Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Blu Thread Conversations: The Ultimate Business Podcast for People, Culture, and Employer Brand Strategies
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In their shoes: Crocs’ Employer Brand Journey | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:32:07 | |
| Rebuilding Trust: What to Do After a Reputation Crisis | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:23:07 | |
Blu Thread Conversations Ep.16
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| S01E07 - The CHRO and People Leaders Crisis: A Call to Action for CEOs | 22 Jul 2024 | 00:36:07 | |
In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, host James Powell sits down with Stacy Parker, co-founder and Managing Director of Blu Ivy, to discuss the alarming findings of their latest white paper, "The CHRO and People Leaders Crisis: A Call for CEOs to Act." DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF OUR LATEST WHITEPAPER HERE: https://bluivygroup.com/CHRO-white-paper/ Dive deep into the critical challenges CHROs and People Leaders face, including burnout, mental health issues, and a significant drop in strategic focus. This episode is a must-listen for CEOs who need to understand the urgent call to action to support their HR leaders and ensure organizational stability and growth. Key Takeaways
A staggering 58% of CHROs and People Leaders report burnout, mental health challenges, and exhaustion as their top issues. This crisis is exacerbated by the lack of support and resources, leaving HR leaders struggling to maintain their well-being while supporting others in the organization.
Many CHROs are spending less than 10% of their time on strategic initiatives due to the constant need to manage crises and operational emergencies. This shift from strategic planning to immediate issue management poses a significant risk to long-term business transformation and readiness for future challenges.
CHROs often experience profound loneliness and isolation, unable to share the burdens they carry due to the confidential nature of their work. This isolation contributes to the overall stress and burnout, as they lack a support network within their organizations
The research highlights the power of listening to CHROs and People Leaders. Many HR leaders feel unheard and unsupported, which contributes to their dissatisfaction and burnout. CEOs must prioritize listening to their HR leaders, understanding their challenges, and providing the necessary support to help them thrive.
The white paper emphasizes the urgent need for CEOs to reassess their relationship with HR leaders. Establishing high-trust cultures, providing more resources, and ensuring open, honest communication are critical steps to prevent the imminent exodus of CHROs, which could destabilize organizational culture and efficiency. Episode Chapters: · (02:52) Blu Ivy's latest white paper focuses on leadership engagement and burnout · (05:01) The importance of listening in leadership research · (08:54) CHROs have navigated transformation and crisis over the last few years · (12:44) 58% of respondents say burnout, mental health, exhaustion is top challenge · (15:47) CHROs reported spending less than 10% of their time on strategy · (19:35) A significant portion of CHROs are contemplating leaving their roles, research indicates · (23:21) How has HR leadership evolved in terms of technology and AI integration? · (28:08) How important is it for CEOs to reassess their partnership with HR in today's landscape Episode Contacts: · Stacy Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyrparker/ · James Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/ | |||
| S01E06 - How Recruitment Marketing Helps Our Healthcare Shortages with Sunnybrook | 20 May 2024 | 00:47:54 | |
Join Greg Whitfield and Stacy Parker as they dive into an enlightening conversation with Kristen Winter, EVP of Programs, People, and Leadership at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Join us on a deep dive into the heart of healthcare leadership as we explore the pivotal role of employer branding in recruitment and retention. Discover how Sunnybrook's commitment to culture, innovation, and community impact has transformed their approach to attracting top talent. Learn about Sunnybrook’s unique culture of humility, teamwork, and the profound impact they have on patients and their families. Kristen shares insights on building a robust employer brand media strategy and the importance of a people-centric approach in transforming healthcare talent recruitment. Key Takeaways:
Whether you're an HR professional, a leader in healthcare, or simply passionate about organizational excellence, this episode is a masterclass in aligning people, culture, and performance for measurable business success. Chapters: (02:57) Healthcare industry has gone through a lot of change recently (03:31) Kristen Winter's WHY (09:23) Sunnybrook has really risen above in terms of culture (12:25) Sunnybrook Health need to amplify recruiting during the pandemic (15:46) Blu Ivy used social media to target healthcare recruitment audience (17:59) Employer branding is vital for attraction AND retention (23:16) One of the biggest constraints around recruiting and retaining top talent is budget (30:54) Biggest challenges and opportunities in healthcare (34:23) Helping companies develop value propositions for their frontline talent (43:06) Learn more about Sunnybrook careers ✍️Episode References Careers @ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=why-choose-sunnybrook-career-opportunities Episode Contacts:
