The DDI Podcast Series

Taking the Pulse of the Workforce

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:26:21 -0500

They are accountable for executing strategies, inventing new products, and building customer loyalty and half of them feel stagnant in their roles. DDI asked 1,000 specialists and professionals in non-leadership positions how they feel about their jobs, their opportunities for growth, engagement levels, and skills they desired to develop. This podcast will explore the findings and implications of this research and what organizations can do to engage and retain these workers.

Getting Learners Out of the Classroom: DDI's Approach to Virtual Learning

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:30:24 -0500

As travel and training budgets are slashed, more organizations are turning to online learning alternatives. But virtual learning is not always what it appears to be, and just because you’ve built it, doesn’t mean they’ll come. This podcast will examine how organizations can overcome challenges associated with virtual learning and how they can use this method to create real change in leaders’ behaviors.

In Your Leadership Pipeline, the Middle Matters! Part 2

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:38:20 -0400

Mid-level leaders have never been more important. They must drive performance in a changing world, manage horizontal integration in complex organizations, lead and develop talent, and make tough decisions. They are the key to successfully executing business strategy. This podcast will examine the complex role of mid-level leaders and DDI’s new system to help develop this often overlooked layer of the organization.

In Your Leadership Pipeline, the Middle Matters! Part 1

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:35:00 -0400

The Talent to "Break from the Pack"

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:20:32 -0400

In the rush to get ahead in today’s chaotic economic environment, one might be tempted to think that among the greatest stumbles an organization could make would be to not keep up with its competitors. San Francisco-based management professor and best-selling author Oren Harari respectfully disagrees. In his book, Break from the Pack: How to Compete in a Copycat Economy, Harari makes the compelling argument that to keep up with your competition, to be "part of the pack," is to put your organization’s future at risk.

Leaders Without Sea Legs

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:55:17 -0400

Today’s economic environment places a whole new set of challenges on your organizations leaders. The attributes for leadership success today are not the same as they were a year ago. What does a successful leader today look like? How do your organization’s leaders compare? What can you do to address shortcomings? Join DDI’s Chief Scientist to find out if your leaders have sea legs.

Beyond a Seat at the Table: HR’s Role in Business Strategy at Transocean

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:21:15 -0400

A seat at the table isn’t enough, according to Transocean President and COO Steven L. Newman, whose background as an HR executive gives him a unique perspective on the role talent management should play in business strategy. In this Podcast, Steven shares his valuable insights into the relationships between HR and business and how this partnership has helped overcome the unique talent challenges of the world’s largest offshore drilling organization.

Holding Women Back: Why gender still matters on today’s career ladder

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:04:56 -0400

Women have spent years trying to level the playing field in the workplace and in leadership roles, but are still under-represented at the executive level. The 2008/2009 Leadership Forecast revealed some interesting trends about what keeps women out of the corner office-including the fact that the deck is stacked against women from early in their careers when they aren't on the same development track as their male peers. This Podcast will discuss the findings from the research "Holding Women Back: Troubling Discoveries and Best Practices for Helping Female Leaders Succeed."

Are You Failing the Interview? Examining hiring concerns in a down economy.

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:55:57 -0400

This podcast will examine the results of DDI’s recent study, "Are You Failing the Interview." Every day, companies are being bombarded with applications for every available position - a formula that doesn’t make it any easier to find the right person. In fact, many hiring managers are concerned that they’re missing red flags about candidates, leading them to make a mistake that two-thirds of them fear they’ll come to regret. According to DDI’s recent study, "Are You Failing the Interview?" an overwhelming number of interviewers are confident in their interviewing skills and their ability to make a sound hiring decision. However, when asked specifically about common interviewing pitfalls, it became apparent that they may not be faring quite as well.

Taking Training Global at Phillips

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 11:14:46 -0400

Jef Pauwels, Vice President, Learning and Organizational Effectiveness for Philips, discusses how Philips has launched a successful global training structure. The presenter will cover: The business needs that drove Philips to centralize and standardize its training The challenges of globalizing training for a large, complex organization like Philips Moving from a local to a singular training model How stakeholder buy-in was attained The results Philips is seeing from its new centralized training approach

Real Advice for Selecting Talent in Today’s Economy

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:41:47 -0400

Despite uncertainties in today’s economy, and so much in the news about staff reduction, hiring is one of the seven essential issues that talent management professionals should be paying attention to right now. This Podcast will explore why, and offer insight and advice for playing by the new rules of talent selection.

