The Workforce on Deck Podcast
Join Hosts and industry thought leaders Vince Jackson and Dr. Sarah Inman as we discuss all things related to workforce management and HCM across all industries. Nothing is off limits and we will cover today’s current trends and challenges as dive deep into Process, Technology and Strategy. Want to ask questions or provide feedback on some ideas for future shows, please email us at info@improvizations.com.

Vincent Jackson
Vince Jackson is the President of Improvizations, bringing a strong background in workforce management, services strategy, and large-scale transformation. At Improvizations, he helps organizations unlock greater value from their HCM and WFM ecosystems by shaping clear strategies, strengthening delivery approaches, and aligning technology with real-world business outcomes.
Before joining Improvizations, Vince spent years leading major services and partner initiatives in the WFM space, including executive roles at UKG and earlier leadership positions across consulting and global retail brands. He’s known for his steady leadership style, practical problem-solving instincts, and a passion for helping teams navigate complexity with confidence.
Always focused on forward momentum, Vince thrives at the intersection of people, process, and technology—where thoughtful strategy meets meaningful execution.

Dr. Sarah Inman
Sarah Inman, DHA, SHRM-CP is the Senior Vice President of Healthcare Strategy at Improvizations, where she leads the firm’s healthcare vision, strategy, and thought leadership. In this role, she partners with healthcare executives worldwide to tackle workforce complexity, improve clinical operations, and build resilient, people-centered organizations.
With more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Sarah brings a rare blend of academic depth and real-world execution. She holds a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration and is SHRM-CP certified, grounding her strategic guidance in both evidence-based research and operational practicality. Her career includes senior leadership roles at industry-leading organizations such as UKG (formerly Kronos), Press Ganey Associates, Gallup’s Healthcare Division, and Stryker Endoscopy.
Sarah is widely recognized for her expertise in workforce strategy, clinician engagement, and staffing optimization. She has led large-scale transformations that reduced turnover, improved labor efficiency, and elevated patient care outcomes across acute and post-acute settings. A sought-after speaker and published author, she regularly contributes insights on nursing shortages, workforce sustainability, and the future of healthcare labor.
Known for her clarity, credibility, and people-first philosophy, Sarah helps healthcare organizations move from reactive staffing to strategic workforce advantage—without losing sight of what matters most: the caregivers.
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
27 min
Vince Jackson and Dr. Sarah Inman host Corey Cutler and Ashley Kamla on Workforce on Deck to explore what baseball teaches about pivoting under pressure and workforce agility.They discuss how stadiums adapt to events, the staffing and scheduling challenges of fluctuating crowds, the importance of data and planning, and practical takeaways for healthcare and event workforce management.

Aug 19, 2026
Aug 19, 2026
41 min
Dr. Sarah Inman interviews Vince Jackson about the new "It Matters" series, exploring why workforce strategy is core to business strategy. They discuss lessons from COVID, the importance of mindset, brand identity, people strategy, and how technology and AI are reshaping operations.The episode previews the 10-part series, explains publishing plans and formats, and shares practical takeaways for leaders to align people, processes and tools to achieve business outcomes.

May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
38 min
Vince Jackson, co-host Dr. Sarah Inman, and guest Mickey DeAngelo dive into functional vacancies—the hidden staffing problem where teams look fully staffed on paper but are short in practice due to PTO, leaves, training, meetings, turnover and other nonproductive time.
Hosts and guest experts walk through how to measure and budget for this shrinkage, match filling strategies (PRNs, float pools, agency) to absence types, and use data and proactive planning to reduce burnout, control costs, and keep care staffed.

May 8, 2026
May 8, 2026
45 min
Vince and Dr. Sarah are joined by Traxxion co-founders Jim Jensen and Kevin Istre for a candid conversation about what's broken in workforce management and what a purpose-built fix actually looks like.
From intuitive design that needs zero training to seamless integrations that eliminate manual workarounds, Jim and Kevin share how Traxxion is rethinking WFM from the ground up.
The conversation also digs into their vision for assistive AI: intelligent demand forecasting, real-time compliance, and autonomous scheduling, all within guardrails that keep empathy and human judgment at the center.

Apr 8, 2026
Apr 8, 2026
46 min
In this episode, Vince Jackson and co-host Dr. Sarah Inman are joined by Mickey DeAngelo to examine healthcare scheduling—its effects on patient care, staff well-being, and organizational finances. They unpack common emotional objections, the need for evidence-based planning, and the benefits of forecasting, balanced schedules, and self-scheduling options.
The conversation highlights practical steps: use data and modeling to demonstrate impact, establish governance and KPIs to measure outcomes, and align people, process, and technology for continuous improvement. Listeners will take away strategies to reduce overtime, lower turnover, and create more resilient staffing models.

