Steve Degnan is the former CHRO for Nestle Purina North America, a role he held for nearly two decades under three different CEOs. In conversation with host Thomas Bertels, Steve offers his views on what good HR looks like, where the biggest opportunities are for HR to add real value , why seizing these opportunities is often challenging, and what the future holds for the HR function. He shares his take on the impact of AI and the need for HR to maintain human elements in an increasingly automated world. To learn more about Steve and his work, visit https://www.stevedegnan.com.

In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels and Patrick Farran talk about the power of co-creation. The conversation highlights the importance of involving team members in decision-making processes for significant change initiatives, because people value what they help create. Patrick explains the benefits and challenges of a co-creation approach and provides scenarios where co-creation is effective, such as strategic planning and job crafting, and cautions against performative co-creation. The discussion also touches on appreciative inquiry, the necessity for psychological safety, and the mindset shifts required for leaders to successfully implement co-creation. Patrick shares practical tips for leaders to start small with everyday interactions, ensuring clarity of processes and fostering an environment of constructive conflict and collaboration.

00:00 Introduction to Co-Creation

00:59 Defining Co-Creation

01:49 Pros and Cons of Co-Creation

04:39 Examples and Applications of Co-Creation

06:18 Challenges and Leadership Mindset

10:09 Appreciative Inquiry and Co-Creation

11:35 Getting Started with Co-Creation

14:52 Prerequisites for Successful Co-Creation

25:13 Final Thoughts

Use these links to connect and learn more about Patrick and his upcoming book, 'The Intentional Executive,' which aims to guide leaders in being more intentional and effective in their roles.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfarran/

Website: http://www.adlucemgroup.com

Book: https://adlucemgroup.com/the-intentional-executive-prelaunch/

In this episode of Work Matters, host Thomas Bertels talks with independent analyst Dave Friedman about the nuances of AI adoption in large enterprises. They discuss common misconceptions about AI, and the potential risks of integrating AI into business operations. Dave predicts a slower-than-expected adoption in large corporations due to legal, operational, and compliance challenges.

He also highlights the potential job losses in entry-level positions and why gutting these roles is a strategic mistake. The episode provides a deep dive into how companies might strategically integrate AI.

00:00 Understanding AI Output: A Statistical Guess

01:47 Misconceptions About AI

03:52 Risks and Challenges of AI in Enterprises

05:11 Impact of AI on Jobs and Training

07:48 Slow Adoption of AI in Large Companies

12:51 AI Integration Challenges in Enterprises

20:39 Industry-Specific AI Adoption

28:38 AI Winners and Losers

34:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Here is where you can learn more about Dave and his work:

Substack: https://davefriedman.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frieddave/

In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas delves into change leadership with Elizabeth Moran, the founder of Elizabeth Moran Transformation and author of 'Forward: A Playbook Grounded in Neuroscience to Support Leaders Through Change’.

The conversation explores why change is challenging for leaders, practical tips grounded in neuroscience for effective change leadership, dealing with resistance, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in the change process.

Elizabeth emphasizes the need for leaders to manage their own discomfort, view resistance as valuable feedback, and engage teams in constructive dialogues. She also offers a special LinkedIn promotion for her book's audio version!

00:00 Introduction: The Bottomless Pit of Organizational Needs

02:11 Elizabeth's Journey into Change Leadership

05:15 Understanding Resistance and Neuroscience in Change

06:54 Practical Approaches to Leading Through Change

11:53 Handling Tough Conversations and Authentic Leadership

16:20 Balancing Analytic and Empathetic Networks

20:29 Mistakes Leaders Make in Change Management

37:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Resilience

38:07 Conclusion and Resources

Here is where you can learn more about Elizabeth and her work:

Homepage: https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Forward-Leading-Your-Through-Change/dp/1782792899

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-moran/

Special gift for our listeners: If you buy a hardcopy of her book and connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn, you get the audio version of the book for free!

In this episode of the Work Matters podcast, host Thomas Bertels and HR thought leader Stela Lupushor explore how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics. Stela highlights the evolving role of HR in equipping line managers with necessary skills for AI-enabled work environments and discusses the implications of AI on workforce metrics and employee development. With a focus on the foundational changes AI brings, Stella also addresses the importance of protecting employees and maintaining human values in the workplace. The episode concludes with insights on how to prepare the HR function for the adoption of AI and the importance of intentional design.

