Inside Virgin Australia’s workforce modernisation strategy with Lisa Burquest

What does it take to overhaul your workforce strategy for thousands of employees, in a 24/7 workforce scattered across Australia?Virgin Australia’s CPO Lisa Burquest – who brings over 25 years of senior HR leadership expertise – details how her team developed a modernisation strategy for their multigenerational, aging workforce and why they transitioned to planning for dynamic skills over more traditional rigid roles.Learn how HR leaders can adapt their traditional planning frameworks to build businesses that are simpler, smarter and focused on future growth.Further learning:Workforce Planning – Advanced Course: https://bit.ly/4iLQXAeWorkforce Planning - Foundations Course: https://bit.ly/4zBvsclThe Strategic HR Leader Course: https://bit.ly/4kIUn9mFurther reading:Learn more about AHRI’s Workforce Planning Toolkit for HR: https://bit.ly/4iHB8vLDownload the toolkit here: https://bit.ly/4sOD74uConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Lisa Burquest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-burquest-8328395/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

As hybrid work and generative AI tools make it easier to work alone, organisations risk losing the social connection that drives performance, creativity and wellbeing. Left unchecked, the habit of turning to an LLM for answers and advice can pull people away from their teams and weaken collective capability.Peter Burow, Founding Partner at NeuroPower Advisory and Consulting, explains why humans are wired for teamwork, how AI can amplify our worst impulses rather than moderate them and what HR leaders can do about it.He shares practical advice on strategic teaming, from running face-to-face ‘dynamics’ sessions to building executive team collaboration, and helping people reconnect with their own judgment.Further learning:AHRI Course – AI & HR: Embedding Responsible AI - Shaping Workforce & Culture Course - Part 2: https://bit.ly/4yKU69yFurther reading:Article – What’s hybrid work doing to our brains?: https://bit.ly/3WjT0nqArticle – Why strong teams can still struggle to execute strategy: https://bit.ly/4smBxXEConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Peter Burow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peter-burow-1b0a93AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

When a neurodivergent employee feels comfortable enough to let their employer know about their diagnosis, the way a manager responds is the key to building trust and a pathway for productive collaboration in a neurodiverse workforce.While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, Neurodiversity Trainer Aisling Smith shares her practical advice to help coach managers on what it takes to support neurodivergent employees at the moment of disclosure and beyond.Further learning:Aisling Smith's HR Toolkit: https://neuroempowerment.co/hr#hr-toolkitAHRI Course – Performance Management for Neurodiverse Workplaces: https://bit.ly/4hkOJXAFurther reading:Article – 3 considerations when responding to neurodiversity disclosures: https://bit.ly/4cXSL77Article – The cost of neurodiversity concealment at work: https://bit.ly/4ycON3dConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Aisling Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisling-smith-neurodiversity/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

In this special live episode, recorded at AHRI’s National Convention and Exhibition in Brisbane, Belinda Casson MAHRI, Chief People Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, takes listeners behind-the-scenes of talent development in the Australian Public Sector. Managing over 6000 staff across Australia and 120 overseas posts, Casson brings a wealth of experience. She shares some of the innovative L&D initiatives her team has devised to equip the next generation of HR leaders with the skills they need to understand the political landscape and thrive at the senior levels of HR in the Commonwealth.Further learningTalent Management Course: https://bit.ly/3U1HfkB HR Certification – Ready to take your HR career to new heights? Complete our online quiz: https://bit.ly/45y34L5 Further readingAHRI Article – Belinda Casson MAHRI profile: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s CPO on embracing complexity in HR: https://bit.ly/4wAPe5GAHRI Article – How HR can turn the tide on a looming C-suite executives turnover crisis: https://bit.ly/45D8gNH Connect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87 Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIq Connect with Belinda Casson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-casson-8731057/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPB Not yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

The future of work doesn't loudly announce itself. It slowly creeps into organisations, showing up in the dilemmas that make their way into your inbox, your IR case load or your exec papers.In this episode, Narelle Hooper speaks with Reanna Browne, an academically-trained futurist with an HR background, about her practical four-question framework designed to help HR teams work through complex dilemmas showing up in our work today, such as how to combat employees' ‘cognitive surrender’ and re-anchor the irreplaceable value of human judgment.Further learningAttend AHRI's National Convention and Exhibition to hear more from Reanna in her keynote address. Register now: https://bit.ly/4p9wEiUAI & HR: Embedding Responsible AI - Shaping Workforce & Culture course: https://bit.ly/4gZ86aeFurther readingAHRI Article – 10 strategic prompts to help your business assess the downstream risks of AI: https://bit.ly/4vhGgcPWharton @ Work research article – Thinking Fast, Slow, Artificially: AI and Your Brain: https://bit.ly/3QJBl6pConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Reanna Browne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reannabrowne/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

