Meghan M. Biro, Author at TalentCulture

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

4 Steps Of Leaders Who Win Stellar Talent

When I made my first foray into the big bad job market, I had some pretty crummy experiences. Sending out my resume, leaving a follow-up phone message and then getting in response: nothing, nada, zip. Not even the courtesy of a cursory “No, thanks.” Or being interviewed by an underling with sadistic impulses who asked me rote questions and then barely paid attention to my answers. I came away from those experiences and others equally demeaning with a real respect for the companies that treated me like a serious adult with something to offer, even if my talents weren’t a good match for their needs.

#WorkTrends Preview: Mobility: The Changing Workforce

Growth is happening on the global front at a dizzying pace, even in the current economy. Companies are expanding into or within regions where they need to build their workforce quickly and efficiently. Often, that means moving talent to the place it’s most needed, and this must happen at a time when competition for skills is highest. Companies that focus on mobility as part of their talent strategy will see the most growth, performance, leadership development and retention. On next week’s #WorkTrends show we are excited to talk to Peggy Smith, CEO of Worldwide ERC, the premier global professional membership association

5 Ways Leaders Empower The Social Enterprise

We have all seen the power of social and community. People come together and the result is something unified and powerful and greater than the sum of its parts. I’m always inspired when I see the dynamic things a strong community can accomplish. It’s a force leaders must create in their enterprises. Community is about people communicating and bonding, pooling their strengths and talents to deliver amazing performance. To make it happen, leaders have some exciting new tools in the form of social media, digital networks and big data. The question becomes: how do I harness these tools to build the right kind of

#WorkTrends Recap: Heart-Centered Leadership

Improving employee engagement is a constant desire for leaders. But instead of looking to employees for answers, the key might be to look at themselves first. Leaders who develop emotional connections with employees often see better performance and engagement. This heart-centered leadership style is centered on the concept that ethical leadership must start from within; it’s based on principles that promote trust, authenticity, caring and transparency. On today’s #WorkTrends show, we talked with Susan Steinbrecher, leadership expert and co-author of Heart-Centered Leadership, about the seven principles of heart-centered leadership and why this philosophy has proven successful. Here are a few key

HR: It’s Time to “Level Up” with Gamification

Gamification – using game-play elements in a nongame activity – is trending across a range of industries. For a while, HR professionals were excited about its potential to improve employee engagement and training, but adoption rates have been slow. Isn’t it time for HR to “level up” with gamification? Consider this. In January 2016, U.S. employment engagement rates remained sluggish at 32.5 percent, and 67.5 percent of employees were not engaged or were actively disengaged from their work. And the numbers on engagement have largely remained the same since 2012. Gamification might just hold the key to improving corporate culture, commitment,

HR: Itâ€™s Time to â€œLevel Upâ€ with Gamification

Gamification â€“ using game-play elements in a nongame activity â€“ is trending across a range of industries. For a while, HR professionals were excited about its potential to improve employee engagement and training, but adoption rates have been slow. Isnâ€™t it time for HR to â€œlevel upâ€ with gamification? Consider this. In January 2016, U.S. employment engagement rates remained sluggish at 32.5 percent, and 67.5 percent of employees were not engaged or were actively disengaged from their work. And the numbers on engagement have largely remained the same since 2012. Gamification might just hold the key to improving corporate culture, commitment,

Employee Engagement: Every Leader’s Imperative

I had to call my technical support contact last month about a simple billing question. When I finally got a live person, after enduring five minutes of Yanni’s greatest hits, her boredom just radiated through the phone. I guess I caught her mid-yawn. When I told her about my issue she asked me to wait while she pulled up my records. The silence between was broken only by her quiet sigh. Then I said, “Thank you for your help.” And something amazing happened – she warmed up. She said, “You’re welcome” and we quickly got to the bottom of my issue.

5 Habits Of Leaders Who Create Workspace Culture

When I was a student (once upon a time I thought I was to be a clinical psychologist), and broke, and spending time in New York City (also about the time I decided I was not to be a performing artist, choreographer for my career after spending years here doing so), I used to make extra money volunteering for psychological studies at Columbia University. I arrived one day and was told to wait in a small room for the study to start. The room started to fill up with other people, also waiting, until it was jammed and people were sitting

#WorkTrends Preview: Heart-Centered Leadership

Encouraging emotional connections between managers and employees is the key to better performance and improved employee engagement. Heart-Centered Leadership is centered on the concept that ethical leadership must start from within; it’s based on seven principles that promote trust, authenticity, caring and transparency. We are excited to talk with Susan Steinbrecher, leadership expert and co-author of Heart-Centered Leadership, on this week’s #WorkTrends show. We are looking forward to hearing her explanation of the seven principles and why this leadership philosophy has proven successful. Heart-Centered Leadership: Leading & Living Well Tune in to our LIVE online podcast Wednesday, May 18 — 1

5 Ways To Smash The Generational Stereotype Trap

Want to know a deep dark secret? There’s some truth in the stereotypes about Gen Xers, Gen Yers and Baby Boomers and other emerging generations. That’s why they became stereotypes in the first place. Want to know another truth? Stereotyping people is a career- and leadership growth-killer. To thrive in today’s competitive world of work, individuals and organizations need all the help they can get. Be it out of the mouth of babes or ancient wisdom. French playwright Moliere said it best, “I take my good where I find it.” We all know the labels. Gen Yers are lazy and entitled,

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Meghan M. Biro

Meghan M. Biro

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

4 Steps Of Leaders Who Win Stellar Talent

#WorkTrends Preview: Mobility: The Changing Workforce

#WorkTrends Recap: Heart-Centered Leadership

HR: It’s Time to “Level Up” with Gamification

HR: Itâ€™s Time to â€œLevel Upâ€ with Gamification

Employee Engagement: Every Leader’s Imperative

5 Habits Of Leaders Who Create Workspace Culture

#WorkTrends Preview: Heart-Centered Leadership

5 Ways To Smash The Generational Stereotype Trap

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Meghan M. Biro

Meghan M. Biro

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