Human Resources For Small Business

Has remote work got you feeling stagnant? Are you tired and unmotivated? If so, this is the episode for you. Whereas we’re already prone to a sedentary lifestyle, COVID only made things worse. So, how do we get our groove back? According to guest Lizzy Williamson, founder, and author of Two Minute Moves, it’s all about getting up and getting moving. Incorporating movement into our workday is critical to not only our physical health but to our mental health as well. To learn more about how you can get that blood (and productivity) flowing, give this episode a listen. TAKEAWAYS Our brains don't respond best to sedentary work, but it has become our “new normal.” One-third of people have reported that, since COVID, their mental health has suffered which inevitably leads to lower productivity in the workplace. The brain is built to detect and respond to change, not to engage with a task that goes on for hours and hours, so one of the best things you can do is to take a brief mental break, get up, and get moving.

Can introverts lead well? If so, what makes an introvert a good leader? According to our guest, Berry Kruijning, approximately 30% of workplace leaders in North America are introverts, and their unique approach to leadership is something to be recognized and maximized. Instead of adjusting to a one-size-fits-all standard of expectations, Berry believes that introverted leaders should embrace their introversion and tap into the unique qualities that set them apart as effective leaders. Give this episode a listen, and learn more about introversion in the workplace from Berry Kruijning, leadership development and communications coach, teacher, and founder of Crowning Communications. TAKEAWAYS Introverts like to become prepared, so you can make virtual meetings more introvert-friendly by sending out an agenda in advance.  Introverts can stay in control during “tough conversations” by coming prepared, listening, and asking probing questions. Quality, excellence, and productivity are motivating factors for introve

In this eye-opening episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with guest Cris Grossmann. He’s the CEO and Co-Founder of Beekeeper, a company committed to connecting non-desk or “frontline” employees through technology. Cris believes that a digital transformation of frontline workers, who make up 80% of the global workforce, can give companies a significant competitive advantage. In this episode, you’ll learn how to invest in your frontline workers through relevant, usable, all-in-one technology. TAKEAWAYS Only 1% of all the venture capital goes into desk-less or frontline worker solutions, yet 80% of the global workforce is made up of these types of workers. Digitizing the frontline is no walk in the park, but rather a necessary process that requires careful planning.  Frontline workers need one companion app: one single point of contact for the frontline worker to get everything they need to be well-informed, engaged, and productive at work. A companion app for frontline workers mu

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, we talk with guest Vince Molinaro about his latest book, Accountable Leaders: Inspire a Culture Where Everyone Steps Up, Takes Ownership, and Delivers Results. When it comes to best practices for effective leadership, Vince has the experience and track record for results. If you’re ready to learn more about leadership accountability methodology that won’t get lost in translation, give this episode a listen. TAKEAWAYS Most organizations never set clear and measurable expectations for their leaders only to be frustrated when those leaders don’t perform. To maximize leadership accountability, companies should create explicit contracts for leaders so that they can read, understand, and sign their names to their roles and responsibilities.  Just because a leader has signed the contract, that doesn’t mean they've got the capabilities they need to be successful; support for these leaders is essential to success. Companies must demonstrate zero tolerance for l

What does a good leader do when the team is overwhelmed with anxiety, burned out, or depressed? Responsible leaders must recognize the signs of declining mental health in their employees and empower them to take hold of help. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, guest Lacey Partipilo addresses the timely and relevant topic of mental wellness with practice tips for business leaders. Lacey is a veteran when it comes to providing solid wisdom and insight to the Transform Your Workplace podcast audience. TAKEAWAYS Instead of trying to take on the burden of their team’s mental health, leaders should work to understand the benefits that the organization offers for mental wellness and encourage employees to take advantage of them. Leaders need to take care of themselves before they can care for their team.  Leaders must recognize the challenges that employees face and strategize how the business will play an active part in addressing them. Leaders should help break the stigma by not only talking

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws interviews Meghan Gerhardt, author of Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce and expert in how to effectively implement age diversity in the workplace. You’ll learn how to connect with, teach, and learn from those both older and younger than you. The result? Instead of working against each other, employees can finally bring their varied skills and experience to the table, all for the betterment of the team. It’s all about building a team poised for whatever the next generation has to offer. TAKEAWAYS Employees of all ages have insight to offer, so those of different age ranges should have a seat and a voice at the table. Age bias has been called one of the last socially acceptable biases, but bias of any kind in the workplace is a hindrance to a team’s success. Studies show that, despite differences in approach, Boomers, Gen Z, and Millennials share the same core values. If leaders want to foste

