Meghan M. Biro, Author at TalentCulture

Digital Detox: How to Unplug and Why You Should

Remember when we all had hopes that technology was going to reduce our “busy time?” Well, guess what? If anything, the exact opposite has happened—to a degree that I bet no one could have ever predicted 20 or 30 years ago. Now, I am a huge fan of technology and of the positive aspects it offers for work and play. However, I also understand the benefits of a “digital detox,” and unplugging from technology from time to time. Our “Always On” World In a recent whitepaper titled Always On, Never Done? Don’t Blame the Smartphone, The Centre for Creative Leadership outlined

7 Hottest Trends In HR Technology

Technology has been dominating the HR and Talent Management space for the past decade – with more “real serious widespread adoption” happening in the past year. Has its application plateaued? Is HR finally taking a more active role in driving user adoption? Are there more exciting developments on the way that help to recruit, retain and engage your talent? Where do things stand and where are they going? These are definitely exciting times. Here’s My Take On The Top 7 Trends in HR Technology: 1) There Will Be A Move From Quantity To Quality. We’ve been deluged with technological advances, and many Leaders and HR departments have embraced some, or if very

5 Ways To Keep It Real At Work

Many people have their “real” selves and their “work” selves. We pack away certain parts of our personalities and slap on our game face when we go to the office. Even ask yourself why? In some ways, this is well and good. We don’t want to bring that fight with our spouse or rage against our noisy neighbor into work. But it’s a fine line – the darker experiences and emotions we all experience are part of who we are. It’s what makes us more interesting. Organizations and leaders that create cultures that deny the dark side that pretend everything is up-up-up all the time,

The Benefits of Professional Development — “In Real Life”

While technology has expanded the ways and means through which HR professionals can continue their education, the most rewarding and valuable professional development experiences always occur in real life. On June 19, more than 15,000 attendees will converge on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for four days of learning, sharing and networking at the SHRM 2016 Annual Conference & Exposition. Conference attendance for HR professionals is a key component of professional development. With the workforce and workplace changing so rapidly, having frequent opportunities to gain knowledge about the latest trends, technology and best practices are critical for career growth and

5 Lessons On Influencer Marketing And Brand Transparency

The other day, I ordered a new drink at Starbucks. Normally, I have my go-to favorite, but for some reason I felt like a change. As I was sipping the foamy concoction, I realized something: I made the switch because of unofficial influencer marketing tactics. My friend had been gushing about the drink during our latest meeting, and that recommendation triggered my subsequent purchase. I made a mental note to try her drink, and I followed through. There are some marketing pros out there who think that influencer marketing is a game-changer. Social media has leveled the playing field so that it’s not just the Lady

#WorkTrends #SHRM16 Preview: Professional Development & Relationship-Building

In the world of Human Resources, professional development, networking and relationship-building are not just nice-to-have; they are must-haves. Luckily, conference attendance is a solid way to maintain these important connections. With the workforce and workplace changing rapidly, regular conference attendance informs attendees about the latest trends and best practices, which are vital for career growth. Attending the right conferences also affords busy HR professionals an opportunity to accumulate educational credits to maintain their certifications. From learning to network to sharing what life is like on the “front lines,” being around other HR professionals is invaluable. Next week, Elissa O’Brien, Vice President

#WorkTrends Recap: Data Drives Millennial Hiring

Recruitment data’s importance is continuing to grow for strategic workforce planning, specifically when considering the growing number of young workers joining the labor pool. With millennials becoming the majority of today’s applicants, and expected to make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, it’s clear that businesses need to attract young talent to survive. Susan Vitale, Chief Marketing Officer of iCIMS joined the #WorkTrends show this week to discuss how to use hiring data insights to design an excellent candidate experience, the key to recruiting millennials. Here are a few key points Susan shared: There is a major disconnect between

5 Recruiting Habits Of Successful Leaders

At some point in our job-seeking lives, we’ve all interviewed at a company that felt more like a military school than an exciting, flexible, creative, ever-evolving workplace culture. The signs start early in the hiring process: a dry, lifeless job posting or stale employer branding that does not feel inspired. A blizzard of paperwork, including reams of rules and regulations for submitting a resume. A monochromatic HR office filled with identically-dressed drones who are clearly reading from a script. I can remember walking out of a few select interviews earlier in my career and saying to myself, “There is no way I’m

5 Steps To Unleash The Power Of Your People

Let’s be honest. A lot of people are unhappy at their jobs. They feel unfulfilled, unappreciated, stifled and just plain bored. And their performance reflects it. Many of us have been there at some point in our work lives: crummy boss, lame culture (think logo mugs and posters riddled with “upbeat” clichés), and defeated colleagues who could pass for zombies in a pinch. Everybody loses in a situation like this: the organization limps along, and incredible amounts of employee potential are wasted. But there are ways to banish zombieland and turn your company into a hive of happy employees bringing their best self to work

