In this podcast I go through the last 100+ years in the evolution of Human Resources. As you'll see, this profession has exploded with growth, new domains, new job roles, and a massive increase in importance. HR executives are "at the table" with CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs and now must operate in what we call a "Systemic HR" model. This background explains how we got here and is a preview of our Systemic HR research coming next month. Additional Resources Why We Are Entering A Secular Labor Shortage T...
Sep 24, 2023•18 min
In this podcast I discuss the ongoing UAW strike and why it feels strangely out of sync with the economy, EV revolution, growth of Tesla, and emergence of AI. And I also give you my experience with the "true costs" of AI, which you have to reflect in your rosy expectations for productivity. Also some great resources below. Additional Resources What Are The Three Generations Of AI In The HR Market? Why Union Workers May Be Better Paid But More Unhappy (research) How AI Impacts Organizational Prod...
Sep 23, 2023•21 min
This week Walter Isaacson's book came out, so I wanted to give you my thoughts. The book is a fascinating read, and as I finished I left with a new sense of empathy, respect, and admiration for Elon Musk. Not often do individuals take on enormous role models for billions of people, so I wanted to give you a sense of what I learned. Before you judge him, read the book. He, like all of us, is not a perfect person but we can learn a lot from him. I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and opinions. Pri...
Sep 16, 2023•21 min
In addition to my regular podcasts on HR, leadership, the workforce, and the economy I'm now starting a new podcast series on HR Technology . These podcasts will talk about HR Tech markets, trends, and vendors. And I'll give you my unwashed perspectives on how different vendors position themselves. In this first episode I give you a deep introduction to Talent Intelligence, and AI-based solution that is starting to replace traditional HR systems. While the big vendors (SAP, Oracle, Workday, Serv...
Sep 08, 2023•17 min
This week I want to talk about the problem of proliferating HR Tech platforms in companies. It's not a simple problem, but it really is everywhere. The average large company has 80+ HR tools and many global companies have twice that. Why is this taking place and what can you do? And how will AI help? Here are some of the answers, and more resources to help below: Resources HCM Platform Excellence: SAP, Oracle, Workday Implementations In Detail The HR Tech Workshop, Certificate Course in The Josh...
Sep 02, 2023•22 min
In this podcast I discuss the continued growth and confusion in the Generative AI market, and explain how the "AI stack" is still immature, making it difficult for application vendors to deliver on the promise quite yet. It means that you, as a business and HR leader, have to focus your imagination on real-world use cases and guide the vendors in the right direction. As with any new technology platform, this massive shift will take time and the shakeout has yet to occur. Google's announcements t...
Aug 27, 2023•22 min
We just finished five weeks of in-depth discussions with companies about their Gen AI projects and it's pretty amazing. Lots of playing around, pilots, experiments, and fears. In this podcast I describe what we've learned and give you lots of insights on how these systems work, how they will become "IT projects" pretty quickly, and how the vendor market is still shaking out. For more details please read some of the resources below. Getting Under The Covers of AI in HR The Post-Industrial Economy...
Aug 19, 2023•21 min
This week's podcast talks about AI and why this new technology is creating an urgent need to look at Organization Design. I also discuss many of the findings from our Big Reset discussions with 200+ companies about their AI projects. And I included an important discussion by Andy Biladeau about our new Org Design SuperClass. This deep-dive course, designed for HR and business people, takes you through a real OD project (in a simulated company) and gives you access to all our internal consulting ...
Aug 10, 2023•20 min
This week's podcast is all about economics, and how it directly impacts HR. I also discuss the post-industrial economy, a big topic we discussed at Irresistible. This topic will be the focus of much of our research throughout the year. Bottom line: you need to know this stuff, it really matters. The Josh Bersin Company: https://joshbersin.com The JBA (Josh Bersin Academy): https://bersinacademy.com The Deep Dive on AI in HR...
Aug 05, 2023•28 min
This week I'm podcasting from London and discuss my conversations with 50+ companies this week about talent acquisition and other important topics. We're also two weeks into our summer sprint on AI and I share some of the stories we're already hearing from HR professionals about how confusing this has become. But there's a method through the chaos. The Josh Bersin Academy: new courses just released https://bersinacademycom The Josh Bersin Company: lots of new research https://joshbersin.com The ...
Jul 30, 2023•24 min
We just finished a long call with more than 100 companies about their AI in HR strategies. Guess what - everyone is experimenting. While there are hundreds of use cases, most companies are starting task forces, looking for areas to focus, and realizing that the technology is amazing but also immature and very new. This podcast discusses our first big discussion with HR leaders on their experiences, with much more to come. Our New Deep-Dive Whitepaper on AI in HR The Josh Bersin Academy: Join Our...
Jul 24, 2023•18 min
This week I'm podcasting from the UK and want to tell you about the sharply worded letter from conservative Attorneys General to Fortune 100 CEOs threatening to sue them for race-based quota-oriented diversity programs. It's a big messy topic created by the Supreme Court Affirmative Action decision. I also give you some perspectives from the UK National Trust, perspectives on European maturity in business sustainability, and an overview of our new research on AI ( available now .) Additional Res...
Jul 15, 2023•24 min
In this podcast I discuss what we've learned about building the Skills-Based Organization, what's happening with skills-tech, and I also give you some thoughts on the management issues behind the "Twitter vs. Threads" war going on in social media. The podcast is based on the article below, and also discusses many best practices to consider as you build out your skills solutions, technology stack, and strategy. The NEW Josh Bersin Academy: https://bersinacademy.com The Josh Bersin Company: https:...
Jul 08, 2023•26 min
The Supreme Court decision to roll back Affirmative Action is very likely to set back our diversity and inclusion efforts in business. Many reports point out that dropping Affirmative Action has already hurt diversity in colleges, and that, in turn, is going to hurt diversity in our companies. Here I discuss what we've learned about this topic and I give you some thoughts for your own leadership teams. Resources Research Shows Rollback Of Affirmative Action Reduces Diversity Dramatically "Our Co...
Jun 30, 2023•17 min
Our Irresistible 2023 conference was not an event, it was an "experience." In this podcast I summarize what went on, and give you the big highlights. Themes include Organizational Ingenuity, Productivity, AI (of course), Culture, and a big learning experience from our visit with the Netflix leadership team. Next year's conference will be May 20-23, 2024 so sign up early! And one big message: HR teams have really learned what the "post-industrial age" is all about. Have business leadership teams ...
Jun 24, 2023•24 min
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 w...
Jun 14, 2023•20 min
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 O...
Jun 10, 2023•23 min
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...
May 31, 2023•23 min
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 t...
May 27, 2023•21 min
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...
May 20, 2023•22 min
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 Langua...
May 15, 2023•23 min
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,...
May 06, 2023•22 min
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 solutio...
Apr 29, 2023•23 min
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...
Apr 22, 2023•23 min
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...
Apr 15, 2023•23 min
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...
Apr 08, 2023•26 min
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 ...
Apr 01, 2023•22 min
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 an...
Mar 25, 2023•26 min
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 Wo...
Mar 18, 2023•25 min
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...
Mar 11, 2023•35 min
