Are we still in the hype phase, or have organisations come to peace with AI? In this episode, host Cynthia Cottrell and Mercer’s Global Business Solutions and Innovation Centre Leader, Jean Martin, explore AI in the workplace – in both its current and potential future state. Cynthia and Jean discuss the ‘productive anxiety’ that HR executives grapple with as AI continues to evolve, which gives rise to uncertainty on how to effectively leverage the technology. This leads to discussion about the c...
May 05, 2025•32 min
Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Pacific Guests: Nithya Abraham, General Market Leader, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific Don Barrera, Client Engagement Manager, Digital & Insights, Mercer Pacific Description: Drawing insights from the latest releases of Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey (TRS) and Australian Benefits Review (ABR), this episode highlights a shift in the job market dynamics, where salary budgets are stabilising and employers are regaining pow...
Nov 27, 2024•26 min
Host: Andrew Lafontaine, Partner, Workforce Solutions, Mercer Guest: Shane O'Neill, Host of the HR Community Podcast In this episode, Andrew Lafontaine, Partner and Workforce Solutions leader at Mercer, and Shane O'Neill, host of the HR Community Podcast, talk about Andrew’s 25-year career journey from teaching degree graduate to his current role as Partner for Mercer Pacific. The conversation focuses on how the HR industry has evolved, its challenges, opportunities and innovations. Tune in to l...
Nov 14, 2024•31 min
The goal of AI is not to replace workers but to create a new constellation of jobs and skills. In this episode, Cynthia Cottrell, Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader, Mercer, discuss the importance of organisations understanding how AI can substitute, augment, and transform work and being intentional in their approach to AI to ensure its ethical implementation. They highlight the value of designing work in a way that democratises access t...
Sep 04, 2024•26 min
Imagine a company where every employee, regardless of their location, has equal access to learning opportunities, career growth and experiences. A company where the ability to solve client problems and deliver a differentiated service is amplified by the diverse expertise and perspectives of a connected global network of skilled employees. Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of skills-powered organisations (SPOs) with Amy Baxendale, Global Capability & Workforce Readiness Direc...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the demand for skilled talent is reaching critical levels. As HR leaders and practitioners, it's crucial to address these skills shortages and find innovative ways to retain and develop top talent. In this episode we explore the career journeys of a former rugby captain and a talented artist. Through their unique experiences and unconventional paths, we uncover valuable insights that will inspire you to reimagine your talent mode...
Jun 24, 2024•31 min
Organisations in every industry are looking for ways to increase productivity. But rising levels of employee burnout and a decline in trust show the potential cost. Could AI be the answer? We had over 12,000 C-suite executives, HR directors, employees and investors contribute to our Global Talent Trends 2024 study and we their input helped us uncover four trends that are shaping the people agenda this year: Human-centric productivity (3:32) Equitable work practices (10:40) Ready and resilient wo...
May 15, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Host : Courtney Hughes-Lord, Principal Transformation Consultant, Mercer Guests: Lang Ip, Principal, Workforce Analytics, Mercer, and Anne Le Blanc, Principal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Mercer Do you want to build more confidence around your organisation’s pay decisions? In this episode, Mercer Workforce Solutions leaders discuss the factors contributing to the gender pay gap and share practical interventions to help close it. They explore an always-on approach to diversity and inclu...
Apr 18, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Mercer’s Paul Hennessy, Australian Sales Leader and Dean Tulloch, Leadership & Talent Practice Leader discuss the links between effective leadership and organisational success. They explore the leadership behaviours that bring out the best in teams and the need to set clear expectations to build a stable foundation for collaboration. The discussion also delves into the challenges of succession planning and offers insights into how organisations can plan a smooth transition o...
Mar 11, 2024•23 min
To end the first season of Making Work ‘Work’, we revisit the question posed in the first episode: How do we make work lovable? Join our podcast host and leader for Mercer Workforce Solutions in the Pacific, Cynthia Cottrell, and Andrew Lafontaine, a Partner in the transformation business as they unpack the year. They discuss the concept of flexibility in the workplace, the challenges and tensions that come with it, and how to create a positive work experience for all employees. They also talk a...
