Vantage Influencers Podcast

In this episode of Vantage Influencers Podcast, we’re joined by Daniela G., Senior Director of HR at Groupe ADP. The session explores Daniela's journey and the transformative strategies she's championed in human resources. From navigating crises to integrating technology with a human touch, Daniela discusses how bold innovations in HR can reshape workplace culture and enhance employee engagement. Tune in for insights on redefining HR leadership and fostering a forward-thinking work environment.

In this episode of the Vantage Influencers podcast, we're joined by Bob Nelson, a bestselling author of over 5 million copies, celebrated keynote speaker, and expert in employee engagement and recognition consulting. Bob delves into the art of creating enjoyable year-end recognition for employees. Drawing from his extensive knowledge, he offers unique insights on how to make year-end celebrations impactful and dispels common myths surrounding employee recognition.

In this podcast episode, Michael Piker shares his insights on the evolving landscape of reward systems, emphasizing the need for personalized, flexible, and technology-driven approaches. As AI, globalization, and shifting employee expectations reshape the workplace, traditional reward models are proving inadequate. Piker highlights the need for HR professionals to rethink strategies to better align with modern workforce realities, ensuring engagement and retention while delivering a measurable return on investment.

Total Rewards has the power to go beyond paychecks and benefits. It can redefine how organizations connect with their people and create more meaningful, holistic experiences that truly engage employees.  But again, what does a truly impactful Total Rewards transformation look like? And how do we design systems that resonate with employees while also aligning with business goals?   That’s what we’re going to explore today. And to help us with that, I’m excited to welcome Priyambi Chordia Malvai, an expert in Total Rewards and HR leadership. She’s currently heading Total Rewards, Organization Effectiveness, and HRBP for Emerging Businesses at Times Internet.    Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia  (02:27) Priyambi breaks down the key elements that make a Total Rewards program truly effective, focusing on inclusivity, market awareness, and alignment with business goals.  (21:39) Adapting Total Rewards programs to meet the rapidly changing expectations of today’s workforce.  (28:25) Priyambi discusses the balance between financial rewards and non-monetary incentives, explaining how companies can use both to motivate and engage employees.  (34:09) The importance of clear communication in Total Rewards programs is explored  (37:11) She talks about how a strong Total Rewards strategy can impact employee retention, especially in a competitive job market.  (50:16) Final thoughts from her on the future of Total Rewards and how organizations can evolve to meet the changing needs of their workforce.

Matt Burns and Anna A. Tavis discuss the evolving role of technology in HR and employee development. They highlight the increasing use of digital coaching platforms, which democratize access to coaching and make it available at all organizational levels. Anna emphasizes that these technologies, including AI, are transforming traditional coaching methods, making personalized support more scalable and accessible. They additionally highlight the need to prioritize human well-being and experience as technological integration in the workplace expands.

In this episode of the Vantage Influencers Podcast, Hisham ElSaied, Regional HR Head- MENA at Helmerich & Payne, explores Cross-Cultural Communication in the Workplace—how cultural differences drive innovation, the challenges of communication gaps, and the power of diversity in problem-solving.

Matt Burns and Tim Gregory discuss the importance of seamless HR service delivery and personalization in enhancing the employee experience at Delta Airlines. Tim emphasizes the need for HR to recognize and respond to different career stages and life events, aiming to build discretionary effort in employees to delight customers. They highlight Delta's commitment to employee and customer safety and the genuine culture that helped them navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The conversation also covers the integration of technology and AI in HR, focusing on reducing friction in employee interactions and using data to drive better decisions. Tim underscores the balance between data-driven decisions and maintaining the human touch in HR practices.

Civility involves showing respect and consideration in interactions, fostering harmony and constructive communication. In this episode, host Susmita joins Mike Horne, Executive Coach and Organizational Development Consultant, to share insights and strategies for creating a respectful and positive workplace culture. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this podcast offers valuable tips for enhancing workplace relationships. Join us on this journey to cultivate civility!

In this episode we’ll be discussing the practical steps, strategies, and inspiring stories of women who’ve carved their own paths to leadership. And to help us through this conversation, we’ve Rekha Radhakrishnan with us. She is currently Group Director of HRBP at the London Stock Exchange Group.  Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia  Timestamps (01:35) Rekha introduces herself and shares insights into common challenges women encounter on the path to leadership. (08:12) She reflects on her journey with self-advocacy in leadership and offers valuable advice.   (10:47) Essential leadership skills that women should focus on to excel and thrive in senior roles.  (20:21) Importance of building strong networks and alliances, sharing tips for women looking to expand their professional connections.  (24:06) Strategies for addressing and overcoming bias and stereotypes while staying authentic in leadership are explored.  (27:52) Rekha finally provides her perspective on necessary organizational changes to help more women not only access but succeed in leadership positions.

This episode explores the vital concept of "scaling with soul" —growing your business while staying true to its values and culture. Discover how leaders can foster engagement, collaboration, and a shared purpose as their teams expand. Our guest, Christina Luconi, shares practical strategies for building high-growth teams without losing the heart of their culture. Tune in for valuable insights!

In this podcast episode, Matt Burns and Sandrine Bardot discuss the significant shifts in workforce dynamics over the past few years, particularly in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). The conversation covers the growing adoption of remote work, changes in labor laws in regions like the UAE, and evolving attitudes towards work-life balance and employee well-being. Bardot highlights the complexities of managing total rewards systems in a world increasingly focused on flexibility, fairness, and alignment between organizational values and employee expectations. Key challenges include rethinking performance management, adapting to hybrid work models, and addressing employees’ financial and mental well-being.

