Josh Bersin

Next week at our Irresistible 2023 Conference I will be unveiling a new speech on the topic of Organizational Ingenuity, part of the long history of business shifting from the industrial age to the post-industrial age. As you’ll hear briefly in this podcast, we’re all about to become SuperHuman workers thanks to AI, giving us the opportunity to do more with fewer people. But that won’t work out if you don’t have Organizational Ingenuity. And that’s the focus of this podcast and my speech next week. I also discuss the work we’re doing on The Josh Bersin HR Copilot, which we’ll be previewing at the conference next week. As you’ll hear, AI is bringing together information like never before and in many ways making us each like Superman, unaware and learning how to use our new “superpowers.” If you want to understand this more, read my book Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations. While the book is not about AI, it lays the framework for the new business issues we face in the AI-decade ahead.

The single biggest expense item in most companies is people: salaries, benefits, real-estate, and HR. How do we manage this expense well? We need better, more integrated people data. Well in this podcast I introduce the idea of Systemic People Analytics, a new way of thinking about our HR technologies, and why despite AI, we need dedicated platforms for “systemic people analytics.” Additional Information New Josh Bersin Company Research Just Released Redesigning HR: An Operating System, Not An Operating Model. New People Analytics Tools Coming    

This week’s podcast covers several topics: The continuing debate about remote work, and why I believe it’s still a good option, despite CEOs who feel otherwise My great conversation with Scott Galloway, discussing remote work and more Why Amazon workers may walk out Review of AI solutions from the ERP vendors and update on 2nd Generation AI The big issue of talent scarcity and what to do about it Why does it take so long to hire people and what’s the answer The AI safety law in New York City and why it could create some chaos. Additional Information Irresistible 2023: The Global Conference for HR Leaders and Teams (get your seat) Gallup research on Remote Work (referenced in podcast) Lightcast: The Switzerland Of The Global SkillsTech Market Amazon Workers Walk Out Over Lack Of Trust In Leadership (and Remote Work Policy) The New York City AI Safety Law (we all need to learn about)    

This week Microsoft launched a barrage of Copilots, Copilot development tools, and new infrastructure and Azure services to help IT departments, vendors, and individuals apply AI to our everyday life. In this #podcast I discuss the implications of this transformational new set of tools, and how important they will be to all areas of HR. These applications include recruiting, onboarding, training, leadership development, coaching, wellbeing, and of course day to day productivity. I also discuss the implications of Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI and the difference between Microsoft’s strategy and Google’s AI strategy unleashed a week earlier. And I briefly discuss the Josh Bersin Copilot we will be previewing at our conference in June. Additional Information Microsoft’s Massive Copilot Announcements Microsoft Build 2023: all the news and announcements from the developer conference Microsoft Build 2023: Five Top Announcements Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott thinks Sydney might make a comeback Microsoft Goes All In On Plug-ins for AI Apps  

In this podcast I describe our newest thinking about talent, leadership, and HR in the Post-Industrial Age. Today’s economy, and all it brings to us in business, jobs, and HR, is very different from the past – and if you understand this new world you see it explains many things: Why we have talent shortages Why skills are so important to companies Why high performing companies have fewer employees Why old-style leadership is holding companies back. The lessons in this podcast explain many of the new trends in HR, and also will teach your business leaders how to think about hiring, performance management, and leadership very differently. Many of the principles in this dialogue are covered in my book, but I wanted to update this thinking in the new world of AI. Additional Information Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations Pacesetters: Lessons In Transformation From Leaders In Healthcare, Banking, and CPG Why Is The World Afraid Of AI? The Fears Are Unfounded, And Here’s Why. Organization Design For The Post-Industrial Age Introducing Irresistible 2023: Why You Should Come Join Us!  

In this podcast I explain how Large Language Models and neural networks are reinventing the HR Technology market. After more than 30 in-depth interviews with HR Tech vendors, we see three generations of AI solutions: Emerging: AI features added on First Generation: AI capabilities built-in Second Generation: Platforms built on AI As I discuss in this week’s podcast, vendors in category 3 are the most transformational of all. These vendors are building their entire product set around Large Language Models and expansive neural networks. While they were once considered new, as you’ll learn in this podcast I believe these “built on AI” platforms are the future of the market. Stay tuned for our new whitepaper on the HR Tech vendor market and how AI is changing the entire marketplace, and my take on the impact Google will have on this market. Additional Information: How AI Is Disrupting The HR Tech Marketplace SeekOut Brings GPT4 To Recruiters. Eightfold Launches Copilots For HR. What Is A Neural Network? (Great overview video)

