The Connector: Edition 114
The O'Connor Group
Human Resources & Recruitment-as-Service. We focus on your people. We are a company that runs on EOS.
1. The 2025 Workforce Mandate: Build Skills or Lose Talent
Employees worldwide are making their expectations clear: invest in our development, or we’ll move on. According to the 2025 Randstad Workmonitor, 40% of workers are prepared to quit if they don’t receive sufficient learning opportunities, reinforcing the growing demand for AI, data, and cybersecurity skills.
With 72% of employees emphasizing the importance of training, companies are starting to respond—64% now report receiving future-proofing skills support, up from 52% last year. However, regional differences persist, with North America and APAC leading in workforce development efforts.
The need for upskilling is more urgent than ever, as highlighted in Coursera’s Industry Skills Brief: ? Generative AI is booming – Course enrollments surged 1,158% YoY. ? Professional certificates matter – 88% of employers value them in hiring. ? Data skills dominate – Nearly 25% of U.S. job postings now require them. ? Leadership & cybersecurity – Critical across industries as businesses navigate change and digital threats.
For organizations, the message is clear: Prioritize continuous learning or risk losing top talent to those who do. Learn more here!
2. Introducing Claritee. AI
Empowering Businesses with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expertise.
TOC's AI Taskforce had the opportunity to connect with Claritee.AI Co-Founder?Dan Hughes to explore how AI can support our recruiting and HR workflows.
Claritee. AI's mission is to simplify AI for businesses through educational workshops, prototyping, and expert advisory services. By combining data engineering expertise with generative AI, they provide clients with the knowledge and tools to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence and clarity. As an independent and vendor-agnostic organization, they prioritizes objective guidance tailored to each client's unique needs.
3. HR Leaders Struggle to Turn Employee Feedback into Action
HR departments are ramping up their employee listening efforts, but many struggle to turn insights into measurable impact, according to a March 4 report from Perceptyx.
A survey of 750 HR leaders found that while 95% maintained or increased their listening efforts over the past year, only 27% felt confident that these programs drive meaningful business outcomes—down from 43% in 2024. The challenge isn’t in gathering feedback but in acting on it effectively.
Organizations are adopting new approaches, with 60% leveraging crowdsourcing (up from 43% in 2024) and 36% incorporating 360-degree feedback behaviors (up from 28%). However, the key to success lies not just in listening but in following through on employee insights to foster real workplace change. Learn more here!
4. HR After Dark Episode 13: Cybersecurity Essentials?
In this?episode of?HR After Dark,?Marcia O'Connor?and?Meghan Popoleo sit down with Brendan Dodge, Senior Account Executive at VC3—an IT and cybersecurity company dedicated to supporting small to mid-sized businesses with the right tools and resources to stay protected. Brendan shares three essential tips business owners should focus on with their teams this year. His key reminder: "You're not too small to be hacked—you're just too small to make the headlines." Additionally, Brendan shares his expertise on crafting an exquisite espresso martini. Cheers! Listen here!
5. TOC Client Opportunities
We know that finding a meaningful and rewarding job can be a long journey. Our goal is to make that process as easy as possible for you and to create a satisfying work environment - one that you'll look forward to coming to every day.?
Take a look at a few of our opportunities:?
6. Let's Get Local...
Today is a Good Day invites you to save the date for their 2025 Miracle Ball on Friday, April 4, 2025, at The Bellevue.
This remarkable night supports families who experience the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Enjoy an evening filled with dining, dancing, live music, special awards, a silent auction, and much more!
7. Wednesday Wellness Tips...
Discover the transformative power of mindfulness—a simple yet profound practice that invites you to embrace the present moment with open arms and a non-judgmental heart. This journey of self-awareness offers a treasure trove of benefits for your mind and body, including:
Remember to pause and prioritize yourself in the whirlwind of daily life, filled with work, family, and endless to-dos. Embrace these mindful moments to reconnect with your inner self and nurture your well-being! ?Learn more here!
This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. The O’Connor Group makes no representations as to the completeness, suitability, or validity of any information contained herein and will not be liable for any errors or omissions.
Resilience Expert, Keynote Speaker, Speaker Coach, Career Coach, Wellness Podcast Host, Int'l Bestselling Award winning Author, Prior Host on Power 98.5 FM linktr.ee/apoz
1 周Succinct. To the point. I like it.