Blu Ivy Group More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Visit: bluivygroup.com Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group | |||
| S01E05 - Turning EVP insights into Action at Arbor Memorial | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:41:50 | |
In this transformative episode of Blu Thread Conversations, we delve into the heart of organizational culture with Leslie Kobayashi, Vice President of Human Resources at Arbor Memorial. Leslie discusses the pivotal role of listening to employees, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the integration of the EVP into every facet of the employee lifecycle. From engaging long-tenured employees to attracting the next generation of talent, Leslie's insights reveal the transformative impact of a well-articulated EVP on engagement, retention, and recruitment. Key Takeaways: - Authenticity and employee listening are key to developing an EVP that truly reflects organizational culture. - Strategic partnerships between HR and marketing can elevate employer branding and internal culture initiatives. - Recognition and rewards, rooted in the EVP, can significantly boost employee engagement and advocacy. - An EVP is not just a recruitment tool but a foundational element that should permeate all aspects of the employee experience. --- 📋 Episode Chapters (04:20) Arbor Memorial is a Canadian leader in the bereavement industry (07:01) Arbor started the process of building an employee value proposition (08:53) Arbor listened to employees about what their why is (10:17) The number one reason for Gen Zs to join an organization is social impact (14:23) You've made employee testimonials a core part of Arbor's culture (25:01) Having a strategic partnership between HR and marketing can boost your brand (28:51) Getting executives aligned on employer brand (31:18) Getting your EVP activated is easy once you've gone through the work (34:19) Employee listening for an EVP is far more than recognition (35:33) Employer brand and EVP measurement success About Arbor Memorial: Arbor Memorial Inc. is a Canadian company engaged in providing interment rights, cremations, funerals and associated merchandise and services to thousands of families each year across Canada. Named as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2023, taking care of people is at the heart of what we do. It’s truly fulfilling, inspiring and a responsibility we never take lightly. The care we show our customers begins with the support and teamwork we show each other. ✍️ Episode References Arbor Memorial Arbor Memorial Careers https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/careers/life-at-arbor.html Blu Ivy Group More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Visit: bluivygroup.com Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group | |||
| S01E04 - Culture by Design: Building a Magnetic Employer Brand at ATB | 25 Mar 2024 | 00:29:12 | |
Are you striving to create an employer brand that truly stands out? In our latest episode, we sit down with Jackie Whitson, Director, Culture & Employer Brand and Tess McLeod, Associate Director, Culture-to-Brand, from ATB Financial to explore the ins and outs of building a magnetic employer brand. They share their award-winning strategies, the importance of intentional culture, and the power of employee advocacy. Learn how ATB's approach to employer branding has led to a high-performance culture and a robust pipeline of top talent. Don't miss these invaluable insights – listen now to elevate your organization's employer brand strategy! 📋 Episode Chapters (02:30) How ATB approaches employer branding (06:58) ATB brings both brand and HR culture teams together to support employer brand strategy (10:54) Activating your employer brand with intention (13:47) How to find internal employee advocates (15:15) ATB's employee advocate training program to empower its employees to share on social media (18:30) ATB's advice for other CHRO and employer branding leaders (19:42) What's next on ATB's employer brand journey (22:33) How do you ensure your value proposition is lived internally before sharing externally (24:45) Episode reflection for CHROs About ATB Financial: ATB Financial is a leading financial institution that started in Alberta, Canada that has been recognized as a Great Place To Work for the past 8 years. Today, ATB has over 5000 team members serving over 800,000 clients across our personal and business banking areas, ATB wealth management and ATB Capital Markets. ✍️ Episode References ATB Financial ATB Financial Careers ATB Financial LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/atb-financial/ ATB Financial Instagram https://www.instagram.com/atbfinancial/ Blu Ivy Group More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Visit: bluivygroup.com Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group | |||
| S01E03 - People First Cultures | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:41:39 | |
