
Everything people and workforce—recruiting, marketing, technology, talent management, and workforce economics—delivered with biting sarcasm and unapologetic snark. Industry misfits Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman bring their no-holds-barred opinions to dissect news, trends, and the occasional dumpster fire. If you’re a hiring company, staffing firm, or vendor looking for insights (and a thick skin), these two won’t just tell you what’s happening—they’ll tell you why you’re probably doing it wrong. Buckle up, buttercup.
Yeah, we know. WorkLlama is a dumb name for a company. But Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would still smell OK," or something like that (English lit wasn't really our thing), so let's dig into the business with Sugandan Dinakaran, VP of Product at WorkLlama. Turns out, WorkLlama promises to do a lot of the heavy lifting for your recruiting strategies. We're talkin' marketing, acquisition, engagement, scheduling and more, and they've raised $50 million so they must be doing something right. Added bonus: The name is explained, and like it or not, it does make sense.
Anessa Fike, author of The Revolution of Work, F!ck the Patriarchy, discusses her book and the need to dismantle the current systems in the workplace. She shares her journey into fractional HR and explains that fractional work allows organizations to have experts on a part-time basis at a fraction of the cost. Anessa talks about her decision to write the book and her choice of title, emphasizing the need for an uprising and the dismantling of patriarchal elements in society. She hopes that the book will empower those who already think this way and encourage conversations about change. The conversation explores the need for a revolution in the workplace, addressing issues such as obliviousness of leaders, the need for self-reflection, the rise of fractional work, the role of AI, the challenges with founder CEOs, the lack of diversity in funding, and the importance of pay equity. The conversation emphasizes the need for change and the role of allies in creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
This week, the boys discuss recent excursions in Asia and Europe, as well as recent industry news. They cover topics such as the decline in job postings, the acquisition of Textkernel by Bullhorn, the rebranding of StepStone, and the funding of TechWolf and FairNow. The conversation also touches on the importance of AI in the recruitment industry and the trend towards skills-based hiring. In this conversation, Chad and Joel discuss various topics including skills-based hiring, AI governance software, the decline in traffic for job search engine Indeed, the car industry's trends, and the use of AI assistants in financial advising. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by these themes and provide insights into the future of these industries. Highlights Travel experiences in Asia and Europe Decline in job postings and the impact on the recruitment industry Acquisition of Textkernel by Bullhorn and the importance of AI in recruitment Rebranding of StepStone and the significance of consistent branding Funding of TechWolf and the trend towards skills-based hiring Companies struggle with skills-based hiring because they often don't understand the specific skills required for a job. Testing candidates for these skills before hiring them can be more effective than relying on traditional screening processes. AI governance software is becoming increasingly important for companies in highly regulated industries. Fair now, an AI compliance company, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding to expand its operations. Job search engine Indeed has seen a decline in global and US traffic, possibly due to changes in Google's algorithm and the rise of AI summaries. Competitors like ZipRecruiter have shown different trends, suggesting specific challenges for Indeed. The car industry is experiencing various trends, including the rise of EVs, the challenges of infrastructure and consumer spending habits, and the impact of competition on companies like Tesla. Morgan Stanley is using generative AI assistants to improve efficiency and client engagement for its financial advisors. This trend of using AI assistants for administrative tasks is expected to continue across industries. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Travel Adventures 08:05 - The Acquisition of Textkernel by Bullhorn 11:37 - StepStone's Rebranding 25:08 -Skills-Based Hiring Challenges 26:24 -The Rise of AI Governance Software 29:17 -The Decline in Traffic for Job Search Engine Indeed 33:29 -Trends in the Car Industry: EVs and Competition 46:35 -AI Assistants in Financial Advising: Improving Efficiency 51:15 -The Challenges Faced by Hooters
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
Join Chad and Lieven in this week’s episode as they dive into Europe’s hottest tech news. With Joel savoring Singaporean street food, the duo tackles LinkedIn’s new AI career coaches and the impact of Bullhorn acquiring Text Kernel on the recruitment industry. They explore Revolut’s surprising move into HR tech with Revolut People, discussing potential privacy concerns and market implications. Lieven passionately defends traditional brewing against AI enhancements in Belgian beer, while Chad shares his excitement. They also critique StepStone’s recent rebranding efforts and their potential impact on the company's future. Tune in for a lively discussion on AI, recruitment tech, and European innovations, all with a side of humor and a dash of Belgian beer.
