At RedThread, we love data—but we know stories are what stick. That’s why we bring together thinkers, writers, leaders, and practitioners to share real-world in...
AI, Learning & Partnerships: How Bertelsmann is Future-Proofing Its Workforce with Steven Moran
AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace, but many organizations still struggle to move beyond experimentation and into real implementation. In this episode, we sit down with Steven Moran, Chief Learning Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer at Bertelsmann, to explore how one of the world’s largest media, education, and services companies is tackling this challenge head-on. With 400 businesses and 80,000 employees worldwide, Bertelsmann is uniquely positioned at the intersection of AI, workforce learning, and industry partnerships—making its approach to AI adoption especially insightful.Steven shares how Bertelsmann strategically identifies which work AI should take over and which skills employees should double down on to stay competitive. He also unpacks why AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about fostering creativity, innovation, and business transformation.From collaborating with OpenAI to rethinking job structures, Steven offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Bertelsmann is future-proofing its workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, a learning professional, or simply curious about AI’s role in the workplace, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the next era of work.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) How Bertelsmann’s Chief Learning Officer also leads partnerships(1:10) AI’s shift from experimentation to real implementation in organizations(8:33) Bertelsmann’s strategic partnership with OpenAI and its goals(10:32) How AI is reshaping work and what skills employees should prioritize(16:40) The journey from AI experimentation to company-wide adoption(22:50) Balancing AI-driven efficiency with human creativity in the workplace(35:00) How Bertelsmann uses skill gap analysis to drive workforce strategyResources & People MentionedBertelsmannOpenAIEthan Bernstein & Job MovesConnect with Steven MoranConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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44:45
Brenda Kowske: Strategic Workforce Planning in the Age of AI
Boston Scientific is looking at workforce planning in an entirely new way. We got the rare chance to hear all about it from Brenda Kowske, their Senior Director of Talent Analytics and Workforce Planning.With 50,000 employees worldwide and a rapidly growing footprint, they’re navigating big challenges with fresh approaches.We talked with Brenda about how her team is breaking down traditional HR silos, integrating workforce planning into business decisions, and staying ahead of the curve with AI and skills-based planning.She’s been in this space for over a decade and brings a sharp perspective on what works—and what doesn’t.From creating global talent pods to using unexpected data like happiness indexes, Brenda walked us through how Boston Scientific is balancing data, technology, and strategy to make workforce planning a true competitive advantage.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]How AI is changing jobs, skills, and how teams are truly built [1:44]Using location and happiness data to make better workforce choices [2:29]The challenge of moving from job-based to skill-based planning [7:00]How to keep workforce data private while still using it smartly [21:00]Why Boston Scientific keeps workforce planning “always on” [24:30]How AI could make it easier to help employees grow their skills [33:20]Resources & People MentionedGDPR – General Data Protection Regulation OverviewCorporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) – CSRD Information (European Commission)Anaplan – Anaplan Official WebsiteConnect with Brenda KowskeBrenda Kowske on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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40:37
Navigating Trump’s DE&I Executive Orders: Clarity with Heather Bussing
In this episode of Workplace Stories, we sit down with Heather Bussing, a California employment lawyer, to break down the recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I).Heather brings her sharp legal perspective, offering clarity on what these orders actually mean for businesses—especially those in the private sector—and how employers can navigate this complex landscape without overreacting.Heather is direct, no-nonsense, and refreshingly calm in the face of the confusion swirling around DE&I today. We dive into the details of the executive orders, what they really say (and what they don’t), and what companies can do to stay on the right side of the law while building a more inclusive workplace.One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is the importance of staying focused on fairness and merit. Heather stresses that while the executive orders might stir up public debates, the real work for companies is about being transparent and fair in their practices, especially around hiring, promotions, and performance assessments.She also talks about the growing need to rethink the way organizations measure success in their DE&I efforts, focusing on meaningful change rather than just checking boxes.If you’re a leader or HR professional feeling the pressure to adjust your DE&I strategy, this episode is for you. Heather offers clear, actionable advice that will help you move forward with confidence.