CHRO Champions

HR has more influence than any other position in an organization. They have access to all the data and are having conversations with everyone from the CEO to the janitor on a daily basis. It becomes crucial, then, to make sure HR is using that influence in the most effective way possible: Proactively driving change to address the current labor crisis Making sure the company's workforce provides a competitive advantage Addressing the challenges of employer-sponsored healthcare head-on We speak with Dr. Wade Larson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Wagstaff, about workplace retention, behavior changes in regards to health care, and the value of HR becoming business savvy. Key takeaways from this episode: HR has no authority in the workplace BUT has total influence. Most people who don't like to change, unless it's their idea. This is where HR can add value. Your people are not coming back to work, it is time to act now before it's too late. If you don't know the rules when it comes to healthcare, you will lose. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Sustainability isn't just about the environment. It's a broad topic that also takes into account health and safety, human capital, and community service. Jenn Congdon, former Chief Human Resources Officer at Ecobat, is passionate about leading sustainability initiatives from HR and she shares her thoughts on the topic. Key Takeaways: Sustainability (doing well by doing good) is not just about PR. It's a tangible way to impact recruiting & retention. Plus employees care about sustainability more than you think. You need more than surveys to measure success. Focus groups will take it to the next level. At the end of the day Sustainability is about Continuous Improvement, and Continuous improvement is one of the best ways to drive employee engagement. Know your Audience, especially when working with other cultures. HR is not the Police! To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Healthcare prices continue to skyrocket, and payers from small employers to large public sector entities are struggling to keep up. In the midst of today's labor crisis, how do plan purchasers and fiduciaries keep costs in check while keeping both employees and the DOL happy? In this episode, we speak with Chris Deacon, Former Director of Health Benefit Operations for the State of New Jersey, about her success with the state's plan and what she learned along the way, why fiduciaries are in the hot seat, and what they can do to prepare themselves. Join us as we discuss: Best practices in healthcare procurement  The challenges public sectors are facing Why fiduciaries are in the hot seat (and what to do to mitigate risk) Improving the healthcare experience Best practices in the pharmacy space  Chris's research recommendations:  The Relentless Health Value Podcast  Revenue Cycle Management Blogs Amicus Briefs To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Did you know one of the most crucial characteristics for an HR professional is listening? It may seem obvious, but you can't overstate it. Keeping a pulse on your team through active listening can mean the difference between retention and turnover. In this episode, we speak with Jess Williams, Chief People Officer at Biscuitville, about the ins and outs of HR, the changing times, and supporting employees. Join us as we discuss: The future of HR and Jess's plan for success Red flags employers should keep an eye out for  Supporting employees through listening and action To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

What does it mean to be a leader? It means treating your customers and employees like a family — whether that means helping one another when a crisis like COVID hits, having fun together, or even grieving together. That's how Debbie Schultz approaches leadership as President of Totem Solutions. In this episode, we get a peak at what that looks like in practice. Join us as we discuss: Debbie's entrepreneurial roots Why a good leader needs to let their employees see who they really are How to come together as an organization in in a crisis To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Healthcare's annual inflation has outpaced every other industry and is leaving most Americans with less than $1,000 in their savings accounts compared to the $10,000 they'd have otherwise. Pair that with people deferring much needed care, our economy and overall health are at risk. We speak with two team members from Totem: Geoff Rowson, SVP of Sales and Finance, and Annette Griffin, SVP of Business Development, about preventative care, alternative employee benefit opportunities, and employer healthcare challenges. They join the show to discuss: Current system issues & the three healthcare villains The challenge of healthcare for employers Audience Q&A To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Travel to, through, and from the airport can be a bit stressful; especially as we've navigated safety concerns through the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our guest today, however, is here to talk about all the ways that experience is improving and just how important it is to value your employees. Today's guest, Alan House, Chief Human Resources Officer at OTG Management, talks about the airport experience, employment procedure, and the value of HR. He joins the show to discuss: Innovation at OTG Management and the roadmap for the next 12 months Maintaining & reinforcing the position as an employer of choice Winning the battle for talent & looking to the future   To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

