Integrate or Die: a work technology podcast

Pierre Rousseau - Middleware & Integration Technology

Steve talks with Pierre Rousseau about the challenges of managing software integrations.  Pierre is the President of Cloud Connectors, a company that provides solutions that manage integrations between HR technology solutions. Some of the things we cover
+ What middleware technology does and why it is more than you might realize
+ Strengths and weakness of different types of middleware platforms
+ How to talk to technology vendors about integrations
 
We also learn why building your own software integrations tends to be a bad idea.

Bruce Mazza - Technology Partnership Strategies

Steve talks with Bruce Mazza about the role partner management plays in HR technology. Bruce is the SVP of Global Alliances for 360 Learning, a collaborative learning solution. HIs career has focused on building effective partnerships between technology companies that provide different but complementary solutions. Some things we cover:
+ Why you should ask technology vendors about their partner strategy, and what to look for in their answers.
+ The critical but somewhat hidden role middleware plays in the world of HR technology
+ The increasingly critical role integration is having on the use of HR technology 
 

Mike Hudy - Staffing Assessment Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Dr. Mike Hudy about using technology to improve hiring decisions and create positive and equitable candidate experiences. Mike is Chief Science Officer at HireVue and has years of experience building empirically validated assessments to support candidate selection. Some things we cover:
+ Why one of the criteria for evaluating technology solutions should be to consider the alternative 
+ The risk and danger of automating stupidity
+ The science of ensuring staffing selection algorithms are accurate, fair, and equitable
We also learn that the requisition process is the root of all evil in staffing, and that the first step to being a Chief Expert is to become a Junior Expert

Jim Newman & Michael Pawlyzyn - Selling HR Technology

Steve and Jordan chat with Jim Newman, founder of HRIZONS and Michael Pawlyczn, head of sales for SAP SuccessFactors North America about what it takes to convince organizations to invest in HR technology.  And the actions that have to take place after the initial sale to ensure high levels of adoption and long-term license renewals. 

Mary Poppen - Experience Management Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Mary Poppen about links between HR technology, employee experience, and customer experience. Prior to her role as President of the Employee Experience Division of HRIZONs, Mary led customer experience functions in several prominent HR technology companies and wrote a book about customer and employee experience called “Goodbye Churn, Hello Growth!” . Some things we cover:
+ The challenge of experience management being something that everyone is responsible for but that few people are held accountable for.
+ Why companies need more centralized, cross-functional, continuous, integrated employee and customer experience management platforms.
+ Reasons companies struggle when building experience management technology platforms and functions
We also hear Jordan talk about dark, scary temperature-controlled closets and learn that Steve was once in the CIA (not that CIA)

Sujit Karpe - Skills Management Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Sujit Karpe about using technology to identify, assess and utilize employee skills. Sujit is the Chief Technical Officer at iMocha where he has guided development of large scale HR technology solutions that use AI/ML to improve skills management. Some things we cover:
+ The need for a common language around jobs and skills, and why it is hard to achieve. 
+ The difference between skills data platforms and skills application platforms
+ Approaching skills assessment from an employee perspective
We also give Jordan the opportunity to rate Steve’s skill proficiency level.

Maria Colacurcio - Pay Equity Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Maria Colacurcioabout using technology to reduce pay inequity based on gender bias and other non-job relevant employee characteristics. Maria is CEO for Syndio where she helps companies identify, understand, and correct situations where employees are being paid unfairly relative to their skills and contributions. Some things we cover:
+ Equitable pay does not mean equal pay and why it is hard to ensure people are paid fairly
+ The impact performance management has on achieving pay equity
+ Moving from pay for negotiation to pay for performance
We also explore whether changing the lighting changes the conversation.

Sam Passman -Talent Management Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Sam Passman about using technology to support talent management activities such goal setting, coaching, performance management, and career development. Sam is VP Product Management at SAP SuccessFactors and has played a central role in building some of the most widely used learning and talent technology solutions in the market. Some things we cover:
+ Shifting talent management from an organizational driven to employee driven activity
+ How AI is changing how companies and employees do talent management
+ The importance of creating transparency in talent management practices
We also discuss musicals and almost break out into song, but thankfully come to our senses.

Russ Fadel - Production Worker Learning Technology

Steve and Jordan talk with Russ Fadel about using technology to support the training needs and job requirements of shop floor production workers. Russ, CEO at Augmentr brings a different perspective to HR technology coming from a background developing production technology systems. Some things we cover:
+ Unique challenges affecting production workers and operations workforces
+ The value of having better data on production worker skills and capabilities
+ Production worker attitudes toward technology that monitors their productivity and safety
We also learn why Google glasses never became cool in the world of manufacturing and the “beers with my boss” strategy for talent advancement.

Paul Rubenstein - HR Analytics Technology

 Steve and Jordan talk with Paul Rubensteinabout how to effectively collect and utilize workforce data to drive business results. Paul is the Chief Customer Officer for Vizier and has built a career based on a passion for using science and data to make better decisions about talent. Some of the things we cover:
+ Why data validity has and continues to be a fundamental challenge to the field of HR analytics
+ The importance of looking at data from the perspective of people who do not work in HR
+ What HR can learn from finance when it comes to making effective use of data
Steve and Jordan also learn what it means to be a “passenger princess”.