The Josh Bersin Company - podcast cover

The Josh Bersin Company

Josh Bersinjoshbersin.com
Insider Insights on Corporate Talent, Learning, and HR Technology, with analyst perspectives, executive interviews, and in-depth vendor analysis.

Episodes

Irresistible 2024 Recap, Cornerstone Acquires Skyhive, The Emergence of Talking AI Assistants

This week, coming off our amazing Irresistible 2024 conference, I recap what we learned and discuss the evolution of enterprise talent intelligence. I explain the Skyhive-Cornerstone deal, update you on SAP and Workday’s AI efforts, and give you a preview of what’s going to happen as we get our hands on OpenAI GPT4o (Omni). Next year’s Irresistible will be May 19-22, 2025 so put it on your calendar. And if you’re ready to revolutionize your HR team and entire HR function, Galileo is now fully av...

May 24, 202427 min

Inside Microsoft HR's Skills Strategy: A Lesson In Innovation & Investment

In this podcast I discuss Microsoft’s exciting new internal skills strategy, with a focus on Viva Skills, the role of the Microsoft Copilot, and how Microsoft is “inventing new products for HR” as Customer Zero. Customer Zero is Microsoft’s way of “eating their own dogfood” and making sure their new products are well designed before the hit the streets. Video version of podcast: https://youtu.be/6VuOYUBT2KA Takeaways Microsoft is a role model for HR, with an innovative and experimental approach....

May 17, 202421 min

ServiceNow Goes Crazy For AI, Talent Intelligence Goes Enterprise, And Workday Gets Beat Up In The Press

Today’s podcast, recorded in Vegas after a series of conferences (ServiceNow Knowledge and Unleash), talks all about how ServiceNow is making a major play to dominate the space and how Enterprise Talent Intelligence is going mainstream. I also discuss what we covered in our AI in HR workshop and how to evaluate the massive number of tools are coming (including Galileo® from us). I also give you my thoughts about why Business Insider was a bit unfair to Workday and how the HCM market will soon ch...

May 09, 202426 min

Rethinking Employee Experience: Lessons from The BBC and Schiphol Airport

This conversation explores the concept of employee experience and its evolution from employee engagement. The case studies of the BBC and Schiphol Airport demonstrate innovative approaches to creating inspiring employee experiences. The discussion emphasizes the operational aspects of employee experience, including training, inclusion, belonging, pay, and benefits. It also introduces the concept of employee activation, where employees are empowered to make local changes to improve their work exp...

May 03, 202427 min

Here Come The CoPilots! Microsoft Earnings, and Enterprise AI Is Next.

Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, powered by AI, is being widely used by Fortune 500 companies and has become the largest and most prevalent corporate AI tool in the world. A research report by CompTIA shows that 94% of professional users have used some form of AI, including Microsoft’s Co-Pilot. The company is deploying AI at a massive scale, which is improving productivity and saving users hours per day. And there’s more. The integration of AI into enterprise applications, such as Workday and SAP, is tran...

Apr 26, 202427 min

Why I’m Bullish On Workday: News From The Innovation Summit

This week I attended the Workday Innovation Summit and there’s a lot to discuss. Having just celebrated its 19th birthday, the company is embarking on a major transformation. And it’s not just product innovation that’s happening, the company is greatly expanding its business model. Additional Information Workday Innovation Summit: What’s New and Workday’s AI Architecture Enterprise AI At Work: The Talent Intelligence Primer Will Chatbots Take Over HR Tech? Paradox Sets The Pace. The Labor Market...

Apr 19, 202425 min

The Dawn Of A New Era In Learning & Development. Where Is This Going?

In this podcast I discuss the rapid, unprecedented changes taking place in corporate L&D, and how we have to rethink our entire training strategies. Not only is AI radically changing the landscape, we also have to rethink how we blend training solutions with knowledge management and legacy content too. In many ways this is the dawn of a new era in L&D! Additional Information The $340 Billion Corporate Learning Industry Is Poised For Disruption How To Take A Pragmatic (and winning) Approa...

