PCTY Talks: HR, People and Culture

Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace with Jenny Jeep Johnson

Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace positively impacts work by increasing innovation and creativity, improving problem-solving abilities, and creating a better understanding of the needs and strengths of all employees. Join host Shari Simpson and guest Jenny Jeep Johnson as they address common misconceptions and stigmas surrounding neurodiversity, highlighting the importance of education and open-mindedness in creating a more inclusive work environment.

Guest Bio: Jenny Jeep Johnson, Actor, Speaker, Lawyer, Sales Leader

As a proud Millennial, Jenny Jeep Johnson's resume and interests read a bit like a tasting menu.  Formal education includes BA in Theatre and English from Marquette University, a Juris Doctor from NIU Law, and continuing education certificates from Cornell University.  Jenny has acted professionally, held public office, established herself as a public speaker, and won multiple sales awards.  Her most recent adventure has her managing accounts for a luxury appliance company while raising three children with her husband and two rascally dogs.

Supporting Employees During Layoffs with Kate Grimaldi

Layoffs are never easy, and it’s especially difficult when it comes to supporting employees who may be affected. Unfortunately, in today’s business climate, layoffs often become necessary for various reasons. While the decision is always hard on those involved, there are some strategies and approaches you can take as a manager or part of human resources that will help both those being laid off feel supported during this time, as well as alleviate stress from others in your department or organization.

Join host Shari Simpson and guest Kate Grimaldi as they explore some tips for helping employees through layoffs with compassion and care so that everyone can emerge from the experience feeling heard and supported.

Guest: Kate Grimaldi, Senior Director of Enterprise Talent Strategy at Paylocity

Kate is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience in various industries. Starting in 2017 at Paylocity, Kate made an impact quickly, rising through the ranks and propelling company HR initiatives forward. Today, she lends her skills to multiple projects, including speaking at local and national conferences, working closely with the C-Suite on HR and business alignment, updating the company of more than 5,000 employees with important announcements weekly, and cultivating an inclusive culture that supports the modern workforce.

Quiet Hiring with Kate Grimaldi

Conversations around "hustle culture," constant availability, and working 24/7 led to a new buzzword that took the internet by storm: “quiet quitting.” Now 6+ months later, we have “quiet hiring.” Quiet hiring is far from silent, it communicates the strengths of a team and its ability to adjust to the ever-evolving business environment. Join host Shari Simpson and guest Kate Grimaldi as they discuss how companies are recognizing skills in employees and quietly recruiting them for meaningful stretch assignments.

Guest: Kate Grimaldi, Senior Director of Enterprise Talent Strategy at Paylocity

Kate is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience in various industries. Starting in 2017 at Paylocity, Kate made an impact quickly, rising through the ranks and propelling company HR initiatives forward. Today, she lends her skills to multiple projects, including speaking at local and national conferences, working closely with the C-Suite on HR and business alignment, updating the company of more than 5,000 employees with important announcements weekly, and cultivating an inclusive culture that supports the modern workforce.

Improving Your Business Writing Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with Erin Lebacqz

To be successful in business, it's important to have a high EQ — that is, your emotional intelligence. But what about your writing EQ? To connect with your audience and write persuasively, you need to sharpen your writing skills. Join Erin Lebacqz and host Shari Simpson as they discuss some tips to help you improve your business writing EQ.

Guest: Erin Lebacqz is an International Educator: Teacher | Author | Speaker with High-Value Writing

Erin Lebacqz has been teaching writing for 25 years, both in the United States and internationally. Erin created the High-Value Writing program to help business writers develop more clarity and confidence in their writing. Erin's book and YouTube channel provide down-to-earth strategies and examples to help readers learn to write with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence.

Mentioned in the episode:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlebacqz/
• Website: High-Value Writing https://www.highvaluewriting.com/
• YouTube: Top 10 Writing Tips for Business Writers: https://youtu.be/QgNVT-SKSps

Finding Your Unique Style with Jade Simmons

Jade Simmons is a classically trained concert pianist who, over time, has added speaking to her audience and mixing different genres of music into her repertoire to create what she calls "concert adventures." Simmons believes that imposter syndrome can be overcome by focusing on creating something new instead of imitating what has come before. Listen in as Jade Simmons and host Shari Simpson discuss how you tackle making a lasting impact in your organization and the world around you.

Mentioned in Episode:

• Website: https://jadesimmons.com/

Guest: Jade Simmons, World-class concert pianist, powerhouse activational speaker, and CEO of Jade Media Global

Acclaimed creator of mind-blowing transformational experiences and named one of the “Best Keynote Speakers” (Northstar Meetings), Jade spent the first few years of her career performing as a classical concert pianist. Following an artistic epiphany, she pivoted from playing the piano to impressing audiences to using the piano as the vehicle by which to provide the inspiration, entertainment, and transformation that profoundly moves them instead. The results have been, well…darn impressive.

