WorkMatters

Purpose Works Consulting
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In this podcast, Thomas Bertels explores with thought leaders and executives how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Michele Fite - Leadership in a Start-Up

    When it comes to leadership, context makes a big difference. Leaders that do well in large, established organizations are masters of securing resources, building consensus, and navigating the politics. But if you take those successful executives and put them into a leadership role in a start-up, many of them struggle - because leadership in a start-up requires a different set of skills. Michele Fite has made that difficult transition. She is a foodtech executive, Board Director, and advisor. Who currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of Elo Life Systems. Prior to that, Michele was the chief commercial officer at Motif FoodWorks, where As one of its first employees she led Motif’s efforts to introduce and commercialize the company’s game-changing ingredients and where I had the pleasure of working with her. But before Motif, Michele held executive roles at giant companies like Nestle and DuPont, where she was in charge of a $3.5B Nutrition & Health portfolio. In our conversation, we explore how leadership in a large, established company is different from leadership in a start-up, how her big-company experience has helped her, what she had to unlearn, and what’s really key to succeed with that transition. Whether you are an exec toying with taking the leap into the startup world or a founder looking to bring in some big company experience to help you scale, this episode offers lots of practical insights. 00:00 Why Startups Now 02:23 Startup Leadership Reality 06:37 Big Company Skills That Help 11:51 What To Unlearn Fast 18:13 Hiring Builders Not Roles 24:59 Variable Teams And Networks 29:59 Scaling Without Losing Soul 35:03 Should You Make The Leap 41:52 Closing Reflections

    46 min

  2. 27 JAN

    Jesse Jacoby - Getting Layoffs Right

    In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels is joined by Jesse Jacoby, founder of Emergent Consultants, to discuss best practices for managing layoffs and how to minimize negative impact on morale and productivity. Jesse delve into the roles of senior leaders and middle managers, the hidden costs of mishandling layoffs, the critical importance of clear communication, and the impact of AI. Jesse Jacoby has led enterprise transformation efforts for leading companies. His work spans complex initiatives such as corporate restructuring, organizational redesign, mergers and acquisitions, technology implementation, process reengineering, and enterprise-wide cost reduction. Known for his ability to align people, processes, and strategy, Jesse helps clients accelerate progress and sustain meaningful change. Use the following links to learn more about Jesse and to connect with him: Website: https://emergentconsultants.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjacoby/ Episode Flow: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 The Hidden Costs of Layoffs 03:01 Alternatives to Layoffs 04:36 Role of Senior Leaders in Layoffs 06:07 Role of Middle Managers in Layoffs 16:25 Effective Communication Strategies 18:55 Impact of AI on Layoffs 23:22 Successful Layoff Strategies 31:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

    31 min

  3. 6 JAN

    Steve Degnan - The Value of Good HR

    Steve Degnan is the former CHRO for Nestle Purina North America, a role he held for nearly two decades under three different CEOs. In conversation with host Thomas Bertels, Steve offers his views on what good HR looks like, where the biggest opportunities are for HR to add real value , why seizing these opportunities is often challenging, and what the future holds for the HR function. He shares his take on the impact of AI and the need for HR to maintain human elements in an increasingly automated world. About Steve Degnan: Steve Steve’s professional journey began at Nestle as a Production Supervisor in a coffee factory. He later transitioned into logistics and industrial performance roles before finding his calling in the HR organization. Steve’s career culminated in his role as CHRO of the newly acquired St. Louis-based Purina Petcare business, where he served until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his tenure, Steve managed the succession of several CEOs and leadership teams, and designed and led the succession/people practices that produced them. He spearheaded multiple restructuring efforts and transformations, assessed M&A targets, and integrated businesses. These days in addition to finishing a book project, Steve serves on several non-profit boards and provides coaching and advisory services. In his spare time, Steve enjoys staying fit, following college basketball (especially his La Salle Explorers), spending time with family and friends, and spoiling his 9-year-old Labrador Retriever, Angel. To learn more about Steve and his work, visit https://www.stevedegnan.com. To follow Steve on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/skd7777.

    35 min

  4. 26/08/2025

    Patrick Farran - The Power of Co-Creation

    In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas Bertels and Patrick Farran talk about the power of co-creation. The conversation highlights the importance of involving team members in decision-making processes for significant change initiatives, because people value what they help create. Patrick explains the benefits and challenges of a co-creation approach and provides scenarios where co-creation is effective, such as strategic planning and job crafting, and cautions against performative co-creation. The discussion also touches on appreciative inquiry, the necessity for psychological safety, and the mindset shifts required for leaders to successfully implement co-creation. Patrick shares practical tips for leaders to start small with everyday interactions, ensuring clarity of processes and fostering an environment of constructive conflict and collaboration. 00:00 Introduction to Co-Creation 00:59 Defining Co-Creation 01:49 Pros and Cons of Co-Creation 04:39 Examples and Applications of Co-Creation 06:18 Challenges and Leadership Mindset 10:09 Appreciative Inquiry and Co-Creation 11:35 Getting Started with Co-Creation 14:52 Prerequisites for Successful Co-Creation 25:13 Final Thoughts Use these links to connect and learn more about Patrick and his upcoming book, 'The Intentional Executive,' which aims to guide leaders in being more intentional and effective in their roles. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickfarran/ Website: http://www.adlucemgroup.com Book: https://adlucemgroup.com/the-intentional-executive-prelaunch/

