How S&P has Embedded Workforce Planning into Business Strategy (an Interview with Alan Susi)

What does it take to move people analytics from the margins to the core of business strategy? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Anshul Sheopuri, Executive Vice President of People Operations & Insights at Mastercard, to explore how people analytics is transforming from a support function into a business-critical capability. More than three years since his last appearance on the show, Anshul returns with a new role, a broader remit, and fresh insights into what it takes to embed analytics into enterprise-wide decision-making at scale. What you’ll discover in this episode: How the role of the people analytics leader is evolving into a portfolio leadership model The key catalysts behind the shift from traditional HR metrics to integrated, business-first insights How Mastercard is leveraging AI to drive employee success and business transformation A comparative look at building analytics and AI capabilities at IBM vs. Mastercard The importance of governance, ethics, and responsible AI in people analytics Practical steps to scale analytics and embed it into enterprise decision-making The future of people analytics—and what leaders need to prepare for next If you’re looking to understand how people analytics can become a true strategic partner across your organisation, this conversation offers a practical and inspiring roadmap. This episode is sponsored by Mercer. To thrive in an AI-augmented world, organisations must rethink how work gets done. Mercer’s Work Design solution uses AI to deconstruct jobs, redeploy tasks, and redesign work for greater agility, productivity, and impact. Unlock your team’s full potential. Learn more at mercer.com/wfdemo.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you stop looking outside for talent and start unlocking the full potential of the people already on your team? That is exactly what host David Green and his guests explore in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast. Joining David are Patricia Frost, Chief People and Places Officer at Seagate Technology, and Ruslan Tovbulatov, Chief Marketing Officer at Gloat, the platform partner behind Seagate’s internal talent marketplace, TalentLink. And together, they share how Seagate reimagined its approach to workforce planning by pausing external hiring and focusing on the talent already in-house. In this conversation, expect to hear how Seagate: Shifted from external recruitment to unlocking internal potential Created transparency and trust to support employee-driven growth Integrated AI to enhance - not replace - the human workforce Rebranded their platform to reflect a purpose-led, people-first strategy Helped employees navigate the emotional side of change and adoption This episode, sponsored by Gloat, is a practical, inspiring look at how to future-proof your workforce by starting with the people who are already part of it. Gloat is the world’s first work and workforce operating system for the AI era, helping leading companies like Seagate turn AI potential into real productivity by empowering people to work smarter, faster, and with purpose. Visit gloat.com to learn more.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever downplayed a part of who you are just to feel accepted at work? Maybe it was your background, your beliefs, or even just your personality. That quiet act of self-editing - called covering - is more common than many realise, and it comes at a high cost to individuals and organisations alike. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Rami Tzafrir, Senior Director of Talent, Organisation and Learning at HiBob, to unpack powerful new research on covering in the workplace. Together, they explore why this behaviour is not just a personal issue but a signal of deeper organisational challenges—and what HR can do about it. Key topics explored in the conversation include: What covering really means, and why so many employees do it Headline findings from HiBob’s global research on identity in the workplace Which groups are most likely to cover, and why How covering impacts performance, engagement, and career progression The link between covering and psychological safety What HR can do to create cultures of transparency and trust The complex role AI may play in either reinforcing or reducing covering This is a conversation that challenges traditional ideas of inclusion and calls for a more human approach to organisational culture.  Want to build a culture where people feel free to be themselves?     Download HiBob’s new report, “Hidden at work: The human cost of covering in today's workplaces”, at www.hibob.com/covering.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your HR tech stack fixing real business problems, or just fuelling the shiny object hype? With new HR technologies arriving faster than ever, many organisations are quick to jump on the next big thing. But in the rush to modernise, are we losing sight of the real business problems we’re meant to be solving? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Matthew Brown, Director of Research, HCM at ISG, whose diverse career spans practitioner, former Chief People Officer, and now respected industry analyst. And together they tackle a fundamental question: Are we truly leveraging HR technology to create business value, or are we just keeping up with trends? Tune in and join them as they explore:  Why the disconnect between HR and tech adoption persists, and how to bridge it The risks of adopting AI without clear business purpose Why data quality remains an overlooked but critical obstacle What HR tech vendors should be doing to ethically upskill their customers When reimplementation of existing systems may be a smarter choice than replacement How to distinguish genuine tech partners from transactional vendors If you’re questioning whether your HR tech strategy is driving real results or just driving activity, this conversation, sponsored by HiBob, offers timely insight, practical guidance, and fresh perspective from both sides of the industry. HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.   Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.   Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to build an HR function that’s agile, data-driven, and truly influential at the top table? In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green speaks with Janine Vos, Chief Human Resources Officer and Managing Board Member at Rabobank to explore how she has led her team through a significant transformation - shaping an HR function that not only keeps pace with business change, but helps lead it. From embedding agility into the day-to-day to using data as a lever for influence, Janine shares the strategies that have helped her team earn credibility and drive impact. Join them, as they discuss: What being agile actually looks like in practice, and how Rabobank brought it to life How to shift behaviours and mindsets to support new ways of working Why data is only powerful when it’s paired with trust and strong relationships How Janine helps her team move beyond the numbers to tell meaningful stories The value of having people analytics report directly to the CHRO - and what others may be missing What HR leaders need to prioritise today to stay relevant tomorrow Whether you're leading transformation or seeking to add more strategic business value, this episode sponsored by HiBob, offers practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you navigate what's next. HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.   Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.   Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is AI redefining the HR operating model we’ve known for decades? With AI redefining how work gets done, the pressure is mounting to move beyond legacy structures and rethink HR from the ground up. The traditional three-pillar model is being pushed to its limits, and a new, work-centric, product-driven approach is emerging. To discuss this in more detail, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Volker Jacobs, CEO and Founder of TI People, an organisation at the forefront of helping enterprises transform to innovate people’s work. Drawing from TI People’s latest groundbreaking research, Volker unpacks how AI is reshaping HR roles, structures, and mindsets - and why it's time to move beyond services toward building HR "products" that solve real work problems. Join them, as they uncover: Why the classic three-pillar HR model is under pressure - and what might replace it The three ways AI is transforming HR: efficiency, innovation, and personalisation Which HR roles are being disrupted most, and what that means for team design What a product-oriented approach to HR looks like in practice The mindset and cultural shifts needed to make this transition stick Where HR leaders can start today, without overhauling everything at once Whether you're leading transformation or just beginning to explore what AI means for your HR model, this episode sponsored by HiBob offers practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you navigate what's next. Click here to access the full report.  HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.  Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.  Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is HR leading the business, or just keeping up with it? As complexity increases and resources tighten, the role of HR is under more pressure than ever. But within this challenge lies a powerful opportunity - for HR to become a driving force in delivering value to all stakeholders: employees, customers and investors.  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green is joined once again by Dave Ulrich, Co-Founder of The RBL Group and widely recognised as the father of modern HR. Building on the success of his earlier episode with Stacia Garr, Dave returns for a reflective and practical conversation on how HR can step up to shape business strategy and deliver stakeholder value. Join them as they dive deep into:  Why the HR role is becoming more complex What stops HR from taking the lead, and how to overcome those barriers What strategic HR looks like when it’s aligned to stakeholder value The outcome-focused metrics that matter most to the business How AI can support - or distract from - HR’s true purpose The critical skills and mindsets HR leaders need for the future Where work and employee experience might be headed next If you're an HR leader looking to have more influence and impact, this episode, sponsored by HiBob, is definitely a conversation you’ll want to revisit and take notes on. HiBob is a fast-growing new leader in the HCM market. In fact, according to HR tech guru Josh Bersin, HiBob is one of the few SaaS companies that have successfully cracked the code on user experience.   Josh Bersin says that Bob is not only feature-rich but genuinely enjoyable to use.   Read his review of Bob--as an HR tech analyst and user--at www.hibob.com/davidgreen2025.