Punk Rock HR
Can AI revolutionize how we lead and manage teams? On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie sits down with Jim Barnett and Marc Maloy of Wisq to explore this question. From their successful stint with Glint, where they became leaders in employee engagement, to their current mission at Wisq, Jim and Marc share how AI is opening up continuous, personalized coaching to a broader audience. This episode uncovers the pivotal manager-employee relationship and how AI can create a more dynamic and thriving workplace. We'll also unpack the practical applications of Wisq, a groundbreaking AI tool that...
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Have you ever wondered why so many hiring processes fall short of finding the best talent? On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie welcomes recruiter Carmen Hudson, author of The Corporate Recruiter’s Playbook, who shares the secrets behind effective hiring strategies. She challenges the outdated reliance on question banks, highlighting understanding core skills and behaviors needed for a role before crafting interview questions. It is a must-listen for recruiters, leaders, and HR professionals eager to attract and assess top candidates with a balanced approach that integrates both...
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When Laurie first stumbled into the HR world, what struck her was not just the depth of paperwork but the human stories behind each form and policy. On this episode of Punk Rock HR, fast forward several decades, and Laurie is sitting down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, an HR expert with an enviable three-decade portfolio, to share those very tales that have shaped our careers and the field of human resources. Together, we unwrap the evolution of HR from a back-office function to a strategic powerhouse, reflecting on the times we had to stand our ground and the moments that taught us the true value...
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On this episode of Punk Rock HR, discover the secrets to aligning your career with your personal values as Laurie chats with BlogHer co-founder Elisa Camahort Page. We walk down memory lane, reminiscing about the early internet days that revolutionized communication and fostered female empowerment through blogging. Elisa and Laurie’s conversation is a goldmine for understanding the delicate balance between nurturing a company's growth and adhering to your original mission—even when boardroom battles and investor pressures loom large. Plus, we get the inside scoop on Optionality, Elisa's...
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Imagine a world where leaders aren’t buried in spreadsheets and are fully present, creating a heartbeat within their organizations through genuine connections. On this episode of Punk Rock HR, that's the future Kevin Brady, a pharmaceutical industry veteran and founder of Performance Unlocked, envisions. Kevin and Laurie examine the inevitable revolution in leadership, where artificial intelligence offloads our analytical burdens, causing leaders to cultivate empathy and forge deeper relationships with their teams. It's a future where algorithms crunch the data, leaving us to master...
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Have you ever wondered how to navigate your first big conference without getting lost in the shuffle? On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie teams up with Samara Jaffe, co-founder and general manager of Transform, and Josh Schwede, HR tech guru, to share the insider track for newcomers. It's all about striking the perfect balance between self-care and forging deep connections rather than sprinting through every scheduled event. But there's more to a conference than just showing up. It's about the community and the culture that it grows. Transform, once known as HR Transform, has blossomed...
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Unlock the secrets to a healthier financial and emotional life with Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counselor and financial therapist. This episode of Punk Rock HR is a deep dive into the intricate connection between our financial behaviors and emotional well-being. Aja helps us see beyond the numbers, revealing how trauma can shape our relationship with money and why the advice to “just budget better” is often a superficial solution to a complex issue. Alongside Aja, we examine the growing trend of financial wellness initiatives in the workplace, discussing the role of emotional...
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Receiving a tough piece of feedback can sting, but it can also be the catalyst for phenomenal career growth. On this episode of Punk Rock HR, this revelation sets the stage for Laurie’s discussion with Mita Mallick, a luminary in diversity, equity, and inclusion, whose insights and experiences as a marketer, best-selling author, and mother are reshaping the narrative of today's workplace. Their conversation spans from personal trials in the professional world to the myths that stifle true workplace transformation, offering listeners a chance to reflect on the biases and systemic hurdles that...
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Venture capital and HR technology veteran Jason Corsello from Acadian Ventures joins Laurie in an insightful discussion about the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In this episode of Punk Rock HR, Jason and Laurie explore the impact of AI technology on innovation and productivity as it expands within Acadian's portfolio. Their conversation delves into the exciting potential and lurking concerns of AI's role in the future. They debunk the myth of its all-encompassing dominance while underscoring its critical importance in work technology. Jason and Laurie also...
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Have you ever felt tongue-tied or had your mind blank in the middle of a conversation? You're not alone. On this episode of Punk Rock HR, you’ll get strategies to conquer those moments. Laurie’s guest is communication expert Matt Abrahams, who unpacks the essentials of his book Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot. They explore the science of crafting messages that resonate with audiences and the power of speech variation to keep their attention rapt. This isn't just another chat about talking; it's an arsenal of techniques to transform anyone...
info_outlineVenture capital and HR technology veteran Jason Corsello from Acadian Ventures joins Laurie in an insightful discussion about the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In this episode of Punk Rock HR, Jason and Laurie explore the impact of AI technology on innovation and productivity as it expands within Acadian's portfolio.
Their conversation delves into the exciting potential and lurking concerns of AI's role in the future. They debunk the myth of its all-encompassing dominance while underscoring its critical importance in work technology. Jason and Laurie also unravel the complexities of market saturation and the quest for groundbreaking solutions. They spotlight the promise of a new technological supercycle spurred on by AI, while cautiously considering the balance between augmenting workplace efficiency and the pitfalls of an over-reliant and divided economy.
The discussion is not just limited to painting pictures of a utopian workplace but also sizing up the real-world implications for HR tech in the years ahead. Finally, Jason and Laurie offer an insider glimpse into the venture capital universe, where the emotional rollercoaster of investing meets the strategic play of identifying unicorn startups. They reflect on the essential skills for tomorrow's workforce and the emergence of a boundaryless talent pool in a world facing demographic shifts, while also sharing the stories of Acadian Ventures' latest fundraising successes.
If you're fascinated by the evolving narrative of work tech and the celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, then this conversation is definitely worth a listen.
In this episode, you will hear:
- AI's expanding role in the workforce, including a leap in Acadian's portfolio companies
- AI as an innovation shaper and becoming a staple across all sectors with a balanced approach that enhances without dominating every aspect of life
- Venture capital and the importance of luck, judgment, and market timing in identifying successful startups
- The need for companies to continuously invest in work technology to improve workplace efficiency and address budgetary constraints
- AI's integration into daily tools
- Examining innovative AI applications in HR tech, like Perplexity for advanced searches and Tech Wolf for skill inference
- The challenges of venture capital, including realistic company growth, fiscal responsibility, and the emotional toll of witnessing startup failures
- The importance of future skills and a global workforce
- A stagnant population growth's impact on the labor market and the role of global talent in driving innovation
Resources from this Episode
- Visit the Acadian Ventures website: www.acadianventures.com
- Connect with Jason Corsello on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncorsello
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.