5 Reasons Why Workplace Flexibility Is Smart Talent Strategy

Most of us, at some point in our lives, have worked in organizations that are rigid and unyielding. You know, cubicle world — acres of gray carpeting bathed in florescent light. We all know these kinds of work cultures breed mediocrity. They deaden the soul (not to mention productivity and creativity). A company may be able to survive being managed that way, but it won’t soar. Because top talent will have no interest in working there. Savvy leaders understand that talent is the single most important factor in a company’s success. You can have all the basics down, but without the right

5 Leadership Lessons: Listen, Learn, Lead

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! We all go through life half-aware sometimes. We have to – there’s so much input these days that if we actually paid attention to it all, we’d be in a straightjacket within weeks. Advertising, social media, music, TV, mobile devices and apps, games, big data, the crazy-quilt cacophony of social media life — a million voices all competing for our hearts, minds and pocketbooks. It’s all too much to handle. So we don’t. We basically hit the mute button on the vast majority of the sensory tsunami. It’s really a matter of self-preservation. Except when it’s a matter

#WorkTrends Preview: Data Drives Millennial Hiring

Recruitment data’s importance is continuing to grow for strategic workforce planning, specifically when considering the growing number of young workers joining the labor pool. With millennials becoming the majority of today’s applicants, and expected to make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, it’s clear that businesses need to attract young talent to survive. The key to bringing them in is to use hiring data insights to design an excellent candidate experience; which, for younger applicants, means an optimized mobile portal and social media-linked application processes and an authentic employer brand to pull it all together. Join #WorkTrends next week

#WorkTrends Recap: Growing Employee Brand Advocates

In today’s workplace, it’s important for people to stand out, and whether they are blogging, using social media or other venues, writing is a key way to share your own voice. Employees are building personal brands that just may be attracting other employers – and that’s okay. Our guest on today’s #WorkTrends show, Roger Panetta, discussed how to build careers, workplaces and businesses using performance and positioning. Here are a few key points Roger shared: Just doing your job is not enough anymore. Job security is slowly going away and will not exist in five years. Employees will leave a company

5 Leadership Secrets Of Collaboration Success

To see what happens when people don’t work together, look no further than Washington, D.C. Instead of pooling their talents for a common goal and the common good, Congress is mired in gridlock, recrimination and petty squabbles. And nothing is getting done. Sound like your workplace? I hope not, because if your company is as dysfunctional as D.C., Chapter 11 can’t be far behind. The fact is there is nothing more important to leadership and organizational success than collaboration. It exponentially increases the odds of amazing things happening. But it can be tough to achieve. Bringing people together and then igniting and nurturing a collaborative effort is a

Improving the Video Interview Process for Better Candidate Experiences

As more companies embrace a globalized workforce, many are seeing video interviewing as a cost-effective and convenient part of the recruitment process. It makes sense. Instead of only pursuing candidates who can physically come into an office, you can use video to reach out to a wider range of applicants early in the process. In fact, the TalentBoard found that, of the 130,000 candidates surveyed overall, more than 25,000 made it to the interview screening stage and 12.9 percent were interviewed at least in part via video (recorded and/or live). And, unlike a phone interview, video interviews allow interviewers to see nonverbal gestures

6 Ways HR Leaders Can Help Humanize the Organization

Historically, business strategies have focused on production and business outcomes. Human capital was considered nothing more than a means to an end. The world is changing, however, with “the growing realization that somehow amidst efficiency, productivity, and career advancement, our very humanity has lost out,” as author Tim Leberecht describes it. Today HR leaders can help humanize the organization; leading the charge toward building a world of work that marries business-minded and relationship-oriented strategies for success. Position HR to humanize organizations. Your employees are the most valuable assets in your organization. Without your employees driving business activities, your company cannot innovate, grow, or evolve. Your HR department

Improve the Candidate “Shopping” Experience

I’ve written before about my passion for the candidate experience…quite a bit, actually. As a board member for the Talent Board, you’ve hopefully witnessed my advocacy for candidates; Of course I also offer kudos to employers who are taking strides toward improving the journey from stranger to employee. However, let’s take it up a level and talk about the overarching strategic level of the candidate experience. Yes, it’s about thank-you notes and avoiding miscommunication, but it’s so much more. The entire process begins long before anyone opts into communication from you or applies for a position. When shopping for a new