Let’s face it. We’re all busy. We pack our calendars, pour ourselves into work, volunteering, and family affairs, and then crawl into bed drained at the end of a jam-packed day. This is our norm. But is busyness something we just have to accept? Is it even possible to become (un)busy and still be successful? These questions and more are answered in this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast. Dive into a discussion about busyness and get some tips about how to create some space in your calendar (and your mind) with Garland Vance. TAKEAWAYS The problem: we not only think that being busy is a good thing, but we believe that when we're not busy, that something is intrinsically wrong with us. When we compare our true selves to our ideal selves, we conclude that we’re not good enough, so we need to do more which drives us into this non-stop culture of being busy, a feeling like we have to be productive all the time. Getting (un)busy starts with taking inventory of our commitments and deciding which of th

Having worked with over 100,000 leaders in 35 countries, Carolyn Taylor knows what it means to affect change in the workplace. She brings her experience as a culture and accountability advisor, author, speaker, and podcast host. Here to discuss her latest book, Accountability at Work: How to Make and Keep Promises and Have Others Do the Same, Carolyn is a dependable source of inspiration and practical advice for any leader hoping to transform their workplace.  TAKEAWAYS The relationship and communication between two roles, the asker and the giver, is critical to establishing accountability. The asker wants something and the giver is in a position to deliver it. To establish and reach a goal, communication between the asker and the giver must be clear and open. Research has shown that there is a strong link between accountability and psychological safety.  An ideal scenario is one in which the asker gets what they're looking for, and the giver feels that the promise was built on their word. ABOUT THE GUEST H

Brandon Laws interviews Patty Beach about the art of getting employees aligned behind a good idea and leading them effectively toward a vision or goal. The two discuss leadership best practices for setting direction, creating “clockwork,” and empowering employees. Learn how to give your employees a voice and use the “wisdom of the group” to correct misalignments and move forward as a united front. TAKEAWAYS Unlike traditional top-down leadership, alignment in the workplace is analogous to interlocking gears turning together. If leaders create a psychologically safe environment, employees will be empowered to voice their thoughts, concerns, and questions. Tapping into “the wisdom of the crowd” not only allows leaders to make more informed decisions but also keeps employees engaged in the plan to move forward. After “setting direction,” leaders should have regular conversations with employees to increase buy-in, alignment, and ultimately, forward progress. ABOUT THE GUEST Patty Beach is a leadership developme

Get ready for an incredible story of what it really means to “seize the day.” In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Caroline Boudreaux recounts an evening in May of 2000 where she visited an orphanage in India. Caroline was struck not only by the poverty but also by the untapped potential that she witnessed in the over 100 orphaned children. That very evening, Caroline decided to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing access to education, nutrition, health, and protective services to children in need. This is Caroline’s compelling story of sacrifice, heartbreak, and fulfillment — a story that is still being written. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 ABOUT THE GUEST After leaving a career in advertising, Caroline decided to take a trip around the world. What she found there led to her decision to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit that, since its inception, has improved the lives of over 15,000 children in need. Carol

Brandon Laws interviews Xenium’s own Sara Bradley, an HR Account Representative and solid resource for learning how to pursue a life of wellness. The two cover topics such as self-care, work-life balance, and workplace initiatives to promote wellness in the lives of employees. Your busy schedule doesn’t have to dictate your wellness. Listen in to learn how to balance it all with no burnout. TAKEAWAYS Wellness isn’t just related to our physical well-being. We must be willing to take stock of all areas of our lives if we want to experience holistic wellness. Employers do have a critical role in promoting employee wellness, but employees must hold themselves accountable for it as well. Finding work-life balance starts with identifying priorities and setting boundaries. If employers want to promote wellness among their teams, they must be willing to give employees space and time to take advantage of wellness services. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 ABOUT THE GUEST The

In this unconventional episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, we take on a topic frequently requested by our audience: best practices for onboarding new employees. Brandon Laws interviews our latest new hire, Gabrielle Cohen, to get her take on her onboarding experience with Xenium. We cover the good, the bad, the tried, and the true so that you can take what worked (and avoid what didn’t) as you hone your new-hire onboarding experience. Sign up for the Xenium Beyond Compensation Survey - Deadline May 15, 2021 A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

It’s all in the name of growth, and sometimes the only way to grow is to challenge the status quo. This episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast features guest Lilith Christiansen, Chief Strategy and Product Officer of SilkRoad Technology, and her reflections on the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on unsuspecting businesses. There’s no doubt that the pandemic exposed workplace weaknesses, but what better response than to learn from the challenge? Listen to learn how you can make the right changes for the future of your business, no matter what obstacle arises next. TAKEAWAYS: If we want to be the best business leaders we can be, we must reflect on the weaknesses that the pandemic exposed and learn how to remedy them. Employees across the board reported that the pandemic resulted in a significant increase in job responsibilities. Employees stated that role confusion and unanswered questions were also common in the weeks and months following the onset of the pandemic.  Despite the many c

