Send a text A hot take roared across X: “HR is useless—fire 90% and business will run happier.” We lean into the controversy and pull it apart with real stories, practical examples, and a clear look at where HR earns its seat. From ADA moments that avoid lawsuits to manager coaching that prevents blowups, we show how accountability—not buzzwords—separates me ... Show More
Mar 12
A Botched Marketing Video Reveals What Workplace Culture Hides and the Sideways M
Send a textA CEO takes a tiny bite of a new burger, calls it “the product,” and accidentally hands the internet a masterclass in cringe. We use the McDonald’s Big Arch backlash as a springboard to talk about something bigger than fast food: leadership authenticity, executive pres ... Show More
38m 30s
Feb 27
Olympics, Women Can Mansplain Too and Employees You Love To Hate
Send a textEver had someone CC half the company to “helpfully” point out your missing comma? We’ve been there. Today we unpack the office characters you secretly love to hate—the grammar police, the drama magnets, the nonstop talkers, and the tech dinosaurs—and share practical wa ... Show More
44m 26s
Feb 12
Accenture’s Bet On Upskilling And Cutting The Dead Weight
Send a textWhat happens when a global consulting giant decides AI proficiency is the new baseline? We dig into Accenture’s headline-grabbing cuts, its billion-dollar bet on upskilling, and the ripple effects this kind of mandate has on culture, fairness, and everyday HR work. The ... Show More
35m 59s
Jan 2025
Joking Around at Work (Without Offending Anyone)
Incorporate humor in the workplace. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Jamie Jackson, HR leader by day, “Chief Meme Officer” by night, to discuss the value of humor and lightheartedness at work, as well as how to make sure it stays appropriate.
Episode Transcript
This podcast is ... Show More
24m 55s
Nov 2024
333: Elevate Your Workday Well-Being with These Easy, Powerful Practices with Kristel Bauer
Your skills alone don’t determine your work performance–it’s also about being in the right physical, mental, and emotional state. That’s where wellness practices come in. In today’s episode, our guest will share powerful practices for incorporating wellness into the workday.Meet ... Show More
31m 7s
Oct 2025
Behind the Scenes of HR: Burnout, Balance, and Belonging
Behind the Scenes of HR: Burnout, Balance, and BelongingHosts: Mervyn DinnenGuest: Ryan Tahmassebi, People Science Director at Workbuzz SummaryIn this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen chats with Ryan Tahmassebi about the latest research on employee wel ... Show More
32m 20s
Oct 2024
327: How to Fire Someone Without Feeling Like the Bad Guy with Jackie Koch
Have you ever had to fire someone and lost sleep over it? Firing someone isn’t as easy as saying, “You’re fired!”. If you’ve been through it, you know just how tough it can be–emotions run high, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re the bad guy.That’s why I sat down with an HR ex ... Show More
31m 29s