CPO PLAYBOOK

In this captivating episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba interviews Niels Juul, the founding member of Von Dutch and CEO of No Fat Ego Productions. Dive into Niels’ extraordinary journey, from his beginnings in Copenhagen's advertising scene to shaping a globally iconic fashion brand. Explore the Von Dutch success story and the pivotal role of authenticity in its rise. Niels shares valuable business insights on leadership communication, the challenges of brand misalignment, and how to maintain a cohesive company culture during growth. With practical tips on building employee engagement strategies and balancing creativity with business, this interview offers essential lessons for anyone navigating the complexities of business growth. Catch this episode to learn from one of the fashion industry’s key figures as Niels Juul shares his unique perspective on leadership and brand values!

In this eye-opening episode, Marie Kare, Head of Creative at Global Business Brand at Reddit, bravely shares her personal journey through perimenopause and the profound impact it has had on her career dynamics. Marie delves into the challenges and changes she faced, offering practical advice on navigating perimenopause and career challenges with resilience. She emphasizes the importance of fostering open conversations about women's health in the workplace and how this transitional period can significantly affect personal well-being and career development. With insights on maintaining work-life balance and achieving professional success during perimenopause, Marie's candid reflections provide valuable perspectives for anyone looking to thrive during this stage of life. Plug in to explore how to embrace change and emerge stronger in both life and career!

In this eye-opening episode, Marie Kare, Head of Creative at Global Business Brand at Reddit, bravely shares her personal journey through perimenopause and the profound impact it has had on her career dynamics. Marie delves into the challenges and changes she faced, offering practical advice on navigating perimenopause and career challenges with resilience. She emphasizes the importance of fostering open conversations about women's health in the workplace and how this transitional period can significantly affect personal well-being and career development. With insights on maintaining work-life balance and achieving professional success during perimenopause, Marie's candid reflections provide valuable perspectives for anyone looking to thrive during this stage of life. Plug in to explore how to embrace change and emerge stronger in both life and career!

Even if you don’t recognize Anil Joshi by name, his insights on startup success have undoubtedly shaped how many founders navigate the tumultuous waters of entrepreneurship. As the founder of Unicorn India Ventures, Anil dives deep into the realities of startup life, revealing that only a small percentage of founders actually remain as CEOs through critical milestones, with only 25% making it to an IPO.   He argues that the essential founder qualities extend beyond just a good idea; they include the ability to attract talent attraction and lead effectively while ensuring team compatibility and executing with precision. Anil emphasizes the importance of leadership in startup success and discusses how to build a successful startup, focusing on execution capability and building a strong startup team.  Tune in as he shares strategies for overcoming challenges in scaling a startup and provides practical advice on fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation. Anil's perspective is a must-listen for anyone looking to excel in the startup world!

In this CPO PLAYBOOK episode, we sit down with Grant Halloran, CEO of Planful, to explore the vital role of workplace culture in achieving organizational success. Grant passionately discusses how a strong culture, built and sustained with intention, can keep performance high even through tough times. He shares the key actions Planful has taken, such as recruiting leaders who are aligned with the company’s vision, creating a culture book to guide employee behavior, and embedding values into everyday practices. Grant emphasizes the significance of continuous performance reviews and employee engagement in fostering a positive workplace culture that boosts employee satisfaction and strengthens the employer brand. Join us as we delve into the importance of building and sustaining a positive company culture and how aligning leadership with these principles can drive remarkable business outcomes.

Today we’re diving into something that might not be discussed as usual—though it’s still a growing concern! We’re talking about teacher turnover in early education, and how it’s bothering preschools and daycares everywhere. In this episode, Jen Shpall, Director of Piper Preschool, explains why turnover rates are so high in early childhood education. Spoiler alert: it’s not just the low pay or lack of union support—it’s also the burnout that is not taken care of somehow.   But Jen doesn’t leave us hanging. She shares strategies like building strong support systems, promoting community building, and making professional development a priority. Plus, Piper Preschool’s unique events, like "Piper University," prove that a little effort can go a long way toward retaining quality teachers. Tune in to hear how Jen Shpall and her team tackle the hidden reality of teacher turnover and create a nurturing environment for early educators!

