Joey's HR Lounge

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Joey’s HR Lounge is an HR podcast for HR leaders, CHROs, and HR tech decision-makers. Hosted by Joey Price, it delivers practical conversations on HR strategy, recruiting, employee engagement, compliance, analytics, and HR technology trends shaping the future of work.

  1. Aug 26

    People Analytics Is a Commodity. What Comes Next? Guest: Cole Napper

    People analytics spent a decade proving it belonged in the business. Cole Napper thinks that argument is over, and not in the way most practitioners expected. Cole is the author of People Analytics: Using Data-Driven HR and Gen AI as a Business Asset, host of the Directionally Correct podcast, founder of the Data Driven HR Academy, and Chief People Intelligence Officer at HRBench. In this episode of Joey's HR Lounge, he and Joey Price work through why people analytics has become a commodity, what replaces it, and what happens to the HR function when the talent you analyze is no longer entirely human. Cole walks through the Tree of Value model from his book, which maps people analytics, workforce planning, talent intelligence, and behavioral science as four branches feeding off the same root system of human capital data. His newer argument is that those branches are collapsing into a single intelligence layer he calls people intelligence. Joey pushes back with a question that reframes the discipline. What happens when the talent you are analyzing is not only human? If agents and autonomous software are doing meaningful work, the people function becomes a work function, and nobody has built the measurement system that would let a leader compare a human lever to a technology lever. Cole agrees the command center does not exist, then raises the harder problem underneath it. Getting equivalent measurement across humans and technology may require the kind of surveillance he wrote about in his short fiction piece, The Camera. They also get into why small and mid-sized organizations are the most underserved market in this shift. HR needs are roughly equivalent at every company size. Staffing behind those needs is not. In this episode: Why people analytics moved from a value-add function to a commodity, and what people intelligence means as its successor The Tree of Value model and why four disciplines with different origin stories struggle to collaborate Why SMBs and startups are the most important vertical in the next phase of HR technology The measurement gap between human work and technology work Whether indexing and quantifying skills is quietly making it easier to build the agents that replace them What The Camera reveals about the ethics of optimizing people the way we optimize machines What intelligence actually means when you borrow the term from the intelligence community instead of from business intelligence Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Lounge 02:31 Is people analytics a luxury we can't afford? 06:00 The SMB reality: a one-person analytics function 07:18 Three hundred person analytics teams and the reckoning 08:10 If AI delivers, every large company becomes a medium company 10:35 The Tree of Value 11:32 Why the branches are collapsing into people intelligence 13:00 What if the talent you analyze isn't only human? 14:28 The missing command center for humans and technology 17:12 Does quantifying skills make it easier to build agents? 19:36 The Camera: optimizing people like machines 21:55 What business intelligence gets wrong about intelligence 23:41 Why Cole is optimistic anyway 26:08 Where to find Cole and the Data Driven HR Academy Connect with Cole Napper: Website: https://www.colenapper.com Book, People Analytics: https://www.amazon.com/People-Analytics-Using-data-driven-business/dp/1398622168 Data Driven HR Academy: https://www.colenapper.com/online-learning-academy Directionally Correct podcast: https://directionallycorrect.podbean.com Directionally Correct newsletter: https://directionallycorrectnews.substack.com People Intelligence Manifesto: https://directionallycorrectnews.substack.com/p/people-intelligence-manifesto HRBench: https://www.hrbench.com From Joey Price and Jumpstart HR: Jumpstart HR, fractional HR outsourcing: https://jumpstart-hr.com/ Jumpstart HR Research: https://jumpstart-hr.com/research The Power of HR: How to Make an Organizational Impact as a People Professional: https://jumpstart-hr.com/the-power-of-hr/ Get the book: https://amzn.to/4zCTTXv More episodes: https://jumpstart-hr.com/joeys-hr-lounge/

