Month: January 2025

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career journey, and what led you to your current role.

My name is Alec Erceg, and I am the Director of HR Technology & Operations at GoDaddy. I have been with the company for a little over five years, during which I have progressed into various positions. I initially joined the company as a Business Process Analyst, then transitioned to the role of Senior Manager of HR Technology, ultimately leading to my current position as Director of HR Technology & Operations.

I have always been passionate about the people space and the ways in which technology can be utilized to positively impact the employee experience.

What are some of the most exciting innovations you’ve implemented in our HR technology strategy, and how have they impacted the organization? 

Over the years, our team has implemented numerous exciting innovations. One of the first major projects I worked on was the consolidation and redesign of our employee portal. This enterprise project required collaboration across multiple departments to deliver an employee-centric portal. We gathered input from departmental leads and held employee feedback sessions to ensure the product would meet HR’s needs and benefit the employees. The result was an employee self-service portal that completely transformed how employees interact with our HR department.

Building on this foundation, we have continuously enhanced the portal with features such as a Virtual Agent and a Manager Hub. We are always looking for ways to meet employees where they are and provide a best-in-class experience through our technology and people.

How do you see the role of AI evolving in HR over the next few years? 

The integration of AI within HR is an interesting subject. I perceive the adoption of AI in HR not as an instantaneous change but rather as a gradual process, like a dimmer switch, allowing for incremental implementation where appropriate. As regulations and safeguards are established, I foresee AI playing a significant role in supporting HR with back-office tasks and daily operations, thereby freeing up time for the team to focus on other strategic activities. AI is here to stay, and it is imperative that we, in HR, exercise responsibility and diligence in its application, especially given the sensitive nature of our work.

How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work? 

In HR, the problems we are trying to solve are not static year over year. For me, this ever-changing challenge to improve how we operate and interact with our employees is energizing and engaging. I enjoy keeping up to date with industry trends and conversing with others on how they are handling these complex problems. GoDaddy’s culture of experimentation has provided us the space to try new things and iterate through feedback. 

Additionally, I draw inspiration and energy from my fantastic team of problem solvers who are specialized in both Operations and Technology. They continually look for ways to innovate, optimize processes, and provide excellent service to our employees.

What advice would you offer to professionals seeking to advance their careers in the field of HR? 

My advice to others would be to embrace change and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. HR can often feel constrained by traditional methods or become entrenched in the status quo. It is crucial to ask questions.

These questions can lead to innovative solutions that can provide benefits to not only you, but also enhance new and existing processes, support the team, and contribute significantly to the company’s overall success.

I highly recommend having a mentor, someone from whom you can seek advice, exchange ideas, and learn from their experiences. Take ownership of your career. I am a strong advocate for self-development and encourage you to utilize any available resources to learn new skills, whether through watching YouTube videos, reading books, or other means.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family: Wife (Lizzy), Son (Hudson) and my dog (Chloe). Having a toddler keeps life interesting, and it has been so fulfilling to watch him develop and experience the world. My favorite outdoor activity is golf, even when it is triple digits here in Arizona. I don’t personally have a musical bone in my body, but I am deeply passionate about music and have been working on a specially curated collection of Vinyl records that I hope one day, my son enjoys as much as I do.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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On Friday, January 17th, AEG Presents and Save The Music Foundation hosted Backstage Pass: Exploring Careers in Music for Students, a dynamic and engaging event aimed at inspiring the next generation of music industry professionals. The event took place at Cleveland’s iconic Agora Theatre & Ballroom and provided high school students with a behind-the-scenes look at careers in the music and live entertainment fields.

Forty students and educators from Cleveland Metropolitan School District participated in the program, which featured a backstage tour of the Agora Theatre, one of the hundreds of renowned AEG venue spaces nationwide. The event showcased the variety of career pathways in music, offering students a chance to learn directly from seasoned professionals.

Event Highlights:

Backstage Tour: Students had the opportunity to explore the theater’s production setup, learning about lighting, audio, and venue operations directly from Ryan Neuhaus, GM of the Agora Theater.Industry Panel Discussion: Led by Wendy Cyus-Herndon, Sr. Director of Marketing at Radio One/Urban One/REACH Media Inc, a panel of venue leaders and industry experts shared their career journeys, followed by a Q&A session with students.Creative Workshop: Students designed their dream music festival and presented their ideas to an AEG Presents sourced panel for real time feedback.

The Backstage Pass program is a derivation of the AEG Presents College Connection program, launched in 2022, aimed at bridging the gap between diverse talent and careers in the live music industry. This program has already impacted over 200 students since its inception.

“At AEG Presents, we’re committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation of music industry professionals,” said Twana Simmons, DEI Business Partner for AEG Presents. “Our College Connection Program, which launched in 2022, has already made a meaningful impact, and we are proud to expand it to Ohio with this Backstage Pass initiative. Partnering with Save The Music to host this event at the Agora Theatre gives students a unique opportunity to explore their passions, connect with mentors, and see the many pathways available in music and live entertainment. We’re honored to help cultivate the dreams of these young visionaries while showcasing the vibrant possibilities of a career in the arts.”

Since 2021, Save The Music has funded 41 music education grants across Ohio, enriching the lives of over 16,000 students by providing access to high-quality music programs. Thanks to generous partners like AEG, Save The Music is able to host events that highlight how music education can open doors to brighter futures in local communities.