Introducing the Pacesetters: industry leading companies who outperform their peers through skills, transformation speed, and execution. After more than a year of research in the Global Workforce Intelligence Project, this week we unveil the Pacesetter research, and this podcast gives you the overview. These companies are “architected for change,” and they include leaders like DBS (Digital Bank of Singapore), Providence Health, BNY Mellon, ING Bank, and many others. I hope you enjoy this podcast, please join our membership for much more. Additional Resources Transform or Perish: Seven Winning Strategies Of The Pacesetters (Inc. Magazine) The Global Workforce Intelligence Project (Pacesetter Report) GWI Overview and Methodology Understanding Talent Intelligence: The Primer

In this podcast I introduce our new research on pay and rewards. This enormously important part of business needs a transformation, and our new research on “Systemic Pay and Rewards” explains why. I give you an overview of why pay systems are so brittle, what really drives results, and how we can dramatically improve these important parts of our companies. You’ll hear about how to implement pay equity, what to do about performance management, and why “total rewards” is just not the total solution to the problem. In an economy where skills are constantly changing, employees are burned out, and the job market is incredibly competitive, it’s time to rethink your approaches to pay and put together a high-value, strategic, “systemic” approach. Additional Resources Why Pay Practices Are Broken (article) Systemic Rewards: The Research The Definitive Guide To Pay Equity Solving the Complex, Important Pay Equity Problem Wellbeing Evolved: Building A Healthy Organization How to Solve Pay Equity: More Important than You Realize (podcast)  

Generative AI and neural networks are going to radically improve and change corporate training. In this podcast I detail the five biggest opportunities for change, and what corporate training, L&D leaders, and HR professionals should think about as we bring these amazing new systems into our companies. Additional Information EdTech Is Going Crazy For AI What Is A Neural Network? Fantastic Overview Of How AI Systems Work. Redesigning HR: An Operating System, Not An Operating Model. Why Is The World Afraid Of AI? The Fears Are Unfounded, And Here’s Why. The Stanford University AI Index: Measuring trends in Artificial Intelligence SeekOut Brings GPT4 To Recruiters. Eightfold Launches Copilots For HR. Workday’s Response To AI and Machine Learning: Moving Faster Than Ever Yann LeCun and Andrew Ng: Why the 6-month AI Pause is a Bad Idea  

In this podcast I discuss a big question: Why are HR professionals being laid off? It’s not for a lack of effort, it’s caused by a bigger issue. The role of HR has changed, and we need to stop “building solutions” and “taking orders” and spend more time “Falling In Love With The Problem.” As you’ll hear, this consultative approach to HR is now badly needed. And HR professionals who don’t get this are soon to be at risk. In this podcast I explain what “Falling In Love With The Problem” means to HR, and how you can use these ideas to make your work, your career, and your team far more effective and essential to your company. Additional Resources Redesigning HR: An Operating System, Not An Operating Model. The HR Consultant: A Masterclass From The Josh Bersin Academy (our #1 course!) The Strategic HR Business Partner, From The Josh Bersin Academy The Academy At Bank Of America Case Study    

This week I summarize the results of 20+ interviews with HR Tech and AI vendors and talk about how AI and all its various manifestations can teach us a lot about how to approach Human Resources in a much more systemic way. Not only are the HR tools and Copilots starting to roll out in the market, but we are also seeing how AI-centric platforms (Talent Intelligence systems, for example) will really disrupt and ultimately obsolete many traditional HR tools. I also introduce the idea of “Falling In Love With The Problem,” which in many ways defines what we call the new Systemic operating model for HR. (Uri Levine, the founder of Waze, really first coined this phrase.) Resources I Recommend What Is A Neural Network? Fantastic Overview Of How AI Systems Work. Redesigning HR: An Operating System, Not An Operating Model. Why Is The World Afraid Of AI? The Fears Are Unfounded, And Here’s Why. Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations SeekOut Brings GPT4 To Recruiters. Eightfold Launches Copilots For HR. Workday’s Response To AI and Machine Learning: Moving Faster Than Ever Yann LeCun and Andrew Ng: Why the 6-month AI Pause is a Bad Idea