    People Analytics Is a Commodity. What Comes Next? Guest: Cole Napper

  2. Aug 14

    10 Million People Are About to Refinance. Is Your HR Team Ready?

    Recorded live from the SHRM Conference 2026 in Orlando, FL, Joey sits down with Troy Hupp, Director of Product Management at Experian Employer Services, to unpack one of the most overlooked corners of the HR world: employment verifications. Get to know Jumpstart HR Research: https://www.jumpstart-hr.com/research While no one gets promoted for nailing a verification, a botched one can quietly damage HR's reputation — from the CMO trying to close on a house to the intern applying for government benefits. Troy and Joey explore why verifications matter at every level of the organization, common misconceptions HR leaders hold, and how outsourcing the process can simultaneously reduce fraud risk and improve the employee experience. What we cover: - Why verification matters — How a smooth (or botched) verification follows employees through the biggest moments of their lives: buying a home, securing a loan, accessing government benefits. - Common misconceptions — Why treating verification as a mere administrative task is a mistake, and the case for giving employees transparency and proactive access to their own data. - Experian's approach — How a "set it and forget it" model takes the workload off HR while giving employees self-service tools and accessibility. - Fraud & security — The rise of aggressive robo-calls and phishing attempts targeting employment data, and how a centralized verification partner acts as a critical security barrier. - AI in verification — How Experian is using AI behind the scenes for data quality checks, efficiency gains, and faster processing — all while keeping PII protected with strict guardrails. - Market trends & the "refi bubble" — Why 10+ million people are sitting on the sidelines waiting to refinance, and what HR teams should do now to prepare for the coming "avalanche of verifications." - Closing advice — Troy's practical takeaway: do an internal audit of your verification process across all locations before the surge hits. Guest: Troy Hupp, Director of Product Management, Experian Employer Services — https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhupp/ *Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about Experian Employer Services, visit their website or connect with Troy on LinkedIn.*

    10 Million People Are About to Refinance. Is Your HR Team Ready?

  3. Aug 13

    Why weighted RFPs and business problem clarity matter in HR tech buying

    Joey Price speaks with Rick Torrence, Chief Sales Officer, at PrismHR about how small businesses evaluate PEOs, why so many HR tech and services purchases stall, and what buyers should do before they ever sign a contract. The conversation focuses on practical ways to separate tactical pain from real business problems, build a weighted selection process, and stress-test implementation readiness.In this episode, Joey and Rick also explore how PEOs have evolved with technology and AI, and why execution planning matters just as much as product fit. Learn more about Jumpstart HR Research: https://www.jumpstart-hr.com/research Key topics Rick Torrence shares his hot take that too many small businesses still do not understand what a PEO is or the burden it can remove from HR and compliance. The discussion defines PEO as a Professional Employer Organization and explains how co-employment lets small businesses access scale in benefits, retirement, insurance, and compliance support. Rick explains the biggest shift in the PEO market: technology is no longer treated as secondary to service, but as part of the value itself. Joey and Rick discuss how AI and self-service are accelerating expectations for HR buyers, employees, and service providers. Rick argues that every buying process should start with the business problem, not a tactical annoyance or a request to make one person’s job easier. The conversation stresses that the business problem must be felt by senior leadership, not only by HR, or change will not stick. Rick makes the case that an unweighted RFP is a waste of time because criteria without priority becomes a popularity contest. They discuss why buying decisions should not be driven by who responds fastest, who gives the best gift, or who is most pleasant in a demo. Rick explains that alignment across HR, finance, operations, and leadership is essential because HCM and HRIS decisions affect the whole organization. The episode closes with practical advice on implementation readiness, including resource planning, timelines, blockers, and using reference calls as a real stress test. Want to unlock your potential? Purchase Joey's latest book "The Power of HR": https://jumpstart-hr.com/the-power-of-hr/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Why unweighted RFPs waste time 00:39 - Introducing Rick Torrence and the PrismHR Live conversation 01:03 - Why small businesses need better PEO education 03:05 - What a PEO does and how co-employment works 04:04 - How PEOs reduce compliance burden and unlock scale 05:28 - What has stayed the same in PEOs over time 06:53 - How PEOs have changed through technology 08:20 - How AI is accelerating self-service and automation 09:00 - Defining the business problem before buying HR tech 10:49 - Why senior leadership must feel the pain 11:46 - HR buying is now a cross-functional decision 14:12 - Why weighted RFP criteria matter 15:55 - Using selection criteria instead of vague preferences 17:36 - Long-term customer success depends on a smart evaluation 18:33 - Why poor vendor fit shows up after the sale 20:05 - The stress of getting the decision right 21:31 - Why buying is a muscle and often needs expert help 22:54 - What to fix before implementation begins 24:27 - Mapping roles, timelines, and blockers before go-live 26:20 - Why teams should ask more questions about execution 27:54 - Stress-testing vendor fit with reference calls 29:01 - How to structure meaningful customer reference conversations

