Transforming Higher Ed with Digital HR

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Amanda Duval-Norwood, CHRO, Harper College

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed met with Amanda Duval-Norwood, the CHRO of Harper College, at Oracle AI World. They discuss the vibrant atmosphere of the conference, the operationalization of AI in business, and Amanda's journey in HR. She shares insights about Harper College, its community-focused approach, and the implementation of Oracle's HCM and ERP systems. The conversation highlights the importance of digital transformation in HR, the challenges of shared governance in higher education, and the exciting potential of AI in enhancing employee experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Oracle AI World

02:57 Harper College Overview

07:48 Implementing Oracle Solutions

12:07 Optimizing HR Processes with Technology

17:31 Digital Transformation in HR

21:48 The Evolution of HR Technology

25:05 Embracing AI in HR Practices

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here’s the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman’s AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

Behind the Scenes of HR: Burnout, Balance, and Belonging

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Ryan Tahmassebi, People Science Director at Workbuzz

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen chats with Ryan Tahmassebi about the latest research on employee well-being, engagement, and the evolving priorities within HR. They discuss the importance of aligning HR with executive leadership, the challenges of communication, the role of AI in HR practices, and the need for emotional connections in understanding employee experiences. The conversation highlights the pressing issues facing HR professionals today and the strategies they can employ to foster a healthier workplace culture.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Employee Well-being Priorities

04:05 The Shift in DEI Focus

07:04 Aligning HR and Executive Leadership

10:20 Communication in Leadership

16:16 Addressing Employee Well=being and Workload Challenges

22:07 The Need for Emotional Connection in HR Metrics

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

he HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here’s the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman’s AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

AI Revolution: Transforming Employee Experience

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Trilok Manchinila, VP, Enterprise Architecture and Data of ABM Industries

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed discuss the excitement surrounding AI at Oracle AI World with Trilok Manchinila, VP of Enterprise Architecture and Data at ABM Industries. They explore the role of technology in enhancing employee experience, the importance of empathy in the workplace, and how AI can serve as a translator for better communication. The conversation also touches on the significance of safety and retention for frontline workers, the value of data integrity, and the future of partnerships in the tech landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Oracle AI World: The Excitement of AI

01:08 Understanding ABM Industries

02:59 The Role of Technology in Employee Experience

05:56 AI as a Translator

08:41 Empathy in Technology: Bridging Gaps

12:00 The Importance of Safety and Retention

14:45 Data Integrity and AI

17:46 Partnerships and Future Innovations

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

he HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here’s the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman’s AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

The Increasing Impact of AI on Job Descriptions and Applications

Host: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Yutaka Takagi, Principal Product Evangelist at isolved

In this podcast episode, recorded live at the HR Technology Conference & Expo, Mervyn talks with Yutaka Takagi, principal product evangelist at software development organisation isolved, about the transformative impact of AI on Talent Acquisition and job applications.

During the conversation they discuss:

• The impact of AI on the Talent Acquisition landscape
• How job seeker applications are evolving
• Using AI to help create role descriptions and matching candidates
• How HR teams can handle an AI-driven surge in applications
• Why AI should supplement, but not replace, human judgment
• The role of skills-based hiring in reducing bias in the recruitment process
• Why human oversight remains crucial in hiring decisions
• The future of hiring

Thanks for listening! Remember to subscribe to all of the HR Happy Hour Media Network shows on your favorite podcast app!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here's the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman's AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

Gen Z and The Power of Nostalgia

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer explore the concept of nostalgia in marketing, particularly how companies are leveraging it to connect with Gen Z. They discuss the psychological effects of nostalgia, its impact on consumer behavior, and the risks associated with nostalgia marketing. The conversation then shifts to fantasy football, where they share their experiences, strategies, and hopes for the season ahead. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 Nostalgia in Marketing

03:25 The Power of Nostalgia for Gen Z

06:25 Nostalgia in Food and Beverage Marketing

09:11 Nostalgia in Fashion and Merchandise

12:13 The Risks of Nostalgia Marketing

18:42 Fantasy Football Standouts

21:30 Underrated Players Making Waves

24:41 Injury Impact on Fantasy Teams

28:57 Setting Expectations for the Season

30:41 Future Goals, Aspirations, and Quote of the Show

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here's the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman's AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

Revolutionizing Feedback: The Joyous Approach

Hosts: Steve Boese, Trish Steed

Guest: Ruby Kolesky, CEO at Joyous

Welcome back to the System of Record!

