Episodes

In this engaging conversation, Adam Posner speaks with Lydia Wu about the evolving landscape of HR technology, the challenges HR professionals face, and the importance of strategic partnerships within organizations. They discuss the impact of remote work, the role of data analytics and AI, and the critical need for enhancing candidate experience in recruitment. Lydia shares insights on the necessity of prioritizing hiring processes and the future trends in HR tech, emphasizing the balance between business needs and employee well-being. From consulting with big names like Accenture and Deloitte to driving innovation at Panasonic, Lydia Wu brings a treasure trove of knowledge in HR Technology and People Analytics. At the helm of AI product development and a thought leader on the future of work, Lydia is your real-talk bff on all things HR Tech. Don't miss her insights and engaging stories in her popular channel: Oops, Did I Think That Out Loud? Follow Lydia on LinkedIn Here: https://w…

In this conversation, Adam Posner interviews Stephanie Manzelli, the SVP of People, Talent, DEI at employ, discussing the intersection of HR and technology. They explore the challenges of balancing technology with the human aspect of HR, the importance of effective communication in recruitment processes, and the evolving role of HR business partners. Stephanie shares insights on candidate experience, feedback mechanisms, and the future of HR tech, particularly the integration of AI. The discussion also discusses employee engagement strategies in a hybrid work environment and practical tips for attending industry events. Stephanie Manzelli is a seasoned and dynamic HR executive who partners with leadership teams to develop ongoing strategic priorities that influence and guide employees to improve business outcomes. Before joining Employ, Stephanie held several leadership roles across retail, insurance, technology, and software. She most recently served as Vice President of people and …

In this episode of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Angela Hood, CEO and founder of ThisWay Global, a company focused on using AI to mitigate bias in recruitment. Angela shares her entrepreneurial journey, her challenges as a woman in construction and tech, and the importance of accelerators for startups. The conversation delves into the impact of bias on job seekers and the innovative solutions ThisWay Global is developing to enhance recruitment processes. Angela emphasizes the need for critical thinking skills in the workforce and reflects on her evolving definition of success. Angela is the CEO and Founder of ThisWay Global, a company that converges technology with talent networks (not job boards) to unlock human potential. It's also cool to note that they got their acceleration through Google. Today, ThisWay is one of the fastest-growing SaaS automation companies in the world, serving over 5000 company customers. ThisWay provides unbiased talent matching and sourcing through …

Ben Mones is the founder and CEO of Fama, a modern candidate screening solution that makes hiring great people easy. Fama leverages online signals to identify candidate fit, helping organizations answer big questions like how a candidate might act around coworkers or customers when they join. He founded Fama in 2015 after missing a critical risk on a new hire that was plainly apparent online. Before Fama, Ben held several executive roles at various Bay Area and New York City startups. Ben is also a mentor on the Go-to-Market Advisory Council of Alchemist Accelerator, which is focused on accelerating the development of seed-stage ventures. Ben has been a guest lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management, and USC Marshall School of Business and has been featured in CNBC, Fast Company, the Los Angeles Times, TechCrunch, and the Wall Street Journal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and is based in Los Angeles, California. In this c…

John Federman currently serves as the CEO of HireRoad, driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth with his extensive executive leadership experience. Prior to HireRoad, he held notable positions, including Chief Corporate Development Officer at Salsify and CEO of JRNI, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s scheduling platform, which integrates customer engagement and omnichannel conversion strategies driven by deep analytics. Before his ventures in technology and e-commerce, John made impactful strides in the advertising industry. As the CEO of AdSmart from August 1998 to August 2001, he pioneered the advertising network marketplace, achieving remarkable growth and ultimately facilitating the company’s acquisition by Engage for $437M. John’s visionary leadership and proven track record of leading SaaS companies across a multitude of industries position him to drive strategic growth and innovation at HireRoad. In this conversation, Adam and John, CEO of Hig…

Shane Noe is based in San Francisco and is Vice President of People Operations at ClickUp. He began his career in finance by working at companies like Apple, Google, and Box. He made the mid-career transition to HR out of a desire to bring world-class data and analytics to a function that is underserved at many companies. He has leveraged his quantitative expertise to build Recruiting Ops and People Operations functions at fast-growing tech companies, including Box, Okta, and most recently, Clickup, where he leads People Ops, HRIS, Facilities, People Analytics, and Total Rewards. Along the way, in 2011, he co-founded SnowGlobe Music Festival in South Lake Tahoe, which was acquired by MTV in 2018.  Shane is passionate about using data to optimize operations and drive results and is eager to share what he’s learned with the broader HR community. In this conversation at the HR Tech conference in Las Vegas, 2024, we discuss Shane's unique journey from co-founding a music festival to his …

My guest on E376 of #thePOZCAST is Mandy Rassi! Mandy joined Michaels in April 2022. As Senior Vice President and CMO, Mandy leads the marketing, loyalty, and customer organization and develops strategy, planning, and execution for Michaels’ 1,300 stores. This includes seamless management of their e-commerce business, MakerPlace, a marketplace for handmade goods, classes, and how-to’s. Before joining Michaels, Mandy was VP and Head of Marketing at The Kroger Co., where she led a transformation of the marketing function and worked with her team to create impactful campaigns such as the company’s 2019 “Fresh For Everyone” rebrand. Previously, Mandy spent more than a decade in Brand Building at Procter & Gamble. We have a lot to unpack, so let’s get to it! Mandy discusses her career journey and leadership insights. She shares her experience working at P&G and Kroger and her transition to Michaels. Mandy emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and taking on new challenges. She …

Maha Abouelenein is a personal branding expert, CEO and founder of the global communications consulting firm Digital and Savvy, and author of the forthcoming book, *7 Rules of Self-Reliance* (October 2024). With over three decades of experience, Maha has crafted communication strategies for global corporations, high-growth startups, and high-net-worth individuals. She led PR efforts for Google, Netflix, and Careem (Uber Middle East), helped Weber Shandwick expand in the Middle East, and supported landmark events such as Egypt’s largest IPO. Raised in the U.S. by Egyptian parents, Maha bridges cultures, guiding businesses into Middle Eastern markets. She is also the host of *Savvy Talk Podcast* and an advisor to various organizations and leaders like Gary Vee and more. In this engaging conversation, Maha discusses her journey as a personal branding expert and author of 'Seven Rules of Self-Reliance.' She emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, networking, and lifelong learning, …

My guest on #thePOZCAST is Zach Roseman. Zach founded Draftboard almost two years ago to solve a problem: Companies routinely offer referral bonuses for new hires, but they limit those bonuses to their own employees. Why? Enter Draftboard, a platform where companies make those bonuses public and claimable. This might make my job obsolete! Just kidding. Before that, he spent nine years at consumer internet conglomerate IAC (e.g., Vimeo, Tinder, Turo, Dotdash Meredith, etc.), ultimately becoming CEO of mobile app portfolio Mosaic Group, where he profitably grew the business from $40M to >$200M revenue before being acquired. He has two beautiful little girls, a wife he’s continually inspired by, and an overeager dog. Zach shares his background growing up with his parents in the medical profession and his time in the IDF. He then talks about his experience at IAC and Mosaic Group before diving into the origin story of Draftboard. The idea for Draftboard came to Zach while watching Ne…

Dandan Zhu leveraged her career as a top-billing headhunter and her #7777rule to build technical and executive search direct hire practices, which she parlayed into real estate investing. At age 28, she achieved FIRE (financial independence, retirement early). She is a big believer in what she calls "the Wealth Trifecta," which consists of earning, saving, and investing. In addition to running her R2R (DG Recruit), she leads sales and recruitment training and coaches professionals from all backgrounds. Follow her journey at dandanzhu.com to learn about agency recruitment, sales, career success, and building net worth for today's go-getters. #thePOZcast is brought to you by our friends at Interseller, the prospecting and outreach platform for recruiters and sellers. Check out a free demo today! https://bit.ly/2Fbm/BZ Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and X @AdamJPosner. Takeaways - Earning, saving, and investing are the critical components of buildi…

Sean Behr, the CEO of Fountain, the company transforming the hiring process for hourly workers. Sean and the team have helped over 80M applicants in 75 countries at places like Stitch Fix, Sweetgreen, and goPuff. Fountain has raised $225M to date, most recently through a $100M Series C last June. Sean joined Fountain as CEO in 2020 after founding fleet infrastructure platform Stratim, serving as SVP of Adap.tv through its acquisition by AOL and holding various management roles at Shopping.com. Sean and Adam discuss the importance of building strong partnerships, Sean's background in product development and sales, and the unique challenges of hiring and retaining frontline workers. They also delve into the differences between hiring knowledge workers and frontline workers, including the absence of resumes and the reliance on mobile communication. They discuss the importance of speed and innovation in the hiring process, using the UPS case study as an example. They also talk about …

Our guest on E373 of #thePOZCAST is Amit Matani, CEO of Wellfound (formerly Anglelist Talent). He has spent the last decade working on what fuels him: helping startups and job seekers connect. Before taking leadership, he spent his career in startups, working with, building, and founding companies whose apps have been used by millions of people. Each experience has helped him understand the intricacies of building a driven, motivated, and successful team from the ground up, leading us to his most recent project. Today, Amit is taking his decade+ learnings to build and advance RecruiterCloud, an AI-backed product focused on helping remove the friction of recruiting, foster more seamless connections, and enable great teams with future-defining ideas. Adam and Amit Matani, CEO of Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent), discuss his startup experience and the challenges of building and leading successful teams. Amit shares his journey from being a programmer to starting his own company and…