Improve the Candidate â€œShoppingâ€ Experience

Iâ€™ve written before about my passion for the candidate experienceâ€¦quite a bit, actually. As a board member for the Talent Board, youâ€™ve hopefully witnessed my advocacy for candidates; Of course I also offer kudos to employers who are taking strides toward improving the journey from stranger to employee. However, letâ€™s take it up a level and talk about the overarching strategic level of the candidate experience. Yes, itâ€™s about thank-you notes and avoiding miscommunication, but itâ€™s so much more. The entire process begins long before anyone opts into communication from you or applies for a position. When shopping for a new

Rethink ‘Brand You’: Find Your Authentic Self

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” – Shakespeare If there’s one business slogan/fad/concept that’s in danger of becoming meaningless through overuse, it’s “brand you.” These days I can spot a “brand” (as opposed to an authentic person) from the first word out of his or her mouth. “Brands” tend to be a little too perfect — packaged, programmed, and plastic. They’re pushing what they think we want to buy, not their real selves. I see this unfold every day in social media – for better or for worse. It’s like the difference between processed food and the amazing

#WorkTrends Preview: Growing Employee Brand Advocates

In today’s workplace, employees are building personal brands that just may be attracting other employers – and that’s okay. Our guest, Roger Panetta, and his organization, Nimble at Work, builds careers, workplaces and businesses using performance and positioning. It’s important for people to stand out, and whether they are blogging, using social media or other venues, writing is a key way to share your own voice. Join #WorkTrends next week to learn more about how to be more nimble in the workplace, perform at your best, and empower others to do the same. Growing Employee Brand Advocates Tune in to our

#WorkTrends Recap: Mobility: The Changing Workforce

The business economy is strong and companies are experiencing rapid growth as a result. That often means expansion into new regions and the need to develop a current workforce to fit those needs, as well as the need to recruit additional talent. These things are made more challenging by the fact that competition for skills today is at its highest. And that’s where technology in general, and mobility in particular, comes in. Companies who focus on mobility as part of their talent strategies are positioning themselves to see the most growth, performance, leadership development, talent acquisition, and talent retention. On this

Big Data Is A Big Deal

Big Data is all the buzz these days. And with good reason. It is a vast storehouse of information that – with the right algorithms and filters – can be turned into actionable insight. Nowhere is Big Data more valuable than in Human Resources and Talent Management. People often ask me “Meghan – Why do you speak about seeing people in 3D?” Well world – This is one key reason why. For decades the gold standards in hiring were the resume and personal interview. But a resume can hide a thousand faults and interviews favor those who are articulate and personable.

Smart Leaders Engage Tomorrow’s Workforce

One of the topics most pressing on my mind these days is the battle for young, emerging talent and how fierce the competition is these days in certain sectors. Companies that win it are the ones that will succeed in the years and decades to come. So what is the key to first hiring and then unleashing the full potential of Millennials and thus building your future workforce? And what exactly are we doing about The Class of 2016, 2017? First, understand where Millennials (this “label” seems outdated btw #justsayin) live. They’re the first generation to come of age in the

Open Up and Lead

This week we found out that the federal government tracks every phone call we make. On the one hand, it’s unsettling. On the other, if it helps stop terrorist attacks, it may be worth it. In some ways what was most disturbing about the revelation was its secrecy. Our instinctive response is mistrust: our government wasn’t being open with us. And we all want open leaders. That’s the lesson in business for companies that are striving to recruit and retain the best talent. When leaders are honest and forthcoming, people feel respected, engaged and invested in the enterprise. Unfortunately, too many leaders still don’t get

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Meghan M. Biro

Meghan M. Biro

Digital Detox: How to Unplug and Why You Should

7 Hottest Trends In HR Technology

5 Ways To Keep It Real At Work

The Benefits of Professional Development — “In Real Life”

#WorkTrends #SHRM16 Preview: Professional Development & Relationship-Building

#WorkTrends Recap: Data Drives Millennial Hiring

5 Recruiting Habits Of Successful Leaders

5 Steps To Unleash The Power Of Your People

5 Reasons Why Workplace Flexibility Is Smart Talent Strategy

5 Leadership Lessons: Listen, Learn, Lead

#WorkTrends Preview: Data Drives Millennial Hiring

#WorkTrends Recap: Growing Employee Brand Advocates

5 Leadership Secrets Of Collaboration Success

Improving the Video Interview Process for Better Candidate Experiences

6 Ways HR Leaders Can Help Humanize the Organization

Improve the Candidate “Shopping” Experience

Improve the Candidate â€œShoppingâ€ Experience

Rethink ‘Brand You’: Find Your Authentic Self

#WorkTrends Preview: Growing Employee Brand Advocates

#WorkTrends Recap: Mobility: The Changing Workforce

Big Data Is A Big Deal

Smart Leaders Engage Tomorrow’s Workforce

Open Up and Lead

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Meghan M. Biro

Meghan M. Biro

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