Automating the application process is pretty popular these days. From companies like Paradox to Humanly and others, allowing job seekers to submit their information by tapping a screen or talking into a phone is becoming big business. Then along comes Germany-based Talk’n’Job who believe they've built a better mousetrap, and they've even won a competition that says they just might. CEO Markus Krampe joins the boys in a lively Q&A to get to the bottom of things and whether or not Talk’n’Job has what it takes to compete on a grand scale. Do they survive the Firing Squad? Gotta listen. 00:00 - Talk’n’Job Intro 03:20 - Market Challenges and Opportunities 13:13 - Funding and Expansion Plans 16:27 - Blue-Collar Jobs and Easy Recruitment Processes 27:44 - The Impact of AI
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese podcast, Chad and guest Joel Lalgee tackle everything from Euro 2024 and upcoming events to the staffing world being rocked by Indeed. Nvidia is now king of the public companies, and Bullhorn just gobbled up TextKernel. They jabber about AI in recruiting and retail, including McDonald's drive-through robots and retail's eternal misery with low pay and turnover. Buckle up for a snarky dive into the future of work! 00:01:00 - Special Guest Introduction 00:03:30 - Euro 2024 Soccer Talk 00:06:30 - Shoutouts and Upcoming Events 00:11:00 - RecFest Insights 00:14:30 - Indeed Launches into Staffing 00:20:00 - Staffing Industry Disruption 00:25:00 - Bullhorn Acquires TextKernel 00:30:00 - AI in Recruitment and Staffing 00:38:00 - Skills-Based Hiring 00:44:00 - Retail Job Challenges 00:49:00 - McDonald's AI Experiment 00:54:00 - Closing Remarks
Think the time you've put in at your current employer is impressive? Well, let us introduce you to Matt Lavery, Global Director of Sourcing, Hiring and Onboarding at UPS ... since 1997. That's right, while you were listening to Radiohead's OK Computer, Matt was cutting his teeth in the competitive business of global package delivery. Needless to say, he's seen a lot, and he's droppin' all kinds of knowledge bombs on listeners of all ages on this episode. From changes in tech to the ebbs and flows of labor unions to what it's like hiring for 200 countries and territories, this has it all. Shoot, we even throw in some healthy banter on the upcoming NFL season and why Chicago Bears fans should be as optimistic as they were in 1985. Da Bears, indeed.
In this episode, Chad and Lieven dive into the world of tech startups, recruitment platforms, and AI in the workplace, while Joel is busy perfecting his tan in Vietnam. Lieven plays tech guru as he explains the mind-numbingly simple three steps of Carve's AI platform and contemplates shoehorning it into their already cluttered software. Chad and Lieven then take a joyride through the chaos that is Indeed's expansion into the staffing industry, lamenting how it's going to screw over staffing companies. They toy with the naive idea of staffing companies uniting to create their own job platform, as if herding cats wasn't hard enough. The conversation wraps up with a desperate plea for the staffing industry to wake up and deal with the mess that Indeed is making.
In this episode, Chad and guest host Maureen (Mo) Clough dive into the murky waters of AI scandals and industry dynamics, starting with Joonko’s founder facing SEC charges for defrauding investors, highlighting the persistent problem of AI washing. We question ZipRecruiter’s claim of being a “great place to work” amid listener skepticism about their treatment of employees. Mistral AI’s significant funding round signals continued enthusiasm for AI technologies, while McKinsey’s research reveals accelerating adoption and notable benefits of generative AI. We also tackle ageism in tech, discuss AI's transformative potential in hiring and content creation, explore the controversy over age restrictions in restaurants, and scrutinize the issue of excessive CEO compensation, proposing that executive pay be tied to the wages of their lowest-paid workers. Join us as we unpack these hot topics with a blend of insight and snark.
To say the ATS business is a challenging one these days would be an understatement. Between mergers and acquisitions, slumbering IPO ambitions and figuring out the whole AI Revolution, staying ahead of the game is complex. That's why we invited SmartRecruiters interim CEO and CPO Rebecca Carr to the show. She's an industry veteran with a good story to tell and as an industry product person to the bone, she can add nuance to the landscape. Covering everything from the hibernating IPO speculation to the botched acquisition with iCIMS to her time with - wait for it - Branchout, a high flying player from over a decade ago, who flamed out and die at the hand of Facebook before it really caught fire. It'a a walk down Memory Land, and a glimpse into the future that's a must-listen.
