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Future Proof HR Podcast
Welcome to the Future Proof HR podcast by Cleary, hosted by Thomas Kunjappu, Cleary's CEO. In this podcast, we dive into the latest innovations in HR, exploring how AI and automation are transforming people operations.
Thomas regularly shares his insights on the future of work, while also bringing in thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of AI in HR to offer fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Whether you're an HR leader aiming to optimize your operations or simply curious about how technology is reshaping the workplace, Future Proof HR is your go-to resource for actionable insights and emerging trends in HR technology.
Future Proof HR Podcast
The People-First Pivot: From Post-Merger Chaos to a Great Place to Work
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Diana Valler, Chief Human Resource Officer at TravelBrands. Diana’s journey is a masterclass in crisis leadership; she joined the company post-acquisition and mid-pandemic, tasked with building an entire HR function from scratch in the hard-hit travel industry. With no systems in place, she faced the ultimate "trial by fire" and emerged with a playbook for building a resilient, people-first organization.
Diana shares the powerful story of how she transformed a fragmented organization into an award-winning "Great Place to Work" by leading with love, empathy, and radical transparency. From conducting one-on-ones with every single employee to maintaining communication with a laid-off workforce, Diana proves that a deep focus on the human experience is the ultimate strategy for navigating disruption—whether it’s a pandemic or the rise of AI.
Topics Discussed:
- Unifying culture and building trust after a chaotic post-merger period.
- Key lessons from navigating the pandemic in the hard-hit travel industry.
- Building a complete HR function from a single sick day policy to full trust.
- The strategic impact of conducting one-on-one meetings with every employee.
- How navigating extreme challenges can forge an adaptable, AI-ready culture.
- Fostering a mindset of co-creation by treating HR as an "innovation lab."
- A framework for communicating layoffs and organizational change with humanity.
- How to enforce HR policy while still leading with empathy.
- Turning a people-first strategy into a tangible asset like a "Great Place to Work" certification.
If you’re looking for a story of true resilience and a practical guide to putting your people at the center of your strategy, this conversation with Diana Valler offers a powerful and inspiring vision for what HR can achieve.
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