Human Resources For Small Business

Host Brandon Laws is joined by Xenium employee and frequent favorite pod guest Lacey Partipilo! The two discuss various topics, from AI in the workplace to innovations in HR to favorite social media personalities.    A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

It’s time to address a growing issue in the workplace: recently-graduated employees who are struggling under the burden of student loan debt. Is repayment solely the responsibility of the borrower? The government? The employer? According to guest Naveed Iqbal, co-founder and CEO of Dolr, education benefits everyone, so we all should share the burden of paying for it.  TAKEAWAYS The burden of student loan repayment hinders young people from starting families earlier, buying homes, and saving for emergencies or retirement. Employers could be part of the solution by providing innovative benefits for those with educational debt. Despite Gen Z’s tendency toward fiscal responsibility, they are given little information or knowledge about how to optimize their finances. The student loan crisis is centered around borrowers not having an understanding of what it means to make payments versus defer payments.  Dolr believes that education benefits everyone, so everyone should play some role in paying for it.   A QUICK

Everybody wants to be happy, but are there tangible steps to seizing happiness right now? According to guest Amy Newmark, co-author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, we can take action by applying the keys to happiness from her recent Chicken Soup for the Soul publication. Listen in as she shares some eye-opening stories from the book and gives advice on how we, too, can find happiness.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

We've all seen job listings that ask for 5, 10, or even 15 years of experience to qualify for the role. But how relevant are those requirements really? On this bonus episode, guest and Xenium employee Nicole Blevins joins us to discuss required years of experience and how they misrepresent potential employees' depth of knowledge and can shut out talented candidates.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

What is invisible work? What are non-promotable tasks? And, most importantly, are you unknowingly assigning or taking on this type of work? Find out more about this common issue in this episode of Transform Your Workplace. Guest Kelli Thompson, author of the recent Huffington Post article, “Women Do the Most ‘Invisible Work’ at the Office,” talks about her own experiences taking on invisible work and how women can be empowered to say “no” to tasks that don’t advance them toward leadership positions.   TAKEAWAYS On average, women get 44% more requests than men to do non-promotable tasks at work.  Non-promotable tasks are tasks that don't contribute to performance results or reviews.  When tasks do not add personal value, align with their career goals and mission, or come with financial compensation, women must be empowered to say “no.” Instead of burdening employees with non-promotable tasks, leaders should consider outsourcing. When it comes to invisible work, female leaders should shift their identity from

It’s time to revolutionize leadership development. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws and guest Mick Spiers, founder of The Leadership Project, discuss Mick’s new book, You’re a Leader, Now What?. Get a glimpse into best practices for how to transition from contributor to leader and build effective leadership habits through applied learning.     TAKEAWAYS More emphasis needs to be placed on leader preparation instead of placing contributors into leadership roles without adequate development. When it comes to leadership, it doesn't matter what you know but rather how much you care about your people. A true leader should be motivated by helping people unlock their best version of themselves. Through smart and clever questioning and coaching, new leaders can quickly accelerate through the learning curve. The Leadership Project embraces concepts of collaborative or social learning to get people talking, reflecting, and building habits for successful leadership.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR

In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws discusses the pressing yet largely unaddressed issue of invisible disability. Guest Jill Griffin, career strategist and executive coach, defines the term and provides best practices for how to advocate for it when working toward comprehensive inclusivity in the workplace. Think that invisible disability isn’t an issue in your workplace? Listen in to learn how an estimated 20% of the US population is dealing with this struggle, in many cases without speaking up.   TAKEAWAYS It’s common for people to assume that if you look a certain way, you're able-bodied, and this assumption is a hindrance to creating a truly inclusive workplace environment.  Those with invisible disabilities may need additional accommodations to perform their duties effectively. By not disclosing an invisible disability, the employee doesn't create a capacity for the leadership to help them. When employees are working side by side with people with visible and non-apparent disabiliti

Many businesses are returning to face-to-face operations. As the dust of the pandemic settles, the workplace conflict that we set aside while dealing with the unexpected is, in some cases, bigger than ever. So what is a leader to do? In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris Sheesley and Clare Fowler of In-Accord, a conflict management company based in Portland, Oregon. They discuss pitfalls and best practices for resolving conflict so that businesses can move forward united by purpose.   TAKEAWAYS Post-pandemic business leaders are meeting conflict issues head-on, which has resulted in a significant increase in morale. The pandemic taught us to humanize each other and prioritize relationships in the workplace. Diversity should reflect not only an appreciation for different demographic backgrounds and different cultures but also for neurodiversity and different approaches. Today, people are more empowered to share concerns and to raise issues, and that creates more confrontation that must be resolved.  If we c

