The TechWolf Podcast
The TechWolf Podcast
Podcast Description
Technology in HR is booming, yet confusing.
Many vendors claim to include AI (agents), skills, seamless integrations, and other technologies in their product offerings.
In practice, product promises often differ from reality.
In this podcast, our host, Julius Schelstraete, holds no-nonsense conversations with business practitioners and thought leaders on everything related to "the skills-based organization": what it is, whether it's realistic, typical roadblocks, real-life use cases, and more.
Join us as we move beyond the hype and examine skills-based HR from a critical, realistic lens!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes surrounding the evolution of HR into skills-based organizations, addressing topics such as the practical hurdles organizations face, the critical role of skills data, and the balance between strategy and technology. Episodes include discussions on whether all organizations should adopt a skills-based approach, real-world examples from EPAM Systems, and strategies for gaining business buy-in for skills initiatives.
Technology in HR is booming, yet confusing.
Many vendors claim to include AI (agents), skills, seamless integrations, and other technologies in their product offerings.
In practice, product promises often differ from reality.
In this podcast, our host, Julius Schelstraete, holds no-nonsense conversations with business practitioners and thought leaders on everything related to “the skills-based organization”: what it is, whether it’s realistic, typical roadblocks, real-life use cases, and more.
Join us as we move beyond the hype and examine skills-based HR from a critical, realistic lens!
In this face-to-face episode of The TechWolf Podcast, Kason Morris, Global Director of the Future of Work and Skills-Based Organization Strategy at Merck, joins us in New York City to discuss why skills are not a trend—they’re infrastructure.
With experience at Allstate, Salesforce, and now Merck, Kason breaks down the practical realities of skills transformation: where to start, how to prove value, and what too many companies get wrong.
He shares Merck’s own journey toward becoming a more skills-informed organization, lessons learned on data governance and stakeholder management, and why the key to progress lies in durability, not perfection.
🔑 Key Takeaways from Kason Morris on Building a Skills-Intelligent Organization
🧠 Why “Skills” Are Just a Starting Point
Skills aren’t new—they’re just newly scalable thanks to AI.
It’s not a skills problem, it’s a data opportunity.
Smart orgs aren’t becoming skills-based—they’re becoming skills-informed.
⏳ Waiting Is a Losing Strategy
Delaying skills transformation puts your organization behind the curve.
Momentum starts with mindset—not tools or budget.
Begin lean, focused, and aligned to the business.
💼 How Merck Made Skills Strategic
Business triggers came first: diversity in hiring, cross-functional capability gaps.
Skills work supported digital transformation, talent mobility, and architecture.
Governance structure enables scaling across business units.
📊 Getting and Maintaining Good Skills Data
Start with inference and AI tools—not exhaustive self-assessments.
Treat data as “do no harm”—transparency with employees is essential.
A three-tier governance model keeps the data alive and business-aligned.
🚀 Talent Marketplaces & the Superworker
Talent marketplaces help democratize access and power personalized growth.
AI enables “superworkers” by freeing capacity for learning and creativity.
Internal mobility still faces resistance—especially from middle managers.
🛠️ How to Sell Skills Internally
Identify “hero use cases” with visible business impact.
Use pilots to earn trust—but treat them as step 1 in a long-term journey.
Link skills work to outcomes leaders already care about: time-to-hire, engagement, agility.
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