Human Resources For Small Business

We’re all marketers at heart — at least, we hope to be when it comes to trying to communicate a clear message. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws sits down with Ben Guttmann, marketing expert and author, to discuss the why and the how of effective communication. Tune in to learn how to reduce friction, strike out the fluff, and clarify your message from the author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win.   TAKEAWAYS Simplicity in messaging is not just about minimalism but minimizing friction for easy understanding. Easy-to-understand messages create positive associations, fostering trust, likability, and higher engagement. Message senders and receivers face internal and external battles against simplicity. Good communicators eliminate “friction” to prevent receivers from getting distracted from the message. Complicated messaging is selfish, cowardly, and dangerous.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Effective communication extends beyond our words. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws is joined by Jane Hanson, an Emmy award-winning television journalist and communication coach. The two unravel the secrets to good communication, from clarity and body language to the challenges of conveying your message via technology. Tune in to learn how you can learn how to communicate better in this ever-evolving world of work.   TAKEAWAYS In the era of remote work and virtual meetings, we're essentially all “on TV,” which has an obvious impact on our energy, appearance, and the need for succinct communication. Speakers are faced with the challenge of maintaining engagement in a world filled with overstimulation, with the average audience’s attention span at about eight seconds. Listen actively and ask questions for clarity, even if you're afraid of looking uninformed. Focus on improving one aspect of your communication at a time, gradually enhancing your overall ability to convey your

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, host Brandon Laws explores the Q2 2023 CEO Confidence Index Report with Joe Galvin, Chief Research Officer at Vistage Worldwide. The report reveals insights into the economic sentiments of small and midsized business leaders. Before drafting your strategic plans and casting vision to your people, tune in to see what may be in store for 2024 and 2025.    TAKEAWAYS Combining CEO sentiment with economic data enables informed decision-making, positioning businesses for growth. Post-pandemic dynamics have created a feeling of uncertainty in the workplace. AI will augment, not replace, human workers, and it’s crucial for retention in the modern workforce. While some industries face challenges, the overall sentiment indicates a soft landing in 2024 with optimism for growth in 2025 and beyond.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Don't let vague promises, misunderstandings, or misplaced risks hinder the success of your business. Tune into the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, where host Brandon Laws sits down with returning guest Josh Durham to take a deep dive into one core principle in the Foundational Five: “Agreements.” Get some fresh perspective on what it takes to make sure everyone is on the same page — from the initial stages of a project all the way through to its successful completion.   TAKEAWAYS Agreements serve as the foundation for the success of any business, and understanding and meeting these agreements is crucial for success in leadership and collaboration. Mutual understanding, clarity, communication, and well-defined roles and responsibilities are key to a successful agreement. In legal contracts, ambiguous language can lead to misunderstandings, so clarity is important from the outset. Collaborators on both sides of a contract have a great responsibility in creating an agreement, but they also ha

Tune into an eye-opening episode of Transform Your Workplace as host Brandon Laws sits down with Scott Cawood, the CEO of WorldatWork. Their discussion revolves around the recent and profound shift from a production-based to a consumption-based economy. Scott sheds light on the implications of this transition and what this means for businesses, leaders, and employees. One thing’s for sure — as the workplace undergoes this transformative evolution, it’s clear that people are the linchpin to an organization's success. Listen in to learn how you can give your people a voice as valued stakeholders in your company.   TAKEAWAYS The world of work has shifted from a production-based model to a consumption-based one, where the focus is on the consumption of information, skills, and products. Employees should no longer be viewed as mere workers but as full human beings, and their engagement and well-being play a vital role in any organization's success. Communication and transparency are essential for helping emp

In a world where organizations are striving to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, this episode of Transform Your Workplace explores why it’s essential for leaders to acknowledge and address disparities when it comes to gender. Guests Kelsey Pytlik and Rachel Bauer of Gild Collective shed light on the fact that women are still leaving companies at alarming rates post-pandemic, primarily due to a lack of supportive workplace practices and policies after recruitment. Tune in and learn more about how you can provide adequate support to retain your top female talent.   TAKEAWAYS Empathy is a critical soft skill for driving change, interrupting bias, and implementing equitable workplace systems. While many companies initially embraced diversity and inclusion efforts, resistance and a desire to return to the status quo can hinder their progress. Acknowledging and addressing personal biases is challenging, but awareness can lead to meaningful change. Women face unequal treatment at work, re