Dec 21, 2023•19 min
There’s plenty to debate about where the HR agenda is heading. From hybrid work, to culture, total rewards, skills and AI - what will be the key trends for next year? We asked five experts from Mercer’s Workforce Solutions team to place their big bets for 2024. Tune in to our discussion to gain insights that will help you navigate the increasingly complex world of work. Episode host: David Guazzarotto, Digital HR and Technology Advisory Practice Leader, Mercer Pacific...
Dec 12, 2023•56 min
In this interview, our host Cynthia Cottrell, welcomes David Guazzarotto, Leader for our Digital HR and Technology Advisory practice, and an authority on digital transformation for the workforce and reimagining HR for the digital age. They discuss the landscape of HR transformation, particularly in the context of generative AI and technology advancements. The conversation centres on the impact and immense potential that technology offers HR and the workforce. Five key takeaways from the intervie...
Aug 28, 2023•25 min
Did you know that in Australia, the number of software engineers outnumbers plumbers, hairdressers, or baristas? Despite this, only 15% of Australia's STEM skilled workforce are women, a stark contrast to the nearly 50% female participation in the broader workforce. Today, we delve into the efforts to bridge this gender gap in STEM fields. Our host, Cynthia Cottrell, shares her experiences as a woman in STEM, reflecting on the challenges she faced as one of the few females in her systems enginee...
Aug 02, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this captivating episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell asks Ilya Bonic, the President of Mercer's Workforce Solutions business and Head of Mercer Strategy globally, a thought-provoking question: "Do you think AI will ever replace your job?" This question sets the stage for the conversation as they delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, exploring its impact on the present and future of work. Their conversation covers: HR’s crucial role in integrating AI into business and cul...
Jun 14, 2023•27 min
Step into Mercer’s world of work and discover the secrets behind creating a truly great place to work. In this captivating episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Gaye Morris, Chief People Officer at Mercer Pacific. They delve into the dynamic landscape of modern workplaces and explore the initiatives spearheaded by Gaye, resulting in Mercer's coveted nomination for the prestigious 2023 AFR BOSS Best Places to W...
May 19, 2023•20 min
One of the biggest challenges for organisations has always been how to monitor the skills they have and the skills they will need in the future. But as Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific, and Ravin Jesuthasan, Global Transformation Leader for Mercer, discuss in this episode, a new way of looking at work is emerging, one that takes a different approach at building capacity, unlocking potential and managing careers. They describe this new approach as a movem...
Apr 19, 2023•22 min
As businesses grapple with the challenge of ongoing labour and skills shortages, a growing number are adopting a skills-based approach to define the skills they will need in the future, flex their workforce, and purposely drive career development. In this episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific, speaks with Amy Baxendale, Global Capability & Workforce Readiness Director at Arcadis, about their journey towards becoming a Skills-Powered Orga...
Mar 14, 2023•28 min
Whether you're in the boardroom or living room, inflation and the rising cost of living continue to dominate the conversations in 2023. Employees are worried about their finances and the prospect of limited pay increases. Executives are concerned with the impact of inflation on both their businesses and talent management decisions. Where does this leave workers and their employers? In this episode, our host Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader, Mercer Pacific, and guests Chi ...
Feb 13, 2023•28 min
Is your graduate or early talent program delivering long-term value? In this episode, Laura Manescu, Senior Talent Strategy Consultant at Mercer Workforce Solutions, Fiona Herron, Senior Manager of Graduate Programs at Commonwealth Bank, and Phil Harrington, Leader of Mercer’s Talent Assessment Business, talk about trends and best practices that will help you bring talent in early and develop and nurture them through your organisation. In this conversation, they talk about the challenges and opp...
Feb 06, 2023•25 min
Do jobs really define what we do? In this episode, Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific and her colleague Anne Leblanc, talk about the evolution of work: the journey from job descriptions, capability and competencies to units of skills and the cultural shift required to unleash the value that all employees can bring to their organisations. In this conversation, they discuss the circular economy of talent development, the pressing need to close talent gaps by...
Nov 09, 2022•26 min
Cynthia Cottrell, Partner and Workforce Solutions Leader at Mercer Pacific and her colleague Andrew Lafontaine, Strategy and Growth leader, explore what makes workers happy at work and why it's so important for organisations to focus on creating "lovable" work experiences. They talk about the decline of employee engagement in organisations, the rise of the Chief Happiness Officer, the role of employee benefits, flexibility, the 4-day work week, culture and work design. Not many organisations are...
Oct 14, 2022•24 min
