Welcome to Enterprise AI: Multi-Functional Agents Change Everything
This week I discuss the rapid evolution of AI Agents in the Enterprise, and how they’re starting to replace billions of dollars of legacy enterprise software. It won’t happen overnight, but using our four-stage model, companies are rapidly looking at ways to use AI platforms to assist, automate, and integrate business workflows in ways that ERP and HCM systems failed.
(PS: this disruption is why Workday and Salesforce just had layoffs.)
The four stages are discussed in The Rise of the Superworker. And you can get all the details in Galileo.
Additional Information
Digital Twins, Digital Employees, And Agents Everywhere
The AI Trailblazers! HR Technology Outlook 2025.
AI in HR: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Galileo Professional, The Essential AI Assistant for Everything HR
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22:38
Lloyds Banking Group Describes Its $3B Business and Talent Transformation
Lloyds Banking Group, the largest bank in the UK, is undergoing a £3 Billion business transformation focused on enhancing customer experiences, integrating products and services, and leveraging technology to improve service delivery.
Holly Quincey, Chief Talent Officer, describes the company’s accompanying talent transformation, particularly its skills-based hiring strategy.
Talent Acquisition: This includes bringing executive hiring and leadership development in-house, saving millions. A program called “Prescient” was developed for the top 340 leaders, incorporating tools like Hogan and Raven assessments, 360 feedback, and external benchmarking to build leadership capabilities and align with future skills needs.
Cultural Transformation: Lloyds is shifting from siloed thinking to a more collaborative, customer-obsessed, and growth-oriented culture. This involves fostering a mindset where the bank sees itself as a tech company that does banking, rather than a traditional bank with good technology.
Recruitment and Workforce Planning: The recruitment function was remodeled in 2024, with a focus on reducing agency dependency and aligning talent acquisition with strategic workforce planning. This included hiring leaders with experience in campaign hiring and demand planning.
Financial and Operational Impact: The transformation has already generated significant financial savings, including £20 million in 2024 alone from in-house initiatives like talent acquisition and leadership development. The organization continues to hire thousands annually while embedding innovation and efficiency across its operations.
This WhatWorks interview will give listeners the inspiration to “think big” in your end-to-end talent transformation strategy.
Additional Information
Leadership Development Insights,
Human-Centered Leadership, Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Why Are Some Companies More Dynamic than Others?
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18:43
Can Executive Orders Drive Change? Or Do We Think About Change Differently?
Change and transformation is the theme for 2025. 53% of CEOs believe their company will not exist in ten years, with iconic brands like Starbucks, Boeing, Nike, Intel, Southwest, and Target going through turnarounds. And 93% of CEOs believe AI will totally transform their operating model. (PwC CEO Survey.)
At the same time we’re witnessing a massive “change management” push in the US Federal Government, driven by 200+ executive orders and other communications. The big issue i discuss is “will this form of change even work?” Do “Executive Orders” help people understand and embrace mandates for change?
While political change is not the right model for business, I want to point out how risky this approach may be. Putting aside political issues themselves, I think we’re about to learn a big lesson on “how to create enduring change.” Yes, sometimes things have to happen fast, but in most cases culture is built over years and individuals must be included in the process.
And that goes for AI transformation too, as I discuss in the podcast.
If you want to learn more about the topic of change, I encourage you to check out our Josh Bersin Academy program “Change Agility.”
And please read my book Irresistible, which is now one of the highest rated business books on Amazon.
Additional Information
Despite Political Firestorm, Diversity Investments Are Alive And Well
The Rise Of The Superworker: Delivering On The Promise of AI
Elevating Equity: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Get Galileo®, The Essential AI Assistant For Everything HR
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17:15
How Booz Allen Creates Validated Skills With Scale And Precision
Jim Hemgen, Director of Talent Development at Booz Allen Hamilton, talks with Kathi Enderes about how the company creates validated skills across hundreds of domains, including AI.
This success story defines the journey for every company. Using skills validation provided by Workera, and content from Udemy and HackerRank, Booz Allen has created a highly trusted, validated skills process that credentials employees in a trusted and verified manner. And Jim explains how he works with these vendors to put together a powerful, working solution.
As you’ll hear, the key to success is engaging managers (and employees) to encourage learning and focus on the most important new skills. Jim also describes how story-telling and rewards contribute to the company’s success in ongoing skills development. Today more than one third of Booz Allen staff have completed validated credentials for their career.
Sign up today for our newest course “Building a Skills Strategy that Works,” filled with case studies and a step-by-step guide to skills-based learning, recruiting, development, and career management.
Additional Information
How To Take A Pragmatic (and winning) Approach To Skills
The Rise of the Superworker: Delivering On The Promise Of AI
AI in HR: Certificate Program in The Josh Bersin Academy
Galileo Professional, The Essential AI Assistant for Everything HR
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20:26
DEI Firestorm and Alarming Decline In Trust Defines Our 2025 Mandate
In this conversation, I discuss the DEI firestorm, the evolution and current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the corporate world, the alarming decline in trust towards businesses, and the necessity for companies to reinvent themselves in the face of changing market dynamics and the rise of the ‘super worker’. I also explain how much of our HR research is now clearly playing out in the PwC CEO Survey, which puts a financial picture on much of our HR and workplace research.
Takeaways
DEI programs have historical roots and are essential for business.
The political climate has influenced DEI initiatives significantly.
Trust in business has seen a significant decline recently.
Many employees feel disillusioned with the American dream.
Reinvention is crucial for companies to thrive in the future.
Companies that redeploy talent see better financial outcomes.
The Edelman Trust Barometer reveals alarming trends in public trust.
Diverse and inclusive workplaces lead to better performance.
The rise of AI is transforming business operations.
Engagement in DEI is a business necessity, not just a social agenda.
Important Resources
The Rise Of The Superworker: Delivering On The Promise of AI
January 28 Predictions Webinar
Edelman Trust Barometer 2025
PwC 2025 CEO Survey
Get Galileo®, The Essential AI Assistant For Everything HR