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The Connector: Edition 133

Jan 14th, 2026 | The Connector

We’re proud to share an exciting leadership milestone at The O’Connor Group. Meghan Popoleo (Sherry) has been named President of The O’Connor Group.

Meghan’s strategic leadership, people-first mindset, and deep commitment to our clients have helped shape who we are today. As President, she will continue to lead our firm forward, partnering closely with clients, our team, and our community to deliver smart, human-centered HR and RaaS solutions.

Please join us in congratulating Meghan on this well-deserved role. We’re excited for what’s ahead. Read the full press release here!

1. The 2026 Mid-Market Hiring Imperative

Mid-market organizations are no longer just competing with peers; they’re competing with enterprise brands and fast-moving startups for the same talent.

The companies that will win in 2026 are those that:

  • Shift to skills-first hiring
  • Leverage technology strategically
  • Offer meaningful total rewards
  • Invest in internal growth
  • Hold leaders accountable for inclusive hiring

Talent strategy is business strategy, and the time to act is now. The O’Connor Group partners with mid-market organizations to design flexible, scalable hiring solutions, from fractional and interim HR to full-cycle recruiting support.

Let’s talk about how your hiring strategy needs to evolve for 2026. Read the full blog here!

2.  AI Adoption at Work: Training and Manager Support Make the Difference

Recent research continues to show that successful AI adoption hinges on more than just access to tools, it requires intentional employer support and ongoing training. A study by the London School of Economics and Protiviti found that employees who receive AI training can double their productivity and save up to 11 hours per week. However, many workers report that current training efforts fall short, with one-time introductions proving insufficient as AI capabilities rapidly evolve.

While 43% of U.S. workers say they use AI at least monthly, daily use is limited to roughly 10% of the workforce and is concentrated in select roles, according to Gallup. The data shows that broader adoption occurs when managers actively support AI use and organizations strategically embed AI into employees’ workflows. As experts note, simply using AI isn’t enough, how it’s integrated matters. Read the full article here!

3. AI's ROI

In 2025, HR leaders rushed to adopt AI, but many organizations aren’t seeing the promised results. Recent research shows the issue isn’t the technology or employee resistance; it’s a lack of clear strategy, governance, and implementation.

While employee enthusiasm remains high (65% are excited about using AI and many report time savings), most companies are still stuck in early experimentation. One major study found 83% of organizations fall into the lowest levels of AI maturity, with very few achieving meaningful automation or ROI.

Bottom line: AI is here and widely used, but without the right framework, it’s not yet working as hard as it should for the business. Read the full article here!

4. Another Win for our Clients

The O’Connor Group is proud to celebrate several recent client position fills through our Recruitment-as-a-Service model.

By partnering with TOC, our clients gain:

  • Scalable recruiting support tailored to hiring needs.
  • Industry expertise across Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Professional Services, IT, and more!
  • A flexible model that delivers speed, quality, and cost savings compared to traditional search.

From hard-to-fill leadership roles to specialized technical positions, our team helps clients find the right talent quickly. These are just a few of the recent client position fills! View our client opportunities here!

5. Let's Get Local: Your Daily Reset with Minimal Means

Feeling overwhelmed at home is common and most big decluttering resolutions don’t stick. In fact, nearly all are abandoned within weeks because they’re unrealistic for busy lives. The solution isn’t a full-house overhaul, but a simple daily reset routine.

In just 10–15 minutes a day, you can prevent clutter from piling up, reduce mental load, and keep your home feeling calm and manageable. A daily reset isn’t deep cleaning or perfection; it’s restoring order, clearing visual clutter, and setting yourself up for tomorrow.

The key steps are simple: clear flat surfaces, reset one high-impact space, and prep one thing for the next day. Done consistently, this small habit creates lasting organization, calmer mornings, and less weekend overwhelm, proving that progress, not perfection, is what truly works. Meet Minimal Means! Read the full blog here!

6. Wellness Wednesday

As we move into 2026, think less about resolutions and more about intentions. Wellness isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about choosing small, consistent actions that support your energy, focus, and well-being.

To hold yourself accountable, keep it simple:

  • Pick one wellness intention that feels realistic
  • Schedule it like a meeting you wouldn’t cancel
  • Track progress weekly (not daily)
  • Share your intention with someone who will check in

Consistency beats motivation every time. Small steps, done often, are what make wellness stick in 2026. 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.

Let’s start with a conversation.