In this week’s podcast I discuss the open letter signed by Elon Musk asking researchers to “pause” the development of AI, the explosive meeting between Howard Schultz and Bernie Sanders, and an amazingly important new study by Pew Research on the state of American Work. As you’ll hear, I make an argument that all this AI development is extremely positive and that we really have no choice except to push ahead as a society. The Starbucks story is well worth listening to because it exemplifies the enormous power employees have over employers, and why you cannot let your employee experience problems get away from you. And as you hear more about the Pew research on American Work you’ll learn more about why trust, growth, and your relationship with co-workers (your company culture) are the top issues to address health, wellbeing, and happiness in the United States. As always, I welcome your feedback or comments. (apologies for the slightly funky sound this week) Resources to Read Open AI Letter Asking For Pause Howard Schultz Testimony To Congress on Starbucks Union Activity Pew Research: How Americans View Their Jobs The 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer New MIT Research Shows Spectacular Increase In White Collar Productivity From ChatGPT Bill Gates Sees Generative AI As The Biggest Thing Since Windows The New York Times Still Worries AI Will Destroy Our Lives Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated) Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations    

After weeks of discussion with dozens of technology vendors, I’m ready to say: GPT and Generative AI is going to revolutionize Human Resources. And it is going to disrupt the HR Tech space as well. In this podcast I explain why I feel this way, how I don’t see the “evils” of AI at all, and how we can use these new tools to evolve, improve, and transform our HR departments and our companies. Additional Resources The Role Of Generative AI And Large Language Models in HR Workday’s Response To AI and Machine Learning: Moving Faster Than Ever Bill Gates Sees Generative AI As The Biggest Thing Since Windows The New York Times Still Worries AI Will Destroy Our Lives  

In this podcast I detail the Workday AI and ML strategy, with a strong focus on the new, more integrated HCM products and how they fit together. I also discuss the Skills Cloud, where it came from, and where it’s going. And I also explain why Workday Prism, Extend, and Orchestrate have become so strategic to the company’s growth. And I also give you my perspectives on GPT-4 and the massive Microsoft Copilot launch. Additional Resources The Role Of Generative AI And Large Language Models in HR Workday’s Response To AI and Machine Learning: Moving Faster Than Ever New MIT Research Shows Spectacular Increase In White Collar Productivity From ChatGPT LinkedIn Announces Generative AI Features For Career, Hiring, and Learning Microsoft Launches OpenAI CoPilots For Dynamics Apps And The Enterprise. Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated) Microsoft’s Massive Upgrade: OpenAI CoPilot For Entire MS 365 Suite.  

This week I’m focusing on three things: First a quick discussion of the SVB banking crisis and what’s going on; Second a further discussion about why Generative AI is so disruptive to HR; and Third, and most important, a deep discussion about Pay Equity. This coming week is Equal Pay Day where we symbolically celebrate closing the pay gap between men and women. Well the bigger topic is pay equity, and we are launching a major new research study which describes the state of pay equity, the impact of pay equity, and the best practices in pay equity. You can get the overview materials starting on Tuesday and in this podcast I interviewed Kathi Enderes, our SVP who led this research. Additional Resources After years in decline, is the gender pay gap opening up? Why The Gender Pay Gap Is Stuck The Role Of Generative AI And Large Language Models in HR New MIT Research Shows Spectacular Increase In White Collar Productivity From ChatGPT What’s Going on With Silicon Valley Bank?

This week I want to talk about the IBM/Chief study of women in leadership that concludes “the leadership pipeline is broken” and that “given the state of the pipeline, we may NEVER reach gender parity.” The data is striking so I want to show it to you and try to interpret what’s going on. Second, I want to update you on the rapid progress in OpenAI’s strategy as they launch their open API for enterprise and developers, and discuss major new announcements coming. Finally, I want to describe Systemic HR in more detail and give you a real-world example. Additional Resources OpenAI launches an API for ChatGPT, plus dedicated capacity for enterprise customers In 2023, Gender Parity ‘Feels’ Close — But Research Shows We Are Farther Than Ever Before Redesigning HR: An Operating System, Not An Operating Model. The Unbelievable, Critical, Never-Ending Role Of Culture In Business

In this podcast I talk more about the high cost of AI and chatbots like Bing and ChatGPT, and how to think about the “risks” of AI as it takes over the computing landscape. (Yes, it will!) I also discuss the enormous opportunity for HR teams to lead productivity projects, and finally give you my perspectives on why face-to-face meetings are so important. (And I welcome my new grandson!) Some Additional Resources To Read Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated) Why Chatbots Lie Were All These Layoffs Inevitable? Perhaps, But Here’s How It Happened. Predictions for 2023: Redefining Work, The Workforce, And HR Are We The Guinea Pigs For AI Tech Vendors? Who Should You Believe When AI Chatbots Go Wild? Organization Design Demystified: Your Journey To Productivity