In this episode, occupational therapist Sheela Ivlev shares insights into supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace. As companies bring workers back into the office, it's important to understand the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals and foster an inclusive environment. Sheela provides practical tips for accommodations, communication strategies, using tech tools, and more to help neurodivergent employees thrive.   TAKEAWAYS Defining neurodivergence and why it's Important for leaders to understand Challenges neurodivergent employees face coming back to the workplace Accommodations like sensory-friendly spaces, communication modes, and schedule flexibility Inclusive strategies leaders and peers can adopt to support neurodivergent coworkers How remote work enables focus for neurodivergent employees   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this insightful episode, Brandon Laws dives into the capabilities and ethical considerations of using generative AI tools like ChatGPT in HR. Learn how to harness AI as a creative aid and productivity booster without compromising standards. Discover tips on prompt engineering, implementing guardrails, and maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.   TAKEAWAYS Prompt engineering techniques to get the most out of AI tools Using AI to assist with mundane tasks and boost productivity Implementing organizational policies and guardrails for responsible AI use Managing risks like bias and misinformation while leveraging AI's advantages   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Intrigued by the paradox of leading with vulnerability? Tune into this fascinating podcast with Jacob Morgan. Morgan shares an emotional story of how suppressing emotions led him to experience panic attacks. He makes a thoughtful case that vulnerability differs for leadership roles and requires a blend of openness and competence. You'll come away with insightful perspectives as Morgan outlines eight attributes leaders need to unlock the power of vulnerability. He also provides practical tips for leaders becoming more vulnerable, emphasizing the intention behind what you share.   TAKEAWAYS Leaders must combine vulnerability with demonstrated leadership competence - you can't just be vulnerable without the leadership piece. There are 8 attributes leaders need: 3 for leadership (competence, self-confidence, motivation) and 5 for vulnerability (integrity, authenticity, empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness). Leading with vulnerability improves innovation, trust, engagement, and perceptions of leadership quali

Our latest episode features Erica Keswin, a workplace strategist and bestselling author, and a discussion revolving around the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world of work. Erica talks about her latest book, The Retention Revolution, and how leaders must rethink their battle stance in the War for Talent if they want to stay competitive. Ultimately, the key to retaining talent lies in offering growth opportunities, empathetic leadership, flexibility, and — surprisingly — maintaining an open door even when employees choose to move on. TAKEAWAYS The pandemic accelerated the need for a more humane approach to work, making leaders more empathetic and vulnerable. Erica Keswin’s book, The Retention Revolution, explores how leaders can adapt to retain employees in the changing work landscape. In the modern work environment, people expect to change jobs frequently, so companies must focus on intentional onboarding and treating employees well. The definition of "work" is evolving, and companies

Katarina Polonska, a transformational connection coach, discusses the misconceptions surrounding some of the top trending topics in the workplace: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She explains how the language we use can either help or hinder this important conversation. Listen in to get fresh insights into the crucial relationship between effective inclusive practices and engagement among your people.   TAKEAWAYS Inclusion is about having involvement and feeling that you're actually empowered to be involved, which if we distill even further, is really about engagement. To create an inclusive environment, one must create a sense of belonging and psychological safety. The inclusion-engagement equation naturally leads to higher retention, better productivity, greater innovation, and higher revenue. There has to be something around bringing in the very techniques of inclusion and belonging if we want to foster inclusion and belonging, and that means including the people we speak to and the people who ar