    Why weighted RFPs and business problem clarity matter in HR tech buying

  4. Aug 13

    HR, AI, and the Future of Work with Laura Maffucci

    Joey Price speaks with Laura Maffucci, Head of HR at GP, about what the latest World at Work report says about employee sentiment, AI adoption, and the shifting power balance between employers and workers. The conversation centers on one big question: how can HR leaders use AI without losing trust, talent, or the human side of work?Laura argues that many organizations are underestimating how stressed, skeptical, and disengaged employees feel right now, and that AI is often being rolled out faster than companies can manage the change. The episode is a practical look at why HR needs to lead with judgment, not hype. Learn More about Jumpstart HR Research: https://www.jumpstart-hr.com/research Key topics In this episode, Joey Price and Laura Laura Maffucci unpack Laura’s hot take that many employees are simply not okay right now, and that distrust in institutions is shaping how people react to work and AI. Laura shares that the World at Work report shows employees are still active in the job market, with 52 percent globally either searching or likely to search in the next few months. The discussion explores the power shift in employment, including the idea that 74 percent of employees and 59 percent of executives believe companies now hold the power in the job market. Laura warns that return to office mandates can backfire when top candidates can choose remote roles elsewhere. The episode covers why “human in the loop” remains essential, especially when AI systems are used for reporting, decisions, and workflow automation. Laura explains that curiosity, learning agility, critical thinking, and tech savviness matter more than pretending candidates need years of experience in brand-new AI tools. Joey and Laura discuss how HR should evaluate candidates by their ability to learn, adapt, and apply new tools quickly, rather than by unrealistic AI experience requirements. The conversation highlights employee anxiety around AI, including the fact that 31 percent fear replacement and 26 percent worry their contributions will be undervalued if they use AI. Laura argues that HR must challenge leadership when AI is being treated like a magic solution and instead push for real change management, workflow redesign, and employee involvement. The episode closes with a warning that companies who over-automate may eventually have to market human support as a premium experience. Timestamps 00:00 - Joey opens the show and introduces the conversation on work, data, and AI 00:29 - Laura Laura Maffucci is welcomed as Head of HR at GP 01:04 - Laura’s hot take: most people are not okay right now 02:46 - What the World at Work report reveals about employee mobility 04:22 - Who has the power in the job market now? 05:00 - Why return to office mandates may backfire 06:50 - Hiring globally when local talent is scarce 08:05 - Why human judgment still matters in AI workflows 09:49 - How to evaluate candidates for curiosity and learning agility 11:29 - Employee fear that AI could replace them 12:38 - HR’s role in challenging AI hype inside the organization 14:30 - Why change management fails when AI is bolted onto broken processes 16:20 - Younger workers’ skepticism toward AI 18:29 - Why old ideas about loyalty and career paths no longer fit 20:44 - Why younger generations are rejecting performative work 22:37 - Safe ways for HR to start AI adoption 23:29 - Starting from a white space and redesigning the work 24:30 - Why AI adoption data can hide fear, not enthusiasm 25:35 - What separates companies that navigate AI well 26:35 - Why the future may reward real human interaction Grab a copy of Joey's latest book "The Power of HR: How to Make an Organizational Impact as a People-Professional" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4wve1bo

    HR, AI, and the Future of Work with Laura Maffucci

  5. Jul 2

    SAP SuccessFactors Updates from Sapphire: Automation, Workforce Planning, and AI Agents

    Joey Price breaks down the SAP SuccessFactors announcements from Sapphire and explains why they matter for HR leaders, especially those already using the platform or evaluating it. The episode focuses on how new Joule assistants, workforce planning updates, and upskilling tools fit into the reality of the hybrid workforce.In this episode, Joey connects product innovation to a bigger HR challenge: proving people data’s impact on business performance. He also shares a practical framework for understanding where AI agents fit in your workforce strategy and how to get value from them without losing governance. Learn more about The Five Workforces: https://jumpstart-hr.com/research-practitioner-frameworks/ Key topics SAP SuccessFactors updates announced at Sapphire in Orlando, with a focus on what has already shipped The three keynote phases: automate, reimagine, and elevate Thirteen new Joule assistants and how they support HR operations like payroll, recruiting, onboarding, and service Why agentic AI is different from simple reporting because it can execute work, not just return data A new workforce planning tool connecting core ERP, contingent labor, and SuccessFactors The reality of the hybrid workforce, where human workers and AI agents both contribute to output The workforce upskilling assistant and how it delivers microlearning in the flow of work The challenge behind the stat that 62% of C-suite leaders say people data does not connect to business performance Joey’s five workforces framework for organizing and governing AI agents Practical steps for HR leaders: inventory agents, map one pain point to one assistant, assign adoption ownership, and connect one people metric to one business metric The five workforces Practical implementation checklist Review every AI assistant already active in your HR stack Identify one manual workflow that could be paired with a Joule assistant Decide who owns adoption and usage tracking Connect at least one people metric to a board-level business metric Test prompts for payroll exceptions, service ticket themes, and manager upskilling Timestamps 00:00 - Why Sapphire announcements matter for SAP SuccessFactors users 01:58 - The three keynote phases: automate, reimagine, elevate 02:23 - Thirteen Joule assistants across HR operations 03:20 - Planning people and agents together in workforce planning 04:18 - The workforce upskilling assistant and microlearning in the flow of work 05:38 - Why 62% of C-suite leaders say people data does not connect to business performance 07:03 - How the updates connect to Jumpstart HR’s hybrid workforce research 07:59 - The five workforces framework for AI governance 09:48 - Why inventorying every AI assistant and agent is the first step 10:17 - Matching one pain point to one assistant 10:46 - Assigning an adoption owner before rollout 11:12 - Connecting one people data point to one business metric 11:40 - Choosing your target archetype: free-for-all, augmented, delegator, orchestrated, or autonomous 12:06 - Example prompts to test Joule assistants in HR workflows 12:35 - The main takeaway: automate to make the workforce more productive and reliable