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...(0:00) Introduction to Heather Bussing (and Why You Should Listen to Her)(6:24) What Is an Executive Order?(8:51) The DE&I Executive Orders and Their Focus on Federal Contractors(15:03) Legal Impact vs. Cultural Backlash on DE&I Programs(22:29) Why Fairness Should Still Be the Focus of DE&I Efforts(26:48) Lightening the Mood with the Lightning Round(30:48) Why You Should Do What You’re Already Doing (35:20) Moving Forward: Maintaining DE&I Programs Amidst ChangeConnect with Heather BussingConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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40:36
Simplifying Leadership: Coca-Cola’s Approach to Manager Effectiveness with Tapaswee Chandele
We sat down with Tapaswee Chandele, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Development and System Partnerships at Coca-Cola, to talk about what it really takes to help managers succeed. She’s direct, transparent, and refreshingly honest about the challenges leaders face today—and what companies need to do to make things simpler. From setting clear expectations to measuring what matters, Tapaswee breaks down the way Coca-Cola supports managers without overcomplicating the process.One of the huge takeaways for us was the idea of prioritization: cutting through the noise and focusing on just a few key things that actually move the needle. Tapaswee also shared some thought-provoking perspectives on culture, manager accountability, and why companies need to be intentional about the kind of leaders they develop and reward.Oh, and we got into how AI could be a game-changer for taking boring admin work off managers’ plates so they can spend more time on what actually matters—like leading their teams.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]How Coca-Cola Defines Manager Effectiveness [4:45]Embedding Leadership into Culture and Processes [10:10]Why Manager Effectiveness Is Declining [15:00]Supporting Managers with Data and Feedback [21:00]Using AI to Simplify Managerial Work [30:10]Rethinking Leadership Roles and Rewards [38:00]Measuring Manager Effectiveness at Coca-Cola [43:10]Resources & People MentionedRadical Candor by Kim ScottBetterUp – A coaching platform focused on leadership and professional growthFuture of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic ForumConnect with Tapaswee ChandeleTapaswee Chandele on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
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47:19
The Future of HR: Stacey Harris Shares the 2025 Trends You Can’t Ignore
In 2025, the HR landscape is already transforming–quickly. With AI moving from hype to reality, workforce cultures evolving, and organizations pausing to get their data and systems in order, leaders face both big opportunities and bigger decisions. To truly make sense of it all, we sat down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, whose decades of experience as both a practitioner and industry analyst give her a grounded, data-backed perspective on what HR teams need to focus on right now.From the rise of personalization and the cultural barriers blocking internal mobility to the critical role of managers and why workforce planning is finally having its moment, Stacey gave us a clear-eyed view of where HR is heading—and what’s holding it back.She challenged us to think differently about what “engagement” truly means, the limitations of current AI applications, and why a company’s culture—not its tech—might be the biggest obstacle to success in 2025.If you’re ready to make sense of this rapidly changing landscape and get practical advice on how to navigate the year ahead, Stacey’s insights are the perfect guide.You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...Intro [0:00]Meeting Stacey Harris [4:26]2025 Trends in HR Tech [7:08]AI in HR: Hype vs. Reality [9:06]The Data Problem and Internal Mobility Challenges [12:47]Managers as Barriers and the Role of AI [18:00]Rethinking Engagement and Personalization [23:54]Workforce Planning’s Evolution [38:20]Final Thoughts and Why Stacey Does the Work She Does [42:00]Resources & People MentionedSapient Insights Group – Sapient Insights Group WebsiteSierra-Cedar HR Systems Survey LightcastConnect with Stacey HarrisConnect on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES
At RedThread, we love data—but we know stories are what stick. That’s why we bring together thinkers, writers, leaders, and practitioners to share real-world insights about what works in the workplace, what they’ve learned, and where the future of work is headed. We keep it insightful, thought-provoking, and maybe even a little irreverent.But we don’t stop at conversations. Our research, events, and community turn insights into action, helping organizations and individuals navigate the changing world of work.Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work.Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/home
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