00:00 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level roles

02:57 How AI will reshape workforce planning

04:30 Redesigning Workflows for AI

05:17 Preparing for an Uncertain Future

05:58 The Concept of Work in the AI Era

08:07 Moderna's HR and Technology Merger

10:43 Duolingo's AI-First Approach

13:19 HR's Role in AI Adoption

20:01 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level Jobs

28:30 Rethinking Talent Metrics

36:37 Future of HR Teams

43:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Here is where you can learn more about Stela and her work:

Homepage: https://www.reframe.work

Book: https://www.humanizinghumancapital.com

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slupushor

In this episode, Thomas Bertels talks to Andrew Patricio, head of data and AI for UNIDOS US, the largest  Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization in the United States. In this conversation, Andrew describes how UNIDOS got started on its AI journey, explains the limitations and risks involved with AI, and explores the implications for the workforce, including potential job displacement and the necessity for skill evolution. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges ushered in by AI, providing listeners with valuable insights into the future landscape of work.

To learn more about Andrew's work, visit his blog: https://www.dataeffectiveness.com/blog

In this episode of Work Matters, host Thomas Bertels and innovation management expert Bill Fischer discuss the Chinese company Haier and how its unique operating model has enabled its rapid growth. Bill explains how Haier evolved from its roots as a local refrigerator company to become a global innovator by embracing two big ideas: zero distance to the customer and entrepreneurship.

The discussion covers Haier's use of microenterprises and platforms to enhance customer experience and employee autonomy, highlighting the importance of organizational vitality. Fischer also sheds light on the leadership of Zhang Ruimin, his adherence to Peter Drucker's principles, and the company's dedication to experimentation. Practical insights on fostering curiosity, distributing value, and sustaining organizational changes are shared to inspire leaders to make work more productive and meaningful.

To learn more about Bill and his work, visit his personal website (https://www.fischerideas.com) or his Forbes column (https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfischer/#1dc40bf66af6).

We also highly recommend his books:

- “Reinventing Giants: How Global Chinese Competitor Haier Has Changed The Way Big Companies Transform,” (with Umberto Lago and Fang Liu), Jossey-Bass, 2013.

- “The Idea Hunter: How to find the best ideas and make them happen,” (with Andy Boynton), Jossey-Bass, 2011

- “Virtuoso Teams: Lessons from teams that changed their worlds,” (with Andy Boynton), FT/Prentice Hall, 2005

In this episode of Work Matters, Thomas and his guest Rami Goldratt explore the theory of constraints, its applications, and its impact on organizations. Rami currently serves as CEO of Goldratt Consulting. Over the years, Rami has been involved in consulting engagements with retail, automotive, textile, chemical, and service industries all around the world. Rami is considered one of the most influential leaders of the TOC body of knowledge, specifically in Sales and Marketing, where his work has become standard practice. Rami is also among the pioneers in developing and implementing TOC applications for the education system – guiding of teachers around the world in applying the TOC thinking processes for children’s education.

In this conversation, we explore:

The Big Idea of the Theory of Constraints

- The core concept of TOC is maintaining focus on key constraints that govern the flow of work in a system.

- Identifying and addressing these constraints can significantly improve organizational throughput.

- While the idea is simple, implementing it effectively is not always easy.

Application examples for the application of TOC

- Heavy Engineering: A company manufacturing high-pressure vessels identified welding as a key constraint. By optimizing the workflow and ensuring welders had everything they needed (full kit), they increased throughput by 20%.

- Airlines: Delta Airlines focused on constraints such as gate availability and pilot scheduling to improve flight operations.

- Retail: Ensuring the right merchandise is at the right place at the right time can be a key constraint in retail environments.

Internal vs. Market Constraints

- Constraints are not always internal; market constraints, such as developing better value propositions, can also limit growth.

- Exceptional value is created when an organization can remove significant limitations for their customers.

Impact on Organizations

- Financial Impact: Addressing constraints leads to higher throughput and a healthier bottom line.

- Cultural Impact: Properly managing constraints reduces internal conflicts and disharmony.

- Organizational Harmony: Aligning different sections of the organization around the key constraints creates a more harmonious and effective work environment.

Challenges in Applying TOC

- Bad Multitasking: Common in project-oriented environments where people switch between tasks without completing any, leading to inefficiency.

- Fragmented Workflows: Over-fragmentation of work can cause synchronization issues and misaligned priorities.

- Resistance to Change: Employees and managers may resist new practices and policies that TOC requires for effective implementation.

Design and Scaling of Organizations

- Standardization vs. Non-Standard Work: Standardizing work to reduce dependency on experts is key for scaling, especially in non-standard work environments.

- Expert Utilization: Freeing up experts from non-critical tasks and focusing on training less experienced employees is essential for scaling.

- Organizational Design: TOC helps design organizations that can scale seamlessly by focusing on constraints and removing bottlenecks.

Relationship with Other Methodologies

- TOC is complementary to other methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. It helps identify where to focus these tools for maximum impact.

- TOC provides a holistic view of the system, guiding where to apply other methodologies effectively.

Overcoming Vicious Cycles

- Identifying and addressing practices and policies that create recurring problems is crucial.

- Example: Bad multitasking leads to longer task durations, growing backlogs, and increased pressure to release tasks quickly, perpetuating the cycle.

To learn more about TOC, we recommend reading...