Thought leadership makes perhaps the loudest buzz of any buzzword today. That's because true thought leadership is immensely powerful. How can you tell the difference between the phony buzzword and genuine article? It comes down to 3 things: confidence, vision and courage. Today's guest, Ellen Duncan, Chief Human Resources Officer at Enercare , says that without these essentials, it's not thought leadership.  She joins the show to discuss: The true meaning of thought leadership  The shifting responsibilities of a CHRO in the wake of the pandemic How Enercare is helping to tackle the labor shortage in the trades  To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Google Podcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts

HR may not generate revenue, but that doesn't mean understanding the business's strategic objectives doesn't matter. As any great HR leader knows:It's vital. That piece of wisdom has helped catapult today's guest, Tracy Notte , into a shining example of a great HR leader in her current role as Chief People Officer at Shift . She joins the show to share some of the many lessons she learned getting there. In this episode, we discuss: Why future HR leaders should experience every role in HR How Tracy is tackling diversity and inclusion For more interviews like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati is thriving through the pandemic due to an impressive HR culture. Emboldened by a set of strong values and mottos, the business looks to expand their workforce. Deborah Gentry Davis, Vice President Human Resources at Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati, joins the show to discuss her experience with the company and how treating co-workers as you treat guests is the key to cultural success. What we discussed: -Deborah's Background and How She Got Started in HR -Transition into Hospitality within HR -Successes & Strategies in HR with Regards to Retention -Hard Rock Casino Objectives and COVID-19 Challenges -Encouraging & Incentivising New Employees -Personal Motivators for Deborah For more interviews like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

The HR world is rapidly changing, and today's professionals have to be adaptable, innovative, and ready to drive major changes. Employee experience is vastly different than it was last year and the future of human resources lies in creating an environment where employees feel safe and free to grow and celebrate success. In this episode of CHRO Champions, I sat down with Stacey Valy Panayiotou, CHRO & Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Graphic Packaging International, LLC, for a lively exploration of her amazing career and valuable contributions to the field. My five takeaways: -For the young people out there: don't specialize too early. -Don't forget the plot. -The best companies measure and promote their people using objective data. And it's not only good for your company, but it's actually better for your people in the long run. -Experiment and iterate to drive change. -You're only as good as your team. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or follow us here on the Totem Blog!

In the post-pandemic world, employees are more focused than ever before on health: mental, physical, and financial. That's why it's crucial for leading companies to embrace the value of unique group wellness concepts and comprehensive insurance plans that address mental health needs. Rory Trotter, Director of Total Rewards & Executive Compensation at Brown-Forman, shares some fascinating insights on the importance of mindfulness and the overall impact of well-being on employee culture. Rory joins co-host Annette Griffin to discuss: -One of the largest challenges benefits professionals are facing: how to manage the cost of healthcare. -Combining a comprehensive insurance package with unique wellness programs to boost overall employee health. -Removing the stigma around EAP programs and mental health, especially post-pandemic. Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Rory Trotter, Director of Total Rewards & Executive Compensation at Brown-Forman Annette Griffin Totem Solutions For more interviews like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

It's always easier to fix something than to build it from scratch. But what do you do when there's nothing there to start with? In this episode of CHRO Champions, I sit down with Julie Goodhart, Vice President or Human Resources at Klaussner Furniture, to discuss her experience building and developing HR functions from the ground up. We also talk about: -Assessment strategies that fill the gaps -The hierarchy of processes -Engaging both champions and resistors -Identifying your best recruiters To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Imagine leaving the corporate world to take care of your family, staying home for a decade, and then jumping back into the corporate world and picking up where you left off while adapting to new trends. Maybe that seems crazy. Or maybe you've done it. In this episode of CHRO Champions, I sit down with Virginia Means, Chief People Officer at United Distributors, to discuss: The impact a family-run company has on culture Creating a mission statement for home and work A unique approach to mentoring The ideal maternity/paternity program To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

An HR professional must go above and beyond to leave a legacy. Standing out from the crowd involves innovating, having a keen eye for talent, and developing the people around you. John Lucas, former CHRO of both Lockheed Martin and Goodyear Tire, has had an incredible journey through his lifetime HR career. John joins the show to discuss his approach to HR and training: -Developing talent and a strong interview process -Bungee jumping between a bird's eye view of execution down to tactical execution -The four questions to ask in succession planning -Leaving a legacy and what John's focus is now For more interviews like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!You can contact John at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntlucas/.