This week we saw hundreds of stories, articles, and complaints about Bing. Well I’ve tried it and talked with some Microsoft execs and I believe this is one of the most important (and disruptive) technologies we will see in HR. So listen and you’ll hear why. On an even more important point, I spent some time discussing our New HR Operating System, which we call Systemic HR. We’re in the middle of this research and I’ll be explaining more at the Irresistible 2023 Conference in June. In this podcast I explain the model and why it’s so essential. Additional Information My Experience With Bing and Chat-GPT: It’s Amazing And Not A Bit Scary. The Churning US Labor Market… And Why We Need “Labor Anthropologists.” Were All These Layoffs Inevitable? Perhaps, But Here’s How It Happened Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations

This podcast is a review of last week’s massive set of announcements from Microsoft and Google about Chatbots. Rather than try to summarize what you’ve already read, I spend time talking about the implications of all this. Here are a few highlights: Is Microsoft’s statement that “search will be reinvented” really correct and could this disrupt Google? Lots of problems with that theme, and I’ve seen Bard. It’s good. What are the implications of ChatGPT and Bard on jobs, roles, and the technologies of HR? Many things to discuss here. What will ChatGPT and Google Bard do to consumer behavior and the massive advertising and SEO markets? Publishers are freaked out but should they worry? Is this another “automation eliminating jobs” technology or not? As you’ll hear, this is an “augmentation” technology and yes, it will force us to think about where we add value. Finally, what about the AI Mania taking place in the stock market? Not only are AI companies suddenly worth more money but it’s now becoming impossible to buy a .AI domain name. I don’t have all the answers but I’ll explain what’s going on. Additional Resources Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated) Microsoft thinks AI can beat Google at search — CEO Satya Nadella explains why Google is investing $300M in an OpenAI challenger that will take on ChatGPT while focusing on A.I. safety OpenAI Is Drawing Competition From Fleet of Startups

This week we saw the US unemployment rate drop to 3.4%, a 53 year low. Yet many large companies are announcing layoffs. Is this “the big shift” from Tech to Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, And Travel? Or is this just the new normal: too many jobs and not enough people? In this podcast I’ll explain what’s going on. Additional Resources Labor Shortage In The Middle Of A Business Slowdown? It All Makes Sense. Were All These Layoffs Inevitable? Perhaps, But Here’s How It Happened. Predictions for 2023: Redefining Work, The Workforce, And HR Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated) The January 2023 BLS Jobs Report (itself) Want More? Join The Josh Bersin Academy! Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations (my book)

In this week’s podcast I cover a bunch of topics. Here they are: More proof that Chat-GPT is immature and yes, it’s biased The unexpected impact of pay transparency laws Why the economy is experiencing a “slow motion car crash” The ever-tighter labor market and shortage of workers Why gig workers are happier than wage slaves and what you can do about it Microsoft research on the inadequacy of productivity tools (& why ServiceNow is hot) What 10 HR execs agree on the “secrets of high performance hiring” Why car sales people are great folks to hire! What to do AFTER the layoff Why Amazon is a very tough place to sell a book (sob) The new operating model for HR, which we call Systemic HR Predictions for 2023: it’s all about Activation!!! Additional Links Predictions for 2023: Work, Workforce, and HR Understanding Chat-GPT, And Why It’s Even Bigger Than You Think (*updated with many links) A New Generation Of Mastery-Based Learning Platforms Has Arrived (*Updated) The Josh Bersin Academy: Even Bigger And Better In 2023 Understanding HR Capabilities: Mandate for 2023 and Beyond  

Now that we’ve all had a chance to hear about CHAT-GPT we’re all scratching our heads. Is this real? Is it going to transform our education and our lives? Or is it a tool for job displacement, information warfare, and abuse? Well I’ve learned a lot about this over the last several years and in this podcast I give you a simple explanation about what’s going on. And I will try to convince you that Chat-GPT (and it’s many cousins and competitors) are likely to have a massively positive impact on business, leadership, and HR… to say nothing about our normal lives as consumers and individuals. Additional Resources Chat-GPT: Try It Out Yourself Chat-GPT vs. Sparrow: Battle of the Chatbots (worth watching) Six AI Chatbots Threatening OpenAI (From TheInformation) Why Microsoft’s Investment in OpenAI Threatens Google (Fortune) Listen to Satya Nadella Describe Microsoft’s View of OpenAI Get to know Olivia, Paradox.ai For Recruiting

