Building the Future Workforce with Michela Browne  In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Michela Browne, a business psychologist and HR leader with global experience at organisations like Canon, McDonald’s, Korn Ferry, Cochlear, and QBE Insurance. Michela shares her unique insights into building a workforce that is prepared for the future by focusing on skills, potential, and purpose.  From rethinking traditional talent management frameworks to embracing psychometric assessments, Michela explores how organisations can shift their approach to engagement and workforce development to better align employee aspirations with organisational goals.  She also discusses the importance of normalising change, particularly in industries undergoing rapid digital transformation, and how a focus on skills over roles can help employees thrive in evolving workplaces.  Key Topics:  How to identify and prepare for future workforce needs  Why traditional concepts of "high potential" no longer serve diverse workforces  The power of aligning employee skills and aspirations with organisational goals  Building global engagement programs with local nuance Learn more about future workforces: https://withyouwithme.com/platform/

What does it take to turn your workforce into a powerhouse of rising talent? In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Tara Karver, an HR strategist and executive coach who has driven people development at Comcast, Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and Pearson. Tara pulls back the curtain on how leading brands create a ‘promote-from-within’ culture that drives engagement and skyrockets capability. From leveraging talent councils to designing workforce skilling experiences that stick, Tara shares actionable strategies to tap into the potential within your team. This episode is packed with real-world insights and bold strategies that HR leaders can’t afford to miss.

In Episode 4 of Employee Activation, we dive into a game-changing approach to recruitment with Craig Drysdale, VP of Talent and Engagement at Leonardo UK.Forget outdated qualifications and strict hiring requirements — Craig reveals how Leonardo is leading the charge in a skills-first revolution that’s transforming how they find, build and acquire top talent. From slashing costs and speeding up time-to-hire to boosting diversity, this episode uncovers how a focus on skills can reshape your workforce in a meaningful way. Plus, Craig gives us the inside scoop on cohort hiring and rapid upskilling, helping mid-career pros break into tech with ease.Packed with real-life success stories and actionable insights, this episode is a treasure trove for HR leaders ready to future-proof their talent strategy.

When Australia’s biggest telco realised they lacked a true understanding of the skills in their workforce and were losing tech talent to the competition, HR leader, Kate Stewart and her team embarked on a large-scale skills mapping project way ahead of its time. In this episode, Kate shares the complex challenges and practical lessons learned mapping the skills of Telstra’s 30,000-strong, nationally dispersed workforce, encompassing a broad range of roles from city-based retail workers to outback field technicians. Learn how this award-winning project delivered unprecedented insight that would underpin Telstra’s workforce strategy for years to come. Plus, learn how innovative technologies are streamlining the skills mapping process for organisations looking to get started today. www.withyouwithme.com/podcasts

Northrop Grumman is a global defence prime working at the cutting-edge of technology in highly complex security domains. They’ve got a workforce of over 100,000 employees solving their customers’ toughest challenges in aerospace and defence – and yet, they still manage to maintain a focus on DE&I, with innovative initiatives for hiring and fostering inclusive workplace culture.  In this episode, Cia catches up with Northrop Grumman UK’s Head of Talent, Sophie Ball. Sophie has been with the company for more than 15 years and has played a crucial role in establishing and championing truly impactful DE&I programs in the UK, especially when it comes to supporting military veterans and their families.  Learn how Sophie has adapted methods from the global business to deliver DE&I at Northrop Grumman in the UK, using data to underpin talent development and creating the diverse workforce needed to remain at the forefront of innovation.

Black market donuts, iconic global brands, revolutionary benefits and 10x employee growth – career Chief People Officer, Edweena Stratton has truly seen it all. But at the core of her 20+ year career is culture; the kind of culture that dominates best place to work award lists year after year, the kind of culture that attracts the best talent, and the culture holy grail that keeps people in it for the long haul.In this episode, Edweena shares the trials and tribulations of building company culture from the ground up with some of the world’s biggest brands including Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Oracle, Salesforce and Culture Amp.Discover what it takes to break out of the ivory tower, truly know your employees and build genuine, lasting engagement across your workforce. www.withyouwithme.com/podcasts

Welcome to Employee Activation, the HR podcast that takes you into the minds of some of the world's brightest workforce strategists to find out how they make both their employees and their organisations thrive.  This season we‘re going to introduce you to an incredible line up of HR leaders who’ve guided the employee experience of leading global companies including Krispy Kreme, Salesforce, Northrop Grumman, McDonalds, QBE Insurance, Korn Ferry, Culture Amp and more. Tune in to discover innovative new ways to activate your employees' potential and create a thriving workplace. Learn more: https://withyouwithme.com/