Bobby in Chicago

Welcome to our weekly corner: Getting to Know. Every week, we’ll take a few minutes to catch up with a Claira team member to help our readers and users get to know them better. You know what Claira does, so let us highlight the people behind the machine and what makes them an expert in workforce development through different questions. Hopefully, this will give you a glimpse into their personalities and even their competencies.

This week, we’re getting to know Bobby Padilla, a Senior Customer Success Manager at Claira. Bobby has a deep passion for helping others, and he is always looking for ways to use his skills and knowledge to make a difference. He prides himself on being a strategic partner to his clients and working alongside them to create a collaborative area for success. Recently, Bobby attended a conference, Future of Work, in Chicago, his hometown. The Future of Work conference is an annual event that brings together leaders from the business, technology, and academic communities to discuss the future of business. The conference covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of AI on the workforce, the future of remote work, and the skills that will be in demand in the future. The conference is designed to help attendees understand the trends that are shaping the future of work and to develop strategies for their organizations.

What are some insights from your recent trip to the Future of Work in Chicago and some relevant and exciting trends you encountered? ‍

One prominent trend that multiple speakers at the conference emphasized is that "the future of work" is unfolding before our eyes. You've probably noticed the recent buzz surrounding ChatGPT. What we're realizing is that the impact of AI on the workforce is not a passing fad. AI is here to stay, and instead of fearing it, companies that learn to leverage its potential are positioning themselves for a better future.

How does Claira fit into this ideal Future of Work vision?

Claira serves as a prime example of how AI and machine learning can elevate workforce planning while providing comprehensive visibility across an entire organization.

We leverage our technology to assist Talent Acquisition teams in efficiently sifting through resumes by offering insights into which candidates best align with their requirements. The name of the game is precise and swift hiring.

Moreover, we provide enhanced clarity within existing workforces by highlighting team strengths, identifying areas for improvement, and enabling our clients to better plan for the future of their business by developing their current employees.

What are your favorite strategies for keeping customers happy and engaged?

I firmly believe that Customer Success is an extension of our clients' teams. To foster effective collaboration, it's crucial for us to align ourselves with their use case, understand their pain points, adapt to their communication style, and, most importantly, grasp their success metrics.

Treating every customer the same would be irresponsible, as each team has its own dynamics and work style that contributes to their industry performance.  By understanding how they operate, we can tailor our approach to meet their specific needs and goals. This means customizing our solutions, communication, and support to align with their unique use case. We take the time to truly comprehend their pain points and challenges, allowing us to provide targeted solutions that address their specific concerns.

Based on your experience, what advice or recommendations would you give to someone who is planning a trip to Chicago?

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I could go on for days about all the things you should do during a visit to the Windy City. For the sake of brevity, I’ll keep it to a few bullet points:

• The Chicago Architecture Tour is a must for first time visitors as well as Chicago veterans. The crew are incredibly entertaining and highly informative. You’re guaranteed to learn something new during the scenic ride through the Chicago River.

• Take in some culture by enjoying a visit to Museum Campus, where you can pop into the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and more. If you want to continue on your museum quest, you can take a short walk through lovely Grant Park before stepping into The Art Institute of Chicago, which boasts over 300,000 pieces of art in its collection.

• If you’re a fan of baseball, historic Wrigley Field is a must stop for any Chicago visit. Grab a seat in the bleachers, order yourself an Old Style and a hot dog (ketchup is optional) and enjoy this beautiful ballpark that’s been open since 1914.

• We’d be here all day if I listed all the great food spots in Chicago, but if you’re looking for deep dish pizza, you can’t go wrong with Lou Malnati’s. For an Italian Beef or Hot Dog, Portillo’s is a must. And for dessert, try some Garrett’s Chicago Mix popcorn, or make a trip down to Rainbow Cone to help you stay cool during a beautiful summer day.

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