More layoffs, more worries about the economy, and lots of discussions of “Quiet” things: quiet quitting, quiet firing, and quiet hiring. In this podcast I recap the first week of the year, discuss these issues, and give you a sense of what it all means. I also discuss the latest about the economy, the enormous growth in talent mobility, and my high level perspectives on Chat-GPT. It’s going to be a tumultuous year, so stay tuned for our big Predictions for 2023, coming later this month. Resources A Skeptical Look at Chat-GPT by Ezra Klein and Gary Marcus 2023 Predictions: Webinar (report to come) Why Employees Are Really Quietly Quitting, 4-day Workweek and More Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations (my book) “A must-read primer for business leaders considering how and why to build a people-centered business.”, by Arianna Huffington. Join The Josh Bersin Academy: 50,000+ HR Professionals Learning Every Day    

I’ve been talking about Capability Academies for a few years, and sure enough they’re becoming an important new paradigm in corporate learning. Well in this podcast I explain how a new set of L&D technology providers is focused on this space, and why you, as an HR or L&D leader, are likely to buy one of these platforms in the near future. I encourage you to read the accompanying article here, or check out our many examples of Capability Academies in our member research library. Other resources I recommend: What Is A Skills Taxonomy Anyway? The Capability Academy: Where Corporate Training Is Going A New Strategy For Corporate Learning: Growth In The Flow Of Work The Josh Bersin Academy: The World’s Home For HR

We’re entering a tumultuous year and employees are fed up. Quiet quitting continues and unemployment remains low. What is your mission as an HR professional in the year ahead? In this podcast I help you understand tech industry layoffs, the changing role of pay, new priorities for L&D, and why employees are “fed up” and changing jobs at a rapid rate. And I’ll give you an informed perspective on the role of HR and your mission as a leader, HR professional, consultant, or entrepreneur. This is an exceptional time to be in Human Resources, L&D, consulting, or HR Tech. Join me as I explain how you can re-energize your career and value in the year ahead. Additional Resources Doing More With Less: Why Are Employees Checking Out? HR Technology 2023: What’s Hot? What’s Not? Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations Accelerating Your HR Career: The Newest Course In The Josh Bersin Academy The Global HR Capability Project    

In this podcast I discuss the big trends in the HR Technology market in 2023. This podcast discusses the article posted this week which lists many of the hot vendors. While some of this discussion is my opinion, I am always interested in your feedback so if you disagree or want to convince me otherwise please let us know! As you’ll hear, there are some exciting new opportunities ahead, but also some “category convergence” I think you’ll find important. Additional Information HR Technology: What’s Hot? What’s Not? (Article) Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations Follow Us On LinkedIn HR professionals and leaders: Join The Josh Bersin Academy Join Our Corporate Membership Program  

In this podcast I breakdown the big secrets we’ve discovered in the digital transformation in financial services. While there are a lot of industry-specific issues to understand, many of the best-practices apply to every company in the world. And Trailblazers, the banks that set the standards for customer experience and digital offerings, are now accelerating their lead from their peers. This research is the latest study from our Global Workforce Intelligence Project, and I know you’ll find it fascinating. Additional Information Banking Under Siege: The Secrets To Digital Success In Financial Services Introducing The Global Workforce Intelligence Project Redesigning Jobs, Organizations, and Work Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations (Best-seller on Amazon)

In this podcast I break down the big issue of “purpose at work,” which is one of the biggest challenges companies face. How do we create a work environment and set of experiences, programs, and management practices that engage people with a sense of Purpose? And why does “reducing work time” actually make so much sense? As you’ll hear, this is not as philosophical as it sounds – there are a lot of pragmatic solutions here, and I took some time to decompose them for you. I also talk about Happiness, and how most of the research about happiness teaches us even more about how to be better leaders, managers, teammates, and HR professionals. Additional Resources Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations How To Build A Happy Life, by Arthur Brooks Our New Role: Bringing Kindness To Work The Four Day Work Week

In this podcast I discuss our new research program on Irresistible Leadership, a topic which will be essential in the year ahead. As you’ll hear, I packed the podcast with stories and ideas, but focused my attention on the big narrative: why a new model of leadership is needed in the year ahead. Productivity, sustainability, growth, and human-centered leadership must come together. If you’re interested in joining us in this research, please click here or contact us to set up an interview. Additional Resources The Art And Science Of Irresistible Leadership, by Nehal Nangia Productivity Paranoia: The Leadership Challenge Ahead Join The Irresistible Leadership Research Program Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations (best-seller)

