The Connector: Edition 123
Jul 30th, 2025 | The Connector
We had an incredible time at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work 2025 Awards Dinner, where we celebrated the remarkable achievements of this year’s winners! Congratulations to all the organizations recognized for fostering outstanding workplace cultures, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
At The O'Connor Group, we’re proud to be part of this vibrant community of leaders and innovators. It’s truly inspiring to see so many companies committed to excellence in creating environments where employees thrive. Here’s to continued success and growth in the years to come!
1. HR's Strategic Role in Driving AI Fluency Across Organizations
In the past, HR has not always been seen as a driver of technology-related change. However, as AI training becomes a key focus for businesses, this perception is evolving.
The first step involves close coordination between HR and IT departments to ensure alignment on the tools employees have access to. This alignment applies to both existing systems and proprietary tools, as well as those employees who are allowed to use them independently.
Establishing this foundation prevents confusion and ensures training efforts are focused on the right technologies.
Once the groundwork is set, HR, along with learning and development leaders, can create AI literacy and ethics training that establishes a company-wide baseline aligned with organizational policies. From there, HR teams can collaborate with managers to design customized, role-specific training programs, enabling employees to effectively apply AI tools in their daily work. Read the full article here!
2. Make Dinner with ChatGPT
The O'Connor Group’s AI Taskforce is dedicated to unveiling the transformative power of generative AI in both business and everyday life. Recently, our colleague Kendra harnessed ChatGPT’s capabilities by crafting a tailored prompt, then recording a video of her refrigerator.
The result? Customized meal ideas generated instantly from the ingredients she had on hand, demonstrating how innovation can turn a routine task into a personalized solution. Watch the video here!
3. TOC's P3 Executive Summit - Meet Mike Feuz with ITR Economics™
We’re excited to welcome Mike Feuz to the stage at TOC’s P3 Executive Summit on October 23, 2025!
Mike Feuz is an economist, senior consultant, and keynote speaker with ITR Economics. ITR Economics™ offers top economic intelligence to help reduce risk and make practical, profitable business decisions.
Mike will present on the Economic Outlook: Q4 & Beyond and will cover:
- U.S. and global economic forecasts
- Business cycle phases
- Key leading economic indicators
- Insights on inflation, interest rates, and taxes
- Analysis of current events
These actionable insights will prepare you to guide your organization successfully through any economic environment. Register for P3 here!
4. Employee Development and Mentorship: Key to Success in Q3
As we head into Q3, investing in employee development and strengthening mentorship programs should be a top priority. Here’s how:
Professional Development: Focus on upskilling employees in emerging areas like AI, leadership, and soft skills to ensure they’re prepared for the future. Offer tailored learning paths, continuous learning opportunities, and access to both internal and external training resources.
Mentorship Programs: Strengthen internal mentorship initiatives to help employees grow into future leaders. Implement structured mentorship programs with clear goals and pairings, while encouraging reverse mentoring to foster cross-generational learning. Recognize the value of mentorship and provide ongoing feedback and career growth opportunities.
By prioritizing professional development and mentorship, you’ll build a strong leadership pipeline, enhance employee engagement, and position your organization for long-term success.
TOC is here to help ensure a productive and efficient Q3 but also set the stage for employee development and mentorship in the latter part of the year. Connect with us today!
5. HR After Dark Episode 21: Empowering Your Presence: Styling for Success in Leadership
In this episode of HR After Dark, Marcia O'Connor and Meghan Popoleo sit down with Francesca Zampaglione, Chief Empowerment Officer of Empowerment League. Francesca, a CPA turned stylist for executive women, now helps business leaders make transformative changes from the inside out through her company.
Tune in as Francesca shares invaluable tips on how to present yourself confidently on Zoom, using style and body language to show up powerfully for yourself and your organization. Whether you’re leading a team or engaging with clients, this episode offers insights to help you elevate your presence in virtual settings. Watch the full episode here!
6. Let's Get Local...
Caring for Friends (formerly known as Aid for Friends) is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 on the belief that “no one should be hungry or alone in a world of caring people.”
The organization delivers both food and friendship to isolated seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, families, children, and people experiencing homelessness across the five-county Philadelphia region (Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties). Learn more about Caring for Friends by watching this video here!
7. Wednesday Wellness Tips
Muscle soreness after exercise is primarily caused by microscopic tears in the muscle fibers and the subsequent repair process.
If you are new to exercise or increasing your workout intensity, soreness can be a sign that your muscles are being stimulated and are rebuilding stronger. Still, it isn’t always an indicator of an effective workout. So, if you aren’t sore, don’t feel like your workout didn’t count!
When you do get sore and feel like you can’t walk or move, here are some things that might help:
- Prioritize sleep
- Gentle movement like walking or swimming
- Avoid overtraining
- Alternating heat and ice
- Staying hydrated
- Stretching
Learn more here!