When it comes to gender equality, are businesses missing the mark? In this episode, Brandon Laws and guest Christine Wzorek take a hard look at the data and evidence surrounding gender equality in the workplace. According to Wzorek, businesses that recognize and maximize the distinct skill sets of female employees are setting themselves up for even greater success.    TAKEAWAYS Businesses must make a stronger effort to recognize the indispensable qualities that women bring to the table. To make measured progress in gender equality, men and women must come to the table and work together toward this common goal. Leaders must move beyond networking and acquiring talent from within their comfort zone. Businesses with executive boards that have greater female representation have shown better sustainability and longevity. Businesses must be intentional about creating better pathways and access to leadership positions for women.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

Join us for a special episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, where host Brandon Laws gets a chance to be on the other side of the mic for an interview about side hustles. Al Nodarse, Client Development Manager at Xenium HR, gets the lowdown on if and how employers should support employee side hustles. The two discuss laying down ground rules and the unexpected benefits that employers can see at their own companies when they let their employees explore the idea of a side hustle.   TAKEAWAYS Side hustles can reinvigorate and engage employees who have lost interest in their full-time roles. Employees who pursue a side hustle learn new skills that they might be able to bring to their role at the organization. A side hustle gives employees an opportunity to earn more money, leading to lower dissatisfaction with their full-time pay. When balancing a full-time position and a side hustle, leaders and employees should err on the side of caution by over-communicating and setting clear ground rules.   A QUIC

A sense of belonging is critical to the productivity of any business, but how can leaders tackle the challenge of creating an authentic climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion? In this episode, listen in to a discussion between host Brandon Laws and guest DDS Dobson-Smith, executive coach and belonging advocate. The two talk about the underpinnings of an inclusive workplace and how to shift perspectives and facilitate change.   TAKEAWAYS In today’s workplace, the employee’s sense of belonging is critical to a productive team, and businesses are realizing more and more that they cannot ignore it. Without a sense of belonging, employees have to expend an enormous amount of energy curating an identity that helps them fit in. When employees don’t feel fully accepted at work, there is a monumental impact on their workplace performance. To have the experience of belonging, you have to have the behavior of inclusion. and to have the behavior inclusion, you have to have the fact of diversity. Psychological safet

In March of 2020, small and large businesses alike had only hours to pack up and begin navigating the new normal of remote or hybrid work. And a little over two years later, it’s clear that the pandemic has left an indelible mark on our teams and our processes. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, Brandon Laws interviews Ali Greene, remote work expert, speaker, and advocate, about how to keep remote teams connected and productive no matter where their “office” is.     TAKEAWAYS When leading a remote or hybrid team, leaders must ensure that their employees have access to information so they can be more effective and efficient in their roles. By defining terms like “remote” or “hybrid,” leaders give their teams clear expectations of what it means to be part of an organization. Remote Works contains reflection questions and activities that managers and leaders can ask themselves to make sure that they’re using best practices for keeping teams connected. Business leaders must take advantage of communicat

SHOW NOTES Struggling to find a genuine, streamlined method for sharing appreciation with your employees? Aaron Rubens, CEO/Co-Founder of Kudoboard and expert in employee recognition and appreciation, is here to talk about an innovative, authentic tool for making employees feel seen and valued. It’s called Kudoboard, and just under 3 million users have already bought in. Listen in today, and learn more about how Kudoboard could transform your employee appreciation measures.   TAKEAWAYS Kudoboard is an online group card for honoring employees and recognizing special milestones both inside and outside of the workplace. Users can create a Kudoboard, invite others to collaborate, and post short or detailed messages, GIFs, photos, or videos to commemorate a special occasion. The more formulaic an appreciation initiative is, the less authentic it feels to the employees. Employees need specific and consistent recognition from their workplace peers and leaders. When times are difficult, Kudoboard brings people toget

It’s time to get honest about what makes a horrible boss. According to executive coach Tamica Sears, a**hole bosses play a significant role in employee attrition and low productivity, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Most horrible bosses are redeemable, and it starts with recognizing the tell-tale signs and committing to change. Listen in to this episode featuring the author of the How to Tell if You're an A**hole Boss: A Humorous, Yet Honest Exposé on Misguided Management Behaviors.   TAKEAWAYS Those without leadership skills may start off at that bottom rung, but they “aren’t stuck there” — they are still capable of learning and growing in their leadership roles.  Bad bosses are inextricably linked with higher employee attrition and lower productivity. Good leaders must take real action on the data collected from employee engagement surveys. Succession planning is critical to effective future leadership and employee placement. This episode is sponsored by Swag.com. Get 10% off your order by going to ht

