PeopleOps Explained: The New Playbook for HR Leaders
In this insightful episode of the Plumm Pod, host Georgia chats with Jag Gill, a People Operations Leader, to explore the evolving landscape of HR. Discover what People Operations really means, how it differs from traditional HR, and why agility and transparency are key to modern workforce management. Jag shares his journey from photography to recruitment to PeopleOps, offers practical advice for HR professionals embracing change, and explains how a holistic, data-driven approach can transform employee retention and engagement. Whether you're new to PeopleOps or looking to future-proof your HR strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid reflections on navigating today’s people-centric workplaces.Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Transparency in PeopleOps01:00 – Jag Gill’s Journey: From Photography to People Operations02:30 – What is People Operations?04:00 – PeopleOps vs Traditional HR06:00 – Moving from Reactive HR to Proactive PeopleOps08:20 – Why Modern Businesses Need PeopleOps10:30 – Embracing Agility and Transparency in HR13:00 – Driving Retention and Engagement with Systems Thinking15:00 – Getting Started with Systems Thinking in HR17:30 – Changing Mindsets for the Future of Work20:30 – Communication Strategies in PeopleOps24:30 – Advice for Early Career PeopleOps Professionals26:20 – Trusting the Process: Career Reflections27:50 – Bringing Personality to Your Professional Identity
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28:47
Hybrid on Purpose: The New HR Playbook for Flexible Teams
When the world went remote, many organisations thrived, yet some are still wrestling with return-to-office mandates. In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia, sits down with remote-work specialist Grace Nichols to unpack the myths and mindsets behind location-flexible work.Grace shares her unexpected journey from would-be barrister to HR leader, the burnout that pushed her to redesign her work life, and why autonomy over time is the new currency of success. Together they explore:The real drivers of productivity (hint: it isn’t presenteeism).Remote-first vs remote-friendly, why the difference matters for culture, communication and career growth.Common missteps companies make when demanding a full office return and what HR can do instead.Practical ways to build intentional in-person moments, mentor programmes and environments people want to work in.How trust, transparent “why” messaging and the right workspace can turn hybrid into a competitive advantage.Whether you’re an HR professional rethinking policy, a leader worried about performance, or a team member craving flexibility, this conversation offers fresh insights and actionable advice to help you design work that works for everyone.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Remote Work and HR02:59 The Journey into HR and Remote Work Expertise06:02 Benefits of Remote Work08:48 Challenges and Resistance to Remote Work11:56 The Importance of Communication and Intent in Hybrid Work14:56 Remote-First vs. Remote-Friendly Companies18:02 Creating a Productive Work Environment20:49 Trust and Visibility in Remote Work23:53 Advice for Young Professionals in HR
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28:10
From Burnout to Belonging: Top HR Trends 2025
Explore the five must‑watch HR trends for 2025 in this episode of The Plumm Pod, where host Georgia sits down with Chris Britton, People Experience Director at Reward Gateway. Together they unpack how HR teams can prioritise strategically, cultivate cultures of appreciation, embed genuine belonging, streamline employee experiences, and upskill line managers to thrive amid hybrid work, tighter budgets and shifting UK employment law.Chris shares data‑backed insights, including why organisations that foster employee appreciation report up to a 43 % productivity lift plus practical tips on low‑cost benefits, employee voice, ERGs, storytelling your EVP and preparing “accidental managers”. Whether you’re a Chief People Officer, HR Business Partner, Talent Lead or SME founder, you’ll gain actionable ways to boost engagement, retention and profitability while supporting mental health.Listen now to future‑proof your people strategy and build a workplace where every team member thrives.Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why HR Bears the Brunt of Fast‑Changing Business01:05 Chris Britton’s Journey: From Selling Phones to People Experience Director02:59 Trend 1 – Prioritisation: Doing Less With Less & Making It Count05:43 Creative Low‑Budget People Practices & Leveraging Employee Voice08:10 Riding Out the 2024/25 “Storm” & Preparing for Brighter Times11:11 Trend 2 – Appreciation: Moving Beyond “Thanks” to Human‑Centred Recognition18:00 The 43 % Productivity Boost & Designing Recognition Habits20:44 Trend 3 – Belonging: Tackling Workplace Loneliness & Building ERGs23:08 Remote‑First Belonging Tactics & Data‑Driven Employee Census27:32 Trend 4 – Make It Make Sense: Marketing Your EVP Internally30:12 Brand Consistency From Attraction to Onboarding & Retention35:49 Trend 5 – Leaders & Managers: From Admin Tasks to Human Skills40:51 Overcoming Resistance: Coaching Managers Through Vulnerability & Change43:35 Chris’s Advice to His Younger Self: “You Are Enough”44:56 Wrap‑Up & Next Episode Teaser
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45:02
Inclusive Learning in the Workplace with Rihanna Lindsay-Smith
In this powerful episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia sits down with global L&D expert Rihanna Lindsay-Smith to explore what it really means to create inclusive, accessible learning environments in the workplace.From personal experience with dyslexia to leading major L&D programmes, Rihanna shares how neurodiversity often goes undeclared in organisations, and what HR and L&D leaders can do even without formal feedback to design learning that truly works for everyone.What you'll learn:Why many team members don’t disclose neurodiversity and how that impacts learningThe difference between training and L&D and why it matters How to start inclusive L&D design with limited dataRihanna’s go-to framework for evaluating learning effectiveness (yes, we’re talking Kirkpatrick!)The real impact of unconscious bias training and why it shouldn’t be a “one and done”How L&D and HR can collaborate to drive cultural changeBuilding a psychologically safe learning culture from the top downPower skills your workforce actually needs in 2025Whether you're in HR, talent, or learning & development, this episode is packed with practical insights, vulnerable stories, and powerful advice to help you rethink how we support every learner.Guest: Rihanna Lindsay-SmithFollow her on TikTok & Instagram: @rihannagallery00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace04:54 The Journey into Learning and Development09:58 Inclusive Learning Strategies14:57 Evaluating Training Effectiveness20:03 Collaboration Between L&D and HR24:45 Building a Learning Culture30:02 Continuous Learning and Professional Development
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32:54
From UX to PX: Designing People-Centred Workplaces with Megan Trotter
In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia is joined by Megan Trotter, a Senior People Experience Partner whose journey from architecture and UX design into PX is both inspiring and insightful. They dive deep into what people experience (PX) truly means and how it shifts the traditional HR narrative into something more human, design-led, and impactful. Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or someone eager to introduce more creativity into the employee experience, this episode will reshape how you think about the world of work.Chapters:00:00 – The Human Cost of Poor Work Experiences00:44 – Meet Megan Trotter: From Architecture to PX02:15 – Discovering PX Through UX04:25 – What Is People Experience (PX)?06:13 – Why PX Matters for Engagement and Motivation08:28 – Skills to Transition from Traditional HR to PX10:21 – Start Small: Workshops, Discovery & Listening12:15 – From Transactions to Meaningful Experiences14:32 – Involving Employees in the Design Process16:24 – Megan’s Transition Into People Experience19:58 – The Power of Human Connection in PX21:10 – Challenges of PX in Scaling Businesses23:42 – Time Investment vs. Long-Term Impact25:22 – Design Tools: Frameworks, Personas & Feedback27:45 – When the Product Misses the Mark31:53 – Communication as an Experience33:22 – Advice to a Younger Megan: Courage & Curiosity
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Here’s what you can expect:
– Real talk on workplace wellbeing and HR
– Practical advice for how to navigate the HR space
– Lessons from HR professionals and who’ve seen it all
– Honest stories about what it’s really like behind the scenes at work
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