Apr 13, 202423 min

Yes, AI Is Even Smarter And More Disruptive Than We Thought

Is Google’s search monopoly over? In this podcast I give you some striking insights we’ve learned from our Galileo rollout, and explain how AI is about to radically change the HR Tech and consumer landscape. It’s not as scary as it seems, but it’s clear to me that HR Tech vendors, analytics experts, and all information companies are going to have a lot of disruption ahead. And for HR and leadership teams, the opportunities are even bigger than we realized. And I explain why deep vertical AI syst...

Apr 11, 202411 min

Hot Jobs Report Shows A New Economy And Why CHROs Are Key To Growth

In this podcast I discuss the Q1 2024 jobs report and what it tells us about the post-industrial economy. I also not that CHRO pay is rising, talent intelligence is taking over core HR technology, and AI is not, despite John Stewart’s monologue, taking all our jobs away. Lots to think about here, some important resources below. Additional Information The Post-Industrial Age research Nick Bloom Research on CHRO Pay Talent Intelligence Primer Join The Research Study on people analytics and talent ...

Apr 06, 202417 min

Conversational AI Disrupts HR Tech. Adam Godson, CEO of Paradox.

Believe it or not, chatbots are taking over the world. And they’re much more powerful, integrated, and intelligent than ever. In this podcast I talk with Adam Godson , CEO of Paradox . Through its pioneering focus, Paradox has radically changed the way we think about recruiting technology, making the complex process orders of magnitude easier for job seekers, recruiters, and hiring managers. As you’ll learn about in this podcast, these “narrow but deep” Conversational AI systems are extremely po...

Apr 04, 202434 min

Lynda Gratton, Professor at London Business School, And I Discuss How Life and Work Have Changed

This was such a fun discussion: Lynda Gratton, who wrote The Hundred Year Life , and I discuss the new world of work, careers, and policy issues we face. As I discuss in the beginning, the changing demographics and demands workers are essentially forcing companies to become what we call “Dynamic Organizations.” Note that this week Bayer jumped into this new world , following companies like Telstra, Unilever. Schneider Electric, HSBC, and many others. Additional Information About Lynda Gratton Ba...

Mar 29, 202436 min

The Pragmatic Approach To Skills - Bonus Episode

This podcast was just published on YouTube , so you can watch the video. Companies all over the world are buying and implementing skills technology throughout HR. But how do we know what to buy and make sure it’s all going to add value? In this video I unpack a different approach: the pragmatic approach to skills, and how this approach will unlock you from vendor paralysis and make sure your investments really drive tremendous value. Much more to come on this topic, stay tuned for our upcoming r...

Mar 25, 202422 min

Surprising Results From The World Happiness Report: What It Means To You

This week the World Happiness Report was published, an encyclopedic look at happiness for the year. The results are surprising, disappointing, and very important. In this podcast I unpack the findings and show you the six factors that correlate to global happiness and what they mean for you as a leader, employer, or HR professional. Once again there are lots of important lessons here for corporate culture, remote work, pay, and management. Additional Information What The World Happiness Report T...

Mar 23, 202426 min

Why The 4-Day Week? Because 33 Year-Olds Now Run The World.

Why are we having a national discussion about the 4-day week? Because the workforce has radically changed, and 33 Year-olds now run the world. In this podcast I talk about how and why the workforce has radically changed and what this means to managers, leaders, and HR. I also discuss why talent density, talent activation, and empowered leadership are the management secrets for the future. I also describe my discussion with the head of HR at OpenAI, the 4-day week legislation in Washington (Berni...

