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The Chad & Cheese Podcast

Business & Economics Podcasts

Everything Recruiting, Recruitment Marketing, Technology, Talent Management, and Workforce Economics wrapped in brash opinions and loads of snark. Industry veterans Chad Sowash & Joel Cheesman share their experience and opinion on a wide variety of topics and current news stories. Hiring companies, employers, and vendors tune in for insights from practitioners, vendors, startups, and these two knuckleheads.

Location:

United States

Description:

Everything Recruiting, Recruitment Marketing, Technology, Talent Management, and Workforce Economics wrapped in brash opinions and loads of snark. Industry veterans Chad Sowash & Joel Cheesman share their experience and opinion on a wide variety of topics and current news stories. Hiring companies, employers, and vendors tune in for insights from practitioners, vendors, startups, and these two knuckleheads.

Twitter:

@Chad_Sowash

Language:

English

Contact:

8123711517


Episodes
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Fiverr Growing Pains and RNC Grindr Strains

7/26/2024
On this week's show, the boys are talkin' Fiverr who's expanding its platform from a freelance marketplace to a "hiring platform," introducing new features like profession-based talent search and hourly rates. They are also adding AI-powered tools to enhance project management and user experience. Chad sees this as Fiverr growing up and moving away from short-term projects to longer-term relationships. However, Cheese sees it as a desperate move to compete in a changing landscape. What's more, Chad and Joel discuss various topics including the impact of AI on productivity, Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, Kamala Harris's qualifications, and the GOP convention's effect on Grindr usage. They highlight the need for proper implementation of AI to avoid increased workloads and burnout. They also emphasize the importance of knowing when to step down as a leader, and they discuss the potential benefits of age-gating in politics. Additionally, they address the Republican strategy of discrediting leaders of color and the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 19:17 - The Impact of AI 21:06 - Fiverr's Pivot 30:35 - Knowing When to Step Down 31:08 - Age Gating in Politics 37:56 - Discrediting Leaders of Color Keywords Fiverr, freelance marketplace, hiring platform, profession-based talent search, hourly rates, AI-powered tools, project management, user experience, changing landscape, AI, security, AI, productivity, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, GOP convention, Grindr, burnout, leadership, age gating, diversity, equity, inclusion

Duration:00:47:03

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Shredded: HireVue, Fiverr, Syndio, Recruiter.com, Passionfruit, Workstaff, Tech1M & More

7/25/2024
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.

Duration:00:06:54

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Skills-Based Hiring is a Mirage w/ Jason Putnam

7/24/2024
In this episode, Joel and Chad interview Jason Putnam, Chief Revenue Officer at Plum, about the flaws of skills-based hiring and the future of work. They discuss the challenges of becoming a skills-based organization, the importance of soft skills in hiring and promotion decisions, and the need for clean and comprehensive data to drive talent management. They also touch on the role of credentialing and the potential demise of the traditional resume. Overall, the conversation explores the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and management in the face of rapid technological advancements. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 02:13 - The Flaws of Skills-Based Hiring 06:10 - The Challenges of Creating a Foundational Base for Skills-Based Hiring 09:24 - The Integration of Talent Acquisition and Talent Management 13:00 - The Importance of Transparency and Internal Mobility 15:09 - The Role of Credentialing and Ongoing Learning 24:28 - Optimism and Pessimism about the Future of Work Keywords skills-based hiring, future of work, soft skills, data, credentialing, resume, talent acquisition, talent management, AI, upskilling

Duration:00:28:13

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Firing Squad: Gage's Justin Henshaw

7/22/2024
Justin Henshaw, founder and CEO of Gage, joins the Chad and Cheese podcast to pitch his company. Gage is the first and only universal employment recognition system and engagement community built for shift and hourly workers. It allows employees to own and transfer their employment data, providing a complete and portable employment record. Gage also fosters community and connection among employees, allowing them to connect with peers, coworkers, and managers. The platform emphasizes engagement and rewards, with the goal of motivating and retaining shift and hourly workers. Gage is an employee engagement platform that aims to recognize and celebrate the hard work of every person in the workforce. The platform provides a gauge score to employees based on their reliability, trustworthiness, and performance. Gage's go-to-market strategy includes both a sales approach targeting mid to large enterprises and an organic approach with end users. The platform is primarily focused on the hourly workforce and younger generations who are not active on LinkedIn. Gage aims to become an industry standard and a language within businesses, where employees' gauge scores determine their pay and opportunities. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background of Justin Henshaw 05:26 - Pitching Gage: The Universal Employment Recognition System 08:03 - The Name and Relevance of Gage 08:55 - Justin Henshaw's Entrepreneurial Background 09:55 - Funding and Future Plans for Gage 11:07 - Ownership and Privacy of Employment Data on Gage 13:30 - Engagement and Communication on Gage 14:58 - Building Community and Connection on Gage 15:55- Interface and User Experience on Gage 16:36 - Joining a New Company on Gage 19:02 - The Gauge Score: A Measure of Reliability and Trustworthiness 20:34 - Go-to-Market Strategy: Sales Approach and Organic Growth 22:41 - Targeting the Hourly Workforce and Younger Generations 27:07 - Becoming an Industry Standard for Employee Recognition Keywords Gage, employment recognition system, engagement community, shift workers, hourly workers, employment data, portable employment record, community, connection, engagement, rewards, motivation, retention, employee engagement, gauge score, go-to-market strategy, competition, integrations, pricing model, ultimate goal

