Logging Into UKG: A Chicago Users Group Production

We sat down with Stephen Bevan, Sr. Director of Global Payroll , for a practical conversation rooted in what he calls “career payroll” —nearly 30 years of experience running payroll for global organizations across 30+ countries . Stephen walked through how payroll evolved during his career—from cash payments to direct deposit , and from manual processes to modern, electronic operations. He shared...

No guests this time—just the hosts having a real conversation about work-related stress . We talk about how stress shows up even for the “cool, calm” admins, why everything starts to feel like a five-alarm fire, and how to separate what’s urgent from what’s important without burning out. We also get honest about common triggers—after-hours pressure, feeling devalued or talked around, constant fire...

In this episode, we sit down with Bri Keenan , Lead UX Researcher, and Margaret Davey , Senior UX Researcher, from the UKG UX Research & Analytics Team for a candid look at how UX research shows up in the real world—especially at Aspire. We talk about the impact of the Aspire UX Research Room and why its Expo Hall placement boosted visibility but made deeper conversations harder, plus how the...

We sat down with David Kermis, Sr. Director of Product Management for UKG Pro HCM —and yes, it was his first podcast (we politely popped his podcast cherry 😄). David shared what it means to build a career — and a product — with real longevity, reflecting on his journey from the Ultimate Software legacy to the new UKG and how that history shaped his perspective. We also talked about what’s coming...

We’re closing out the year with a look back at an unforgettable 2025 — from winning a UKG award to launching some of our favorite conversations around strategy, HRIS, and workforce technology. In this episode, we share: 🏆 Highlights from UKG Aspire and our award recognition 🎯 What we’re planning for 2026 — more interviews, more strategy, and even more HRIS tips, tricks, and tactics 🎄 And of cou...

Day 3 of UKG Aspire 2025 wrapped up with strong sessions, fresh insights, and a final dose of inspiration. In this closing recap, we looked back at the day’s standout moments, hot topics, and the conversations that kept people talking. We shared our honest reactions to the content, the energy of the crowd, and what left a lasting impression as the conference came to a close. 🎧 Tune in for our fin...

Live from Aspire 2025 – A Candid Conversation with Two UKG Powerhouses In this exclusive Day 2 episode, we sit down with Sarah Hodges , Chief Marketing Officer, and Bob DelPonte , EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer at UKG. Sarah shares her reflections on attending Aspire for the first time, the strategy behind UKG’s new brand direction, and what’s next after launching a bold new campaign. B...

We’re live from Day 2 of UKG Aspire 2025 , recording straight from the heart of the UKG Expo Hall — where the buzz is real, the swag is flying, and the conversations are deep. In this episode: 🎤 Live reactions from the floor🧠 Session takeaways and trending topics🤝 What people are loving (and side-eyeing) in the Expo📌 Early thoughts on new tools, demos, and what UKG is spotlighting👀 Plus — wha...

We’re coming to you straight from Day 1 of UKG Aspire 2025 , sharing our honest take on the sessions, surprises, and standout moments from the floor. 🎯 What hit the mark🤔 What missed the vibe📢 What people are really talking about🔮 And a few hints at what’s coming on Day 2… Whether you're here in Vegas or tuning in from home, this episode gives you the unfiltered Day 1 experience — and sets...

It’s Aspire season! In this episode, we dive into how to plan for UKG’s biggest event of the year — Aspire — and share tips for making the most of your time, sessions, and connections. Joining us is Jack Klott , Sr. HRIS Solutions Partner, Michigan User Group leader, and UKG Community Award winner. Jack brings years of conference experience and a passion for helping others get the most out of UKG...

In this episode, we connect with Keith MacDonald , Principal UKG WFM Classic Expert, to explore the landscape of time and attendance systems across UKG — from WFM Classic to UTA and UTM . We cover: 🕒 The foundational role of WFM Classic in workforce operations⚙️ Key differences between UTA, UTM, and legacy time systems📊 What to consider when maintaining or transitioning time solutions🔍 A look a...

From helpful automation wins to those unexpected system quirks that leave us saying “Wait... why did they change that?” — this episode is all about the real-life impact of changes inside UKG. We dive into:✅ What’s working and what we love❌ What’s frustrating and needs a rethink🛠️ How teams are adapting, adjusting, and getting creative Whether you're deep in system config or just trying to ke...

Before Doug Hood was a Value Engineering Consultant at UKG, he was riding shotgun in a sea plane, landing on a crab ship in the Bering Sea… with a box of timeclocks. In this unforgettable episode, Doug shares how his journey from the military to Kronos in the '90s took him from Boeing job rejections to installing time systems on fishing vessels — and everything in between. We talk about his ro...

In this episode, we dive into how constant changes in compliance — including new executive orders — are impacting workplace stress, operations, and HR strategies. We explore how organizations can better handle the growing web of regulations using technology like UKG and other workforce tools. More importantly, we discuss practical ways to balance compliance demands with supporting employee well-be...

Unlock the power of UKG Workflows in this episode as we explore how automation can streamline everyday HR tasks, reduce manual work, and keep your operations running smoothly. Whether you're new to workflows or looking to optimize existing ones, tune in for practical tips, real-world examples, and a few “why didn’t I do this sooner?” moments

🎙️ User Adoption with Queen B - Featuring Arieshia Williams of Evergreen Healthcare 🏥👑 In this episode, we’re diving into the world of  user adoption  with  Arieshia Williams , aka  Queen B , from  Evergreen Healthcare ! 🌟 From overcoming resistance to maximizing engagement, Arieshia shares her expert insights on how organizations can  drive the adoption of new technology  and ensure that teams...

It’s Day 3 of UKG Aspire 2024, and things are heating up as we welcome the one and only Rachel Barger, President of Go-To-Market at UKG, to the podcast! In this episode, Rachel pulls back the curtain on her role, shares her unique background (hint: it’s not what you’d expect!), and gives us the inside scoop on her first-ever Aspire experience. Spoiler: It’s equal parts inspiring and overwhelming,...

Welcome back to Day 2 of UKG Aspire 2024! We’re thrilled to announce that Cheryl Cole is joining us as an “Official Full-Time” podcast host. Today, we recap some of the most impactful sessions, explore key takeaways, and dive deep into the highlights of an unforgettable General Session with award-winning actress, activist, and author Viola Davis. In her powerful talk, Viola captivated the audience...

In this special Day 1 recap from UKG Aspire 2024, the Chicago User Group Board comes together as your hosts, joined by guest host Cheryl Cole. We dive into our personal highlights, unexpected low points, and unforgettable moments from the conference floor. From innovative tech reveals to memorable sessions and candid reflections, join us as we share what stood out and what surprised us during the...

What's been going on? Where have we been?

In this episode of Logging into UKG: A Chicago Users Group Production , we sit down with Krys Smutek of the Chicago User Group to explore the ins and outs of starting your own podcast. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a budding content creator, you'll gain valuable insights into the entire podcasting process, from ideation to execution. Discover the essential tools, strategies for conte...

Join us for a hilariously insightful episode where we dive into the wild world of UKG data imports! Discover the secrets to making your workflow smoother than ever with our ultimate UKG import tool. From unexpected data mishaps to triumphs, we’ve got all the tips, tricks, and laughs you need to become a UKG import pro. Tune in and let’s turn those data headaches into import-tastic adventures!

In this episode, we talk about the UKG Performance Management features.

Join us as we get all nostalgic with THE Mr. Chris Pacini. As Andrew says, we've all grown up with him and we were excited to have him as a guest on the podcast.

In this episode, we get to know the BI Basics and and introduce our 'Word of the Episode'.