In this podcast I describe my two-week tour through Northern Europe: Sweden with Workday and Spotify, UK book tour with banks, publishers, and media companies; and The Future of Work Symposium hosted by the King and Queen of The Netherlands. Issues with skills, recruiting, inflation, diversity, and the role of HR and employers in the Future of Work. This Symposium was one of the most interesting and powerful meetings I’ve attended in years, so stay tuned to hear all about it. What I Learned From The King And Queen Of The Netherlands Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee Focused Organizations (Now cited as “the most important business primer of our times.”) About Us The Josh Bersin Company is the leading research, advisory, and professional development organization for HR leaders and their teams around the world. Corporate members gain access to thousands of in-depth research, case studies, tools, advisory services, and benchmarking information. Individuals can join The Josh Bersin Academy for a complete professional development platform, designed to keep HR professionals current on groundbreaking ideas, tools, and best-practices.      

This was one of the most chaotic and “news-filled” week we’ve had in a while. In this podcast I want to recap what happened and give you some perspective. The bottom line is that most of these stories are about trust, leadership, and the need to invest in people. (Of course I want to tie this back to HR.) So use this podcast as a way to make sense of all this noise. I also talk a lot about my predictions for 2023 (coming late this year) and why hiring is going to be difficult for years to come. And I talk more about our Global Workforce Intelligence Project which has turned out to be one of the most exciting research projects we’ve ever done. (Corporate Members only.) Next week we are in Europe at Workday Rising and meeting more than 50 clients all over northern Europe, so I’ll have lots of news to share. Additional Resources Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations (my best-selling book) Understanding The Tech Layoffs. Could They Have Been Prevented? The Growing Role Of Pay In Employee Experience and Business Performance The Email Elon Musk Just Sent to Twitter Employees is a Masterclass in How Not to Communicate The Josh Bersin Company Corporate Membership Program

Layoffs are simply a part of business. Over the years there have been millions of workers let go and it’s always a difficult, painful process. In this podcast I give you my perspectives on the process, the role leadership must play, and how to deal with the topic if you are the one losing your job. I also give you my own perspectives on hiring, which is the mirror image of layoffs, and what I think is going on at Twitter. Finally, I took a few minutes to share my personal experience with layoffs at IBM, Sybase, DigitalThink (where I was the victim), and my own company. I hope this podcast gives you some perspective as a leader, HR person, or individual dealing with this issue. And let me remind you the Irresistible companies deal with this a very unique way. (They hire slowly and have a very deliberate process to make sure all new hires “increase productivity” and don’t “slow the company down.”) More Background History of biggest layoffs in the US List of latest 200,000 layoffs in Tech (real-time updates) Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Companies Elon Musk Is Bad At This (The Atlantic) Mark Zuckerberg Says “He’s Sorry” For The Layoffs

After several weeks travelling to conferences and talking with clients I want to riff on a bunch of urgent topics: How do we create pay equity when inflation is running at over 8%? How do we get people “back to the office” when 55% of job candidates now want fully remote work? How do we redesign jobs to reduce stress and help with tremendous hiring challenges? And what really works for Employee Experience now that people are more worried about their standard of living than their mental health? (And will the Four-Day week really work?) In this podcast I try to cover it all, and also point out some of the important lessons in my book Irresistible, to help you stay ahead of this crazy labor market. Important Resources Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Companies (a 99 cent special price discount on Kindle for a week!) Microsoft’s Amazing DEI and Pay Equity Story Mercer’s New Inside Employee’s Minds (how pay has become the #1 issue for employees all of a sudden)

This week I travelled to the Cornerstone and Guild user conferences, so I give you some in-depth perspectives these companies and your SkillsTech, talent marketplace, and career pathway strategy. Also, the print copy of Irresistible is available this coming week, so I explain why the book is so essential in our new “back to work” economy for the year ahead. Resources Cornerstone Makes A Play To Dominate The Skills Platform Market Career Pathways: An Innovation That Could Transform The Economy Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations

In this podcast I describe the emergence of a massive new innovation in business: non-linear Career Pathways. These new innovative programs bring new careers, educational credentials, and skills to individuals and help companies fill important jobs and operational roles in the future. This is a big new idea that is now paying off, pioneered by companies like Walmart, Guild Education. BrightHorizons EdAssist, Verizon, AT&T, Mercy BonSecours, and many others.

This is the story of Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations. Listen to the story: how the book was written, why the seven secrets, and what this book will teach you, your team, and your organization about growth and profitability in the dynamic business environment ahead. The book is now available on Amazon, for bulk orders, and for academic and student orders.  