Duration:00:36:49

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Deel Dominates, Microsoft Dumps & Redbox Dies

7/19/2024
This week, the boys are covering a ton of news. Hackajob impresses, while Axel Springer is considering spinning off its digital classifieds division, which includes StepStone and Aviv Group. Deel keeps winning with its latest acquisition of Hofy, while Lattice's decision to treat AI agents as employees fell flat with Netizens. DEI took a big hit with the disbanding of Microsoft's diversity and inclusion team and SHRM deleting "equity" from its messaging. Plus, how do you take your Skyline Chili? Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 05:13 - Hackajob's new AI integration 06:55 - Richard Simmons Tribute 08:36 - Free Stuff 10:59 - RecFest Announcement 12:21 - Redbox Liquidation 14:17 - Axel Springer Rum Springer 18:08 - Deal Acquires Hofy 24:13 - Lattice AI Controversy 29:10 - Microsoft Dumps DEI 44:15 - Skyline Chili #1 Keywords Axel Springer, spin-off, digital classifieds, StepStone, Aviv Group, media assets, restructuring, European strategy, acquisition, remote office equipment management, payroll provider, AI agents, employees, diversity and inclusion, fast food chains, Skyline Chili, In-N-Out, Whataburger, Hattie B's, Lattice.

Duration:00:49:23

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Shredded: Deel, Job&Talent, LinkedIn, Stepstone, WorkHero, Doinstruct, Moniti, LegalFly & More

7/18/2024
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.

Duration:00:07:14

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Real AI Recruiting Use Cases with Adam Gordon

7/17/2024
Companies are hearing all of the efficiencies they can enjoy by using large language models (LLM) but have no clue where to start. Luckily, Adam Gordon, cofounder at Poetry, can answer some of those questions for TA leaders and recruiters while Chad & Cheese can attest to LLMs integrated into podcasting platforms. If you're new to LLMs, and using solutions like ChatGPT, or you're a seasoned pro, this episode is for you.

Duration:00:36:42

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Give People What They Want with Angela Cheng-Cimini

7/15/2024
In this episode, the boys interview Angela Cheng-Cimini, the CHRO at Harvard Business Publishing, about hyper-individualization in the workplace. They discuss the importance of meeting employees where they are and providing a personalized employee experience. They also explore the impact of COVID-19 on workplace flexibility and the shift towards remote work. The conversation covers topics such as pay transparency, career progression, and the role of managers in shaping the employee experience. Angela emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to the changing expectations of employees and create a culture of belonging and growth. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 03:00 - Hyper Individualization: Meeting Employees Where They Are 05:12 - Pay Transparency and Pay Equity 08:35 - Career Progression: Making It Visible and Accessible 13:07 - The Changing Attitudes Towards Becoming a Manager 21:30 - Navigating Politics in the Workplace 23:37 - The Challenges and Importance of Midline Leaders Keywords hyper-individualization, workplace flexibility, remote work, pay transparency, career progression, managers, employee experience, culture

Duration:00:28:05

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LinkedIn Ad Performance Face-Off

7/12/2024
In this episode, the boys discuss various topics including LinkedIn ad performance, Google's facial recognition technology, and the rise of AI-powered relationships. They explore the effectiveness of LinkedIn ads compared to other platforms like LinkedIn and X, highlighting the superior targeting, reach, and quality of ads on Meta platforms. Start-up Quantum Rise looks to take advantage of the growing trend of companies needing help figuring out AI technologies and onboarding them all in a smart way. The conversation then shifts to the ethical implications of facial recognition technology - highlighting Google doing it to their employees - with concerns about privacy, government surveillance, and potential misuse of biometric data. Finally, they delve into the growing trend of AI-powered relationships and the impact it may have on human connections and the workforce. Takeaways Meta platforms offer superior targeting, reach, and ad quality compared to LinkedIn Facial recognition technology raises concerns about privacy and government surveillance AI-powered relationships may impact human connections and the workforce Companies should consider the ethical implications of adopting AI tech Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 09:43 - LinkedIn Ads vs. Meta: The Battle for Ad Performance 23:19 - The Ethical Dilemma of Facial Recognition Technology 29:34 - The Rise of AI-Powered Relationships and Its Impact on Human Connections 35:18 - The Future Workforce: Navigating the Challenges of AI and Automation Keywords LinkedIn ads, Meta, X, twitter, Google, Quantum rise, Ireland, Recfest, Lord Nat Wei, Thisway Global, facial recognition technology, privacy, AI-powered relationships, workforce

Duration:00:38:30

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AI’s Future in Talent Acquisition from a Rainy Scottish Beach

7/10/2024
In this episode, Chad and Cheese, joined by Matt Alder, brave the typical Scottish weather from the comfort of a van parked on North Berwick Beach. The appalling weather and fog set the scene for a hilariously insightful discussion on the future of talent acquisition. Expect plenty of snark as they navigate topics like AI’s inevitable takeover, the rapid pace of tech evolution, and why you should never trust two American whiskey fans with a 14th-century spiral staircase. They also humorously lament the state of recruitment tech, with Joel dreaming of a pub on the infamous Bass Rock (spoiler: there isn’t one), and Chad promising topless glass legions that never materialize. Enjoy laughs and sharp predictions on AI’s impact, the commoditization of ATSs, and how small companies might leapfrog industry giants by embracing new tech faster. Tune in for a rollercoaster of insights and laughs, all served with a side of Scottish rain. Don’t miss this unique blend of tech talk and travel tales from HR’s most irreverent voices.

Duration:00:19:15

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Whiskey and Résumés: A Match Made in Hell

7/8/2024
On this special episode, The Chad & Cheese team up with our pal and fellow podcaster Matt Alder, who, in true Scooby-Doo fashion, rented a camper van for our East Coast tour. First stop? Glenkinchie Distillery in the Scottish Lowlands. Because, of course, in Scotland the best way to start the day is with some whiskey. After the tour we whip out the mics and dive into a Tru Glasgow briefing, topics like whether resumes are finally six feet under, upskilling, kids deciding their careers (because they totally know what they want), and whether the US and Europe are finally sharing the same recruiting woes. Big shoutout to Matt, our Scottish pals, and the sponsors of both Tru Glasgow and Tru Edinburgh: DAXTRA TECHNOLOGIES ASHBY SOLUTIONS DRIVEN GIGGED.AI WILLO and POETRY Slàinte Mhath! PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION COMETH

Duration:00:24:49

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CareerBuilder Monster Merger

7/5/2024
They boys are talkin' CareerBuilder and Monster merging this week. The deal is expected to close in Q3 and is subject to regulatory approvals. This merger comes as both companies have faced challenges in recent years, with CareerBuilder being sold off in pieces by Apollo and Monster struggling to revive its brand under Randstad's guidance. It remains to be seen how this merger will impact the job board industry and the competition with Indeed, LinkedIn and others. They also talk about Phenom's acquisition of Tidy and its implications for the applicant tracking system space. The conversation then shifts to LinkedIn's new AI features and the controversy surrounding them, as well as the emergence of Unikon.ai as a potential competitor to LinkedIn in India. Finally, they discuss a lawsuit in Florida challenging a new law that raises the age requirement for strippers, er, adult entertainment workers. Chapters 00:00 - CareerBuilder and Monster Merger 17:09 - Challenges and Timing 18:03 - Impact on the Job Board Industry 19:50 - Competition with Indeed and LinkedIn 20:02 - Apollo's Strategy 20:52 - Monster's Struggle 27:55 - Phenom's Expansion into the ATS Space 34:42 - LinkedIn's AI Features 40:07- -Unikon: A Competitor to LinkedIn 45:23 - Challenging Florida's Law on Adult Entertainment Workers Keywords CareerBuilder, Monster, merger, Apollo Global Management, job board, acquisition, staffing, competition, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, StepStone, acquisition, Phenom, Tidy, applicant tracking system, LinkedIn, AI features, Unikon, professional networking, Florida, strip clubs, adult entertainment workers

Duration:00:48:14

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Shredded: Monster, CareerBuilder, UKG, Phenom, SmartHR, KarmaCheck, HR Path, Collabwork & More

7/4/2024
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.

Duration:00:06:35

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Llama Drama: WorkLLama’s AI Revolution

7/3/2024
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.

Duration:00:13:31

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The Revolution of Work: FUCK the Patriarchy

7/1/2024
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.

Duration:00:41:57

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Indeed Traffic Woes, TechWolf Howls, & FairNow Impresses

6/28/2024
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

Duration:00:53:32

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Shredded: TechWolf, FairNow, candidate.fyi, Zoios, Wilya, Human People Solutions & More

6/27/2024
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.

Duration:00:06:46

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StepStone's Rebrand: Fresh Look or Lipstick on a Pig?

6/26/2024
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.

Duration:00:36:00

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Firing Squad: Talk’n’Job's Markus Krampe

6/24/2024
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

Duration:00:35:33

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Bullhorn Strikes Back at Indeed

6/21/2024
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

Duration:00:52:13