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications and the Workplace Wellness Insider. They dig deep into COVID-19’s effects on important issues like mental health, workplace connection, and the employee-employer alignment of values. Wondering what changes are coming? Tune in to learn what new workplace developments are right around the corner. TAKEAWAYS: COVID-19 has a silver lining: it has effectively destigmatized open discussion of mental health. In the post-COVID era, employees will expect employers to allow them to cultivate a healthy work-life balance. Employees want to work for an organization that has values that align with their own.  The future of the workplace includes a hybrid model that incorporates in-person collaboration and at-home individual projects. ABOUT THE GUEST: Diane Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer of Ragan Communications, a media event company, and Ragan's Workplace Wellness Insider, “an online public

What if there were time-tested methods that could help us truly maximize our time? According to Karen Leland, President of Sterling Consulting and Marketing Group, it’s possible to get the most out of the day as long as we’re willing to make some simple changes. Author of her new book, No Nonsense: Time Management: 50 Tips to Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done, Karen gives podcast listeners the scoop on time management techniques that will truly make a difference. Takeaways: Most of us aren’t conscious of the many ways in which we waste our time, and we don’t see the consequences either. One way to realize better time-management is to take stock of where your time is spent; keeping track and labeling your activities will show you where your priorities are. Working toward a goal isn’t always “sexy” work; sometimes it means committing to completing mundane tasks until you see progress. Narrow your to-do list down to two achievable priority items so that you don’t end up overwhelmed by a list of unattainab

Xenium’s own Nicole Blevins gives listeners a glimpse into workplace mediation. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a mediation certification to her repertoire. From an outline of the process itself to the challenges that come with workplace conflict, Nicole is excited to share her new knowledge and experience with the Transform Your Workplace audience. Takeaways: An effective mediator asks open-ended questions that facilitate conversation. Listening skills and empathy are critical to resolving conflict, even when it seems like the situation is “too far gone.” Ideally, mediation should be implemented in the early stages of a conflict before it blows up. GUEST AT A GLANCE Today’s guest is Nicole Blevins, an avid Transform Your Workplace podcast listener who ended up moving from Florida to Oregon to pursue her career at Xenium HR. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a workplace mediation certification to her repert

In this eye-opening episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Lars Schmidt — HR advocate, podcast host, and founder of Amplify — brings a fresh approach to the HR status quo. Lars discusses some of the topics found in his book, including challenging “legacy HR” practices and proposing a shifting of perspective when it comes to our people, our teams, and business as a whole. Takeaways: HR grows and changes with the times. To become better and more effective, we must learn from those who are getting it right. HR Open Source is an invaluable growing resource that will help HR teams boost efficiency. We can’t afford to let the concept of “culture fit” keep us from hiring candidates that will challenge and grow us. We need to rethink the once-a-year performance evaluation. In an ever-changing business environment, employees need frequent, ongoing support and feedback. About the Guest: Lars Schmidt — HR advocate, podcast host, and founder of Amplify— is the author of the 2021 book, Redefining HR: Transform

Barbara Rea knows how to build businesses. From her experience leading the ultimately successful startup of BKM Capital Partners to her determination to launch her own advisory company during a global pandemic, Barbara Rea has a track record for results. In today’s episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Barbara reflects on her years of business experience, from the highs to the lows. She offers invaluable advice to current business leaders and those who want to embark on building a new business.  Takeaways: To entice top talent, you’ve got to show them that they will be a part of something bigger than themselves. People are critical to the success of any business. They must be bought-in and given the tools to succeed. When starting a business, you have a blank slate. Decide who you want to be and then “make it true.” Your employees are trusting you with their careers, so you must lead them well. GUEST AT A GLANCE Today’s podcast features an interview with Barbara Rea, an expert coach and advisor p

In this episode, Laurie Ruettiman — entrepreneur, speaker, HR expert, and author of Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career — looks back on the many career and general life lessons she’s learned over the years. From her own personal obstacles to those of inspiring colleagues, Laurie shares a story for virtually any workplace woe. She also dives into the content of her recently published book. Takeaways: Our careers aren’t everything. We must pursue our passions outside of the workplace to find fulfillment in all areas of our lives. To make any monumental change, preparation is key.  If you have to dial work back to find fulfillment, then do it. GUEST AT A GLANCE Laurie Ruettimann is an entrepreneur, renowned speaker, HR expert, and now the author of her 2021 book, Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career. Laurie is passionate about empowering others to find fulfillment both within and outside of the workplace.  A QUICK GL

It’s the little things that make the difference. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Thalma Lobel, author, psychologist, and expert in human behavior, shares methods for improving your day-to-day in the office. Get insight into the small changes you can make to have an immediate impact on your productivity, no matter where you work.   About the Guest, Thalma Lobel: Thalma E. Lobel is an internationally recognized psychologist and expert on human behavior. A former chair at the School of Psychological Sciences at Tel Aviv University and director of the Adler Center for Child Development and Psychotherapy, she has been a visiting professor at Harvard University and a visiting scholar at Tufts University, the University of California at San Diego, and New York University. Her previous book, Sensation: The New Science of Physical Intelligence, was published in 15 countries. Her new book is Whatever Works: The Small Cues That Make a Surprising Difference in Our Success at Work—and How to Crea