This week I discuss how the war in Ukraine teaches us important lessons in business. This week I’m talking with several thousand HR professionals in Ukraine and we’re going to talk about what we’ve all learned. What you’ll see is that most of the lessons in my new book, Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations, are also the lessons of winning the war. The book is available on Kindle this week (purchase here) and the print version comes out on October 25. Resources Mentioned In The Podcast Organization Design: The Real Secret To Growth Team of Teams, by Stanley McChrystal Accounting for Slavery, by Caitlin Rosenthal

New Microsoft Work Trends research identifies the Productivity Paranoia at work: 87% of employees feel productive, yet only 12% of CEO’s agree. In this podcast I detail the big issue of “productivity at work” and explain why this gap is taking place, and what you can do about it. Additional Resources Discussed In This Podcast Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations Journey to Agile: Organization Design, The Real Secret To Growth, The Josh Bersin Company The Good Jobs Strategy, by Zeynep Tom How To Fix A Toxic Culture, by Don Sull, PhD.

In this podcast I dig into the low unemployment rate and the new role technology plays at work. We’re no longer in a world were tools are used to replace people: our new world of work is far more “human-centered,” giving employers and policy-makers an opportunity to leverage PowerSkills in a very important and strategic way. Additional Reading We Are Becoming A PowerSkills Economy Josh’s New Book: Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations

This podcast is a quick overview of all these topics, following my week at the largest HR Tech conference in the world. As you’ll hear, the HR Tech world is doing fine, and I decompose what’s going on in core HR, skills technology, recruiting, M&A, and all sorts of other topics. I also want you to listen to my conversation on the Global Workforce Intelligence Project, the 4 R’s, the “new job market,” and the introduction of my book, Irresistible. Irresistible, a book I’ve been working on for seven years, will be available on October 25. Pre-order or buy it the first week and you’ll be one of my BFFs. Have a wonderful Fall – its time to start going to conferences again and I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months. Additional Resources Irresistible: The Seven Secrets Of The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Companies GWI Launch: Curing the Healthcare Talent Crisis and the Four R’s SuccessFactors Launches It’s Biggest Release In A Decade  

In this podcast I interview Kathi Enderes, our SVP of Research and a seasoned healthcare executive, about our new GWI research on this vital industry. Learn how the healthcare providers are solving some of the most challenging talent issues in the economy. Additional Resources The Global Workforce Intelligence Project Healthcare At A Crossroads: What To Do?

In this podcast, I “spill the beans” on all the major trends in HR Technology for 2023 I’ll be detailing this in my 75 minute keynote at the HR Technology Conference in September. In this session I talk about: The growth of the HR Tech market and “the best stock in HR technology” The new HR Tech architecture Why investors are changing their strategy in HR Tech How Employee Experience is flipping the market upside down The Next Gen HCM market Growth and disappointments in SkillsTech The emergence of Talent Intelligence Incredible growth and consolidation in Recruiting Tech Category creation of Talent Marketplace New world of corporate learning and the role of the Metaverse, Capability Academies Why the Creator Market will disrupt L&D A new world of People Analytics and Employee Listening The six things you have to know to manage HR Tech well. Yes you should still come to the conference, but this is a good preview. Join our corporate membership if you want much much more! Additional Resources Next Gen HCM: It’s Closer Than You Think Pre-Order My New Book: Irresistible: The Seven Secrets of the World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations HR Technology Market Disrupted: Employee Experience Is The New Core New Research: HCM Best Practices  

In this podcast I discuss the huge, exciting, and brutally competitive market for HR Technology. With the big conference coming up soon, I wanted to give you a sense of how complex this market can be, and how some vendors thrive and others fail to achieve their potential. I list a lot of vendors here, and in every case these are innovative, creative companies run by amazing entrepreneurs. Some succeed, and some do not. So I discuss the keys to success. See you in Vegas in September, where I will be discussing the HR Tech market for the year ahead. Vendors mentioned include Entelo, Pymetrics, HighGround, Impraise, TinyPulse, SumTotal, Saba, Zenefits, Trinet, Lever, Waggl, CultureIQ, Kenexa, EdCast, Cornerstone, CodeAcademy, Skillsoft, Peakon, Workday, Qualtrics, Udemy, LinkedIn, Lynda.com, Glint, Oracle, SuccessFactors, and more. Additional Resources HR Technology: The Definitive Guide HR Technology Archives: All Our Public Research

