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The Big Question

Brook Street

The Big Question is the podcast series from Brook Street, part of the leading global workforce solutions company, ManpowerGroup. It features a blend of interviews and discussions with leading experts, including academics and thought leaders sharing their perspectives on the changing world of work.

We cover a range of topics from hybrid and flexible working, talent scarcity, mental fitness and more. As organisations continue to seek strategic workforce solutions to meet their strong demand and long-term sustainable value creation, we will try to help them navigate through their challenges giving sound solutions on how to move forward in this ever-changing world of work.

You can find more on HR related insights at https://www.brookstreet.co.uk/blog/tag/employer-advice

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  • 14 episodes
  • Avg 24 min
  • English

Episodes 14

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  • S2 · E2
    Oct 16, 2024 · 33 min

    How Inclusive Hiring can Help Alleviate Talent Shortage

    Inclusive hiring not only helps to expand the candidate pool with a steady stream of motivated, excellent candidates that can often be overlooked but it can also help with the acute talent and skills shortage being felt by every company in the market at the moment. Listen to an informative chat with the founders of Bridge of Hope to see how inclusive hiring can benefit your business.

  • S1 · E12
    Feb 19, 2024 · 13 min

    Diversity in recruitment: Building an inclusive workforce

    In today's multinational, multicultural world, diversity is not an option but a necessity, and inclusion is not a buzzword but a defining factor for successful initiatives. They are the cornerstones for any organisation seeking to be a transformative force in their industry, fostering innovation, creativity, and a vibrant workplace culture that makes every employee feel truly at home. And so, in this episode, we'll delve into the critical role of D&I in shaping a strong, dynamic, and future-ready workforce, explore the challenges and breakthroughs in weaving D&I into recruitment strategies and how it fills and enhances every facet of business

  • S1 · E11
    Feb 1, 2024 · 48 min

    Navigating the Virtual Contact Centre Landscape

    In this episode, we dive deep into a seismic shift that has unapologetically turned the world of customer service on its head - the transition from traditional, brick-and-mortar call centres to multi-faceted, virtual customer interaction hubs. The fast-paced evolution hasn't been without its hurdles. How do you manage a team scattered across the globe? How do you ensure seamless operations across differing time zones? But amidst these challenges lies a revolution instigating significant opportunities, and we're here to help you navigate it. Remarkably, over 71% of UK contact centres are already embracing some form of remote working. Isn't it intriguing that half of these are considering a permanent hybrid model? It's crystal clear - the customer service terrain is transforming at breakneck speed with virtual contact centres spearheading this change. So, are you ready to equip yourself with critical insights and strategies to thrive in this evolving world of customer service? Then buckle up, because this episode is all set to turbocharge your understanding and know-how of virtual contact centres. Click now and indulge in thought-provoking discussions that promise to equip you for the exciting yet challenging future of customer service.

  • S1 · E10
    Jan 12, 2024 · 24 min

    Incorporating ESG in Business Strategy with James Levey

    In our episode, we delve into the crossroads of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, business strategy, and their role in fostering long-term corporate sustainability. As recent studies show, ESG has grown beyond being just a buzzword, with a Financial Times report revealing that over 90% of the FTSE 100 companies now report on their ESG performance. Companies worldwide are re-evaluating their strategies and incorporating ESG factors significantly, recognising the impact on performance, profitability, and reputation. Are you an entrepreneur, strategy-led executive, or aspiring listener eager to explore the changing landscape of business strategy and sustainability? This episode promises to provide valuable insights! Join us in welcoming James Levey, Group Compliance Director, ManpowerGroup - an expert in ESG and sustainability matters. We will discuss: Effective ways to embed ESG factors into core business strategy The impact on long-term sustainability, performance, and reputation Don't miss out on this insightful discussion!

  • S1 · E9
    Dec 14, 2023 · 38 min

    AI and the Future of Work

    As AI continues to rapidly evolve, it sculpts new dimensions to our lives and transforms the definition of work as we know it. Such dramatic shifts are heralding change on an unprecedented scale—leading to a rewrite of job market trends and redefining the future workforce skills. The necessity to stay ahead of the tides of change has become a mandate for professionals and entrepreneurs to engage with and lead in this emerging era. But how can we demystify this journey? What essential steps and strategies must enterprises and individuals employ to adapt to and navigate the AI-bolstered landscape? We are delighted to feature Estelle McCartney, recognised for her dynamic tech agility, business acumen, and clear human-centric leadership. Currently the Chief Growth Officer at Arctic Shores, Estelle will share her learned experience, revealing insights and perspectives around the influence of AI on our workspaces, and how to effectively adapt amidst this transformative phase.

  • S1 · E8
    Nov 30, 2023 · 12 min

    The Invisible Threat: Preventing and Addressing Employee Burnout with Leanne

    Now Burnout is a silent killer of productivity and morale in the workplace and on this episode of "The Big Question", we'll probe into the topic of The Invisible Threat: Preventing and Addressing Employee Burnout with our guest Leanne Winter, HR Manager at ManpowerGroup. Burnout is not merely extended fatigue; it's a complex condition marked by physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to prolonged stress at work. Undeniably, its implications are far-reaching, from diminished job performance and impaired team dynamics to detrimental effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, leading to a marked decrease in quality of life. The push to maintain high productivity levels, coupled with fast-paced work environments, can often instigate a tipping point for employees, leading to the unfortunate fallout of burnout. For better or worse, burnout is intimately linked to the realms of job satisfaction, employee retention, and overall company performance. This conversation is significant not just for individuals grappling with symptoms of burnout. It also carries profound relevance for leaders, HR professionals, and colleagues who aim to foster a supportive, cognizant and resilient work environment. Join us as we delve deep into the phenomenon of burnout, break down myths, build awareness, and discuss comprehensive, actionable strategies to combat it.

  • S1 · E7
    Nov 14, 2023 · 21 min

    Embracing the hybrid era: Navigating work models in the UK's evolving workspace

    The government has recently introduced new legislation bolstering workers' rights to request flexible work. With many employers currently adopting hybrid and remote working models, the question arises: is it pertinent and beneficial to further amplify these rights? In our latest episode, we delve into the complex world of employment law with our expert guest, Mike Cole. Mike, a seasoned business lawyer specialising in employment-related matters at Pennington Manches Cooper, brings his wealth of knowledge to the discussion table on the new era of workspace transformation. This episode provides a detailed exploration of the recent changes in flexible working laws and how they are shaping the professional landscape in the UK. Listen in as Mike gives us a comprehensive insight into the potential legal obligations and challenges employers might face when transitioning to hybrid work models. From an open dialogue on avoiding disputes to constructing airtight policies, this episode is a must-listen for every HR and Talent Acquisition professional seeking to understand and successfully navigate the hybrid work revolution. Tune in to arm yourself with the knowledge and strategies you need to thrive in this evolving workspace.

  • S1 · E6
    Sep 11, 2023 · 15 min

    Navigating the Challenges of Children Services Recruitment in the UK

    In this episode, we delve deep into the world of the Children's Services sector through the lens of the Children’s Services Omnibus Wave 6 Research Report released December 2022 by the Education Department. This intriguing report has presented some key insights that have the potential to significantly shape how senior decision-makers approach their roles. The report sheds light on crucial issues related to children's social care, early years and childcare provision, and services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We are delighted to have Andrew Moss, Business Manager from Durham County Council joining us to discuss the complex world of finding and retaining top talent in children’s services sector

  • S1 · E5
    Aug 15, 2023 · 16 min

    Building the Workforce of the Future in Finance

    In today's hyper-competitive hiring market, we examine how UK businesses can recalibrate their employer offer to attract and retain top talent in the finance sector. With hiring intentions cooling slightly, but the demand for talent - mainly digital and sector-specific expertise - remaining high, we explore several trends redefining what it means to work in finance based on the Brook Street Finance Jobs Report. First, there's an increased demand for roles that didn't even exist a few years ago. Jobs in risk, compliance, data analysis, and AI are on the rise. Secondly, the report also highlighted the growing importance of soft skills. While technical expertise is essential, skills like leadership, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are becoming just as critical. Read more of the report here https://share.hsforms.com/1jTSQL5rrTUi1KHyO0d55ZA2s6z4 Our special guest Caroline Theaker, Future Skills, Reskilling Lead, Lloyds Banking Group will deep dive into the current state of the skills gap in the finance industry and how this affects operations in the sector, specifically at an institution like Lloyds Banking Group. She will also share strategies and learnings on how to bridge this skills gap in finance

  • S1 · E4
    May 18, 2023 · 19 min

    Mental Health Matters - Understanding and Supporting Those in Need

    Globally, there is an estimated 450 million people suffer from mental health disorders. According to Mental Health Foundation UK, approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. This means that an estimated 16.5 million people in the UK suffer from mental health disorders in any given year. Here in the UK, addressing this issue remains a top priority for care providers and policymakers alike. However, among those who require care and support, there is often a shortage of qualified and experienced professionals to provide the necessary services. In this episode, we'll be speaking with Maddy Smith, Deputy Director of Operations at Richmond Fellowship, where we will explore some of the challenges in the social care sector and discuss practical strategies to address them.

  • S1 · E3
    Dec 12, 2022 · 22 min

    Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce

    It is said that DE&I helps to attract higher quality talent who care about the company’s culture and are looking to invest in themselves, resulting in a stronger workforce and better business outcome. With the talent shortage at a high this is the time to invest in DE&I strategies and not so much as a nice to have. In this Podcast, we will look at ways in which organisations can invest in their culture so that employees feel happier and feel more supported, what data you can leverage to measure where you are when it comes to inclusion and the competitive edge on staff retention.

  • S1 · E2
    Nov 17, 2022 · 24 min

    Preventing Burnout and Boosting Mental Fitness

    The pandemic has put mental health high on public and corporate agendas and workers now expect employers to support their mental well-being and provide opportunities to build mental fitness. The focus is on prevention versus cure. In this podcast we will communicate the important strategies on how employers can positively take time to understand workers’ needs and experiment with support models that will lead to better health for individuals and businesses alike.

  • S1 · E1
    Oct 17, 2022 · 22 min

    Pushing the flexibility frontier: My way, My work

    According to a ManpowerGroup study, flexibility drives business success – Organizations offering flexibility of when, where and how much employees work define 55% of their workforce as being high performers, compared to only 36% in organizations with a standard 40 hour working week. In this podcast we will discuss ways in which employers can successfully create a flexible work environment for their workforce, moving away from the workforce centric models and what does mental fitness and company culture have to do with this?

Showing 1–14 of 14 episodes