed and endure in this environment. That's why I was so excited to have Kirti Shenoy on #HRSnacks to discuss the trends and adoption curve in the contingent labor market along with the evolutions in modern payroll platforms that support the fluid workforce. So grab your 40oz Stanley and hydrate as we dive into the fluid workforce on this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the hospitality, restaurant, and retail world, employees power the guest experience. You don't have to look hard to find a trove of case studies and examples of great companies, like Costco or Hilton, that have a dedicated focus on providing a positive employee experience and high customer satisfaction and engagement. When we think of employee experience and factors that impact employee engagement, the focus is often turned to comp and benefits, manager relations, career development, and wellbeing (physical, mental, financial). But employee experience is more like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs than a linear spectrum and the foundational layer of that pyramid is labor compliance — employee safety, rights, and protections. Businesses that approach compliance with purpose and intent to demonstrate to employees that they uphold and value their rights and protections will build trust and stronger workplace cultures. By shifting the paradigm from compliance is an annoying check-box to compliance is an important foundational layer of EX, organizations can evolve the function of labor compliance into a competitive advantage that impacts customer experience. Samantha Gallagher, the Director of Product Compliance at Harri, joins me on this episode to discuss the compliance challenges in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Harri's approach to compliance automation, and why this has created a competitive advantage for not just its customers, but for Harri as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To say things haven't been easy for HR professionals over the past 5 years is a colossal understatement. The pandemic, the rapid adjustment to WFH, the Great Resignation, all of the "Quiet" iterations (that I'm glad have gone away), RTO pushes, AI-fueled workforce realignments, and a broadening skills gap have led to widespread burnout and many HR pros making the move from full-time roles to fractional and consulting work. While being your own boss can seem idyllic if you're battling burnout and frustration in a full-time HR position, it may not be the best fit for everyone. My guest, Tracie Sponenberg, has made the move from a 3-decade career in HR to running her own LLC as a fractional CPO and HR consultant and shares her experience and advice for those exploring the jump. We also talk about the unique challenges facing industries that typically aren't heavily covered in the HR Tech world, distribution and manufacturing. So grab yourself a nice iced latte and enjoy this episode of #HRSnacks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Perhaps not universally true, but this idiom certainly applies to the HR tech industry and the buyers in the market. There are some key principles and considerations that are just as relevant today in the AI era as they were when on-premise HRMS dominated the market. My guest on this episode, Steve Goldberg, has seen it all over the decades and gives a breakdown of some core considerations that stand the test of time when selecting a technology vendor. Steve also provides a little perspective on the hype cycles that've always been present in HR tech — hint, just follow the investment $$ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now AI tools and agents are being developed that will take a significant amount of work off the plates of HR and TA departments. As more HR-related tasks, analysis, and decisions are parsed to AI, it's critical that examine and question the potential biases that exist in these systems. My guest, Torin Ellis, has been a prominent thought leader, consultant, and practitioner in the HR space since Nirvana was topping the Billboard charts. In this episode of #HRSnacks we discuss what bias looks like in AI and automation, how companies can address it, and why HR needs to have a voice in the development and adoption of workforce related AI systems. Be sure to catch Torin at the Transform conference this week in Las Vegas and check out the report The Torin Ellis Brand did in collaboration with Plum and Aptitude Research : Exploring the Role of AI in Enhancing DEIB Efforts (link to report in the comments). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're in the midst of the AI gold rush. New AI startups are coming to market at a breakneck pace and legacy SaaS platforms are making strategic acquisitions and tasking product teams with embedding AI in their products. But as we're chasing this shiny new object of AI, are companies losing sight of a critical element of product development—creating solutions that solve customers' problems, pain points, and challenges? At the moment it feels like many companies are working this backwards trying to find problems that new AI technologies can solve. That's why I asked Lance Haun, HR industry vet and market expert at TSC | Previously The Starr Conspiracy, to chat with me about the AI race and impacts it's having on the HR Tech industry. Before you label us Luddites, I think these types of conversations are important to have in the current chaos of this hyper technology expansion to question the actual value and adoption of the AI tools being implemented. Sure you can use NoteGPT or Notta｜AI meeting notes & audio transcription to get a quick summary of this episode, but you'll miss all the fun, the laughs, and the witty banter of two nerds that like to chat about HR, technology, and product development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, we've experienced week 1 of this new administration and have already seen a flood of executive orders that'll reshape corporate labor laws and regulations. Though it's directionally clear where the Trump administration is focusing reform efforts, the downstream impacts to HR compliance are still TBD. That's why I was excited to have Ryan Parker join me to discuss what shifts employers and HR teams can expect this year and how they can best navigate this evolving compliance landscape. Ryan brings direct experience to the table having worked in federal litigation for over a decade and served in the DOJ during this administration's first term. Spoiler alert, expect states to ramp up employee protections and compliance efforts and even wider variations in labor laws amongst states in the coming years. If you've ever thought to yourself, "I like NPR but I wish they'd throw in a Mallrats meme or a random Chris Farley