Rules of Employee Engagement in Challenging Time

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:17:22 -0500

Bleak business times can rattle even the most engaged workforce. Spending cuts, rumors, and workforce reductions can easily create a climate of fear and distrust, threatening productivity. But there are steps you can take to fend off negativity. This Podcast will explore ways to maintain and even enhance employee engagement in tough times.

Act Now to Position Your Workforce for Long-term Growth

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 6 Feb 2009 17:13:38 -0500

Every company has their "A" players - those top performers who show tremendous potential. Now is the time to take heed of their talent and involve those great minds in solving today’s business challenges - before your competitors, or a more stable industry, lure them away. It also may be time to undertake the painful task of reducing staff. Luckily, there are some strategies and tips that can help ease the pain, and in the long run, leave your organization more healthy and vibrant than before.

New Rules for CEO Succession Management - Part 2

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 15:56:29 -0500

Succession management expert Matt Paese shares insights on common mistakes and best practices around CEO Succession Management. In the last decade, we have witnessed a 59 percent increase in the overall rate of CEO turnover and 318 percent increase in performance-related departures. In spite of these alarming statistics, many organizations lack a strong, viable succession management plan for their top positions. Where do they go wrong, and how can it be fixed?

New Rules for CEO Succession Management - Part 1

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 15:53:15 -0500

What it Takes to be a Global Leader

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 15:43:36 -0500

Thras Moraitis, Executive General Manager, Group Strategy and Corporate Affairs for Xstrata talks global leadership, his perspective on what it takes to be an effective global leader, and how Xstrata identifies and develops its global leaders. The presenter will cover: The unique demands of global leadership The traits global leaders need in order to be successful How Xstrata identifies and develops its global leaders The importance of executive involvement in identifying and developing global leaders. The role of assessment in identifying leadership potential.

Hiring Sales Leaders for New Sales Strategy at Avon Products

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:26:25 -0400

Barbara Pelly, Director, Human Resources for U.S. Sales, for Avon Products, discusses the organization’s transition to a new sales strategy and its initiative to recruit and hire sales leaders to execute that strategy. The presenter will cover: Avon’s transition from a direct selling model to a multi-level selling model How Avon recruits and hires the sales leaders it needs to drive its new sales strategy The challenges of rolling out the new sales strategy globally How Avon partnered with DDI to implement a more efficient screening process What defines a great sales leader at Avon The importance of behavior-based interviewing in the sales leader selection process How the new recruiting and hiring process has positioned Avon for success in both the short and long term

Panasonic’s Global Approach to Talent Management

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:23:09 -0400

Danny Kalman, Director of Global Talent for Panasonic talks about the organization’s approach to talent management and its accelerated development program for high potentials. The presenter will cover: How Panasonic identifies high potential leaders The organization’s global approach to identifying talent The importance of assessment to identifying strengths and development needs Panasonic approach to providing high potentials with accelerated development opportunities How the program, started in Europe, has been expanded globally The critical role and support of Panasonic’s senior leadership in executing the talent management strategy Best practices for executing a high potential program.

Swapping Engines in Mid-Air: 2008 Sales Talent Management Benchmark

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:46:17 -0400

DDI's Sales Talent Management Benchmark study of 297 top sales and HR leaders reveals key problem areas for most sales organizations and provides insight into successfully avoiding them. This podcast will provide insights into serious questions uncovered in the study, such as: Why do only half of sales people and sales leaders have the skills to execute tomorrow's sales strategy? Why is there an astonishing million-dollar revenue gap between the best sales people and the rest? Why are 64 percent of sales leaders dissatisfied with how they develop high-potential sales reps for the future?

Innovation: The Leadership Imperative

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:47:00 -0500

In today’s highly competitive marketplace, leaders must play a major role in creating an environment where creativity and innovation flourish. Learn how you can build these skills throughout your executive and leadership ranks. The presenters will cover: Why innovation is a key business imperative today The three types of innovation and which one produces the greatest ROI CEO satisfaction levels with innovation Barriers to innovation Defining creativity versus innovation How to help your organization become more innovative Selecting and developing leaders who can drive innovation The four stages of creative problem solving

Blend with the End in Mind: Best Practices for Developing and Sustaining Blended Learning Initiatives

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:49:46 -0400

This Podcast features an interview with Pete Weaver, Senior Vice President of Leadership Solutions and Chief Learning Officer for DDI. When most organizations think of blended learning, they think only of online versus classroom training. In this Podcast, Pete Weaver shares ideas and insights around what blended learning truly encompasses. Pete also discusses best practices for organizations to consider up front, so they are setting up their blended learning initiative for success.

How Employee Engagement is Driving Bottom-line Success at Campbell’s Soup

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 6 Aug 2007 16:14:05 -0400

Campbell’s Soup Company President and CEO Doug Conant has been lauded by BusinessWeek magazine for making the company “one of the food industry’s best performers.” In this interview, Conant discusses his views on the value of talent to an organization, and connection between exceptional employee engagement and increased shareholder returns. He also talks about his personal leadership philosophy and how he has applied that philosophy since assuming his role in 2001.

A Conversation About Key Trends Shaping Business with FORTUNE Columnist, Geoffrey Colvin

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Fri, 3 Aug 2007 16:08:31 -0400

As one of today’s leading business journalists, talking to and writing about many of the global economy’s movers and shakers, Geoffrey Colvin has a unique, informed perspective on the trends and forces impacting organizations. What does he see? In this interview, Colvin offers his insightful observations on globalization, the uncertain future facing American workers, and the role of HR in providing the talent organizations need to be successful.

Texas Children’s Hospital Takes an Innovative Approach to Demonstrate the Need for Leadership Development

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 16:04:30 -0400

How do these sounds? Single-digit turnaround, well below the industry standard. HR interventions reduced by 60%. And significantly improved employee engagement and commitment scores. These are just a few of the outcomes realized at Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in the United States. Linda Aldred and her team challenged their organization to put leadership development at the core of their business. Their approach catalyzed and inspired the senior team, and eventually all leaders, to foster great leadership practices. In this Podcast, Linda talks about how it happened.

Gus Lee Talks About Courageous Leadership

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:00:48 -0400

Gus Lee’s mentors, H. Norman Schwarzkopf of West Point and Edgar Bodenheimer at King Hall School of Law made it very clear to him that leadership is grounded first in high character, not in intelligence or competence. And that it’s learnable. In this Podcast, Gus share the three things we need to do to become courageous leaders.

Monster.com Reveals New Research into Job Seeker’s Attitudes

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:54:29 -0400

Vicki Godfrey talks about research that Monster.com conducted to gain an understanding about job seekers’ perspectives and perceptions were about jobs and about careers and trying to unearth what the driving motivators and attitudes that they had against careers and jobs. She talks about three segments-Proactive Planners, Passion Subsidizers and Devoted Careerists-how they are looking for jobs and what motivations they have from a career standpoint.

Making Retirement Management(SM) A Key Element in Your Talent Management Strategy

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:38:49 -0400

Conventional wisdom says that baby boomers retirements will cause a massive brain drain in business. In this Podcast, Bill Byham reveals why that can’t happen and what organizations can do to retain valuable older workers. He introduces the concept of Retirement Management^SM, discusses the keys to a successful strategy and shows what DDI can do to help organizations build and implement their strategy.

How to Laser Beam Your Executive Development Efforts to Achieve Real Results

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 18:32:34 -0400

Today’s fast-paced organizations simply don’t have time for a lot of slow development practices, especially at the executive ranks. You really have to laser beam your executive development efforts by ensuring that your initiative aligns with your business strategies and is designed to get results. This podcast will build on these themes to share best practices for creating executive development experiences that achieve real results.

Leadership Forecast 2005-2006: Building a Dream Team

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 1 Jan 2007 18:32:57 -0400

How strong are today's leaders? And how can we develop them?

Leadership Forecast 2005-2006: Tending to the Garden

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 1 Jan 2007 18:32:57 -0400

What are the advantages to growing your own leaders?

Leadership Forecast 2005-2006: The Drive to Be a Leader

podcasts@ddiworld.com — Mon, 1 Jan 2007 18:32:57 -0400

What drives people to become leaders and what pressures do today's leaders face?