Workplace Stories by RedThread Research Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson

Peter Tulumello is changing the culture at one of Canada’s largest grocery retailers. As a grocery chain, Sobeys has a large segment of frontline workers and with it, their own unique pain points.

To understand the problems that the frontline faces, Peter recognized that he needed to get into the stores to understand frontline workers’ day-to-day roles. Listen to this interview to hear how Peter identified major problems and came up with valuable solutions.


Connect with Peter Tulumello

Peter on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread Research

Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter
Subscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

What happens when a mechanical engineer tackles an L&D problem? A completely redesigned learning environment.

On this episode of Workplace Stories, we interview General Mills’ Valerie Digman. Valerie describes how she helped solve a frontline training problem and improved efficiency by 5%.

If you’re interested in improving efficiency and rethinking traditional training methods, you won’t want to miss this interview. Press play to learn from Valerie’s experience at General Mills.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...The work she does [4:32]The difference between [6:15]Problem-solving [9:48]Process of problem-solving [15:28]Lightning round [21:06]Strategy to gain 5% in efficiency [23:03]What they learned [29:38]Their biggest challenges [30:48]How to apply more broadly [32:52]Working with union vs nonunion [36:46]What’s next [39:25]Resources for senior leaders [41;50]Valerie’s biggest learning experience [43:48]Why Valerie does what she does [45:10]Resources & People MentionedAxonifyConnect with Valerie DigmanValerie Digman on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread ResearchWebsite: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

We’re all humans, so the needs of workers are similar across the board. John Brothers has learned this from his time as VP of Talent at Acuity.

On today’s episode of Workplace Stories, John recounts his experience working through Acuity’s cultural and business mindset shift and how that has affected the frontline workforce and beyond.


Connect with John Brothers
John on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread Research
Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Improving the employee experience starts with data. Rotana’s Andrew Wolhunter understands that and uses Rotana’s qualitative data to retain frontline workers in a competitive market.

Andrew has an enthusiasm and infectious energy that he not only shares with his coworkers at Rotana, but he also shares this excitement with us on today’s episode. Listen in to learn how Andrew is using data to lead the change in the employee experience at Rotana.


Connect with Andrew Wolhunter
Andrew on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread Research
Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Frontline workers face unique challenges so organizations are making changes to empower them. On this season of Workplace Stories, we’re exploring the unique challenges and positive situations happening on the frontline.

On this episode, we chat with Tabatha Cronin to learn how Cargill is supporting its massive frontline labor force. Listen in to learn how Cargill dug in to understand the motivations driving their employees. You won’t want to miss how this changed the way the company approached its solutions.


Resources & People Mentioned
ReThinking - Adam Grant’s podcastBOOK - Think Again by Adam GrantBOOK - Never Waste a Crisis by Anne HarbisonConnect with Tabatha Cronin
Tabatha on LinkedInConnect With Red Thread Research
Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES

Welcome back to our ninth season! We are excited about these upcoming episodes. In this season, Stacia and I focus on the frontline by discussing frontline workers with thought leaders from many organizations across various industries.

Frontline workers have typically been a part of the workforce that has been swept under the rug, but during the pandemic, they were thrust to the forefront of people’s minds.

In this season, we’ll discuss how to define a frontline worker, how to lead them, how to engage with them, and how to help them plan their career path.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
Why we chose this topic for our 9th season [2:32]What frontline workers are [3:38]What has shifted for frontline workers [8:10]Themes of this season [10:10]What we’re looking forward to learning [13:12]How this season aligns with our research [16:26]Connect With Red Thread Research
Website: Red Thread ResearchOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn TwitterSubscribe to WORKPLACE STORIES