    SAP SuccessFactors Updates from Sapphire: Automation, Workforce Planning, and AI Agents

  6. May 5

    From Degrees to Skills: How SAP Is Innovating the Skills-Based Hiring Movement

    As AI reshapes the workplace, one question continues to rise to the top: Are we hiring and developing talent based on what people can do—or what’s written on their resume? In this episode of Joey’s HR Lounge, Joey Price sits down with Caroline Hanke, Global Head of Organizational Growth and Health at SAP, to explore how one of the world’s leading organizations is putting skills-based hiring and internal mobility into practice. Caroline’s journey into HR is anything but traditional. With a background in computer science, she made a deliberate pivot into HR to help shape how organizations evolve in the age of AI—where skills, not job titles or degrees, are becoming the true currency of work. Together, Joey and Caroline unpack how SAP is building a skills-led organization, leveraging internal opportunity marketplaces, and activating employee network groups to surface hidden talent and expand access to opportunity. This conversation goes beyond theory. It’s a practical look at what it takes to move from static job structures to dynamic, skills-based workforce strategies—especially in a time when no one can fully predict what the future of work will look like. If you’re an HR leader navigating uncertainty, workforce transformation, or the shift toward skills-based hiring, this episode offers a grounded and forward-looking perspective. 🔑 Key Topics Covered What skills-based hiring really means in today’s workforce Why skills are becoming more valuable than degrees or job titles How SAP is building a skills-led organization at scale The role of internal opportunity marketplaces in talent mobility How employee network groups can unlock hidden skills and potential Balancing AI-driven transformation with human-centered workforce strategy Why HR leaders must plan for multiple future scenarios—not just one 💡 Key Takeaways Skills-based hiring is not just about recruiting—it’s about restructuring how work is defined and distributed Internal mobility becomes more effective when organizations make skills visible across the workforce Employee network groups can serve as untapped engines for talent discovery and development HR doesn’t need perfect answers about AI—but must actively prepare the workforce for multiple futures Organizations that move fastest will be those willing to act before everything is fully defined 🔊 Notable Quotes “Skills are the currency that counts in the age of AI.” “No one knows exactly what the future of AI will look like—but we still have to prepare for it.” “When you focus on skills, you open doors that were previously closed to people.” 👤 About the Guest Caroline Hanke is the Global Head of Organizational Growth and Health at SAP, where she leads strategic workforce management and the company’s transition to a skills-led organization. With a background in computer science, Caroline brings a unique perspective to HR—bridging technology, workforce strategy, and organizational transformation in the age of AI. 📣 Call to Action If this episode sparked ideas about how your organization approaches hiring, development, or internal mobility: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader Start a conversation with your leadership team about skills-based hiring Subscribe to Joey’s HR Lounge for more conversations at the intersection of HR, technology, and the future of work 🌐 Stay Connected Joey Price: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyvprice  Podcast: Joey’s HR Lounge (Apple, Spotify, YouTube) HR Consulting, Research & Insights: Jumpstart HR - https://www.jumpstart-hr.com Purchase Joey's Book: "The Power of HR: How To Make An Organizational Impact as a People-Professional" https://amzn.to/4thQdGh