In this episode, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Ruby Kolesky, CEO of Joyous, to discuss the innovative approach of Joyous in transforming employee feedback into actionable insights through AI. Ruby shares her unique journey from aspiring comedian to tech CEO, explaining how Joyous offers a more engaging alternative to traditional survey platforms by utilizing conversational chats. The conversation looks at the challenges of implementing AI in enterprises, the importance of data privacy, and the role of executives in adopting new technologies. They emphasize the need for trust in AI solutions and the significance of streamlining AI implementation to gain a competitive advantage.

Key highlights:

• A New Era in Feedback Mechanisms
• Real-World Applications of Joyous in Operational Settings
• Trust and Transparency in AI Solutions
• Navigating AI Implementation Challenges
• The Human Element in AI Solutions
• Democratizing Feedback in Organizations

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here's the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman's AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.

Rethinking HR with AI: The Gia Effect

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Laura Maffucci, Head of HR at Globalization Partners (G-P)

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour, Steve Boese and Trish Steed chat with Laura Maffucci, Head of HR at Globalization Partners (G-P), to discuss the transformative role of AI in HR, particularly through G-P's innovative product, Gia. The conversation covers Laura's extensive HR background, the complexities of compliance in a global landscape, and how Gia addresses these challenges with advanced AI capabilities. They explore the importance of learning agility in HR, the need for critical thinking skills, and how AI can enhance efficiency and support talent management. The episode concludes with insights on fostering curiosity and embracing AI as an integral part of the future of work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in HR

02:41 Overview of G-P

05:11 The Compliance Landscape in HR

07:54 Gia: A Game-Changer for Compliance

10:18 AI's Role in Enhancing HR's Efficiency

16:04 Importance of Learning Agility in HR

18:12 Embracing AI and Future Skills

21:19 Fostering Curiosity and Critical Thinking

23:14 Conclusion and Moving Forward

Learn more in the 2025 World at Work Report

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. AI is everywhere. But here’s what most headlines miss: AI is only as good as the data that feeds it. Workhuman has built the world’s deepest well of recognition data. Peer-to-peer messages celebrating real achievements in the workplace. Now, they’re using AI to transform this data into actionable people insights. For the first time ever, companies can discover hidden skills across departments. Spot quiet leaders. Identify who needs support, and understand their people dynamics at scale. It’s called Human Intelligence, and it’s so powerful that Workhuman guarantees measurable culture improvements that drive real business results. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

Back to Business: Training Beyond the Manual

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, hosts Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer discuss the critical role of job training, particularly from the perspective of Gen Z employees. They explore the challenges faced by new graduates in the job market, the importance of mentorship, and how company culture influences training effectiveness. The conversation also highlights innovative training methods, including the use of role-playing scenarios to prepare employees for real-life challenges. Overall, the episode emphasizes that effective training is essential for career success and employee retention. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 The Importance of Job Training

04:23 Gen Z's Perspective on Training

10:09 Ideal Training Experiences

17:15 The Role of Mentorship in Training

19:15 Innovative Training Methods for the Future

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. AI is everywhere. But here’s what most headlines miss: AI is only as good as the data that feeds it. Workhuman has built the world’s deepest well of recognition data. Peer-to-peer messages celebrating real achievements in the workplace. Now, they’re using AI to transform this data into actionable people insights. For the first time ever, companies can discover hidden skills across departments. Spot quiet leaders. Identify who needs support, and understand their people dynamics at scale. It’s called Human Intelligence, and it’s so powerful that Workhuman guarantees measurable culture improvements that drive real business results. Head over to workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.