People and Performance Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In the first People and Performance episode of 2025, we consider company culture and high achievement in the hospitality sector.

Our guest today is James Ferguson, speaker, employee engagement expert, and Corporate Director of Culture at The Wurzak Hotel Group, a Philadelphia-based, vertically integrated owner, developer, and operator of premium branded full-service, extended stay, and lifestyle hotels.

James is also the Bestselling Author of The Confetti Culture Playbook and award recipient at HRZone's recent Culture Pioneers Forum. 

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode of the People and Performance show, Dani Saadu, Head of People and Culture at Wavemaker, joins Bill and Chris to share some key strategies behind transformative workplace learning. 

Dani is co-author of The CAPEX Formula for Learning and Performance: Mega-Trends Driving the New World of Work, Learning, Skills, and HR.

With over 15 years of experience as a people and culture, talent management, and organisational development professional, Dani is an expert in developing practical and sustainable programs that align with business goals and deliver measurable returns on investment. 

Prior to joining Wavemaker, Dani held several director-level People roles in multiple sectors spanning retail, recruitment, pharmaceuticals and travel. 

Questions for Dani Include:

• Give us an overview of your book, CAPEX Formula for Learning and Performance
• You discuss future-proofing organizations—what are the first steps companies need to take?
• CEOs often demand ROI for L&D investments. Why has this been so elusive, and how can we change that in 2025?
• If readers take one thing away from this book, what should it be?

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

Welcome to another People and Performance episode. Our guest today is Natalie Massey, Operations Manager at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and former Area Executive Assistant to the NASA Deputy Administrator at NASA.

Questions for Natalie include: 

• What challenges can admin and HR staff better tackle together? 
• Given ChatGPT etc, what does the admin professional role and job description look like in the new workplace?
• What is the single biggest change you think will happen in admin and HR roles plusleadership over the next 5-10 years?    

More about Natalie

Natalie has been the recipient of a NASA Honor Award in Administrative Excellence.

Previously, Natalie served as Executive Assistant to NASA’s Deputy Administrator, where she directly contributed to the overall Agency vision and independently performed administrative management functions that serviced organizational requirements. She demonstrated critical, institutional familiarity of the agency process and history to enable thoughtful decision-making on behalf of the Deputy Administrator.

Natalie joined NASA in September 1996 as a Cooperative Office Experience student at Goddard Space Flight Center and has served in a variety of roles at the agency, including at Headquarters in 2010.  Natalie has over 25 years of progressive experience in programs and projects related to NASA strategy formulation, science, and technology investments. She has had significant experience in the development and implementation of strategies to maintain a viable administrative community.

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode, we discuss ways to maximize performance in the security sector.

Our guest today is Sarah Hayes, HR Director at Securitas UK and Co-founder and Director at Running on Empty.

With over 25 years of HR experience, Sarah is an award-winning fellow of the CIPD. Having worked in senior roles in various sectors including retail, financial services, and railway.

Sarah has worked at Securitas for 8 years and has been the HR Director for the UK for the last 4 years.

Sarah has led through the turbulent time of Covid, whilst still making huge strides in the provision of development of their people, making learning available to all employees, leadership development for all people managers and a diversity and inclusion strategy that saw Securitas UK be shortlisted as a finalist for multiple awards.

Sarah combines her HR expertise with a passion for people and employee engagement. With a particular interest in diversity, inclusion and belonging, Learning and Development, and health and wellbeing for all.

Questions for Sarah include:

• You've had several HR roles over the years. Why choose a career in HR? Advice for others thinking of going into HR?
• How does Securitas UK invest in training and development to enhance the skills and knowledge of your people and keep them relevant in the face of challenges such as AI? How are you adopting AI? 
• Securitas has kindly offered their HQ in MK to host special edition of Disrupt Cambridge. Long may our relationship continue! Why host Disrupt? 

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In an era where burnout, ‘quiet quitting’ and work-life balance have permeated the conversation around employment, how can employers stand out? 

The implementation of a shorter work week, says today's guest, is the most equitable way to strive towards this universal goal of balance and happiness. 

Our guest this time is Joe O’Connor, a globally recognized expert in shorter working weeks. Joe leads the Toronto-based Work Time Reduction Centre of Excellence that's focused on how a four-day week might work in the HR field and what it might mean for recruitment, retention and employee happiness.

Joe was also a speaker at DisruptHR Buffalo in April 2024.

Questions for Joe include: 

• In terms of higher performance/output, what are some of the key benefits to a shorter work week? 
• How does a shorter workweek affect retention and recruitment?
• What are some key obstacles to the four-day week you’ve seen that leaders and/or HR professionals might encounter and how can we best overcome them?
• We all spoke at DisruptHR Buffalo earlier this year. Tell our listeners about your experience and your 5-minute presentation

More About Joe O'Connor

Joe is the Director and Co-founder ofthe world's first Center of Excellence in Work Time Reduction, a new global initiative based in Toronto, Canada, which has been launched in partnership with leading people-first transformation company Curium Solutions.

Previously, as the chief executive officer of 4 Day Week Global, Joe led the design and implementation of four-day week trials all over the world, supporting hundreds of employers and thousands of employees to make the transition to reduced-hour, productivity-focused working in 2021 and 2022.

Joe recently led a research project on work time reduction as a visiting research scholar with Cornell University in New York City. He is now based in Toronto, where he heads up Canadian operations for Curium Solutions in addition to directing the Work Time Reduction CoE.

Joe is also formerly the chairperson of the Four Day Week Ireland campaign, having founded the coalition in2019, where he developed the world's first four-day week pilot program and research project in 2021. 