No stranger to pushing boundaries to see bold results, this concert pianist turned world changer is brought in by the likes of corporations like Barron’s, Mass Mutual, Royal Bank of Canada, DOW, Raytheon, the Hershey Company, Genentech, Valic, Pfizer, and Nationwide to redefine purpose, inspire seismic shifts in mindset, and activate audiences to go out and instantly start living more consequential lives of impact.

Hourly Employee Management with Traci Chernoff

Do you manage an hourly workforce? You're not alone. A recent study found that around 60% of businesses in the US rely on hourly employees. But managing a shift-based workforce can be tricky. If you're not careful, you could wind up with scheduling nightmares and angry employees. Join Traci Chernoff and host Shari Simpson as they discuss the benefits of modern workforce management tools used to optimize staffing levels and keep employees informed.

Guest Bio: Traci Chernoff, Senior Director of Employee Engagement, Legion Technologies

Traci Chernoff is the Director of Employee Engagement at Legion Technologies and an experienced HR leader. Before joining Legion, Traci spent nearly a decade in key HR leadership roles for both luxury and big-box retailers like Target, directly supporting retail management and hourly teams across North America. Recently, Traci worked as a Director of Human Resources for global luxury retailer SMCP, where store managers could reduce the time spent on scheduling by 50% with Legion Workforce Management. Traci is the host and creator of the podcast "Bringing the Human back to Human Resources," where she destigmatizes HR by uniting employee demands and business needs while simultaneously challenging the perceptions and stigmas surrounding HR.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Podcast: Bringing the Human Back to Human Resources
• Company: Legion Technologies
• LinkedIn: Traci Chernoff

 

Hybrid Work is Here to Stay with Elizebeth Varghese

It's estimated that 50 percent of the workforce comprises freelancers, contractors and temporary employees. That's right – the days of traditional full-time employment are numbered. So, what does this mean for managers and HR professionals? Join Elizebeth Varghese and host Shari Simpson as they discuss thinking about work in a new way.

Guest: Elizebeth Varghese, Global Business Leader I People & Technology Strategist I Board Director I Author

Elizebeth leads and transforms organizations to achieve powerful business outcomes. She is a global business leader and advocate of servant leadership, a trusted C-suite advisor and a board director.

Elizebeth furthers People, Technology and HR strategies with solutions in artificial intelligence, Blockchain and robotics - for organizations that operate worldwide and in Space. She is recognized as a global Top 100 Influencer for her continuing work as a futurist and thought leader. She is a #1 best-selling author on management and leadership. Elizebeth brings creativity and a thoughtful, collaborative approach to inspire, uncover the best thinking and exceed business results.

Elizebeth is on the Council of Advisors for the SETI Institute, which works with NASA and other space agencies to explore, in understand and explain the origin and nature of life in the universe. Elizebeth champions space exploration education and programs. She is a Board member at SAYA, a non-profit organization providing after-school programming, education and college support.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Book: [Block]Chain Reaction: The Future of How We Live and Work https://amzn.to/3hHbuKE
• S.E.T.I.: https://www.seti.org/
• Website: https://elizebethvarghese.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizebethvarghese/

The Ever-Evolving Role of the CHRO with Jim Link

As businesses continue to grow and evolve, so too does the role of the CHRO. No longer is this executive responsible for just human resources; they are now a strategic partner in creating and implementing company-wide initiatives. Join Jim Link and host Shari Simpson as they discuss how the CHRO needs to be more than just a HR expert - they need to be a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to the CEO.

Guest: Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, CHRO, SHRM

Jim Link is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Society for Human Resource Management.  With more than 315,000 members worldwide, SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world and the leading voice for matters related to workers and the workplace.

Jim’s career includes roles of increasing responsibility across various industries and companies, including General Electric, the Pillsbury Company, Porsche Cars, and Randstad.  In his recent role as CHRO for Randstad North America, he led a global team of 150 HR professionals who were instrumental in transforming the company into an award-winning, inclusive, and sustainable global leader.

Jim has served as a volunteer leader in several organizations, including the SHRM Foundation Board, the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Human Capital Advisory Board, and the Human Resources Leadership Forum.

Jim holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Murray State University.  Born and raised on a working family farm in western Kentucky, he resides in Atlanta and Alexandria, VA.

Jim is an adjunct instructor in the Executive MBA program at the University of Poznan (Poland) School of Economics and Business and the University of Liège (Belgium) Asia-Pacific campus in Taipei, Taiwan.

Mentioned in the episode:

• SHRM: https://www.shrm.org/
• Jim Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-link/