Tag: HR Strategy

Coca-Cola’s 3 Step Strategy for HR: Structure That Delivers Clarity

At SPARK TALENT, Sue Lam, VP of Global People Analytics at The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), laid out the strategy for HR to shift from a fragmented, reactive function to a strategic business driver. She shared how TCCC transformed from 32 fragmented business units into a “networked organization.” The key was simple: HR dropped the reactive support role and […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Stop Taking Orders, Start Building Value

The modern HR and Talent Acquisition leader has a clear, urgent mandate: stop being an order-taker and become a strategic architect of the workforce. The transition from transactional support to proactive business partner is no longer optional—it’s the key to proving HR’s irreplaceable value. This powerful call to action comes from Karen Guzicki, Director of Client Advisory Services […]

From Order-Taker to Architect: Day 1 Key Takeaways from SPARK TALENT on AI, Ethics, and Workforce Strategy

Day One of the SPARK TALENT 2025 conference delivered a unified mandate to HR and Talent Acquisition (TA) leaders: the reactive, service-provider model is obsolete. Success requires you to stop being an “order-taker” and become an “architect of the workforce.” Three powerful sessions defined the essential shifts necessary to make that change. 1. The Strategic […]

Faces of HR: How Elizabeth Cowper Finds Balance Between People and Strategy

Elizabeth Cowper has spent over two decades shaping the people strategies of some of the world’s most iconic brands. From Planet Organic to LVMH and Tapestry (the company behind Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman), she has consistently been at the forefront of building dynamic workplaces. With a reputation as the “Culture Adjuster,” Cowper has been recognized as one of HR’s […]

Stop Reacting, Start Planning: The HR Leader’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty 

By now, most HR executives have lived through many moments of disruption. Unfortunately, those moments were met as they arrived, with little effort going into developing a playbook to be ready for the next change. The last decade, beginning with the rise of digital business models and continuing through the Covid-19 pandemic, has taught leaders […]

Strategic HR Leadership Through Uncertainty: Navigating Layoffs and Reductions in Force 

Workforce reductions are a harsh reality in Corporate America, with nearly 700,000 layoffs announced in the first half of 2025. Whether it’s a layoff or furlough, reductions in force (RIFs) are never easy, but with the right strategy, HR professionals can help organizations navigate this difficult process with care and empathy. Understanding the key legal […]

Navigating the DEI Crossroads: A Guide for HR Professionals

For Human Resources (HR) professionals, the corporate landscape around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a high-stakes tightrope walk. Once hailed as a vital framework for building a thriving workforce, DEI initiatives now face intense scrutiny that places HR departments at the center of a contentious debate. As major corporations like Walmart and Tractor […]

Leveraging AI for Proactive HR Solutions 

Not long ago, HR teams focused mainly on looking backward—reviewing metrics like turnover rates, engagement scores, and time-to-fill stats to guide decisions. But that’s changing fast. Thanks to AI, HR is stepping into a new role: not just reacting to the past but anticipating what’s next—and taking action in the moment. Welcome to the era […]

The AI Revolution: Your Workforce Isn’t Running Out of Work, It’s Running Out of Time

At SPARK HR 2025, Matthew Duncan, who leads Microsoft’s thinking on the future of work, didn’t just talk about AI – he showed us a new reality for workplaces everywhere. Based on Microsoft‘s latest Work Trend Index Report, which surveyed 31,000 people in 31 countries, Duncan pointed out a huge truth: people are reaching their limits. […]

Faces of HR: John Pichay’s Journey to Cultivating Tech Culture

John Pichay is a force in the HR world, with over a decade of experience shaping thriving workplaces, primarily within the dynamic tech sector. As VP of People at Imgix, he’s not just overseeing HR; he’s orchestrating a global strategy designed to empower employees and drive innovation. From talent acquisition and learning & development to DEI initiatives, organizational design, total rewards, employee relations, […]