Join Xenium guests Annie, Director of HR Services, and Lacey, Sr. Director of Client Success, in this week's bonus episode all about employee performance. We discuss mentorship, top performers, and the ripple effect of low performers on your entire workforce.    A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Get an eye-opening look into the construction industry with recent guest and Gamut Project Solutions founder Josh Durham. Learn all about Gamut’s Foundational Five series and other timely leadership advice, all taken from Josh’s successes and failures over his many years in construction project management. Tune in for insight into relationships, negotiation strategies, empathy, and the need for inclusivity and psychological safety in the construction industry and beyond.    TAKEAWAYS Gamut Project Solutions offers a program called the Foundational Five, which provides practical tools and focuses on leadership, relationships, and communication. The five guiding principles are agreements, communication, leadership, agency, and relationships. Employees are willing to follow leaders who compromise, value relationships, and communicate effectively. When people feel psychologically safe, distractions decrease, and productivity increases.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Melanie Langsett from Deloitte discusses the company's innovative approach to employee well-being. Unlike traditional one-size-fits-all plans, Deloitte's benefits are tailored to meet individual needs. Tune in and learn how Deloitte gets creative when it comes to benefit offerings and leave programs, and get insight into how listening and supporting your people translates to productivity and retention.   TAKEAWAYS Deloitte offers family leave programs that extend beyond traditional parental leave, recognizing that employees have various caregiving responsibilities. The key to Deloitte's approach is creating space for employees to provide input without fear of repercussions and actively listening to employees when creating their rewards programs and well-being initiatives. Deloitte prioritizes mental well-being, understanding that a stressed or distracted employee cannot perform at his or her best. Every workforce is unique, and organizations sho

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Jennifer Watson, a seasoned Human Resources expert, shares her remarkable journey from the classroom to HR. After her time in education, Jennifer's career spans a decade at a Fortune 100 retailer, followed by leading an HR department in a small business during the COVID pandemic. Jennifer emphasizes that, in the ever-changing landscape of HR, understanding what employees truly want and finding ways to support their needs are paramount to real success. Listen in to learn all about the power of saying yes to new opportunities, building strong relationships, and taking a proactive approach to HR.    A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, host Brandon Laws welcomes Carolyn Swora, a trauma-informed leadership and culture consultant and the author of Evolve: The Path to Trauma-Informed Leadership. The two discuss Carolyn’s personal journey from navigating her husband’s terminal kidney cancer to her eventual path to healing. Listen in to learn the impact of trauma in the workplace and how leaders can adopt more compassionate and human-centered approaches toward their people.   TAKEAWAYS Being attuned to others' experiences and valuing their perspectives is at the core of self-awareness and leadership. The foundation of leadership lies in awareness and the ability to navigate emotional complexities in a noisy world. The terms "care" and "trauma" aren’t often used in the corporate context, but the collective trauma experienced during the pandemic has brought these concepts to the forefront, making it crucial for workplaces to acknowledge and address them. Leaders must understand traum

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Eimear Marrinan, VP of Culture & ESG at HubSpot, discusses the company’s post-pandemic transition to a successful hybrid work model. Eimear explains data motivated them to give their people the flexibility of choosing whether to work from home, in the office, or a hybrid of the two — an unconventional approach even in today’s changing business landscape. Listen in to learn about their successes, challenges, and Eimear’s vision for the future of hybrid work.   Sign up for the What People Want from Work Survey    A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, we tackle the tricky topic of negotiation. According to guest Kelli Thompson, whether you’re negotiating pay, benefits, workplace location, or PTO, “success loves clarity,” both on the side of the employee and the employee. Learn about acceptable pay ranges for your role, the importance of proper negotiation from the outset, and how to present your case.   TAKEAWAYS Proper negotiation from the outset has a lasting impact on the financial landscape of a career.  A common misconception is that it’s unprofessional or rude to ask for more money; however, appropriate pay is beneficial for not only the employee but the employer as well. Since organizations make decisions based on market equity, skills, talents, and experience, employees must base their negotiation approach on these factors. Negotiation isn’t just about pay — employees can negotiate when it comes to PTO, tuition, workplace location, benefits, and more.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In the white collar world, the skills and lessons that make us professionally successful aren’t designed to help us lead happy, balanced lives. But how can we fill in these learning gaps this late in the game? According to recent guest Charles Price, it’s all about rewiring our minds and staying present. Listen in to some stories and tips about how to rewire your relationship with yourself and your career for authentic balance and contentment.   TAKEAWAYS Not only are there gaps in our professional training, but in many ways, these lessons can steer us away from the things that we need to live contented and balanced lives. Students are taught to analyze the past and strategize for the future but never to live in the present. We tend to minimize all of our wins and successes while, at the same time, we obsess about our defeats and mistakes, so our “bank balance” inevitably becomes radically overdrawn. So many people say that their motivation is money, a promotion, a job, a position, or this recognition

In this episode, we welcome back frequent guest and Xenium Employee Nicole Blevins to discuss HR of 2023. We discuss growing trends of pay transparency, employee benefits, and the rise of remote work or "work from anywhere" culture.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST