HR Happy Hour Network

Ultimate Business Efficiency: Marketing
Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer
Guest: Hailey McDonald, Global B2B SaaS Marketing Leader

Summary
In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer welcome Hailey McDonald to discuss the theme of business efficiency in 2026, focusing on the impact of Gen Z and technology on marketing. They explore how Gen Z is reshaping marketing strategies through their use of social media and AI, the role of technology in enhancing marketing efficiency, the growing importance of augmented reality, and the potential of blockchain for verifying ad views. The conversation emphasizes the need for marketing departments to adapt to these changes to remain competitive and efficient. Listen in!

Chapters
0:57 Gen Z's Impact on Marketing Efficiency
04:28 The Shift to Social Media for Product Discovery
07:19 Cost Efficiency in Marketing with Short-Form Content
10:07 Engaging Gen Z
13:51 The Role of AI in Marketing Profitability
19:47 Transforming Customer Experience
23:33 Blockchain and Ensuring Authentic Engagement
27:26 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

From Personal Crisis to Corporate Solution: The Story Behind Caregiving Support Innovation
Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed
Guest: Dave Jacobs, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Homethrive

Summary
In this episode of the At Work in America show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Dave Jacobs, co-founder and co-CEO of Homethrive to explore the critical issue of employee caregiving support and how organizations can make a meaningful impact. Dave shares his inspiring journey from personal experience to building scalable solutions that aid caregivers at every stage. They also discuss strategies for HR and organizational leaders to advocate for caregiving benefits as well as how normalization of caregiving support helps broaden health and well-being initiatives.

Chapters
01:00 Introduction to Caregiving in the Workforce
05:45 Overview of Homethrive's Services and Digital Tools
09:10 The Scale of Unpaid Family Caregiving in the US
14:00 How Caregiving Affects Employee Productivity and Mental Health
16:20 Strategies to get Executive Buy-in for Caregiving Programs
19:00 Supporting Multi-generational Families and Family-centered Care
23:45 Future Trends: Integrating Caregiving into Broader Health Initiatives
28:30 Connecting Caregiving Support with Mental Health and Chronic Disease Management

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

The Hidden Power of Middle Management
Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen
Guest: Gary Cookson,

Summary
In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen speaks with Gary Cookson about the often-overlooked role of middle managers in organizations. They discuss the challenges faced by middle managers, including the emotional labor they perform, the invisible work that goes unrecognized, and the need for better preparation and support. The conversation emphasizes the importance of middle managers in navigating change, particularly in the context of AI and hybrid working environments. They also highlight the need for organizations to redefine the role of middle managers and empower them to create a positive impact on workplace culture and performance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Middle Management Dynamics
05:15 The Emotional Reality of Middle Management
10:05 Invisible Work and Its Impact
13:21 Navigating Change and Uncertainty
21:18 Adapting to AI and Hybrid Work
25:18 Transforming Perspectives on Middle Management
27:21 The New Manager Bounce and Its Implications

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Connecting Operations and HR for the Frontline Workforce
Host: Steve Boese
Guest: Chris Kuntz, VP of Strategic Operations at Augmentir

Summary
In this conversation, Steve Boese engages with Chris Kuntz to discuss the critical role of AI in empowering frontline workers in manufacturing. They explore how Augmentir is addressing the needs of deskless workers, the importance of data-driven insights for management, and the balance between monitoring and worker empowerment. The discussion also highlights the future of AI agents in the workplace and the innovative approaches companies are taking to enhance worker experiences and operational efficiency.

Chapters
00:00 The Importance of AI for Frontline Workers
03:05 Augmentir's Role in Empowering Workers
05:57 Use Cases for AI in Manufacturing
08:57 Data-Driven Insights for Management
14:46 The Future of AI Agents in the Workplace
17:59 Innovations in Worker Empowerment
20:56 The Human Element in AI Integration

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Polymorphism at Work: A Radical New Way to Think About Organizations
Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen
Guest: Perry Timms, Chief Energy Officer and Founder: People & Transformational HR Ltd

Summary
In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen interviews Perry Timms, a thought leader in HR, about the concept of polymorphic organizations. Timms explains that polymorphism refers to the ability of organizations to adapt and change their structure and processes in response to varying demands and data. They discuss the importance of moving away from traditional, rigid organizational models to more fluid and adaptive approaches that can better meet the challenges of the modern business landscape. The conversation also touches on the role of leadership in fostering this adaptability, the implications for traditional industries, and the steps organizations can take to begin their transformation towards a polymorphic model.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Polymorphic Organisations
05:20 Understanding Polymorphism in Organisations
09:40 The Shift from Traditional to Adaptive Models
14:38 Leadership in a Polymorphic World
20:10 The Impact on Business Metrics and Shareholders
24:02 Implementing Change in SMEs
27:34 Resources for Further Learning
Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.
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