Ashley Williams’ Post

2024: A Year of Change, Connection, and Courage This weekend, I zipped up my suitcase for the final time this year. It feels surreal to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2024—a year of traveling across the globe, connecting with incredible people, and tackling some of the most important challenges in the future of work. From Barcelona to Dallas, Amsterdam to Dublin, Berlin to Munich, this year has been about one thing: creating better workplaces. This year, I celebrated three years at Indeed—three years of helping people find jobs and, more importantly, purpose. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of sharing stories that moved hearts, sparking conversations about inclusion, and challenging audiences to believe in something bigger: that better work isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. Here are some moments that shaped my 2024: • Collaborating at #HRCoreLab in Barcelona, exploring data and candidate engagement with a brilliant international team. • Standing on stage at #FutureWorks Dallas, where we reimagined skills transformation and the Candidate Journey. • Hosting sessions at #EmbraceFestival Berlin, from 'Work Needs Women' to AI-driven workplace transformation. • Sharing the story of Invisible Talent at FutureWorks Benelux amplifies voices often overlooked. • Leading impactful client meetings in IdeaCenter Dublin and across different locations, from small groups to nearly 45 participants. • Becoming a Jobsquad consultant, driving bold new opportunities for meaningful change, including at the Berlin JobFair. • Watching humanity shine at #FutureWorksMunich, where better work took center stage and reminded me why these conversations matter. • Discussing systemic change at the #DiversityCongress in Berlin, where we put inclusion at the heart of workplace transformation • The #HamburgSportSummit, showcasing its role as a societal catalyst. • Exploring cross-border hiring strategies at #OMR, breaking down barriers in global talent acquisition. • Focusing on Work Wellbeing at #WorldEmployerBrandingDay and through roundtables, podcasts, and workshops across Europe. • Exchanging bold ideas at #LeadershipConnect Global and turning them into actionable strategies at Leadership Connect Germany—proving that conversations at every level can drive transformative change. • Serving as a judge for the #Trendence and #Queb Awards, celebrating impactful work in our industry.    Beyond the stages and meetings, this year was about people. It was about the stories shared, the ideas exchanged, and the moments that inspired me to think differently. As I pause to reflect and recharge, I’m filled with gratitude for every connection, every conversation, and every courageous step forward. Let’s make 2025 a year of bold ideas, meaningful actions, and extraordinary change—together. Of course, not every stop made it into this collage—some moments are better kept between us (or maybe just didn’t fit the frame). ID! 2024 collage and highlights shared in the comment!

#Barcelona here I go #IBTMWorld 💯 I will be speaking about 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 in this panel https://lnkd.in/e9nytfFC powered by IAPCO 💕 IBTM Events Join me there on Thursday 21st, 10.00 - 10.45 at the Workplace Revolution station. The global workforce thrives on collaboration, cultural diversity, and a shared sense of purpose. As meeting professionals, you play a pivotal role in shaping inclusive, meaningful experiences that transcend borders and cultures. This next-generation #NextGenIAPCO panel will explore the common values that unite people—empathy, respect, integrity, and equity—and how these principles can be leveraged to create more engaging, productive environments. Be part of the dialogue to shape the future of work and increase your awareness on how to create meaningful connections across cultures through the lens of shared human values. Key Takeaways: • Understanding the power of shared human values in a globalized workforce • The role of cultural values in enhancing global collaboration and innovation • Practical strategies to navigate cross-cultural challenges in the workplace

Our workspace looked a little different for a few days this month… We traded in the desks for beach blankets. Two weeks ago, we flew the team down to Barcelona to celebrate what's been quite a year. And with it, marked another big first. The first time almost all 30 of us were all together. Growth is good, and what we constantly aim for, but that comes with a LOT of changes. We're a hybrid company spread across the world. As we grow and try to keep things efficient and lean, we risk losing out on opportunities to - Collaborate more widely - Converse more collectively - Deliberate more innovatively But we can't afford that. As a global agency with so many diverse clients, our success comes from the diversity of thought, approaches, strategy, and talent we put into every campaign. When we stop collaborating and sharing, we stop innovating. And that’s where our true culture starts suffering. So we brought everyone down to Barcelona for 4 days. Not for the superficial photo op (although I’ll happily take every reminder of how big our team has gotten). But to remind everyone why they need to talk. To remind them - Of the diverse talent we have amidst us - Of the opportunities we have to elevate our ideas through collaboration - That excellence might be only a single message away Ultimately, culture isn’t made by retreats or socials. But when you’ve got a team spread across the world, every once in a while, these can be a brilliant setting to remind everyone of what DOES matter. The people. 🤝 #teambonding #teambuilding #leadership #culture

𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 In my last post, I gave a shout-out to #AllThatMatters2024 and, reflecting further upon the three-day conference in Singapore run by Jasper Donat and his Branded team, I am once again struck by how powerful in-person connections can be. In our increasingly digital world, nothing compares to the energy and authenticity of face-to-face interactions. Zoom, Teams, Whatsapp, they all have their place but that human touch remains a difference-maker. Here are my five key reflections: 1. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: An obvious one, but meeting people in person away from the office environment allows for genuine connections. It’s easier to establish trust and rapport when we can engage directly in a more relaxed and informal setting over a coffee or a glass of wine. 2. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Engaging with diverse professionals from various backgrounds at #matters2024 opened my eyes to new ideas and perspectives. Not only from the sports field, but music, entertainment, video, marketing and web3 were among the sectors I encountered. The conversations sparked creativity and inspired fresh approaches to challenges. They are crossovers and parallels that should not be ignored and can be learned from. 3. 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: In-person discussions provide real-time feedback that can lead to deeper insights. Whether brainstorming ideas or discussing industry trends, the exchange of thoughts is much more dynamic. 4. 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Sharing experiences and stories in a live setting makes encounters more memorable. I walked away with not just business cards (paper and digital), but genuine connections that I can nurture in the future. Not just business-focused discussion but life stories and annecotes are the bedrock to building up long-lasting relationships in the working world as they are in social groups. 5. 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: In-person networking often leads to unexpected opportunities. I found potential partners and collaborators that I may not have crossed paths with online. Often you don’t know what you’re looking for until it finds you or springs up from places you wouldn’t have imagined. So, to summarise, let’s not underestimate the value of stepping away from our screens and engaging with the world around us. #Networking #AllThatMatters #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #sportsbiz #sportsdigital

🚀 Excited to share some highlights from the #INGRoup2024 conference in Charlotte, NC 🚀 In a joint session with Marvin Grabowski, Liana Kreamer, Ph.D, and Bishan Wang on Hybrid Teams, I got to present my new research on a more nuanced approach to understanding and operationalizing hybrid work beyond the typical WFH percentage. By considering factors like alignment in office days among team members, we can better capture the complexity of hybrid work and study its impact on work outcomes. 🔍 ➡ Key Insight for Better #HybridWork Focus on alignment in office days: Such alignment will help reduce perceptions of uncertainty related to the work location of fellow team members and enhance employee performance and satisfaction. Another highlight was the inspiring keynote by the Early Career Award winner Anna Mayo. She emphasized the importance of "wandering" in our professional lives. Echoing Kara Lawson's words, "If you have a meaningful pursuit in life, it will never be easy," Anna advocated for exploring fields and subjects related to our research but not directly within it. While this may seem counterproductive, it often leads to meaningful insights and epiphanies, allowing us to see the world from different angles. 🌍 ➡Takeaways on #Wandering Broaden Your Horizon: Don't be afraid to dive into areas adjacent to your main field. Let curiosity guide you to new knowledge and innovative ideas. Beyond the knowledge-driven content, two social events stood out. The Friday night event at the NASCAR museum was a blast! We drove simulators and performed a pit stop with fellow conference attendees, showcasing our teamwork skills. 🏎️🏁 Additionally, the social meet & greet for students, which I organized as part of my role as the Student Representative on the INGRoup board, was a huge success and a lot of fun. 🎉 ➡#SocialHighlights Forming connections: Organizing and participating in social events during professional conferences fosters valuable connections. Feeling inspired and #energized by these experiences and looking forward to further #contributing to the success of INGRoup! ✨ #Research #ConferenceHighlights #ContinuousLearning