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode, Bill Banham and Chris Bjorling are joined by Tim Whitley, Director of HR Technology at Oklahoma State University. 

Tim is passionate about harnessing technology's transformative potential; seeing HR not as a functional necessity but as a strategic powerhouse. 

Listen as we explore the crossroads of technology and HR and consider the impact of the AI revolution on the tools we use at work.

Questions for Tim include:

• What impact do you see the AI revolution having on HR and, specifically, the HR tech profession?
• When advising newcomers to the HR tech space, what key skills and competencies would you suggest they focus on developing?
• What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the HR tech sector over the next five years?

About Tim Whitley

Tim is passionate about harnessing technology's transformative potential, envisioning HR not just as a functional necessity but as a strategic powerhouse.

Recognizing the pivotal role HR tech professionals play, Tim is dedicated to championing these unsung heroes. He endeavors to equip them with the support, tools, and acknowledgment they rightly deserve in their pursuit of technological innovation within HR.

----------

Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode, we preview seasons 12 to 14 of the People and Performance Podcast plus we talk about the ATD Conference in New Orleans. 

Listen and Chris and Bill discuss:

• The new seasons of the podcast and some of the new amazing guests listeners will hear from
• One of the new seasons is focused on high performance in elite sports and the connections with output in a commercial setting. Listen to get the lowdown
• Bill and Chris discuss their experienes at the DisruptHR Buffalo relaunch in April. 
• The ATD Conference and Expo is underway in New Orleans. Bill, Chris and Eren Ikiz will be covering the event on behalf of HR Gazette. Tune in to learn what attendees can expect. 

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode, we talk about flexible working, remote employees and Obstacles to building a company culture based on high-performance.

The guest is Bryan Adams, CEO & Founder of employer brand agency Ph.Creative, Employer Brand Strategist, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker.

Questions for Bryan include:

• Tell us about your HR World session on "Crafting an Employee Value Proposition with the Give and Get Methodology". 
• Why embrace flexible work?
• What challenges does having a remote workforce create? 

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

In this episode, we discuss gender equality, the living wage and more.

Our guest today is Deborah Borg, Chief Human Resources and D&I Officer at International Flavors & Fragrances, a world leader in food and beverage, home and personal care, and health.

Deb is a seasoned HR and Business executive who has enabled business success through people for over 20 years. Her record of success can be attributed to an unusual breadth of experience having held key leadership roles in both general management and Human Resources for over 20 years in multinational industry leading companies. She has a passion for the human dimension of business, and applies her strong business acumen, curiosity, leadership and technical expertise in support of the business agenda as both a board member and a c-suite executive.

Questions for Deborah include:

• IFF was recently named #1 in America and #10 globally on Equileap’s gender equality global report and ranking. What does this say about IFF's efforts to champion inclusion as a key advantage?
• What does it mean for the employer brand and recruitment efforts when a company can point to accolades like this?
• IFF is committed to the Living Wage Pledge to ensure all employees around the world receive a living wage as defined within their country. Why is this important?

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!

Happy International Women's Day! Today is dedicated to celebrating accomplishments of women, and marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Around the world, groups unite to celebrate women's achievements or advocate for gender equality.

As a nod to this special day, Chris Bjorling and Bill Banham thought it would be great to share answers from ten awesome women who've been guests on the show. The responses offered tackle this question: "In one minute or less, can you share one piece of advice or some direction you were given by a mentor, leader or colleague that inspired you to perform at a higher level in your career?"

In order of appearance, you'll hear answers from these ten awesome women: 

• Whitney Johnson, CEO of human capital consultancy Disruption Advisors
• Kathy Caprino, an internationally-recognized career and leadership coach, writer, speaker and educator dedicated to the advancement of women in business
• Lila Nazef, Vice President of Sales and Marketing (North America) at Neocase, a Saas platform for automating HR service delivery
• Rita Sookrit, Toronto-based L&D expert and co-organizer of DisruptHR Buffalo
• Kim Tabac, a consultant helping businesses big and small across North America to leverage their number one asset: their people
• Keirsten Greggs, founder and CEO of TRAP Recruiter LLC
• Jacqueline Kuhn, Co-Owner and Executive Vice President, Strategic Services at HRchitect
• Janet M. Stovall, Global Head of DEI at the NeuroLeadership Institute, a global neuroscience-backed consultancy advising companies including Boeing, Microsoft, Netflix, and Zoom on DEI and workplace culture
• Tia Graham, Founder of Arrive At Happy and author of the book Be a Happy Leader. Throughout its pages, strategies and tactics are provided which include the use of positive psychologiy, having a broad perspective, executing quickly, creating strong relationships, measuring what matters, and being the spark in the team
• Ebonee Davis Ifeobu, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Bridgestone Americas

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Talking About Ways To Improve Company Culture and People Performance

The People and Performance Podcast is a show that dives into all things related to raising performance in the working world around us. We investigate how technology and HR processes are inextricably linked to the employee experience and the bottom line.

Chris Bjorling, Co-host

Christopher Bjorling is President at Fidello Inc., a consulting and services firm specializing in improving human performance.

For over 30 years Chris has led Fidello in creating unique talent management solutions. Through the products and services he and his team have created over the years, his organization has helped clients design, develop, implement and integrate talent management processes and systems.

Bill Banham, Co-host

Bill Banham, Publisher at The HR Gazette, Host of the popular HRchat Podcast and Organizer of events such as DisruptHR London.

Bill has worked with lots of business tech and HR-focused brands in the UK and North America including HRreview, TalentCulture, HRmarketer, Sprigg HR, and Team Fitness Tool.

Contact us to learn more!