    28 min

  5. 29/07/2025

    Dave Friedman - AI: Beyond the Hype

    In this episode of Work Matters, host Thomas Bertels talks with independent analyst Dave Friedman about the nuances of AI adoption in large enterprises. They discuss common misconceptions about AI, and the potential risks of integrating AI into business operations. Dave predicts a slower-than-expected adoption in large corporations due to legal, operational, and compliance challenges. He also highlights the potential job losses in entry-level positions and why gutting these roles is a strategic mistake. The episode provides a deep dive into how companies might strategically integrate AI. 00:00 Understanding AI Output: A Statistical Guess 01:47 Misconceptions About AI 03:52 Risks and Challenges of AI in Enterprises 05:11 Impact of AI on Jobs and Training 07:48 Slow Adoption of AI in Large Companies 12:51 AI Integration Challenges in Enterprises 20:39 Industry-Specific AI Adoption 28:38 AI Winners and Losers 34:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Here is where you can learn more about Dave and his work: Substack: https://davefriedman.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frieddave/

    38 min

  6. 15/07/2025

    Elizabeth Moran - Change Leadership

    In this episode of the Work Matters Podcast, host Thomas delves into change leadership with Elizabeth Moran, the founder of Elizabeth Moran Transformation and author of 'Forward: A Playbook Grounded in Neuroscience to Support Leaders Through Change’. The conversation explores why change is challenging for leaders, practical tips grounded in neuroscience for effective change leadership, dealing with resistance, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in the change process. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for leaders to manage their own discomfort, view resistance as valuable feedback, and engage teams in constructive dialogues. She also offers a special LinkedIn promotion for her book's audio version! 00:00 Introduction: The Bottomless Pit of Organizational Needs 02:11 Elizabeth's Journey into Change Leadership 05:15 Understanding Resistance and Neuroscience in Change 06:54 Practical Approaches to Leading Through Change 11:53 Handling Tough Conversations and Authentic Leadership 16:20 Balancing Analytic and Empathetic Networks 20:29 Mistakes Leaders Make in Change Management 37:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Resilience 38:07 Conclusion and Resources Here is where you can learn more about Elizabeth and her work: Homepage: https://www.elizabethmorantransformation.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Forward-Leading-Your-Through-Change/dp/1782792899 LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-moran/ Special gift for our listeners: If you buy a hardcopy of her book and connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn, you get the audio version of the book for free!

    40 min

  7. 30/06/2025

    Stela Lupushor - The AI-enabled Workforce

    In this episode of the Work Matters podcast, host Thomas Bertels and HR thought leader Stela Lupushor explore how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics. Stela highlights the evolving role of HR in equipping line managers with necessary skills for AI-enabled work environments and discusses the implications of AI on workforce metrics and employee development. With a focus on the foundational changes AI brings, Stella also addresses the importance of protecting employees and maintaining human values in the workplace. The episode concludes with insights on how to prepare the HR function for the adoption of AI and the importance of intentional design. 00:00 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level roles 02:57 How AI will reshape workforce planning 04:30 Redesigning Workflows for AI 05:17 Preparing for an Uncertain Future 05:58 The Concept of Work in the AI Era 08:07 Moderna's HR and Technology Merger 10:43 Duolingo's AI-First Approach 13:19 HR's Role in AI Adoption 20:01 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level Jobs 28:30 Rethinking Talent Metrics 36:37 Future of HR Teams 43:59 Conclusion and Contact Information Here is where you can learn more about Stela and her work: Homepage: https://www.reframe.work Book: https://www.humanizinghumancapital.com LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slupushor

    46 min

  8. 22/04/2025

    Andrew Patricio - Leveraging AI

    In this episode, Thomas Bertels talks to Andrew Patricio, head of data and AI for UNIDOS US, the largest  Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization in the United States. In this conversation, Andrew describes how UNIDOS got started on its AI journey, explains the limitations and risks involved with AI, and explores the implications for the workforce, including potential job displacement and the necessity for skill evolution. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges ushered in by AI, providing listeners with valuable insights into the future landscape of work. To learn more about Andrew's work, visit his blog: https://www.dataeffectiveness.com/blog

    41 min
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About

In this podcast, Thomas Bertels explores with thought leaders and executives how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.

Information

  • Creator
    Purpose Works Consulting
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Purpose Works Consulting, LLC
  • Show Website
    WorkMatters