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲! We’ve been recognised as one of the 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 in Europe 2024 by Great Place To Work Österreich! #GPTWcertified🏆🎉 Ranked at #24 in Europe, we are proud to be the 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁-𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 on the list of Europe’s Best Small and Medium Workplaces. 💪 This recognition follows our earlier achievement in spring, where we were named Austria’s Best Workplace in our category. It reflects our commitment to building a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth are core. 💛 Here are some key elements of our culture that make smec stand out: 🤝 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: From daily teamwork to cross-departmental projects, we believe in open communication and supporting each other to achieve shared goals. 🥳 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Whether it’s project milestones or special events, we take the time to celebrate achievements and recognise everyone’s contributions. 📈 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: We encourage our team to grow professionally and personally through continuous learning, mentorship, and individual opportunities for career advancement. 🤸 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: We offer flexibility and ensure our team can recharge, providing opportunities for physical activities, mental well-being support, and a sustainable work environment. 🌎 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: Our team thrives on the unique perspectives that come from embracing different cultures and experiences, sparking innovation and creativity. 🫴 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: We give back to the community by sharing our success with initiatives that support social causes and drive positive impact. 𝗔 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to every smecie for making this journey possible! We’re excited about the future and continuing to create an even better workplace for every single one of us. ✨ #CertificationNationDay #CND #Teamwork #SharingSuccess #DreamTeam #WorkCulture

“Joanna, how do you build strong #interpersonal relationships among team members in a fully #remote set up?” Dear Gentle Reader, the answer to this question is really quite ironic. The Nansen People team focuses much effort to make in-person #connections happen through team offsites and an annual retreat. Because sometimes, you just need to meet your colleagues in 3D! These events are essential for fostering real connections and sparking creativity. For proof, just check out the smiles on the faces of our Go-To-Market team who met for their offsite in Lisbon last month! We also set aside an annual hub budget to support in-person work sessions at one of our four hubs: Singapore | Bangkok | London | Lisbon. Whether it’s collaborating on a project or sharing a laugh, these moments are invaluable. On the virtual front, we use Donut to randomly pair folks every two weeks for a coffee chat—because who doesn't love a surprise coffee date? It’s our way of ensuring regular personal connections and keeping team spirit high. A big thank you to Stephanie Lee; the driving force behind our vibrant remote culture.

International Safe Places to Work Day is an annual event dedicated to celebrate organisations and individuals that eliminate fear and champion psychological safety in the workplace. As the world economy continues to globalize; multicultural communities arise. Our TECHNIA community is here to help you break barriers together while celebrating technological advancements. Here are a few examples of how to take part in ‘International Safe Places to Work Day’ and make human settlements and cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable: 🤝 Incorporate sustainable business practices, contributing to decent work and economic growth (Number 8 of the Global Sustainable Development Goals). Let’s promote an inclusive work culture by giving fair chances regardless of racial and gender differences. ✂️ 📋 Keep your desk clear: A comfortable work environment and clean desk policy promotes healthy interactions. Avoid sensitive business information being scattered on desks and important documents being too openly accessible. Instead, store crucial business information safely, or dispose of it securely. ♻️ Sustainable Digitalization: Counter social and business challenges to enable responsible product creation while improving efficiency with sustainable business processes. #InternationalSafePlacesToWorkDay #SafetyAtWork #SustainableBusinessPractice

As mobile employees seek flexibility, they’re faced with many choices that can impact their relocation experience — so how can mobility professionals guide them to make smart choices? We explored this and other key topics at our recent insideMOBILITY® event in Scottsdale.   Read our event recap here: https://grbl.co/lablw4     #insideMOBILITY #talentmobility

As mobile employees seek flexibility, they’re faced with many choices that can impact their relocation experience — so how can mobility professionals guide them to make smart choices? We explored this and other key topics at our recent insideMOBILITY® event in Scottsdale.   Read our event recap here: https://grbl.co/lablw4     #insideMOBILITY #talentmobility