Mar 15, 202424 min

Why "Talent Density" Is So Critical In Business Today

In this podcast I discuss our meetings in NYC with senior HR leaders about our Dynamic Organization research, and how “Talent Density” is becoming one of the key strategies for growth. I also discuss how “change has changed” and why we have to take advantage of front-line employees and managers in our organizational development and growth strategies. I also discuss what change leaders do and why a new model of leadership is emerging, as well as why financial systems and DEI programs have to adap...

Mar 09, 202422 min

M&A In HR Tech and Implications Of The Workday-HiredScore Deal

This week Workday announced plans to acquire HiredScore and while it may seem tactical, this deal could have bigger implications. In this podcast I discuss M&A in HR Tech and why we may be entering a new AI-fueled cycle of M&A activity. Additional Information Workday To Acquire HiredScore, A Potential Shakeup In HR Technology Introducing Galileo, The World’s First AI-Powered Expert Assistant For HR HR Predictions for 2024: The Global Search For Productivity Understanding AI in HR The Tal...

Mar 02, 202421 min

The Wakeup Call To Colleges: A Growing "Worthlessness" Of Degrees

As companies shift heavily towards “skills-based hiring” to remove bias, we now see the unintended consequence. Half of all US college graduates are now “underemployed” and 52% of college grads never use the skills they studied in school. This new study, which looks at 10-year job histories of college graduates in the US found that “of the graduates in non-college-level jobs a year after leaving college, the vast majority remained underemployed a decade later.” This study included college grads ...

Feb 24, 202418 min

Interview With Joel Hellermark, CEO of Sana - AI-Powered Learning Arrives

In this podcast I interview Joel Hellermark, the founder and CEO of Sana , one of the most exciting new learning and AI platforms in the market. As you'll hear, Joel has a vision for corporate learning which many of us have dreamed about, and he explains how he's bringing it to reality. Over the coming months I will be interviewing other HR Technology CEOs, focused on exploring the many innovations created through AI and other advanced machine learning technologies. So stay tuned for more. Pleas...

Feb 17, 202432 min

What's Wrong With The Recruiting Department?

In this podcast I discuss the urgent need to better automate, upskill, and integrate recruiting. CEOs believe recruiting is the third "most time-wasting" process in their companies (after emails and meetings), yet it's more important than ever. This year companies need to really rethink and transform this function, and this podcast explains the issue. And yes, AI is part of the answer. Additional Information Why Do Companies Hire Too Many People? HR Predictions for 2024: The Global Search For Pr...

Feb 10, 202421 min

Why Do Companies Hire Too Many People? And What About Meta's Earnings?

This week Meta (Facebook) announced revenue growth of 25% year over year and a headcount cut of 22%, with net income soaring to $14 billion, almost a 35% net profit. That spectacular outcome is a result of focus and a clear and rigorous process of reducing headcount. But the big story is not this company, it's the big idea that companies often over-hire . And this over-hiring results in bureaucracy, slowdown, and loss of innovation. Just as Meta has learned this, I believe every company has to l...

Feb 03, 202423 min

Why Does Netflix Outperform? They are a "Dynamic Organization." Here's What We've Learned.

In this podcast I discuss our Dynamic Organization research and how this new way of running a company is rapidly growing around the world. As the title points out, Dynamic Organizations are 31X more effective at bringing innovations to market and far outperform their peers (Netflix is discussed in detail). But this is not as easy as it seems. This podcast is a summary of 200+ discussions we had with HR leaders this week, talking about speed and agility in organization design, Irresistible Leader...

Jan 27, 202425 min

Our 15 Predictions for Work, Technology, and HR in 2024

In this podcast I tell the narrative for the 2024 predictions, and why labor shortages, productivity, and dynamic organization models will become core topics this year. I also discuss the new role of DEI, employee activation, labor unions, and what we can expect in the economy. The 15 predictions are all imperatives and our new research should help you learn, prioritize where to focus, and see around the corners for this exciting year ahead. Additional Resources HR Predictions for 2024: The Glob...