The world of venture capital is a mystery to most. Who gets funded and why? What's the math around valuations? And why is there so much "betting on the jockey"? So many questions with so few answers. That's why we invited Jason Corsello, founder and general partner at Acadian Ventures, on the podcast. He'll help us better understand the unicorn parade from a few years back, which resulted in a VC winter, which has led to the gradual thawing of capital into the world of work. What kind of companies are getting his attention, and wallet share, and what advice does he give to startups looking to raise that first seed round of capital. The veils are being lifted and the crystal balls are coming out on this one. Enjoy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:14 The Unicorn Parade and VC Winter 07:16 Opportunities for Seed Investors 10:23 The Thaw and the Future of Venture Capital 16:23 Investment Themes: AI, Compliance, and Global Workforce 22:36 Advantages and Disadvantages of Incumbents in Leveraging Data 23:53 Challenges of Integrating HR Tech Systems 26:15 Evaluating Startup Pitches and the Importance of Referrals 29:55 Evaluating European Startups vs. US Startups 33:49 The Potential for Disruption in the ATS Market 35:23 Best Bets, Worst Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities in Venture Capital
Get ready for another wild ride with the Chad & Cheese Podcast! Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash kick things off by gushing over Ronaldo and reminiscing about D-Day, because why not mix soccer and history? Shoutouts abound, from Dennis "Tepperdamis" Tupper's eerie predictions to Sweet Green's robot salad makers. Next up, they dive into Ashby's latest funding round, wondering if this ATS can stay the "hot chick" in a fickle market. Seek pulls out of Latin America, and Chad has some colorful memories of OCC Mexico. The guys then shred Rubio's Coastal Grill for blaming California's $20 minimum wage for their bankruptcy and eviscerating Walmart's "generous" employee bonuses. Flight attendants are fed up, and Chad channels his inner union boss, while Joel fears the future of paid service for basic flight amenities. Finally, in the most important segment of all, an Edmonton Oilers fan's flashing antics spark a debate on the year of the boobs. Because, really, what's a podcast without some hockey Hooters? Tune in for laughs, rants, and the inevitable dad joke to cap it all off. Chapters with Timestamps 00:00 - Opening Banter 02:21 - D-Day 05:53 - Tupper Indeed Prediction 08:10 - Recfest, Singapore, & Guest Hosts 15:01 - Ashby more like Cashby 22:53 - Seek Pulls Out 28:48 - Walmart & American Airlines BS 42:24 - Hockey Hooters
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
Recorded LIVE from Transform earlier this year. This episode explores the dynamic changes in the modern workplace including in-depth conversations with Janine Yancey, the CEO and founder of Emtrain. With her rich background as an employment lawyer and her innovative work, Janine provides unique perspectives on transforming HR practices, compliance training, and workplace culture. Episode Chapters 0:00:00 - Podcast Intro 0:00:23 - Live from Transform Las Vegas 0:00:42 - Welcoming Janine Yancey 0:01:03 - Janine Yancey's Background 0:04:03 - Differentiating in a Competitive Market 0:06:10 - Partnerships with Industry Leaders 0:07:39 - Developing Management Skills 0:08:26 - Measuring Team Chemistry 0:09:49 - Building a Unified Team Culture 0:11:00 - Launching New People Analytics Tools 0:14:02 - The Impact of AI on Work 0:17:20 - Evolution of the Workforce
To know industry icon Gerry Crispin is to love Gerry Crispin. And if you missed our Gerry Tales series, do yourself a favor and check it out at https://www.chadcheese.com/gerry-crispin. Then come back for an after-hours interview with Gerry live from Unleash in Las Vegas. It's a walk down Memory Lane, a breath of fresh air for our times, and a sobering forecast of where things might be going. Chapters: 0:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 0:00:35 - Gerry Crispin's Background 0:02:17 - Early Days and Formation of CareerXroads 0:03:09 - The Internet and Job Boards Revolution 0:05:49 - Writing and Publishing the First Book 0:14:45 - Transition to Building a Community 0:16:35 - Reflecting on the Evolution of Talent Acquisition 0:17:31 - AI and the Future of Recruiting 0:19:42 - Current State of Talent Acquisition Technology 0:25:11 - Improving Recruiting Efficiency and Integration 0:30:40 - DEI and the Supreme Court Decision Impact 0:36:01 - Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement 0:37:01 - Insights from the UNLEASH Conference 0:38:16 - Conclusion and Gerry’s Contact Information
This week, the boys cover a wide range of topics, including favorite new TV shows, shoutouts, events, and industry news, including a possible meltdown at DailyPay and a day of reckoning for Joonko. They dig into the recent acquisition of Teamable by Humanly and the acquisition of SkyHive Technologies by Cornerstone OnDemand. Plus, the uncover Indeed's strategic plans for market expansion shared on a corporate video. Then, WeWork better beware, 'cause Chuck E. Cheese is coming for a piece of its pizza pie as a remote workspace of choice. 00:00 - Intro and Entertainment 03:51 - Industry News and Acquisitions 13:11 - Events and Celebrations 18:39 - Humanly Acquisition 26:26 - CornerSone Acquisition 26:52 - Indeed's Market Expansion Strategy 27:34 - Challenges of Skills-Based Hiring 43:37 - Chuck E. Cheese as a Remote Workspace
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
The pendulum goes back-and-forth. In 2021, a survey was published that showed people had never been more afraid to speak their minds (a shocking 9 out of 10 people have felt emotionally or physically unsafe to speak their mind more than once in the past 18 months. Unsurprisingly, the conversation topics that have generated the most fear include political or social issues (74%) and COVID-19 issues (70%). It was the peak of MeToo and George Floyd cancel culture. Fast forward to today, and thought leaders from Professor Scott Galloway to James Carville are pushing back. It's a lot to digest. That's why we invited Justin Jones-Fosu, founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful. to the show. Author of the upcoming book "Respectfully Disagree," Justin and the boys cover a wide array of topics that many are afraid to bridge, but shouldn't be. If you've ever found yourself keeping quiet, instead of engaging, this is a must-listen. And if you speak your mind on every occasion to do so, it might just be for you too.
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, the boys discuss their experiences in Scotland, including trying haggis and visiting distilleries. They also give shoutouts to Jobs on Google and Workplace by Facebook. The hosts talk about upcoming events and the differences between Glasgow and Edinburgh. They also share their visit to Glenkinchie distillery and their tasting experience. The conversation covers their experiences in Scotland, the Glasgow event, and insights from the event. Plus, they discuss the layoffs at Seekout and the challenges the company is facing. They also talk about Indeed's decision to prioritize paid postings over organic traffic, increasing the "dumb tax" on lazy employers. 00:00 - Exploring Scotland: Haggis and Distilleries 12:26 - Glasgow vs. Edinburgh: Contrasting Cities 15:33 - Tasting Experience at Glenkinchie Distillery 16:29 - Experiences in Scotland 23:08 - Challenges at Seekout: A Go-to-Market Problem 31:59 - Indeed's Shift to Paid Postings 35:38 - Reducing Reliance on External Platforms
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
On this episode, the boys are chatting with Anne Fulton, founder and CEO of Fuel 50. They dive into the impact of AI on businesses, the revolution in talent management, and the evolution of education in a skills-based economy. Anne emphasizes the importance of employee voice, data-driven change, and branding in today's workforce. Discover the origin of Fuel 50's name and its mission to match people with opportunities. Don't miss this lively discussion on HR, talent management, and the future of work. Connect with Anne and learn more about Fuel 50 at fuel50.com.
According to Layoffs.fyi, over 200,000 tech industry employees lost their jobs in 2023, and almost 50,000 have already been laid off this year. So what's going on? Well, it's complicated, but - spoiler alert - the world isn't ending for tech pros looking for great opportunities. To help us make sense of it all, we invited Mark Chaffey, CEO at Hackajob on the podcast to understand it all. What's the impact of generative AI and ChatGPT on tech jobs? How can junior tech pros evolve? And what is going on with seed round-level startups after the dust has settled. If you hire techies, it's a must listen to survive today's challenging landscape.
This week, the boys discuss various topics including Indeed's layoffs, the ban on lab-grown meat in Alabama, Jerry Seinfeld's commencement speech, and the financial struggles of ZipRecruiter. They also dig into the introduction of Eightfold Talent Tracking, and the partnership between Stack Overflow and Indeed. They express their disappointment with ZipRecruiter's performance and call for better leadership. They criticize Eightfold for expanding too quickly and losing focus, and they mock the buzzword-filled description of their new product. They also question the strategy behind Twitter's, er, X's job recommendations and express their frustration with the lack of innovation. Finally, they discuss the controversy surrounding the Portal Project between New York and Dublin and how an OnlyFans model reminds us how much we all love boobies ... or is it potatoes? Eh, just listen.
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.