Sometimes engagement at work doesn't have to be about work. Listen to that again. Sometimes (not always) the best way to foster engagement with employees at work is to realize that the engagement doesn't have to be all about work. It's more often about figuring out what an employee is passionate about and then doing what is needed to foster that passion. On this episode of CHRO Champions, I sat down with Kelly Scheib. Kelly is the VP of Human Resources at Proterra, a company dedicated to delivering clean, quiet transportation for all. What we talked about: -Why what an employee does outside of the office is just as important as what they do at the office -What sparked her choice of HR as a career at the age of 19 -Her passion for foster care and how her job at Proterra allows her to follow that passion -Her podcast, SurviveHR, and why you should tune inTo hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

There are no shortcuts to great culture. Leaders have a responsibility to demonstrate the beliefs of their company and reinforce behaviors that reflect those values. They create culture through transparency, authenticity, credibility, and character. It's hard work, but it's worth it. In this episode of CHRO Champions, I sit down with Jeff Shuman, former Chief Human Resources Officer at Quest Diagnostics, to discuss the secret sauce to creating a great culture. What we talked about: -Concepts he's championed over his career -How he drove cultural change at several companies -Common missteps companies make with their culture -His approach to employer-sponsored healthcare in light of rising costs To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The CHRO role is about so much more than hiring; it includes being a part of the processes that achieve the overall targets for the organization and contribute to its growth. As HR continues to move beyond a traditional role to a more strategic one, conversations around HR's value continue to be relevant. In this episode of CHRO Champions, I sat down with Issac Jayaraj, Chief Human Resources Officer at Accscient, to discuss different factors CHROs should consider that add value to a business. What we talked about: -How to take smart risks in your career journey for long-term success -The best way for someone in HR to learn the financial components of a business -How to build rapport in a remote environment -The evolution and future of HR To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Supporting your team's work-life balance and mental health means seeing them as people, not just employees. Stephanie Forand, VP of Human Resources at Cicis, uses her own experiences with mental health to help others successfully overcome their struggles. She finds that getting to the root of any mental health or work-life balance issues is more effective than only evaluating people as employees. Stephanie joins co-host Annette Griffin to discuss… -Her journey & what inspired her to get into HR -How she exercises people over policy in her role -Why she's passionate about benefits -The most common misbelief people have about HR To get in touch with Stephanie, email her at stephanieforand@gmail.com. CHRO Champions is hosted by Geoff Rowson of Totem.To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Before someone starts to really succeed in HR — or any field, for that matter — they have to uncover their ‘Why.' Understanding your passion within HR is essential for growth. Otherwise, why are you even there? In this episode of CHRO Champions, Wendy Hull, VP of HR at Salad Collective, chats with Geoff about… -How she's become successful in HR without a college degree -Her career-defining moments -Why she doesn't let policy drive her work -How her company has coped during the pandemic Connect w/ Wendy on LinkedIn or email her at whull@saladcollective.com. CHRO Champions is hosted by Geoff Rowson of Totem. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Not all great HR leaders start out in the field. In fact, some — like Quentin Misenheimer — transition into HR after the Army, leadership skills in tow. In this episode, Quentin, Vice President of HR at Rollins, shares how he's applied his transferable skills from the military to his current role. Plus, Geoff and Quentin talk about… - Quentin's transition from the Army into a private-sector job - Why adversity is the greatest test of a person's character - How Rollins helps ex-military transition into the private sector - Tips on becoming an employer of choice CHRO Champions is hosted by Geoff Rowson of Totem. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

It seems like everything is interconnected nowadays: smartphones with laptops, sleep patterns with fitness trackers, doorbells with light switches. Why can't our health records have the same level of integration? Phil Brown, VP of Human Resources at Mohawk Industries, joins me today on CHRO Champions to give us the lowdown on the health information exchange. Plus, we talk about… -How Phil helped establish a system of on-site clinics for employees -The benefits and challenges of merging EMRs from different systems -Advice for those trying to move the health information exchange forward CHRO Champions is hosted by Geoff Rowson of Totem. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What do you get when you mix 4 generations of benefits consultants, a passion to help HR leaders, and one Shih Tzu named Weezy? You get Geoff Rowson, SVP of Sales at Totem and the host of CHRO Champions. Introducing him in this episode is Producer Kelsey Kohrs of Sweet Fish Media. In future episodes, you can expect to hear stories, new ideas, and expert tips from leaders in the HR space. Subscribe to CHRO Champions to make sure you never miss an episode! To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to CHRO Champions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts.