Ascending Change

Workplace inclusion was a hot topic in 2021 and it’s only becoming hotter in 2022. As prospective candidates focus more on looking for organizations that match their ideals, concepts like workplace inclusion is topping the list. However, it’s important we examine if we’re actually accomplishing anything as we get started in 2022.  That’s precisely what host Jennifer Ayres looks at on this epi...

One of the biggest “Future of Work” questions facing employers around the world is how their employees will be working. There has been much discussion about remote work but the verdict appears to be in. According to several studies, workers want flexibility. On this special episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, host Jennifer Ayres is joined by Concinnity partner Lisa Insley to discuss exact...

On this week’s episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, host Jennifer Ayres takes a closer look at workforce automation as a part of our ongoing series about the future of work.  When people think of the word “automation,” robots and heavy machinery come to mind. But it might surprise you just how many daily workforce tasks can be aided or simplified by automation. With rapid advancements...

The pandemic has dramatically impacted business and our everyday lives. "The Great Resignation" as it's been frequently called has seen millions of workers voluntarily leave their jobs, leaving organizations scrambling. As we continue our discussion about the future of work, it's time to think about employee retention and engagement in more interesting ways. On this episode of Survive & Thrive...

On this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, Jennifer Ayres takes you into the intricacies of remote work. She looks at remote work’s beginnings roughly a decade ago, how the present is coping with the sudden need to be remote overnight, and how the pandemic’s impact on remote work might carry into the future. If you’re struggling to keep up with the rapid changes in how and where work hap...

The pandemic has changed how we work. As organizations adapt to a continuing pandemic, there needs to be thought put into how the workplace adapts with it. Hybrid and fully-remote workplaces are becoming more commonplace but organizations shouldn’t settle for replicating what they previously had. Instead, they need to think ahead and use this as an opportunity to build something better. To kick of...

It's nearly time for Season 4 of the Survive & Thrive podcast -- a podcast that brings you stories and perspective on how in change times, leaders and organizations can not only transform to survive, but thrive. This season, we're taking a closer look at the future of work. What will work actually look like in 6 months? A year? 5 years? 10 years? We'll be diving into topics like the hybrid wor...

It’s the end of Season 3 of the Survive & Thrive podcast, which means it’s time to look back at what we learned. This season was all about change management -- Its role in an organization, why it’s necessary, and the impact it can have when done effectively. In this episode, host Jennifer Ayres takes a look back through the season at her discussions with guests about change management. From a...

As we wrap up the third season of the Survive & Thrive podcast and we head into a new year, it's important to look at how we define success. The last couple of years have forced everyone to reflect on what's truly important, bringing a shift in priorities for many. That means we, as a society, should reexamine our definition of success. On this week's episode, Jennifer Ayres shares her thought...

The pandemic impacted everyone in some way but education was one of the most affected fields. That was especially the case for Matt Noble, an executive at Education First, who was ready to start a massive new project only to have the pandemic interfere. Join Jennifer Ayres on this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast as she talks with Matt Noble about his experiences overcoming with the cha...

In order for an organization to successfully enact change, it has to lean on its leaders to guide the way. A successful leader will be able to overcome their own unique challenges while managing to align all parties towards the common goal, handle resistance to change, and build good change effort. That’s a lot easier said than done. That’s why we’re proud to welcome Janet Ramey to this episode of...

Change starts at the top and works its way down. That’s why organizations need leaders who can effectively and efficiently guide their teams through changes. From showing empathy and building a great culture to handling resistance to change, your successes and challenges are likely defined by your leadership. To talk more about the importance of supporting leaders in an organization, Maria Janošík...

The pandemic caused technology to advance a massive amount in a short period of time as organizations and people continued marching forward. While those advancements have created new work-from-home opportunities, it has made connecting with one another a lot tougher. So, how do we manage to put some more humanity back into a workplace that is becoming more independent and divided than ever before?...

Now is the week of gratitude. For this special Thanksgiving episode, we chat about the social and emotional benefits of practicing gratitude. We cover what the research says and why gratitude is so important. Not only does gratitude impact you tremendously, but it can also bolster healthy relationships and overall work environment. Listen to the episode to learn...

Mergers and acquisitions come with a ton of unique challenges and changes that must be planned for and well-executed in order to be successful. However, while most focus on the financial side of things, the human element of M&As can’t be ignored either. On this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, we’re joined by Melanie Payne, the CFO at Syniti. Melanie has been one of my favorite peo...

Every single industry was touched in some way by COVID-19. But few industries have seen as much upheaval and change as the automotive industry has over just the last two decades. What is it about that industry that has allowed them to quickly adapt and pivot as needed to not just survive but actually thrive? On this week’s episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Gerardi,...

The heart of a business sounds like an abstract idea at first glance. But with employees leaving companies in droves as they search for purpose and meaningful work, knowing the core values and the heart of your business is more critical than ever. Joining the Survive & Thrive podcast this week is Sasha Lund. You might know her from her podcast “Legacy Talks” but she’s also the founder and CEO...

The term “Future Of Work” is nothing new. However, the pandemic has accelerated timelines and brought about new realities that must be faced in order to not just survive but thrive.  On this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, Jennifer discusses what areas have seen the biggest cultural shifts, as employees rethink the traditional work model. She guides leaders on the ways to proacti...

Organizational leaders can be the driving force behind effective change. They can improve employee engagement and navigate a team through difficult change. However, with new working environments, leaders have to double down on building and maintaining relationships with their team members. Peter Hess joins Jennifer on the Survive & Thrive podcast to discuss the importance of leadership on chan...

On the Survive & Thrive podcast, we always talk about ways organizations can drive meaningful and sustainable change. But how do you actually implement those strategies and get the relevant information in front of your staff in a consistent and engaging way? For many organizations, internal podcasts have been the way. On this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, Jennifer sits down with...

On this special episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, Steve Van Valin joins Jennifer Ayers to discuss the growing anxiety about returning to work and how to combat that. Businesses are still figuring out what the work structure even looks like as the pandemic continues on and that’s making both leaders and staff anxious. Whether your return to work is truly returning to the office, fully re...

Empathy, resilience, and positivity are some of the foundational elements to building engagement and setting up success as a leader and organization. However, not every organization or leader truly values those three elements in the way they should. So, how do you build them into your change initiative, your business model, and your everyday life? On this week’s episode of the Survive & Thrive...

Only 36% of employees say they’re engaged in the workplace and it’s costing U.S. companies between $450 Billion - $550 Billion annually. It’s an area organizations need to improve upon immediately but how do they even get started, much less get buy-in throughout the entire organization? On this episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast, Jennifer is joined by Houdad Javidnia to discuss the import...

How do you realize positive and sustainable change? By better understanding the problems at hand and the people facing them. That’s what makes the design thinking strategy such a natural fit with change management. To talk about design thinking and how it can be a power for good in your efforts to enact change, Holly Chasan-Young joins me on today’s episode of the Survive & Thrive podcast. Hol...

On this special episode of Survive & Thrive, Jennifer Ayers discusses the recurring topics that come up with individuals from the podcasts or organizations she has worked with. In times of change, there is an abundance of opportunities for leaders to impact their organizations and employees. Changes: Re-evaluating time (1:02) With much change in the past 18 months, including the growing presen...