In today’s HR Pulse, gain insight into how:

• Alumni networks can drive boomerang hiring, boost referrals, and deliver long-term business value by turning employee departures into strategic partnerships.

• HR leaders can act as transformation architects during M&As, using cultural insights and trust-building to ensure deals succeed beyond the spreadsheets.

• Intentional AI experimentation can bridge the gap between innovation and ROI, empowering teams through training and purpose-driven adoption.

These articles are penned by members of Forbes Human Resources Council, a community of successful human resources leaders on a mission to inspire.

Let’s dive in!

Strengthen Alumni Ties To Boost Hiring & Business Growth

Forward-thinking organizations are reshaping how they view employee departures, creating alumni networks that deliver long-term benefits. These networks not only increase the likelihood of "boomerang" hires but also generate valuable referrals and reinforce your organization's reputation as a destination employer.

Here’s why you should invest in alumni networks:

💡 Boomerang Hiring Benefits: Returning employees bring cost savings, cultural fit, and fresh perspectives. Tracking trends in rehires can reveal strengths and highlight areas for improvement.

👥 Powerful Referrals: Alumni often refer high-quality candidates or new business opportunities, reflecting their positive experience with your organization.

🔗 Transition-Focused Mindset: Shift from "us vs. them" thinking to viewing departures as transitions. Conduct meaningful exit interviews and maintain ongoing contact through platforms like private LinkedIn groups or newsletters.

📣 Brand & Culture Boost: Sharing boomerang stories internally signals that external experience is valued, strengthening team morale and loyalty.

Read The Full Article >

HR’s Role In M&As: From Support To Transformation Engine

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are more than financial transactions; they’re large-scale transformations that hinge on people. HR leaders are uniquely positioned to drive this transformation, ensuring deals succeed not just on spreadsheets but through trust, culture, and human execution.

Here’s how HR can help drive successful M&As:

🌍 Get a Seat at the Table Early: HR must align with corporate development teams during early due diligence to shape people strategies before the ink dries. Employees are not an add-on; they are the deal.

🔍 Conduct Cultural Due Diligence: Evaluate leadership, trust, compensation, and benefits to uncover gaps that may impact employee retention and engagement during integration. Transparent communication about what can and can’t change is critical.

💡 Bridge Cultural Gaps: When gaps exist, like PTO differences, find creative solutions that respect incoming employees while benefiting current teams, a win-win for culture and business momentum.

🤝 Transform Through Trust: Smooth integration relies on trust, clarity, and connecting human experiences to business goals. HR is the linchpin, ensuring that people drive transformations.

Read The Full Article >

Unlock AI ROI With Intentional Experimentation

AI is revolutionizing work, but many organizations struggle to turn potential into payoff. While leaders are moving fast, employees often lack the training and trust to keep up. HR leaders can bridge this gap by combining deliberate strategy with thoughtful experimentation.

How to balance speed with intention:

🚀 Experiment with Purpose: Avoid deploying AI tools without a strategy. Focus on practical use cases that solve real problems, like personalized learning, internal mobility, or automating routine HR tasks.

📚 Invest in Upskilling: Close the skills gap by embedding AI training into daily workflows. Reskilling employees keeps them confident, engaged, and prepared for AI-driven changes.

⚙️ Pilot, Learn, Scale: Test AI tools in controlled environments, adapt based on feedback, and scale responsibly. Transparency and guardrails around data privacy are essential for building trust.

🤝 Foster Trust Through Transparency: Communicate openly about AI's role, impact, and limitations. Employees need clarity to embrace change confidently.

Read The Full Article >

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will absolutely love: Forbes Human Resources Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together the brightest minds in the industry — human resources leaders and executives.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on Forbes.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Forbes Human Resources Council today, and become part of an elite group of global HR leaders driving transformation in recruitment and human resources.