In this episode of the Vantage Influencers podcast, host Susmita speaks with Akram Abdelmonem, Regional HR & Talent Acquisition Manager at Americana Restaurants. They dive into what drives or hinders employee acceptance of change during organizational transformations. Akram shares valuable insights on fostering engagement, promoting diversity, and navigating the complexities of effective change management. Tune in for strategies that can help organizations thrive in today’s dynamic environment!

HR has always been a vital part of any organization, but the role it plays is evolving lately. We are witnessing a significant shift from descriptive HR, which focuses on analyzing historical data to understand past performance, to prescriptive HR, which leverages advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights and inform future decisions.  Now, this transition is more than just a trend. It’s a strategic move that can revolutionize how organizations manage their people, forecast challenges, and create proactive solutions.  To explore this transformation in depth, we're thrilled to have Manisha Kelkar with us for this episode. As the Head of Corporate HR at Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., Manisha brings extensive experience in driving HR strategy.    Timestamps (01:52) Introduction to Manisha Kelkar and her role at Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd.  (02:58) The difference between Descriptive HR and Prescriptive HR, and why it’s important in today’s workplace.  (07:56) Discussion on how Prescriptive HR goes beyond identifying trends to provide actionable advice, with examples.  (10:19) Insights into the crucial role data plays in both Descriptive and Prescriptive HR practices.  (12:30) Challenges HR teams encounter when transitioning from Descriptive to Prescriptive HR.  (19:09) How HR can apply Prescriptive HR while maintaining a human-centered approach and avoiding over-reliance on technology.  (21:36) Manisha’s thoughts on the future of HR analytics and whether Prescriptive HR will become the new standard.

Matt Burns and John Petrov discuss HR challenges in healthcare, focusing on employee engagement and the impact of fixed pricing due to Medicare and Medicaid. They explore strategic HR planning, AI's role in recruitment, and the importance of maintaining culture during mergers. Despite AI's growth, they emphasize the ongoing need for human interaction in HR.

Have you ever thought about how understanding your personality type could unlock your potential? In this episode, we explore how the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can enhance team dynamics, boost collaboration, and align careers with unique strengths. Our host talks to Dr. Mohamed Hassan, a leader in compensation and rewards management, about his journey and the transformative power of MBTI in HR.

Matt Burns and Heidi Hauver discuss leadership, HR, and the pandemic's impact on work culture. Heidi reflects on her 25-year HR career, emphasizing innovation, recognition, and managing growth in startups. They also explore AI's role in enhancing HR productivity and driving strategic initiatives.

Of late, there’s a question that’s buzzing around- Will Tech Savvy Leaders Dominate the Future?  And the hype around this question is no surprise.   As Sean Gerety wisely puts it, "The technology you use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything."   With this perspective in mind, it's intriguing to think about how leaders who excel with tech will influence the future. Will their tech skills give them a major advantage, or are there some challenges and trade-offs we should be aware of?  To help us with these questions, today we’ve with us Sushil Baveja. He is the CHRO at Jindal Stainless. With over 38 years of experience spanning Indian family enterprises to global corporations, Sushil brings a wealth of insight to our discussion.     Host of this Episode- Sanjeevani Saikia Episode Highlights (01:36) Sushil Baveja provides a brief overview of his career highlights so far.  (03:10) A dive into how leaders are reshaping leadership in a world where AI and automation are rapidly becoming the norm. (05:52) The focus turns to the fine line tech-savvy leaders walk between innovation and potential pitfalls.  (11:42) Whether a deep focus on tech enhances innovation or risks stifling creativity- explored.   (17:20) Sushil’s insights on strategies for maintaining organizational agility in the face of rapid technological changes.  (23:20) The episode wraps up with how balancing data-driven decisions with intuitive leadership can help.

What if you could unlock your employees' potential with a few simple learning and development strategy changes? Today, we’ll explore how L&D can enhance engagement and help teams thrive.  Global L&D expert Jessie Osborne will join our host, Susmita in this episode of the Vantage Influencers Podcast. She’ll share insights on L&D’s evolution and common gaps organizations overlook.  We’ll also cover budget-friendly ways to boost engagement, the role of gamification and virtual reality, challenges in personalized learning, and the benefits of microlearning.

When decision-making is decentralized, it empowers team members at all levels to take initiative and respond quickly to challenges. An approach like this can lead to faster innovation, more agile problem-solving, and a stronger sense of ownership throughout the organization.  But to truly understand the impact of decentralizing decision making, having an expert’s perspective is invaluable. So, we’re excited to welcome Siddhartha Das. He is the Head of HR Operations for Global People Services at Reckitt.   Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia    Episode Highlights  (01:30) Siddhartha provides a brief overview of his career highlights so far.   (04:28) The discussion shifts to the impact noticed on overall company performance when decisions are decentralized.    (21:30) Some of the biggest hurdles experienced while implementing decentralizing decision-making.    (28:26) Ways to tackle the challenges- Siddharth's take.  (33:05) How does decentralized decision-making help spark innovation and creativity within teams?   (38:59) The episode wraps up with a discussion of the strategies companies can use to balance decentralized decision-making.

Did you know a people-first culture can boost employee satisfaction by 30% and productivity by 20%?  In this episode, host Susmita talks with Mark Edgar about the transformative power of prioritizing people in the workplace. Tune in to learn effective strategies for building a vibrant, people-first culture.