“This event embodies the power of music education and career exploration,” said Hallie Cross, Director of Creative Marketing at Save The Music Foundation. “We’re thrilled to team up with AEG Presents to provide Cleveland-based students with a unique opportunity to step behind the curtain and connect their passion for music to real-world career paths. Our hope is to inspire students to dream big and leave with valuable insights from industry leaders in their local community.”

About AEG Presents: Combining the power of the live event with a focus on true artist development, AEG Presents is a world leader in the music and entertainment industries. Operating across five continents, the company has an unparalleled commitment to artistry, creativity, and community. Its tentpole festivals and multi-day music events — which include the iconic Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival alongside British Summer Time at Hyde Park, Stagecoach, Hangout Festival, Electric Forest, Rock En Seine and All Points East — continue to set the bar for the live music experience. AEG Presents promotes global tours for artists such as Justin Bieber, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Celine Dion, Elton John, Carin León, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Tyler, The Creator, in addition to — through its network of clubs, theatres, arenas, stadiums and renowned partner brands such as The Bowery Presents, Cárdenas Marketing Network, Concerts West, Frontier Touring, Goldenvoice, Marshall Arts, Messina Touring Group, PromoWest Productions, and Zero Mile Presents — creating and developing an unmatched infrastructure for artist development and audience reach. More information can be found at www.aegpresents.com.

About Save The Music: Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. For over 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed the systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated $78M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,800 schools – impacting millions of students’ lives in hundreds of communities nationwide. And we’re just getting started! Learn more at savethemusic.org.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., January 30, 2025 /3BL/ – To honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month and beyond, Discovery Education offers a new curated collection of high-quality digital learning resources. Discovery Education is the creator of essential K-12 solutions used in classrooms around the world.

The following resources are now available for users of the essential companion for engaged classrooms, Discovery Education Experience:

History Kids: Black History Month video: Students in grades 6-12 can dive into the origins of Black History Month while learning about Carter G. Woodson and other notable figures who helped document and celebrate Black History in America. Students also learn about the historic representation of Black people in media and discuss the best way to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Black people in the future.Civil Rights Movement channel: This curated channel teaches students in grades K-12 about the heroes of the civil rights movement. The channel includes the DE Original Series, Need to Know, students travel through time to investigate the Civil Rights Movement. Each episode is paired with Ready-to-Use Lessons and PDF activities that align with the topics covered in the video and features additional historical context and primary source resources.Happy Black History Month video: In this video from Sesame Workshop designed for students in grades PK-2, Elmo, Gabrielle, Tamir, and Abby come together to celebrate the contributions of Black and African American communities.

All these resources and more are available on the Celebrating Black History channel within Discovery Education Experience. Using the resources within this channel, including a teacher choice board and activities, educators are empowered to help students discover new perspectives on African American history, drive deeper cultural understanding, and help students see themselves in history. Experience facilitates the creation of engaging instructional opportunities for all students by connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standards-aligned content, including ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources.

“At Discovery Education, we understand how relevant and dynamic digital materials encourage greater student engagement in the classroom,” said Todd Wirt, Head of K-12 Education at Discovery Education. “Access to materials that connect key historical events and modern movements helps students understand their impact on the world today. This new digital content collection for Black History Month will help educators spark student curiosity and conversation about this important topic.”

Discovery Education also offers free resources for educators to integrate into their Black History Month observances, including:

STEM Career Profiles: The Black History Month collection from the STEM Careers Coalition celebrates the careers of Black leaders in STEM. The collection of dynamic, on-demand resources supports educators’ efforts to drive deeper student engagement by connecting classroom lessons to the real-world. Career profile videos show students a variety of STEM careers across software engineering, chemistry, and technology support.

The STEM Careers Coalition is an alliance of industries and non-profit organizations, reaching 11M+ students with equitable access to STEM resources and career connections since its launch in 2019. The Coalition will continue to ignite student curiosity and influence a diverse future workforce.

Video Topic Series: The Art of Resilience is a three-part video topic series highlighting the power of art and the creative process in building resilience. The series chronicles the journeys of talented and impactful artists who use their art and stories to inspire others. Each testimony in this series illustrates how art reaffirms shared humanity by celebrating culture, identity, and survival. This resource is from Teaching with Testimony, a program with the USC Shoah Foundation that inspires students to find their voices and act for a better future.Classroom Activities: The classroom activities and accompanying video series and educator guides from Amazing Me, an initiative with the Dove Self-Esteem Project, offers relevant lessons focused on body confidence and its role in self-esteem. The resources — such as the My Hair, My Crown workshop — explore culture and identity, and the importance of self-expression through hair in BIPOC communities.

In addition, Mystery Science users can find mini-lessons related to Black History Month here. Mystery Science by Discovery Education is an engaging standards-aligned science curriculum for grades K-5 designed to help students stay curious.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@dicoveryed.com

Modern human activities are partly responsible for rising temperatures, carbon emissions, and declining biodiversity.

The construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably to deal with the climate crisis and scarcity of natural resources. With these innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

On this episode we discuss how lightweight construction is emerging as a solution for the future, as a new way of thinking about the building throughout its life cycle.

Listen here, L… for Lightweight Construction, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group’s commitment is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€47.9 billion in sales in 2023 
160,000 employees, locations in 76 countries 
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050