In this podcast, I discuss our groundbreaking new research on corporate training, Growth in the Flow of Work. After almost a year of research and study of 1000+ companies, we evaluated more than 90 business practices that drive business impact. After a detailed analysis of the findings, the results are clear: it’s time for corporate L&D to focus on growth: career mobility, skills adjacency, coaching, leadership development, and organizational growth. This is a significant new role for corporate training managers. Most companies know they need to focus here, but only 11% of companies are focused here today. This podcast describes the findings. Additional Resources New Definitive Guide: Growth In The Flow Of Work Learning In The Flow Of Work: A New Paradigm The Academy at Bank of America The Creator Economy In Corporate Learning

It has been a crazy year so far, as inflation and recession worries abound. In this podcast I will try to demystify what’s going on and give you what I believe is your mandate as an HR leader or HR professional in the mess of information coming your way. Additional Information It Doesn’t Look Like A Recession To Me Be Careful With The Layoffs How Do You Build an Irresistible Company? Here’s how Starbucks, Walmart, Microsoft, Lego Group, L’Oreal, Chevron, and Cedars Sinai thrive. How Work Design And Job Design Are Holding Companies Back Unleashing Human Potential: The Real Secret To Business Success

As I read about the latest Supreme Court decisions, realizing how many people feel “ignored” by our government, I wanted to give you some solace. Despite the often-dysfunctional nature of our public policy systems, companies can be very fair, diverse, and inclusive. In this podcast I discuss the “real secrets” to diversity and inclusion, with a clear distinction about what “great” really looks like. I included examples of Dow Chemical, Chevron, L’Oreal, Cedar Sinai, Target and others who lead in this area. And what you’ll hear is that you can create a fair, inclusive, and highly diverse company if you focus on the business, not just HR. The story is all about building our own “society” within your company, and how learning to be diverse and inclusive is all part of being what we call an Irresistible company. And for more on that topic, take a look at my book coming out this fall, Irresistible: The Seven Secrets To The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Centric Organizations.

Coming off our Irresistible Conference, I want to highlight the big idea: making your company Irresistible by Design. In this podcast I overview the concept and give you some stories to help you understand this idea. In today’s world of economic change, rapid technology change, war, inflation, and many other uncertainties, there is one business strategy that works: designing your company around the desires, skills, and aspirations of your people. And that’s what Irresistible by Design is all about. This is not about raising pay, increasing benefits, or increasing the flexible work policy. Irresistible by Design is a new way to think about your company, so dig in and let me explain. We are also starting to market my new book Irresistible: The Seven Secrets To The World’s Most Enduring, Employee-Focused Organizations, which you can pre-order now. Listen in and please give us your thoughts. Additional Resources Irresistible By Design: What It Means To Chevron, Walmart, Microsoft, L’Oreal, Cedars Sinai, and Lego Group. Elon Musk’s Email Announcing 10% Force Reduction How Work Design And Job Design Are Holding Companies Back Unleashing Human Potential: The Real Secret To Business Success  

Yes, it looks like we’re headed for a slowdown. Not only have high growth stocks and crypto been devastated, but companies are also starting to wonder about growth. While we’re certainly not in an economic slowdown yet, it’s pretty clear it’s coming, so it’s a good time to get ready. Should you continue to raise wages? Hire like crazy? Spend money on tools and systems? Perhaps, but it’s time to apply a little Talent Intelligence to your business and make sure you’re planning for slower growth. Our big conference Irresistible is only a few days away, and there are a few seats left – so please join us if you can. In the meantime listen to this podcast and you’ll hear some tips you can use. Additional Resources Getting Ready For The Slowdown: What To Do About Hiring Now? A Classic: Five Talent Management Strategies For A Downturn Organization Design: The Real Secret To Growth

After endless articles about Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, I wanted to give some perspective. In this podcast I discuss what’s really going on here, and how Elon Musk’s activities are a good lesson for all of us. Yes, business leaders have a responsibility to society, but their #1 mission is to “get good things done.” And, like Ben Franklin years ago, Elon has a lot of good ideas. And this deal has some lessons about culture for every company. Additional Resources Elon Musk’s Pitch Deck: Big Plans For Twitter Citizenship Redefined: Trust, Responsibility, Inclusion Elon Musk Thinks He Can Double Twitter’s Revenues    

We have entered a new phase in the economy: one where employees are simply fed-up. Union movements at Starbucks, Amazon, and Apple are just the tip of the iceberg: almost 81% of employees are “burned out.” In this podcast I describe what’s going on, and why you have to totally “rethink” the idea of Employee Engagement or Employee Experience. And I give you the five new issues to consider. Additional Information Irresistible: The Global Conference for HR Leaders and their Teams The Definitive Guide to Employee Experience Redesigning Jobs, Organizations, and Work: The Opportunity Of A Lifetime