Jan 20, 202420 min

Employee Activation: Redefining The Employee Survey

This week I introduce a big idea: Employee Activation. This idea, which comes from important work we’re doing with Medallia, shows you how to move “beyond engagement” to a whole new world of employee listening and action-taking based on feedback. In the new world of labor shortages, high turnover, unions, and general employee stress, Employee Activation might be the big answer. Here’s a definition: “Employee Activation means designing the company so that managers, line executives, and employees ...

Jan 12, 202414 min

2024 is Here. Is DEI going to DIE? What Do We Do About These Job Numbers?

2024 is off with a bang. The death or decline of DEI strategies, increased activity among unions, and job numbers in December that predict a secular labor shortage for years ahead. In this podcast I give HR and business leaders some advices on "what to do about DEI programs" in this new political environment, and how to think about this ongoing labor shortage. Imagine a world where every employee has 15 job offers to think about each day? That's where we are! And get ready for our comprehensive ...

Jan 06, 202419 min

The Big Stories Of 2023 and What To Expect In 2024

In this podcast I walk through the big business and HR stories of 2023 and what they tell us for the year ahead. 2024 looks like a year with a strong economy, continued labor shortages, with employees continuing to take charge. And as you expect, AI will change everything. And there's one big story that defines everything, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to hear it. Join me as we look ahead and stay tuned for our detailed 2024 Predictions report coming in January.

Dec 26, 202324 min

One Of The Secrets To Success In 2024 Is... Care

As I look back on the year and think about all the challenges we face in business, I'm reminded of the simple human formula of how we care for each other. This topic, that of "care," is not something people talk about a lot at work. But in many ways it's fundamental to business success. This podcast explores that issue. Additional Information Workplace Mental Health Has Become A Strategy For Business Performance The Four-Day Work Week: An Idea Whose Time Has Come The Healthy Organization: Next B...

Dec 16, 202321 min

Understanding The Knowledge Graph Of HR: Galileo™ AI Unveiled

This week I want to give you some insights on AI, the use of LLM's, and how to think about a "knowledge graph" for your company, and how it applies to HR. Yes, your AI strategy, your employee experience strategy, and your own career as a professional are all dependent on your "Knowledge Graph." In HR your knowledge graph includes your understanding of HR practices, vendors and tools, economic and workforce data, company culture, industry trends, HR benchmarks, and the many case studies of succes...

Dec 09, 202320 min

Four-Day Work Week: Not A Benefit, A Performance Improvement Program.

We've just completed a major study of the 4-day week and the results are surprising: companies of all sizes are seeing real benefits and this podcast explains why. While we've all been comfortable with the 5-day week since the early 1920s, it's now time to let go of that paradigm. Lots to discuss and think about here, but it's real. Additional Information Our New Research and Toolkit On The Four-Day Workweek The Four-Day Work Week: An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Videos and Examples) Your Co-Worker...

Dec 01, 202318 min

What Is The Role Of An Expert In The Age Of AI?

I bet you're an expert at something. We all are. But how will it feel when a Generative AI becomes deeper and more expert than we are? In this podcast I describe what an "Expert" really is, and why Gen AI has the potential to totally change the market for Experts: not only HR consultants, but lawyers, accountants, scientists, and more. And that means we "Experts" need to up our game. Consulting firms watch out. After many weeks using our new platform Galileo™, I'm amazed at what it can do. This ...

Nov 26, 202325 min

The OpenAI, Sam Altman Drama In Perspective: What Have We Learned?

The OpenAI board saga has been fun to read about, but now that it's settling down what have we learned? In this podcast I recap the last week's events and give you some perspectives on tech companies, leadership, employee activation, and culture. And by the way, what is the role of the board and where does it fit? And why is Sam Altman so important? As you'll hear, the big lesson here is that the most important stakeholders are not the board , but the employees, management, leadership, and cultu...

Nov 22, 202315 min
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