Author: Lin Grensing-Pophal, Contributing Editor

The Rise of FOBO: Why Workers Are Eyeing AI-Proof Careers

As AI tools continue to reshape work across industries, a new anxiety has entered the professional lexicon: FOBO—fear of becoming obsolete. While the term may sound buzzword-y, the concern is anything but abstract for today’s workforce. According to new data from Kickresume, 21% of respondents say they’ve either lost a job due to AI or […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Hershey’s Global TA Head—AI Isn’t a Threat to HR

For many in the HR field, the rise of AI comes with a nagging fear: that it will eventually replace recruiters and dehumanize the hiring process. This is the biggest misconception about artificial intelligence in talent acquisition, and according to experts, it’s not the reality at all. The true purpose of AI isn’t to take […]

Why Layoff Survivors Matter: Re-Onboarding as a Strategic Imperative

Recent findings from Kahoot!’s 2025 Layoff Survivor Survey highlight a critical blind spot in workforce strategy after downsizing activities: surviving employees are often left without training or support, and it’s hurting both employees and business outcomes.   Conducted from April 24 to May 1, 2025, and based on input from more than 1000 U.S. workers who experienced layoffs […]

How Hershey’s Global Head of TA Is Using AI to Elevate Recruiters

As AI continues to redefine the future of work, many HR professionals have a common fear: that technology will strip away the human element of their jobs. But according to Debra Simmers, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at The Hershey Company, the opposite is true. In her upcoming session at Spark Talent 2025, she’ll discuss how […]

Faces of HR: The Strategic Journey of Karina Young

With over 12 years in HR leadership, Karina Young has built her career on a simple, powerful philosophy: people strategy isn’t just about supporting employees; it’s about fueling business growth. As VP of People at the HR tech firm 15Five, she blends innovation with pragmatism to ensure that her team is always forward-thinking and deeply aligned with the […]

EntertainHR: Jokes Aside—What Hacks Teaches Us About Bad Bosses

Viewers’ introduction to Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, is of the aging comedian on stage, resplendent in her signature glitter, telling the final joke of her set for what we soon discover is her very long-running Vegas residency at the Palmetto. A montage follows showing Deborah’s various side hustles – private jetting off to […]

onboarding

Priming the Canvas: How to Make Your Cultural Onboarding Stick

Before the first brushstroke lands, a painter stretches and primes the canvas. Without this step, the paint won’t stick, the colors won’t hold, and the art won’t last. The same is true for onboarding. If your people aren’t primed to learn about your values and culture, it fades away into the busyness of their daily […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: People Analytics on a Budget—Your Secret Weapon Is Already on Your Computer

In the world of people analytics, it’s easy for HR teams to feel left behind, especially when faced with the assumption that you need a huge budget and expensive platforms to get started. But according to Sarah Sheffer, Senior Manager of HR Data and Analytics at ADM and speaker at Spark Talent 2025, that couldn’t be […]

Beyond Headcount: How AI is Rewriting Workforce Planning

Workforce planning has traditionally been a straightforward exercise: determine headcount needs, assess budget constraints, and align staffing with organizational goals. But as artificial intelligence (AI) gains traction in businesses and industries of all kinds, this once linear process is becoming exponentially more complex. Companies are no longer just planning for staffing needs and roles—they’re mapping […]

Faces of HR: How Kareem Bakr Found His Calling in Talent Acquisition

As Managing Director at Phaidon International, a global talent acquisition company, Kareem Bakr has a unique perspective on career growth. He started with the company when its U.S. business was just nine people strong, operating out of a tiny office in New York City. His journey from individual contributor to a leader at a global firm is a […]