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HR is at a tipping point: lead with data or risk being led by others. As organisations face growing complexity - from AI disruption to shifting stakeholder expectations - the role of HR is changing fast. Today’s Chief People Officers are expected to do more than care for culture - they’re expected to influence strategy, shape business outcomes, and back it all up with data. In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green is joined by Dean Carter, former Chief People Officer at Patagonia, Sears, Fossil, and Guild, and now Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Modern Executive Solutions.  Dean has spent his career pushing HR beyond tradition, embedding people analytics at the core of strategy and helping organisations hire the next generation of transformative HR leaders. Tune in, as they explore: The story behind Dean’s analytics awakening, and how it reshaped his approach to HR Why so many HR teams get stuck in “dashboard delivery”, and how to move toward insight and impact How renaming his team to “Insights and Outcomes” changed executive expectations The measurable business and human value of Patagonia’s four-day workweek Why HR must reclaim workforce planning, and treat it as a strategic lever, not a finance function  Today’s Heads of People Analytics skillsets need to step into CPO roles What separates data-driven HR teams that lead from those that react This episode, sponsored by Worklytics, brings clarity and urgency to a conversation every people leader needs to hear. It is more than a call for better reporting - it’s a roadmap for turning HR into a strategic powerhouse. Worklytics helps leaders understand how work actually happens with data-driven insights into collaboration, productivity and AI adoption. By analysing real work patterns - from meetings to tool usage - they empower teams to work smarter, not harder. And here’s something special: Worklytics is offering Digital HR Leaders listeners a complimentary AI adoption assessment to understand how your teams are really using AI - and where untapped potential lies. But don’t wait - spots are limited. Learn more at worklytics.co/ai   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With AI tools becoming more common across HR and people functions, HR leaders across the globe are asking the same question: how do we use AI without compromising on empathy, ethics, and culture. So, in this special bonus episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green welcomes Kevin Heinzelman, SVP of Product at Workhuman to discuss this very critical topic.   David and Kevin share a core belief: that technology should support people, not replace them, and in this conversation, they explore what that means in practice. Tune in as they discuss:   Why now is a critical moment for HR to lead with a human-first mindset How HR can retain control and oversight over AI-driven processes The unique value of human intelligence, and how it complements AI How recognition can support skills-based transformation and company culture during times of radical transformation What ethical, responsible AI looks like in day-to-day HR practice How to avoid common pitfalls like bias and data misuse Practical ways to integrate AI without losing sight of culture and care  Whether you're early in your AI journey or looking to scale responsibly, this episode, sponsored by Workhuman, offers clear, grounded insight to help HR lead the way - with purpose and with people in mind.  Workhuman is on a mission to help organisations build more human-centred workplaces through the power of recognition, connection, and Human Intelligence.  By combining AI with the rich data from their #1 rated employee recognition platform, Workhuman delivers the insights HR leaders need to drive engagement, culture, and meaningful change at scale. To learn more, visit Workhuman.com and discover how Human Intelligence can help your organisation lead with purpose.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Insight222, we’re seeing more and more leading companies approach workforce planning with the same discipline and structure as financial planning - treating it as a core part of how they run the business, not just an HR process. And one company that is doing this exceptionally well is S&P.  So, in this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David Green sits down with Vice-President and Global Head of Organisational Analytics and People Insights at S&P Global, Alan Susi, to explore exactly what it takes to transform workforce planning into a true strategic capability. Join them as they discuss:  How S&P Global is embedding workforce planning into core business decision-making Why Finance is such a key partner in making planning successful Balancing short-term execution with long-term workforce health The role of AI and tech in shaping the future of planning What leading companies are doing differently, and what others can learn If you’re looking to make workforce planning a more strategic and impactful part of your organisation, this episode, sponsored by Worklytics, is packed with ideas, lessons, and real-world insights from someone leading the way. Worklytics helps leaders understand how work actually happens with data-driven insights into collaboration, productivity, and AI adoption. By analyzing real work patterns - from meetings to tool usage - they empower teams to work smarter, not harder. And here’s something special: Worklytics is offering Digital HR Leaders listeners a complimentary AI adoption assessment to understand how your teams are really using AI - and where untapped potential lies. But don’t wait - spots are limited. Learn more at worklytics.co/ai  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.