FIRST AIRED: 6/23/23 My guest on E272 of #thePOZcast is Jesse Cole, The Man In The Yellow Tux himself! Jesse is the founder and owner of Fans First Entertainment, home to the Savannah Bananas as well as The Party Animals baseball teams. Jesse created Banana Ball, which is a twist on classic baseball meant to be the most entertaining, engaging, and fan-first event in the game. Jesse got his start as a leader in the sports and entertainment worlds at age 23 when he was appointed GM of the Gastonia Grizzlies. When ticket sales were moving slowly, he jumped into introducing first-class entertainment into the world of baseball. Many summarize the end-product of Banana Ball to being like the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, but as you guys are about to find out Jesse has built and continues to build so much more. I’m thrilled to have this guy on the show, and we are about to dig in so buckle up! Check out the team at https://thesavannahbananas.com/ and findyouryellowtux.com for any in…

Jarrod Lopiccolo, co-founder and CEO of Noble Studios, shares his journey from architecture to digital marketing. He emphasizes anticipating clients' needs and owning their problems to build long-lasting relationships. Lopiccolo also discusses the need for agencies to be trusted consultants rather than order-takers.  He highlights the value of niche specialization and the ability to bring bold ideas to clients. Lopiccolo shares the lesson of elevating from being a tradesperson to growing and evolving as a business owner. In this conversation, Jarrod Lopiccolo, CEO of Noble Studios, shares his insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the future of the creative industry. He emphasizes the importance of trust, delegation, and building a strong company culture.  Jarrod also discusses the need for entrepreneurs to stay curious, surround themselves with good people, and monetize their passions. He highlights the significance of sustainability and the responsibility to care for the pl…

With over a decade of experience working with leaders and companies ranging from startups to those with over a billion dollar valuation in various industries, including tech, real estate, and industrial cleaning, Jacob has seen what creates success. He has been mentored by and been a mentor to many of the great business leaders. In addition to his work in the private sector, for over five years, Jacob has been training exceptional talent to become coaches in a variety of fields, and his clients have successfully launched businesses of their own, serving clients deeply and generating over a half million dollars monthly for his clients. Jacob and his wife have four children. He is a former rabbi, avid gym and MMA enthusiast, and podcaster. In this conversation, Adam Posner interviews Jacob Rupp, a former rabbi turned executive coach. They discuss topics such as mixed martial arts, faith, the importance of finding meaning in life and transitioning from being a rabbi to becoming a coa…

Gali Arnon is Fiverr's Chief Business Officer and marketplace, the #1 freelancing marketplace with over $360M in annual revenue and over 4M active buyers. She manages the multimillion-dollar company’s business strategy, product development, and implementation. Before her CBO role, Gali served as Fiverr’s CMO for six years. She built the brand’s marketing team, which propelled Fiverr to global recognition, and led the company through major milestones, including its IPO in 2019 and its first Super Bowl commercial in 2020. A longtime management executive, Gali was also the CEO of Brightcom and Wall Street Institute Israel and led business operations as Vice President across segments at the leading London gaming company, 888 Holdings. Gali shares how her parents' professions influenced her interest in design and psychology, ultimately leading her to a marketing career. Gali highlights the challenges Fiverr faced in changing the perception of the platform and combating the idea that …

Michael Browning Jr. is the CEO and Founder of Unleashed Brands, which he launched in 2021 to fill a market gap for trusted kid's activities. Unleashed Brands includes popular franchises like Urban Air Adventure Park, Snapology, Premier Martial Arts, The Little Gym, Class 101, Sylvan Learning, and XP League. Michael's entrepreneurial journey began in 2011 with Urban Air Adventure Park, which now serves over 20 million kids annually and generates over $500 million in revenue. His innovative approach and commitment to creating engaging atmospheres have driven Urban Air to rank No. 1 on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list for six consecutive years. Recognized as a rising star in the Dallas Business Journal’s "40 Under 40" list in 2021, Michael's passion for business was evident from a young age. His first company, Phoebos Partners, developed innovative healthcare marketing analytics software. With years of entrepreneurial experience, Michael leads his team with insight and determ…

John Bernatovicz, a devoted husband, father, and accomplished entrepreneur, serves as the president of Willory, an HR staffing and HR tech consulting firm. With a diverse background as a published author, competitive amateur golfer, professional coach, podcast host, and keynote speaker, John is on a mission to inspire leaders to excel both personally and professionally. Over his career, he has owned six businesses and guided Willory to notable achievements, earning accolades such as NorthCoast 99 and Inc. 5000. John authored "HR Like a Boss," which was published in October 2023 by SHRM Books and quickly became a #1 New Release on Amazon in the Human Resources category. John and I discussed the importance of putting people first in business. They explore the challenges of maintaining accountability and delivering on promises as a leader, as well as the current state of recruiting and the issue of ghosting. They also touch on the role of HR in creating a positive work environment and t…