    From Degrees to Skills: How SAP Is Innovating the Skills-Based Hiring Movement

  7. Apr 13

    The State of HR Right Now: Pressure, AI, and the Fight for Business Impact

    📝 Episode Description The role of HR has never been under more pressure—or more opportunity. In this episode of Joey’s HR Lounge, Joey Price sits down with Meagan Gregorczyk to unpack what’s really happening inside today’s HR function. From rising expectations around ROI to the rapid adoption of AI, HR leaders are being asked to operate at a level that requires both strategic clarity and operational discipline. Together, they explore why many HR teams are struggling to prove impact, where technology is helping versus creating more noise, and what it truly takes to earn trust at the executive table. This conversation goes beyond surface-level trends to examine the deeper shifts shaping how HR must show up in today’s business environment. If you’re an HR leader navigating competing priorities, evolving technology, and increasing pressure to deliver results, this episode offers a grounded and timely perspective on what matters most right now. 🔑 Topics Covered The current state of HR and why expectations are rising Why proving ROI remains one of HR’s biggest challenges The gap between HR tech adoption and business impact Where AI is delivering real value versus distraction Burnout, bandwidth, and the reality inside HR teams How HR can build credibility with CFOs and executive leadership What future-ready HR leaders are doing differently 💬 Standout Quotes “AI isn’t the strategy. It’s exposing the gaps.” “If HR can’t prove ROI, someone else will define it for us.” “We don’t have a tech problem. We have a decision problem.” 📘 Resources & Ways to Engage If this conversation resonated with you, here are a few ways to go deeper: 👉 Get the book:The Power of HR: How to Make an Organizational Impact as a People Professional A practical guide for HR leaders who want to strengthen their influence and drive real business results. 👉 Explore insights and research: Visit www.jumpstart-hr.com  for advisory services, HR consulting, and research-backed insights designed to help you make smarter people decisions. 👉 Contribute to the latest research: Take the Insights@Work Survey and share your perspective on the evolving world of HR, technology, and leadership. Your input helps shape the data and insights we bring back to the HR community. 🎙️ About Joey Price Joey Price is the CEO of Jumpstart HR, an HR consulting and research firm, and author of The Power of HR. He helps organizations and HR technology companies align people strategies with business performance. Through Joey’s HR Lounge, he creates space for real conversations about the future of work, leadership, and HR innovation. 👤 About Meagan Gregorczyk Meagan Gregorczyk builds the infrastructure that makes organizations work—and the communications that make transformation stick. With over 20 years of experience, she has partnered with C-suite leaders at companies including Amazon, Google, Snowflake, ServiceNow, GE, and Globalization Partners to architect the systems, narratives, and operating models that move people and businesses forward. 🚀 Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode: Follow Joey’s HR Lounge on your favorite podcast platform Subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes and clips Share this episode with an HR leader who’s navigating change

    The State of HR Right Now: Pressure, AI, and the Fight for Business Impact

  8. Apr 8

    What’s Really Happening to DEI in HR? A Candid Conversation with Ashley M. Anderson

    What’s really happening to DEI in HR right now? In this episode of Joey’s HR Lounge, Joey Price sits down with Ashley M. Anderson to unpack how diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are evolving in today’s political and business climate. As organizations face increasing pressure, many HR leaders are being forced to rethink how DEI fits into strategy, compliance, and long-term business outcomes. This conversation goes beyond surface-level talking points to explore what’s changing, what’s being rolled back, and what HR leaders need to do to stay credible and effective. From navigating political tension to aligning DEI with measurable business impact, Ashley shares a candid perspective on where the function stands today and where it’s headed next. If you’re an HR leader trying to balance people, performance, and pressure, this episode offers a timely and grounded perspective. 🔑 Topics Covered - The current state of DEI in HR - How political pressure is shaping workplace decisions - Where HR may have overcorrected or underdelivered - Making DEI sustainable and aligned with business strategy - What the future of inclusion looks like   📌 Connect with Ashley M. Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymanderson2/   📌 Connect with Joey Price Website:  https://www.jumpstart-hr.com Podcast and Community: https://www.joeyshrlounge.com Book: The Power of HR - https://amzn.to/4vAVD1B    🏷️ Tags DEI in HR, diversity equity inclusion, HR strategy, HR leadership, future of HR, workplace inclusion, HR trends 2026, organizational culture, HR podcast, Joey Price, Ashley Anderson HR, business strategy HR, DEI backlash, HR leadership development 🔖 Hashtags #HRLeadership #DEI #FutureOfWork #HRStrategy #WorkplaceCulture

    What’s Really Happening to DEI in HR? A Candid Conversation with Ashley M. Anderson
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5
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About

Joey’s HR Lounge is an HR podcast for HR leaders, CHROs, and HR tech decision-makers. Hosted by Joey Price, it delivers practical conversations on HR strategy, recruiting, employee engagement, compliance, analytics, and HR technology trends shaping the future of work.

Information

  • Creator
    WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by WRKdefined
  • Show Website
    Joey's HR Lounge