SHOW NOTES Chown Hardware was founded almost 150 years ago, and despite countless ups and downs, the company is still thriving. So, what’s the big secret? In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws interviews President and CEO Kyle Chown of Chown Hardware. Chown gives listeners an insider’s glimpse into casting vision, conquering team or leadership complacency, and laying the groundwork for a stable, successful future.   TAKEAWAYS Work-life balance is a significant challenge for those leading family-owned and operated businesses. Chown Hardware, as with any successful business, has a responsibility to care for not only the employees themselves but also the families of those employees. During his transitional period into the role of President/CEO, Kyle Chown grappled with interpersonal conflicts about his identity as a leader. To lead effectively, leaders must be intentional about being their authentic selves. Involving team members in goal setting toward a common vision helps them

In this episode, Brandon Laws sits down with Réland Logan and Katy Byrtus of Cinder, a staffing agency headquartered in Hillsboro, OR. The group discusses the growing emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives in today’s business world. Instead of just checking the EDI box, learn some best practices for creating an authentic and equitable culture at your business.   TAKEAWAYS By beginning with a goal of equality across all people, companies will inevitably become more diverse and more inclusive. Allowing employees to air out their grievances allows Cinder to get a deeper understanding of what it is that they need.  Leaders must create a common language and understanding because we all come to work with different lived experiences and perceptions. One common challenge in cultivating effective EDI initiatives can be leaders who aren’t willing to accept that there are issues that need to be resolved.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 

In this episode, Brandon Laws sits down with Emmy Thomas, VP of Brand and Marketing for Logical Position, a premier PPC management company and digital marketing agency. Emmy talks about her career with LP and how the company has tackled challenges brought on by the pandemic and an ever-increasing remote workforce. Listen in and learn how to engage employees, ramp up clear communication, and lead effectively, whether your team is in-office, hybrid, or remote.   TAKEAWAYS The pandemic caused companies to have to fill unexpected ‘holes’ left by the switch from in-office to remote work.  The remote work environment has leveled the playing field of the employee experience since all employees receive the same communication at once. The remote onboarding experience must be dynamic and engaging — not just talking to employees through a screen all day.  The LP leadership team has open ears for feedback from all levels of the company. Through frequent employee surveying, LP leadership can get a pulse on how employees

Is your team struggling to communicate effectively in the remote or hybrid workplace? According to our recent guest, Renée Marino, we can’t lean too heavily on new school tools, or we’ll find ourselves facing constant workplace miscommunication and conflict. Instead, a balance between what’s new and that “old school” face-to-face interaction is critical if we want to make it in this post-pandemic workplace. Listen in as Renee shares insight from her new book, Becoming a Master Communicator, and find out how to step up your communication game at work.   TAKEAWAYS Too much dependence on impersonal tech tools is a recipe for conflict and miscommunication. To become master communicators, we need to balance old school and new school communication methods. Master communicators know when it’s appropriate to reach out through email versus hopping on a quick Zoom call.  We cannot forget that we are human beings, and human beings are meant to connect.  One of the most crucial components of being a master communicator

Our most recent guest, Jackie Insinger, believes in the power of the positive. In this episode of Transform Your Workplace, she and host Brandon Laws talk about the science behind Positive Psychology, especially when it comes to the workplace. Looking to transform your team? Listen in and get an inside glimpse into Jackie’s new book, Spark Brilliance, all about how leaders can effectively implement Positive Psychology at work.   TAKEAWAYS In business, we can’t stay in the neutral, but instead must push forward and maximize the potential in the positive. Positive Psychology is about “building what’s strong, not just fixing what's wrong.” The Platinum Rule is to treat others how they wish to be treated, a mindset that positive leaders must adopt.  Growth and innovation happen when leaders lay a foundation of safety that encourages people to take risks. Positive leaders have the power to “spark brilliance” in the people around them by deciding how they want to show up in the workplace.   A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO O

SHOW NOTES It’s time to give your people what they need — a career with purpose and meaning that transcends their job titles. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws sits down with Julie Winkle Giulioni, career development expert and author of Promotions Are So Yesterday: Redefine Career Development. Help Employees Thrive. Listen in to learn about some common misconceptions when it comes to career growth and how to incorporate employee development into everything you do. TAKEAWAYS The dysfunction surrounding career development is due to a lack of an expansive definition for the concept itself. Employees who don't perceive growth opportunities are 7.9 times more eager to leave, even if they like their job. Employees need a career growth roadmap that takes them from experience to experience. Employers need to seize the opportunity to create a custom growth experience that will speak to the unique needs of each employee. Conversation and relationships are the keys to finding out wh