Mar 21, 2026
Mar 21, 2026
48 min
Building a winning lineup isn’t just for the ballpark!
What happens when you bring lifelong baseball fans together to talk workforce management? You get a conversation that proves great teams are built on the same fundamentals, whether they’re built in a board room or at the ballpark.
In this upcoming episode of the Workforce On Deck podcast, special guests Eric Hoffman and Corey Cutler join co-hosts Dr. Sarah Inman and Vince Jackson to explore how the strategies that drive championship teams also drive thriving organizations.
They talk about:
Farm systems and talent pipelines, and why investing in growth creates loyalty.
Clubhouse culture and how it mirrors the employee experience.
When to scout and when to trade so you can make smart decisions about your roster.
How data should guide you, but your people are the ones who win the game.
It’s a fun, insightful reminder that workforce management isn’t just about filling shifts. It’s about creating a culture, a strategy, and a lineup where people can do their best work - something UKG helps organizations achieve every day. Because whether it’s baseball or business, the real game is about people.

Mar 5, 2026
Mar 5, 2026
46 min
Episode 2 of the Workforce Management Strategy Series with guest Mickey DeAngelo explores the root causes of staffing challenges in healthcare and practical steps to address recruiting, vacancy management, and resource planning. The hosts discuss building long-term talent pipelines, upskilling internal staff, rethinking skill mix, and using data and technology effectively.
They emphasize a combined short‑term and long‑term approach: invest in retention and training, align HR with executive strategy, modernize budgeting and systems, and test innovative solutions tailored to rural and metro settings to improve patient care and financial outcomes.

Feb 5, 2026
Feb 5, 2026
48 min
In this episode, host Vince Jackson and guests Dr. Sarah Inman and Mickey DeAngelo explore a holistic workforce strategy for healthcare — covering planning, scheduling, retention, technology, and the financial and patient-care impacts of poor workforce management.
They discuss real-world examples, leadership roles, the value of data and forecasting, and why cross-functional collaboration and evidence-based change are essential to build sustainable staffing solutions.

Jan 15, 2026
Jan 15, 2026
34 min
Introducing a special 5-part healthcare series “The Workforce Management Journey” - in collaboration with Andgo and the Talking Shift podcast.
Healthcare is facing unprecedented workforce challenges. Vacancies, burnout, compliance risks, and rising labor costs are converging into a perfect storm that no single staffing strategy can solve. What’s needed isn’t just another quick fix: it’s a holistic workforce management strategy. But despite so many organizations dealing with these challenges, we found very few avenues where people could come together, talk about their challenges, and work together on a solution that would impact the entire industry. As two long-time experts in the healthcare workforce management space, we (Dr. Sarah Inman and Mickey DeAngelo) are having the same conversations every time we walk into a new organization: people ask what we are hearing, what we are seeing, and what they can do to make different decisions for their patients AND staff.
That’s why we’re launching The Workforce Management Journey series, designed to take leaders, clinicians, and workforce innovators through the realities of modern healthcare management. And trust us – we are taking this WAY beyond staffing. Across five episodes, we’ll explore why a comprehensive workforce strategy matters, what pitfalls to avoid, and how technology, data, and leadership can transform workforce management from a reactive scramble into a proactive system that truly supports patient care and caregiver well-being.
This series is about rethinking the fundamentals: planning, recruiting, scheduling, timekeeping, and analytics. We’ll bring together healthcare executives, clinicians, and workforce experts to unpack the hidden staffing problems, share real-world lessons, and spotlight the tools and strategies that are making a measurable difference

Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
45 min
In this episode of Workforce on Deck, hosts Vince Jackson and Dr. Sarah Inman sit down with special guest Nathalie Gentile, Director of Product Management at Zaddons. Nathalie shares her unique journey into the world of scheduling and workforce management, highlighting how her passion for solving complex puzzles led her into this field. They discuss common challenges in scheduling and staffing across industries like retail and healthcare, emphasizing the importance of simplifying processes and improving flexibility for employees.
Nathalie also dives into the impact of technological advancements, particularly mobile scheduling apps, and how they have significantly enhanced employee engagement and retention. The conversation touches on differences between U.S. and Canadian scheduling practices, the critical role of seniority in Canadian healthcare scheduling, and the importance of steady staffing in long-term care settings.
The trio explores emerging trends, including the supportive role of AI in workforce management and the ongoing challenge of staffing shortages in healthcare. Nathalie emphasizes the necessity of clearly understanding current processes to successfully implement effective solutions.
This insightful conversation is packed with valuable perspectives on improving scheduling efficiency, leveraging technology, and addressing staffing challenges across industries.







