Skip to Content
Top 101 Women-owned businesses in greater Philadelphia award badge America's fastest growing private companies Inc. 500 award badge Certified WBENC Women's Business Enterprise award badge

The Connector Ed. 86

Jan 17th, 2024 | The Connector


Our Signature Events are back for 2024!

Explore the lineup to see the best options for you:

TOC Coffee & Connections

Tuesday, January 23rd🔷 8:30 - 9:30 AM EST

Are you in career transition or looking to make a change? Join us for TOC Coffee & Connections where we will focus on building your connections and network as we head into 2024.

TOC HR Office Hours

Thursday, January 25th🔷 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST

Join us for TOC HR Office Hours where our dedicated HR experts address some of the critical issues we are all facing in the workplace. We are an SHRM Recertification Provider and an HRCI Provider.

HRCI 1.0 Credit

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

Check out our signature events page here!

1. Remote-work battle rages on as big companies keep calling for a return to the office

The ongoing struggle between remote work and traditional office settings continues to escalate, creating a captivating battle for the future of work. As major corporations persistently advocate for employees to return to the office, it becomes increasingly apparent that the landscape of work is undergoing a dramatic transformation.

In this dynamic clash of old and new, the significance of this decision cannot be underestimated, as it not only affects the well-being and productivity of employees, but also shapes the direction of businesses in the digital age.

Read the full article here!

2. US economy adds 216K jobs in December, beating expectations

According to the latest monthly payroll report released by the Labor Department on Friday, employers outperformed expectations by adding a remarkable 216,000 jobs in December. This figure surpassed the forecasted gain of 170,000 provided by Refinitiv economists. Moreover, the unemployment rate remained steady at an encouraging 3.7%.

However, the report also revealed significant downward revisions to job growth in the preceding two months. The government announced that both October and November experienced revisions, resulting in a total reduction of 71,000 jobs. October's gains were revised down to 105,000, while November's were adjusted to 173,000. These revisions suggest that the labor market may be weaker than initially perceived.

Read the full article here!

3. Is AI impacting your job? Your salary might actually rise, top talent CEO says

The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked concerns and debates regarding its impact on employment, with mounting fears that AI will replace jobs or have an effect on salaries by streamlining processes and requiring less specialized skills from employees.

However, if AI does impact your job, there might be a silver lining as it could potentially lead to an increase in your salary. Sander van’t Noordende, the CEO of talent company Randstad, shared this insight during an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe.”

Read the full article here!

4. Businesses Anticipate Unprecedented Rate of Change in 2024, New Accenture ‘Pulse of Change Index’ Shows

Business executives encountered an unprecedented level of change in 2023 and are now projecting even greater acceleration in 2024, as indicated by Accenture's (NYSE: ACN) Pulse of Change: 2024 Index, which was unveiled today in advance of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

Read the full article here!

5. Thought Leadership - The Latest Trends!

Each month our Human Resources and Talent Acquisition team members deliver this valuable resource to keep you in the know of the latest topics and trends impacting the people part of your business.

In our latest HireWire Blog, "Embracing Evolution Over Resolution: A Career-centric Approach to New Beginnings" Marketing Coordinator, Julia Carminati outlines the importance of embracing evolution over resolution in your career journey, navigating the ever-changing 'in's and out's' with continuous learning, adaptability, and a commitment to staying relevant in 2024!

Read more at the link here!

6. Join us at The O'Connor Group as we host a Happy Hour celebration to launch Anna Papali's latest book, Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing.

Join us on Friday, January 26th from 4:00PM-6:00PM EST at The O'Connor Group, located at 3700 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406 as we gather to celebrate Anna Papali in the release of her new book, Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing.

Anna Papalia is a Philadelphia resident, author, and career influencer with over 1.9 million followers across social media platforms. She has consulted with Fortune 100 companies, taught at Temple University’s Fox School of Business and coached over 10,000 clients to interview better. Her groundbreaking discovery of Interview Styles revolutionized the way we teach and understand interviewing. She is also a public speaker at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and DisruptHR.

Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing, provides "a groundbreaking guide to mastering the job interview, offering proven advice and techniques to discover your unique interview style that is key to interviewing better—for those on either side of the table."

Purchase the book here!

7. Local Happening's

Legacy Reclaimed: A 7th Ward Tribute Walking Tour

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Winter in Franklin Square

Winter at Dilworth Park

Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center

Winter Wonder at Longwood Gardens

Center City District Restaurant Week

...and so much more! Read the full list here!

8. Good News Corner!

Restaurant Feeds Community With Free Fridge–Then Gets Paid Back When Business Faces Closure in Austin, Texas

A couple in Austin, Texas has been recognized as extraordinary individuals for their dedication to helping others by setting up a community fridge outside their restaurant.

The remarkable owners of Nixta Taqueria are now experiencing an incredible wave of positive energy after the community discovered that their business was facing difficulties. Discover the heartwarming full story here!

9. Wellness Wednesday...

New Year, New You! As we enter a season of resolutions, many individuals are eager to transform their lifestyles for the better. But which changes will truly have the greatest impact on their overall health?

According to esteemed CNN wellness medical expert, Dr. Leana Wen, there are five crucial steps that can make all the difference: ramping up exercise, bidding farewell to smoking, cutting back on alcohol consumption, saying goodbye to ultra-processed foods, and nurturing social connections.

Curious to understand why these particular choices stand out? CNN had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Wen. She enlightened us on the significance of these lifestyle changes and shared valuable insights on how individuals can kickstart their journey towards a healthier life. Read the full article 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.

Let’s start with a conversation.