EP 433: An HR expert’s perspective on hiring and managing talent with Vicky Brown
Jan 22, 2024
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HR expert Vicky Brown shares insights on hiring and managing talent in the new era of work. Topics discussed include remote work challenges, effective interviews, writing compelling job ads, and transitioning to hybrid and remote work. The importance of self-assessment, onboarding, and conducting a mid-year HR checkup is also highlighted.
Proper HR practices, including effective hiring methods and comprehensive onboarding processes, are essential for agency success.
Implementing a hybrid work environment provides flexibility and maintains the benefits of in-person collaboration and creativity.
Taking a proactive approach to HR, such as conducting mid-year checkups, ensures compliance, catches potential issues early, and allows for necessary adjustments.
Deep dives
The importance of proper HR practices
Proper HR practices, including effective hiring methods and comprehensive onboarding processes, are essential for agency success. It is crucial to be intentional and prepared when bringing new employees into the organization, ensuring that their skills align with the job requirements. Conducting behavioral interviews can provide valuable insights into a candidate's problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and overall fit within the agency. Additionally, regularly reviewing payroll and benefit deductions, maintaining proper record-keeping, and staying updated on changes in labor laws are key aspects of maintaining compliance. The mid-year HR checkup can help catch and address any issues before they become problematic, saving time, effort, and potential legal complications. Overall, investing in HR practices and creating a positive work culture can lead to higher employee engagement, retention, and agency success.
Transitioning back to the office
As agencies consider a return to the office, open and transparent communication is essential. Rather than incremental changes or vague timelines, it is recommended to rip off the bandage and clearly communicate the decision to employees. Implementing a hybrid work environment, where employees work both remotely and in the office, provides flexibility and maintains the benefits of in-person collaboration and creativity. It is crucial to have a plan in place for bringing employees back and addressing any concerns or resistance that may arise. Addressing potential challenges and offering career development opportunities can help create a positive work environment and foster employee growth and satisfaction.
Preparation and intentionality in HR
Proper preparation and intentionality are crucial in HR practices. Taking the time to thoroughly plan hiring processes, including writing captivating job ads and conducting behavioral interviews, can help ensure the right candidates are chosen. Building an effective onboarding program and providing clear career development paths demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and engagement. Regular HR checkups, addressing payroll and benefit deductions, maintaining records, and staying updated on labor laws contribute to compliance and can prevent costly errors. While these practices may require additional effort, the results include a stronger agency culture, higher employee satisfaction, and increased success.
The benefits of comprehensive HR practices
Implementing comprehensive HR practices offers numerous benefits to agencies. Taking a proactive approach to HR, such as conducting mid-year checkups, ensures compliance, catches potential issues early, and allows for necessary adjustments. By creating effective onboarding procedures, providing growth opportunities, and fostering a positive work culture, agencies can attract and retain top talent. Proper HR practices also lead to improved team collaboration, problem-solving skills, and overall agency success. While these practices require careful planning and continuous effort, they contribute to long-term stability, employee satisfaction, and growth.
The role of HR in agency success
HR plays a crucial role in agency success by providing effective hiring methods, personalized onboarding, and promoting a positive work environment. Conducting thorough interviews, utilizing behavioral interviewing techniques, and involving multiple team members in the hiring process can help ensure the right fit. Additionally, checking payroll, benefit deductions, and maintaining proper records contribute to compliance and avoid potential legal issues. Regular HR checkups, addressing changes in labor laws, and providing career development opportunities demonstrate commitment to employee growth and engagement. By prioritizing HR practices and creating a supportive work culture, agencies can foster employee satisfaction, retention, and long-term success.
It’s clear we can’t keep hiring and managing talent as we used to. Back in the days of the pandemic, and then The Great Resignation right after that, we were afraid to set boundaries and ask for what we needed out of fear of losing great team members.
The way we work isn’t the same, either. Many of us are now remote or hybrid, and a fully in-office team isn’t as common as it used to be. So, we have to adapt and change how we hire, train, and problem-solve with our teams scattered all over the place.
It’s a mess sometimes, and many of you probably wish we could go back to the simpler days of training new hires through simple observation and shadowing. But we can still make this work for the new era of work.
Vicky Brown is sharing some of her HR superpowers with us this week so we can learn about hiring, managing, and retaining great talent, regardless of the work environment. The simple answer is that we must roll up our sleeves and invest time in our people from the very first interview.
Join us to dive deeper into the world of HR to discover how to be a better leader while hiring and managing talent so you can make your agency more successful in return.
A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
Leadership’s perspective on remote, hybrid, and in-office workplace structures
Agency owner fears regarding hiring and managing talent
Getting agency teams engaged and feeling fulfilled with their work
How new hire training has changed in the new era of work
Hybrid work is the future
In-person creative brainstorming is still important in agencies
Finding enthusiastic hires who remain passionate and hungry at work
How to do behavior interviewing for potential new hires
Conducting mid-year HR checkups for taxes, payroll errors, benefits, etc.
How to talk to employees about coming back to the office
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