The career ladder has long been the dominant metaphor for professional ambition, but what if there's another way?In this episode, host Narelle Hooper speaks with Elatia Abate, former Vice President of HR at Dow Jones and globally renowned futurist, about why the ladder is shrinking, what comes next and how HR professionals can design a career that they love in one of the most uncertain periods in the history of work.Further learningAttend AHRI's National Convention and Exhibition to hear more from Elatia in her keynote address. Register now: https://www.ahri.com.au/events-and-networking/nceLearn more about redesigning the future of work with AHRI's Contemporary Workforce Redesign Course: https://www.ahri.com.au/certification-and-training/short-courses/contemporary-workforce-redesignFurther readingLooking for ways to "future prepare"? Download your guide to the HR employment landscape in 2026: https://www.ahri.com.au/articles/4-trends-shaping-the-hr-employment-landscape-in-2026Before you make your next career move, consider these six questions: https://www.ahri.com.au/articles/questions-hr-ask-before-next-career-moveConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Elatia Abate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elatiaabate/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

Leaders today are juggling more than ever, from complex regulation to rising cost pressures and evolving employee expectations. When overwhelm sets in, the most effective HR support often means getting back to basics.In this episode, Pete Shepherd, executive coach and founder of Human Periscope, unpacks foundational habits and useful frameworks for early career HR practitioners looking to build confidence in coaching leaders through overwhelm.Further learningManagement and leadership essentials course: https://bit.ly/3Pvg0NlHaving difficult conversations course: https://bit.ly/4wAfMFkFurther readingAHRI members can read Pete Shepherd's contributions to the cover story for The HR Agenda. Not yet an AHRI member? Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4eST9pdConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Pete Shepherd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershepherd3/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4eST9pd

AI is no longer a peripheral tech topic; it is a fundamental governance challenge colliding with leadership at the highest levels. In this episode, we move beyond the hype to examine how generative AI is reshaping the core pillars of business: accountability, risk management and strategic decision-making.Joining host Narelle Hooper is Shirley Chowdhary, an experienced board member and former CEO with a deep background in international leadership. Shirley provides a leader's view on the emerging governance risks that senior HR leaders must navigate to remain strategic partners to the leadership team and board.Further learningAHRI course: AI & HR: What You Need to Know to Stay Compliant : https://bit.ly/4muFMxcAHRI course: Embedding Responsible AI: Shaping Workforce Planning & Culture Course: https://bit.ly/4vCZ8ocFurther readingRead AHRI's article '7 questions to help HR navigate the new AI governance frontier': https://bit.ly/4dM13AfRead Shirley's AICD article referenced in the article: https://bit.ly/4dMgtVbConnect:Follow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42bZnZE87Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cskpIqConnect with Shirley Chowdhary on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Otd7ftAHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4oSwaNn

Get ready for the new season of Let's Take This Offline.Hosted by business journalist Narelle Hooper, this season features conversations with leading HR and business thinkers on the most pressing and emerging issues shaping the profession today.Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode.SHOW NOTESConnect:Connect with Narelle Hooper on LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/narellehooperFollow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahri/AHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13848256/Not yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://www.ahri.com.au/ahri-membership

Work design isn’t just about dividing tasks and streamlining processes – it’s about shaping how people experience their work: the meaning they find and the autonomy they have.In the age of AI, this takes on new urgency. As technology reshapes work, organisations must choose whether to let jobs become narrower and more transactional, or redesign them to drive motivation, resilience and performance.In this episode, Professor Sharon Parker – Director of the Centre for Transformative Work Design at Curtin University – shares how HR leaders can apply evidence-based work design to create healthy, meaningful roles and ensure people remain at the centre of transformation.SHOW NOTESFurther learningAHRI's contemporary workforce redesign short course: https://bit.ly/4hVCh0rAHRI's organisational design short course: https://bit.ly/49K5WrhSharon Parker's SMART work design model: https://bit.ly/4991zGbHRM article featuring Sharon Parker's research: https://bit.ly/3WMcmyLSharon Parker's book Transformative Work Design: https://bit.ly/47LZptBConnect:Connect with Sharon Parker on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4qTOczSFollow AHRI on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3LIdUXZAHRI members can join the AHRI LinkedIn Lounge to access bonus content and continue the discussion: https://bit.ly/3LIdWPBNot yet an AHRI member? Join today and access a range of benefits, as well as a passionate community of HR practitioners: https://bit.ly/4oSwaNn