reference", then this is the episode for you. Pour yourself a large glass of fluoridated water while we still have it and enjoy this latest episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The onboarding experience is a defining moment for new hires. Excitement and enthusiasm to begin a new job can be dampened by tedious and scattered onboarding processes. Making sure onboarding is done compliantly is also critical for employers, especially as the new administration looks to tighten up employee verification standards. Join me and my guest, a self-proclaimed I-9 nerd, Chapelle Ryon, as we discuss the critical trends across employee onboarding in 2025 and what shifts in compliance policy to expect with the new administration. This episode is definitely H-O-T T-O G-O 🔥 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Employer of Record (EOR) category is one of the fastest growing segments in HR tech over the past few years. There's been a mountain of investment $$ poured into the space and a handful of hyper-growth unicorns emerge with massive potential exits on the horizon. So why have EOR providers picked up so much steam lately? Well there's no better person to ask that than Nicole Sahin , the founder of Globalization Partners and the person credited with establishing the EOR category. Join us on this HRSnacks episode as Nicole breaks down the EOR model, how it's fundamentally changed access to global hiring, and the exciting AI advancements G-P is releasing in 2025 that will further streamline global compliance. Pour yourself some eggnog before it expires in your fridge, sit back, and enjoy this first Snack of 2025! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been to an HR conference this year, there's a good chance you heard speakers and exhibitors talking about agentic AI. It's the next buzzword du jour for an industry that seems to be cycling through these at an increasing rate. But behind the buzz and hype are really practical and exciting applications for AI in the workplace that'll continue to shape the division of labor/tasks between people and AI. Come join me on this episode as my guest, Matthew Shannon, rhapsodizes about this next wave of genAI and how it's being applied in the HR tech industry. Will this episode be woefully out of date in 3-6 months when the next wave of AI advancement drops? Most certainly, but there is no such thing as evergreen content when it comes to AI. So sit back, relax, and maybe think about cancelling those prompt engineering courses you're signed up for as we look into the present and future of AI in HR tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early in my career I was required to read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People". I didn't discover any shocking revelations—most of the concepts in the book are pretty straightforward, albeit dated. But it did help me realize the importance of building solid relationships in the workplace and how that relational equity can impact my career and accomplishments. The role of HR is heavily weighted towards complex labor law compliance and back office functions like payroll, but HR is also expected to drive many strategic initiatives that impact productivity, engagement, and employer reputation. That's why my guest this episode, Jocelyn King, SHRM-SCP, suggests that the first job HR leaders have is to build influence and trust with the C-suite. We also talk about making the leap from HR leader to tech startup founder, something that's pretty rare in the HR tech industry. Enjoy this espisode of #HRSnacks and remember, that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest sound in any language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When looking at the success or failure of product adoption and utilization across the HR tech and Work tech space, it's easy to point to the software and technology as the root cause. Organizations often times purchase expansive HCM systems (sold to them with the promise of all-in-one functionality) and delay the activation of certain modules because it's "too much to take on at once". Narrator: Those modules never did get turned on. While slick UI and intuitive UX design certainly help product utilization, the biggest factor for success when launching a new system is the implementation strategy and execution. Not just the software implementation, but the internal implementation. My guest, John Baldino's been helping companies navigate successful implementations since Hanson was topping the charts with their debut hit "MMMBop". Join us to get John's thoughts on implementation, HR's main focus across market segments, and his affinity for pirate garb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Compliance is a huge and rather nebulous bucket that encapsulates the adherence to the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that govern the physical workplace, the treatment of employees, and employee practices. And just like a good 7-layer dip, there are different layers of labor laws and regulations spread across federal, state, and local levels. Oh, and did I mention each state has it's own unique set of labor laws? For instance, California has 21 state labor laws while Montana has 7. Wait...did I mention that these labor laws also get updated and changed regularly to the tune of 150 mandatory changes and updates over the past 12 months?? It's no wonder these compliance challenges and complexities are creating a strong demand for service providers to step up and provide practical tools, applications, and guidance for HR teams and organizations to mitigate risks and maintain reputation and trust with employees, customers, investors, and the public. Mark Brandau , who's the Chief Marketing Officer at Brightmine , joins me on this episode to discuss the biggest compliance challenges facing organizations and how AI and automation are playing a bigger part in keeping companies compliant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HR professionals are over tasked, under tremendous pressure to drive tech-enabled efficiencies, and are on the front lines of a paradigm shift in organizational structure and the way we work...which consequently has led to burnout and over a third of professionals considering a career change out of HR. My friend, Kyle Lagunas, along with other HR leaders and analysts have surfaced these concerns over the past year—Kyle had a New York Times article written on this very topic—and now recent research conducted by iSolved validates these concerns and the morale dilemma facing HR. In this episode we discuss these concerns and the importance of HR tech adoption and thoughtful implementation. Enjoy, my little blueberries! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices