Take It Online : HR Meets AI

Skills Gap in the AI Era

In this episode of Take It Online, Brittain Wells and Akhila Nagula explore the critical topic of skill gap analysis in the workplace. They discuss how individuals can conduct a systematic self-assessment by listing current skills, researching industry trends, and leveraging AI tools like Claude to identify potential career paths. Akhila shares her personal methodology for conducting skill gap analysis, emphasizing the importance of categorizing abilities as technical, soft, or domain-specific skills, then researching how these skills might evolve with emerging technologies. The conversation highlights how AI can expedite this process, helping professionals prepare for future roles while positioning themselves strategically in an era where AI literacy is becoming a fundamental workplace requirement.

AI Startup Review 4

In this entertaining episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells joins Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill to explore emerging AI startups transforming the workplace landscape. The trio dissects four innovative platforms: Podial, which generates educational podcast scripts from documents; Cove, a visual workspace for collaborative thinking with AI; AnonAI, offering anonymous AI interactions without login requirements; and DreamUse, a tool that transforms dreams into visualized goals. Throughout their playful debate, they discuss the tensions professionals feel about adopting AI tools—a mixture of reluctance and necessity—highlighting the cultural shift occurring as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily work life.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

AI Startup Review 3

In this insightful episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells engages in a dynamic conversation with industry experts Akhila Nagula and Nicole Gill about revolutionary AI startups transforming the business landscape. The discussion explores how emerging companies like Sana AI, Humy AI, Kards AI, and Scrintal AI are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve organizational challenges, particularly in HR and employee experience. Nagula and Gill provide valuable perspectives on implementation strategies, potential limitations, and future trends that business leaders should monitor.
The experts emphasize the importance of thoughtful AI integration rather than adoption merely for technological advancement. They highlight how these tools can enhance workplace productivity while maintaining human connection, offering practical advice for executives navigating the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
Music by: Harvey Waldman

Team Compatibility Test

In this special episode of Take It Online, Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, spices things up by putting Brittain Wells and Nicole Gill through a playful yet insightful professional compatibility quiz! Find out what personality traits these workplace culture experts prioritize in leadership, their take on office pet peeves, and which element—sunshine or lightning—best captures their vibe. Will they pass the compatibility test, or reveal just how different their work styles really are? Tune in for a blend of laughs, revelations, and workplace wisdom!
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

AI Startup Review 2

In the latest episode of Take It Online, hosts Brittain Wells, Akhila Nagula, and Nicole Gill dive deep into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI startups, dissecting emerging platforms that promise to revolutionize workplace productivity and personal efficiency. From Averi's AI marketing management to Zivvy's Slack message prioritization, the conversation illuminates how generative AI is transforming mundane tasks into strategic opportunities, challenging listeners to reimagine technological potential.
The episode not only explores innovative tech solutions but also underscores a critical narrative: AI isn't just about automation—it's about understanding human workflow, reducing chaos, and creating more meaningful professional experiences. By examining products like Carrot Care's health tracking and Before Sunset's intelligent scheduling, the hosts reveal how targeted AI interventions can potentially reshape how we work, communicate, and optimize our daily lives.
Music By: Harvey Waldman

Boomerang Employees

In this episode of Take It Online, hosts Britain Wells and Nicole discuss the phenomenon of boomerang employees - workers who leave an organization and later return. They explore how having boomerang employees can be a positive indicator of strong company culture, with research showing that 28% of new hires in 2023 were actually returning employees. The hosts discuss both the advantages and challenges of rehiring former employees, including their familiarity with company culture and systems, but also potential issues like favoritism and the need to understand their true motivations for returning.
The discussion delves into important considerations for organizations, such as the trend of boomerang employees being rehired at higher management levels and their tendency to leave again after about a year. The hosts emphasize the importance of proper vetting, transparent conversations during the rehiring process, and maintaining regular check-ins to ensure both the returning employee and the organization benefit from the arrangement.

AI Startup Review 1

In this entertaining episode of "Take It Online," host Brittain Wells joins colleagues Akhila and Nicole to explore and react to five emerging tech startups. The trio engages in a playful format where Akhila introduces startup names and concepts while Brittain and Nicole attempt to guess their purposes before offering candid reactions.
The episode examines AI-powered innovations including Magic Notepad (AI-enhanced note-taking), Horse (tab management for productivity), Inncivio (business micro-learning platform), Swarm Stack (product planning tools), and Tracy (Excel formula auditing). Their unfiltered commentary highlights both potential benefits and skepticism around these solutions, sparking a broader conversation about whether these startups solve genuine problems or merely address minor inconveniences.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Trauma Dumping at Work

Hi and welcome to our episode on Trauma Dumping in the workplace. During this episode Nicole and I do discuss some personal experiences with this particular topic, however none of the examples are based around exceptionally sensitive scenarios. But as a disclaimer, if this is a difficult topic for you, this may be an episode for you to skip. Also, if you are currently in crisis and having thoughts of self-harm or thoughts of harming others please call 988, which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Please also prioritize your health and wellness, and thanks for listening.

AI Terms Made Simple

In this enlightening episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells sits down with Akhila Nagula, founder of The Happy Employees, to unravel the often confusing world of artificial intelligence terminology. Their conversation cuts through the technical fog that surrounds AI discourse in workplaces today, offering listeners clear definitions plus practical applications.
Wells guides Nagula through a discussion that transforms intimidating tech talk into accessible knowledge specifically tailored for HR teams plus organizational leaders. The episode stands as an essential resource for professionals looking to implement AI solutions like The Happy Employees platform without getting lost in jargon that typically creates barriers to adoption within companies.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.

Effective Recognition at Work

In this episode of Take It Online, host Brittain Wells and guest Nicole Gill dive into the science behind workplace recognition and how it differs from true reinforcement. They explore behavioral analysis principles, discussing how managers can effectively motivate employees beyond simple participation trophies. Gill explains that recognition only becomes reinforcement when it actually increases desired behaviors, emphasizing the need for individualized approaches and intermittent reinforcement schedules.
The conversation challenges common workplace practices, revealing why blanket recognition strategies often fail while systems with clear expectations succeed. Wells and Gill offer practical insights for identifying what truly motivates different team members and how to implement recognition that drives performance rather than merely acknowledging it. Their discussion provides listeners with actionable strategies for creating lasting behavior change through scientifically-backed reinforcement techniques.
Music by: Harvey Waldman
Tip: You can listen to the podcast at 1.25X to better grasp the content faster.