In today's episode of Blu Thread Conversations, we unravel the fabric of an iconic company on their journey to becoming a people-first organization with Wajax's Chief People Officer, Mark Edgar. With a storied career in HR and a passion for positive change, Mark discusses the transformative power of a strong employer brand and employee value proposition. Learn how Wajax is navigating the complexities of employee expectations, technological advancements, and the ever-evolving landscape of work. This candid conversation offers invaluable insights for HR, brand, and communication leaders looking to weave a stronger, more resilient organizational culture. Guest Links: * foHRsight podcast with Mark Edgar & Naomi Titleman Episode Host: * Leandra Harris Episode Intro & Wrap-up: 📋 Episode Chapters (00:00) Blue Thread Conversations is podcast designed for transformational leaders reshaping organizations (02:31) Leandra: Welcome to our third podcast on Blu Thread conversations (04:50) Mark is a recovering CHRO who joined Wajax in 2011 (06:41) Mark spent three and a half years in consulting before joining Wajax (10:12) You've spoken about macro trends including changing employee expectations (11:49) Mark says changing expectations are impacting the way people interact with work (16:02) Is it achievable? Some people may say, what do you do if layoffs are necessary (17:25) Wajax sees the important role that organizations play in society these days (20:35) What does people-first mean at Wajax? It's something we're wrestling with (23:30) Mark: Senior leadership making commitment to be authentic with employees is critical (29:16) How will you engage your managers? Because they're critical stakeholder (34:03) Leandra: How does this work fit in with overall business goals (39:02) Mark shares his company's people first business strategy with us More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Visit: bluivygroup.com Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group | |||
| S01E02 - 2024 Employer Brand & Culture Trends | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:57:41 | |
As we kick off 2024, we've asked Blu Ivy Group co-founders Stacy Parker and Leandra Harris to join us to share their expert insights as employer brand and culture leaders for what they see coming in the year ahead. Together, Stacy and Leandra have expertly weaved and created employer brand and culture strategies for over 200 companies around the world, working with some of the most recognizable brand names in retail, financial services, energy, health, hospitality, and technology as they work towards their vision of creating a world of human-centered and high-performance workplaces. In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, hosted by James Powell, you'll learn how CHROs and C-Suite teams can use their employer brand and the EVP as a strategic framework for business impact and dive into the top employer trends and culture trends of the year. More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Visit: bluivygroup.com Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluivygroup/ | |||
| S01E01 - Mattamy Homes: For those who want to build a better world | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:28:27 | |
Welcome to today’s episode of ‘Blu Thread Conversations’ My name is Stacy Parker, co-founder of Blu Ivy Group, and I'll be your host for today's episode. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined with two exceptional guests from one of North America's top employers, Mattamy Homes. Mattamy Homes in one of the largest privately owned builders and developers in North America and is Canada’s largest residential home builder. Mattamy consistently wins top employer awards including Best Workplace Culture, Best Managed Workplace and Best Employer Brand. Our first guest is Brent Carey, Vice President of Communications for Mattamy Asset Management, Brent is a dynamic , award winning , corporate storyteller, who has worked to align the way that Mattamy thinks about culture, internal employee experience and performance. And joining Brent is, Kaitlyn Anderson, Senior Manager, Communication from Mattamy Asset Management,. Kaitlyn is a trailblazer renowned for creating, launching, and activating Mattamy's employer brand. After more than 15 years of working on global employer brands, my observation is that companies that have the biggest impact and long-term success of the work often is traced to one’s ability to influence and inspire internal stakeholders, at all levels in an organization. That’s why we wanted to talk with Brent and Kaitlyn. They have been pivotal change agents for the employer brand transformation within Mattamy. I am excited to have them to share their insights, experiences, and ...the secrets behind their success. More about Blu Ivy Group Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures. Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders. Contact: sparker@bluivygroup.com Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blu-ivy-group Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluivygroup/ | |||
| Values Are Having a Moment — Make Yours Count | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:18:24 | |
| Inside CAE’s Employer Brand | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:35:32 | |
| Driving Global Employer Brand Alignment - How Pure Storage Built a Bold Employer Brand | 28 May 2025 | 00:33:18 | |
| Why Your Company’s Reputation is Your Biggest Risk or Competitive Advantage | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:27:11 | |
| Why Healthcare's Best Employers Keep Winning | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:33:29 | |
Why Healthcare’s Best Employers Keep Winning | Employer Brand Strategy for Healthcare & Clinics | |||
| 2025 Employer Brand and Culture Trends Report | 18 Jan 2025 | 00:28:08 | |
As organizations shift their focus towards building more transformational and high-impact employer brands, 2025 marks a pivotal moment. Employer branding is no longer about recruitment marketing alone —it will now be embraced as a key driver of cultural alignment, employee engagement, and business growth as well. In this evolving landscape, success will depend on your ability to create a brand that speaks to your people, aligns with your purpose, and sets the foundation for sustained organizational success. These trends outline where leading organizations will focus more of their energy in 2025 to unlock the true potential of their employer brand. By shifting your employer brand strategy from a solution exclusively designed for talent acquisition, to one that is also a catalyst for cultural alignment and positive brand share of voice, you will find a monumental impact on business outcomes and measurable results that impact talent attraction, engagement, loyalty and brand reputation. 2025 Employer Brand and Culture Trends Report
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| S01E09 - Building a Brand that Stands for Inclusion: How Diversity Shapes Employer Brand | 19 Oct 2024 | 00:29:38 | |
In our latest episode of Blu Thread Conversations, Blu Ivy's Senior Director of Brand and Culture, Fanta Selman, sits down with Dr. Lauren Young, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Travelers. Dive into an inspiring discussion on how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can drive business impact, foster innovation, and create a sense of belonging within organizations. Discover how Travelers has embedded DEI into their brand and culture for over 15 years, and gain insights on leadership accountability, measuring success, and the importance of making DEI a core value. Whether you're a leader or a team member, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building a more inclusive and high-performing workplace. Don't miss this powerful conversation! Listen now and join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive. Chapters: (01:28) Dr. Lauren Young is chief diversity and inclusion officer at Travelers (04:40) How Dr. Young started her career in brand management and marketing (12:16) Why is diversity is an imperative at Travelers (14:31) My goal is to make diversity and inclusion synonymous with the Traveler's brand (15:32) Travelers started its journey in diversity and inclusion in 2020 (16:45) How do you measure success in the short term and the long term? (25:09) Fanta's episode reflection Episode References: Dr. Lauren Young - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurenyoung/ Travelers - https://careers.travelers.com/ Travelers on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/travelers/ Fanta Selman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fantaselman/ James Powell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/ | |||
| S01E08 - A Call to Action for CEOs - CHRO Whitepaper Recommendations | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:48:38 | |
In today’s episode, we dive into the findings from Blu Ivy's latest whitepaper with co-founder and managing director, Stacy Parker. Discover actionable recommendations for CEOs to mitigate leadership exodus risks and establish a renewed partnership with CHROs and People Leaders. Learn how to create a strategic roadmap for the future and ensure a robust pipeline of top talent. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Download your copy of whitepaper ''The CHRO and People Leader Crisis: A Call for CEOs to Act" here: https://bluivygroup.com/chro-white-paper/ Chapters: (02:23) There is a serious leadership and culture crisis at hand (10:27) What did we learn about what matters most to HR leaders today? (13:46) How crucial is a compelling EVP for organizations today? (15:17) Research shows organizations are not static; they're always changing (16:57) Organizations are seeing shifts in what matters most to talent (21:30) CEOs need to establish a renewed strategic partnership with CHROs (22:33) CEOs should have semi-annual C-Suite and Core Leader deep listening sessions (23:52) Having highly trusted, highly efficient and engaged leaders is competitive advantage (27:30) There are multiple generations in the workforce right now (29:58) Blu Ivy launches Employer Brand and Culture Index to help CEOs make decisions (33:49) Advice for sharing EVP activation across the organization (38:14) 90% of CHROs say they need more resources or support (42:01) One piece of advice for CEOs and HR leaders based on this research Episode Contacts: · Stacy Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyrparker/ · James Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdpowell/ | |||