Ep. 11: Workplace Misconduct: The DHL-FedEx Blunder & Lessons in Brand Awareness with Doug Shonrock from Joveo

This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. Ever sent a FedEx package to DHL? Sounds like a joke, right? Well, it happened—and it cost a major pitch. In this episode, Ryan Leary and William Tincup dive into workplace mishaps with Doug Shonrock from Joveo, unpacking the infamous shipping blunder that became a legendary example of brand oversight. From the high-stakes world of programmatic job advertising to why small mistakes can cost big dollars, this conversation is loaded with insights (and some laughs) about the workplace’s unspoken rules. In this episode, we look at employer branding, recruitment marketing, DE&I partnerships, and strategic networking at HR Tech. Doug shares why understanding your audience matters in both advertising and day-to-day business interactions—because sometimes, the simplest mistakes make the biggest impact. Key Takeaways ➡️ A DHL pitch got rejected because it was delivered in a FedEx envelope—brand awareness fail! ➡️ Small workplace mistakes can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost business. ➡️ Understanding company values and branding isn’t just for marketing—it’s for every role. ➡️ HR Tech has shifted from direct sales to strategic partnerships and networking. ➡️ Joveo's evolution: From programmatic job ads to full candidate funnel optimization. ➡️ Why DE&I partnerships are a major focus for HR vendors and talent platforms. ➡️ HR Tech has changed over 25 years—direct employer buying is fading, partnerships are rising. ➡️ The importance of engaging every employee in the business mission—no task is “too small.” ➡️ If you work in recruitment marketing, know your audience, their competitors, and their values. ➡️ HR vendors are looking for new partnerships, especially in DE&I and candidate supply. ➡️ Don’t assume your team understands the stakes—communicate, align, and reinforce. ➡️ Always double-check your workplace processes, from shipping to strategy. This limited series is brought to you by FAMA, Modern Candidate Screening. Talent teams use FAMA to improve candidate quality, create safe and inclusive workplaces and place the right leadership for their organizations. You can subscribe and listen to the #9to5Nightmares podcast here https://fama.io/podcasts or here 💬 Ever made a costly workplace mistake? Share your horror story in the comments! 🔗 Connect with us here: 🔗 Connect with William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ 🔗 Connect with Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network 🔗 Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ 🐦 Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined 📩 Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com