You’ve heard plenty about mergers and acquisitions, but do you understand the pivotal role of cultural management in driving their success? In this CPO PLAYBOOK episode, we welcome Jochen Werne, CEO of Experian DACH, who shares insights from his experience leading acquisitions during the COVID pandemic. Drawing from a McKinsey article by Ignacio Fantaguzzi and Christopher Handscomb, Jochen emphasizes how M&A deals with strong cultural management significantly outperform others.  He discusses how his leadership style, shaped by his Navy experience, underlines the importance of effective communication and cultural awareness. Jochen reveals strategies for building trust and collaboration in M&A deals and how to navigate the challenges of organizational integration. Whether you're involved in mergers and acquisitions or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this conversation will provide valuable lessons on the impact of cultural management on M&A success. Tune in for insights that can transform your approach to business integration!

When it comes to navigating the complexities of today’s talent landscape, one pressing question arises: how can companies effectively implement total reward strategies? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, we delve into the intricacies of total reward strategies with John Radford, founder of Radford Surveys. As we explore the challenges of pay equity and pay transparency, John sheds light on the growing trend where new hires often command higher salaries than existing employees, showing pay gaps.  With insights from the Harvard Business Review, he emphasizes the crucial role of  AI in compensation and how it can streamline compensation planning. We also discuss HR best practices for addressing these issues, including the regulatory push for salary range disclosure and its positive impact on employee satisfaction. Join us as we uncover strategies to enhance morale and navigate the evolving landscape of compensation trends!

When you hear "Chief People Officer," you might not think of the intricate dance of leadership alignment and company growth, but that's exactly the journey Pat Walsh undertook at Potbelly Sandwich Works. In this episode, we welcome Pat, who shares how he helped transform Potbelly's mission, vision, and values to lay a robust foundation for the company’s ambitious growth plans. As Potbelly transitions from a smaller to a larger organization, Pat emphasizes the importance of refining these elements to drive company growth and ensure leadership alignment. He details a structured approach that incorporates change management principles and extensive input from across the organization, creating a unified direction while honoring Potbelly's heritage. Discover how this process enhances employee engagement and contributes to a thriving employee experience in a values-driven environment. Tune in to learn the keys to refining a company's mission, vision, and values for growth!

Naveen Kumar didn’t initially set out to lead a global enterprise. He found himself at the helm of Nityo Corporation, navigating the intricacies of global business expansion. In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, we dive into the multifaceted challenges of global expansion. Naveen shares his insights on overcoming cultural differences, effective resource management, and achieving internal alignment across diverse markets. He emphasizes the necessity of aligning vision and strategy and champions the role of local talent in driving success. But it doesn’t stop there. Kumar explores how emerging technologies like AR and VR can revolutionize immersive onboarding, instilling company values in new hires worldwide. With a focus on fostering a culture of innovation and collaborative learning, Naveen’s pragmatic approach offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs looking to thrive in the global landscape while effectively managing resources and aligning internal teams for global operations.

Let's delve into the complex issue of toxic talent in the workplace with Robert Gardner, CEO of Rebalance Earth. Robert sheds light on how highly skilled individuals can undermine team dynamics through negative behaviors, despite their competence. He emphasizes the importance of early recognition and setting clear expectations to combat this challenge effectively.  Tune in as he shares practical strategies for identifying and addressing toxic talent, including using the nine-box grid to assess employee performance and potential. Robert also discusses the impact of toxic talent on employee engagement and workplace culture, offering insights on preventing toxic talent from joining your team. Discover how fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture can mitigate risks and enhance overall team effectiveness in this essential conversation!

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, we welcome Bryce Hoover, the former Head of People Analytics at Tesla, to discuss the vital role of people analytics in driving organizational success. Bryce emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose and well-defined organizational structure within analytics teams, advocating for direct reporting to HR leadership.  He highlights the need to prioritize HR leader success and cultivate a strong data-driven culture. Tune in as he delves into the challenges of integrating people data across various business units and the significance of operational independence in fostering effective analytics. Bryce shares insights on building a high-performing people analytics team, the challenges of implementing a data-driven HR strategy, and the importance of hiring the right data leaders for HR analytics. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation on people analytics in strategic decision-making!

That's why it is important to consider your succession planning strategy. According to the Harvard Business Review, efficient succession planning could elevate company valuations and investor returns by 20 to 25%.  Join us as Alim Dhanji and Michael Rossi share their insights on executing successful transitions and leadership transitions at Adidas Canada. In 2021, Alim seamlessly succeeded Michael as President, and together they discuss their strategies for navigating this pivotal moment. Discover how effective executive leadership development can drive company growth and the significant impact of succession planning on company value. Tune in for valuable advice on strategies for successful leadership transitions and learn how to cultivate a robust pipeline of talent for future leadership roles. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!