Recorded LIVE @ SHRM National, Chicago 2024 at the Fountain Booth Mitch Mitchem has been called a beacon of human connectivity in an age increasingly defined by technology. With an innate understanding of human dynamics and a vision for the future, Mitch has always been on a trajectory towards HIVE, even if the dots only now fully connect. As a former tech CEO, his mission has been clear: empower people to excel in a landscape where technology and human intuition intersect. Mitchem has over two decades of rich experience in leadership, learning and development, HR, and he has delivered more than 2500 riveting presentations across 10 countries, Mitch's emphasis on emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability provides a beacon for organizations aiming to foster a culture of adaptability and continuous evolution. His acclaimed book, "YOU DISRUPTED" (Random House), stands as a testament to his forward-thinking approach, guiding readers to not just navigate bu…

Recorded LIVE @ SHRM National, Chicago June 2024 @ the Fountain booth Michael Dickerson is the CEO and Founder of Dickerson Consulting Group LLC, a human resource consulting firm specializing in stress management, workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. He worked 13+ years as a mental health professional. Michael holds a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center in New York. His ultimate mission is to help leaders create a culture of wellbeing — so employees can uncover their strengths, find meaning, and flourish at work. He is the author of a new book “Struggle Well at Work: Positive Mental Health Strategies for a Flourishing Workforce.” We talk about mental health in the workplace. They discuss the importance of addressing mental health issues, the impact of the pandemic on mental health, and the role of leaders in creating an open and supportive environment. They also touch on the challenges of remote work, the potential impact of AI on ment…

Full Video: https://youtu.be/0-GstJg1hCM Recorded at SHRM National June 2024 at the Fountain booth: Lisa Russell passionately tackles real-world problems with innovative and impactful solutions. After several years in the financial services industry, she gained extensive entrepreneurial experience holding key positions on the founding teams of funded and acquired technology startups. Over the years, Lisa has been recognized for her commitment to community and the impact of her efforts focused on mentorship, education, and creating opportunities for women and underrepresented communities. Currently, she leverages her passions and expertise to help take the guesswork out of diversity and inclusion as Account Executive of Embedded Analytics at Visier. Lisa and I go deep about people analytics and the use of data to make informed decisions in the workplace. They discuss the different metrics that companies look at, such as cost of hire and retention rates, and how data can be used to c…

Charisse Pache is the Co-Founder of Dapper Boi, Inc. Within five years of starting her online gender-neutral clothing brand, it is now a seven-figure company on a mission to revolutionize the gender-neutral fashion movement. Charisse loves all things fashion and knows how important clothing can be in positively affecting one’s self-confidence. This is how and why Dapper Boi was born: a brand focusing on size inclusivity and where fashion meets function. In our episode, Charise discusses her upbringing in a Filipino-American household and the influence of her immigrant parents' work ethic. Charisse also opens up about coming out to her parents and the challenges they faced as a same-sex couple. She talks about the origin of Dapper Boy and the struggle to find clothing that mirrors her wife's true identity.  The conversation covers their experience on Shark Tank and the difficulties they faced with funding and supply chain issues. Charisse emphasizes the importance of community and the …

Full Video: https://youtu.be/HeEFcpAoIo4 Recorded LIVE @ SHRM National, Chicago 2024 at the Fountain booth: As Bonusly's Chief Customer Officer, Debra Squyres combines her passion for an exceptional customer experience with her drive to empower companies to connect, motivate, and engage their employees to build winning workplaces. Before Bonusly, Debra was the VP of CS at Beamery and the Chief Client Officer at Namely, to name a few. She has over 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles in Human Resources, ranging from in-house HR leadership to HR Consulting, Outsourcing, Client Services, and Customer Success, working directly with HR teams across various industries. She resides in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband and two dogs. Deborah Squires shares her journey in HR and the changes she has witnessed in the workplace over the years. She emphasizes the importance of making work better and creating a culture of empathy and inclusivity. Squires discusses the challenges o…

Recorded at the Fountain Booth at SHRM National Chicago: June 2024 Heather Bussing is a California employment attorney with over 30 years’ experience providing sensible and strategic advice to employers. Her deep experience with business, humans, technology, and work gives her a unique perspective focused on preventing and solving problems rather than fighting about them. Heather has been interviewed and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Business Insider, and NPR. She writes a daily column on the latest in employment laws, covering pay equity and transparency, AI in HR Tech, and why compliance, diversity, and fairness are good business. In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Heather Bussing, an attorney and recruiter, about employment law and hot topics in the field. They discuss conflicts over paid leave, the need for paid sick leave and family leave, and the challenges of balancing employee needs and employer interests. They also touch on the misuse of …