Ever heard of the Ignite Program? It's a leadership development initiative launched  by Portillo's Chief People Officer Jill Waite. The program tackles managerial retention and addresses skill gap by promoting internal talent for leadership roles and fostering critical leadership skills like communication, relationship building, and accountability.  Designed to preserve Portillo’s company culture across all locations, Ignite has significantly boosted employee retention, increased engagement scores, and supported the company’s successful expansion beyond Chicago. Jill shares how developing high-performing leaders through structured development plans and continuous learning for leaders ensures ongoing growth within the organization.  Discover how the Ignite Program is building a strong company culture and transforming leadership at Portillo’s. Don't miss this deep dive into the benefits of promoting talent from within!

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba welcomes Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of Accor, to discuss the pivotal role of executive teams in driving organizational success. Duncan shares his expertise on building a high-performing executive team, emphasizing results-focused leadership and the importance of values alignment in leadership. He highlights the critical traits of effective executive leaders, such as subject matter expertise and strategic thinking.  Duncan also delves into the significance of fostering open communication in executive teams and the need for promoting diversity and inclusion in leadership to enhance decision-making and team performance. This insightful conversation offers a roadmap for organizations aiming to elevate their leadership teams and achieve lasting success. Don’t miss these valuable insights from Duncan and Felicia!

HR strategy and business strategy should go hand in hand. This is what believed by Syreeta Brown, Group Chief People Officer (CPO) at Virgin Money. On this podcast with CPO PLAYBOOK, she explore how HR strategy can align seamlessly with business strategy for impactful results. Syreeta shares how HR initiatives can become powerful drivers of success by aligning HR strategy with company goals, using data analytics to influence decisions, and building trust between HR and business leaders.  We also discuss navigating the business landscape and overcoming resistance, as well as the critical role of CPOs in driving business success. Learn how using data to influence HR decisions can translate into real business outcomes, from revenue generation to cost reduction. Syreeta’s insights offer a roadmap for elevating HR’s role and proving its strategic value. Don’t miss this essential guide for HR professionals!

Let's address the pressing challenges faced by women in engineering and explore actionable solutions to promote diversity and inclusion in technical roles.  For this purpose, we have Jennie Ibrahim, Software Engineering Manager at Google, on this podcast. She sheds light on the low retention rates attributed to hostile environments and biases. Jennie highlights the importance of addressing insecurities like impostor syndrome and emphasizes the value of sponsorship over mentorship for career advancement. Jennie advocates for fostering inclusive cultures and amplifying underrepresented voices, providing insightful strategies for managers looking to support diversity in engineering teams. This episode serves as a powerful resource for overcoming challenges for women in tech and offers actionable steps that can benefit any minority group striving for success in a competitive landscape. Tune in to join the conversation on promoting diversity in the workplace!

A  seemingly harmless email can steal your data or even lock you out of your computer.  So why take that chance?  Join us as Gary Hayslip, a seasoned Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), reveals the critical role of cybersecurity leadership in combating cyber threats.  In this episode, Gary emphasizes the transformation of CISOs from technical experts to strategic leaders within the executive team. He discusses the importance of integrating CISOs into organizational strategy, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding their reporting structures. Tune in to gain insights into the challenges and solutions in cybersecurity and discover how modern organizations can empower CISOs to protect against evolving cyber threats and strengthen their overall cybersecurity strategy.

In this enlightening episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, we turn to James Ayres, Global Talent Acquisition Leader at Archlynk. Together, we explore the dynamic landscape of remote work and its impact on talent acquisition . James highlights how the shift to remote work has opened up a global talent pool, allowing organizations to access talent from diverse cultures. He emphasizes the necessity of aligning mindsets within recruitment teams and leadership to successfully navigate the complexities of hiring across cultures. Tune in to discover strategies for finding top talent globally, the significance of local market understanding, and how adapting recruitment processes can lead to a positive candidate experience in a remote environment!

In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, join host Felicia Shakiba as she welcomes Kyle Lagunas, Head of Strategy & Principal Analyst at Aptitude Research. Kyle dives into the intricate world of performance management, illuminating how organizations can elevate their performance management programs by prioritizing data quality and stakeholder alignment. Discover the transformative power of leveraging AI for performance management and how it can streamline HR best practices for talent management. With his expert insights, Kyle provides a valuable roadmap for HR leadership to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of talent management. Tune in to learn how to align performance metrics effectively and unlock the full potential of your organization's performance management strategies!