What’s the key to productivity and engagement in the workplace? According to recent guest Dr. Noelle Nelson, it’s all about making your employees happy. Listen in to get the latest research from her book, Make More Money by Making Your Employees Happy, and get an inside glimpse into how some companies survived and thrived during the pandemic by focusing on employee engagement. Avoid common pitfalls and implement best practices so that you too can ensure your employees feel appreciated and heard. TAKEAWAYS Companies that thrive no matter what are companies who truly appreciate their employees Successful companies create a culture where employee feedback is encouraged, rewarded, implemented, and acknowledged. In today’s business world, individual preference matters, so leaders should pay more attention to what their employees want. The most powerful thing you can do to engage an employee is to catch them in the act of doing it right. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We’re long overdue for a candid discussion about mental health and mental illness in the workplace. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws sits down with Melissa Doman, an Organizational Psychology expert, to talk about the necessity of breaking the stigma and cultivating a culture of transparency when it comes to mental wellbeing. And, as the Great Resignation continues to take its toll on businesses of all industries and sizes, it’s a conversation we can’t afford to ignore. TAKEAWAYS Many employees don’t feel comfortable broaching the topic of mental health in the workplace. Mental health is more than workplace wellness; it is about accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, leadership development, and learning and development across an organization. People are nervous to speak up about mental health issues because they may be misunderstood and compromise their jobs or career paths. We must normalize experiencing and talking about uncomfortable negative emotions. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the “go button,” forcing businesses to realize that they really need to talk about and change their approach to mental health. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Listen in to the latest episode of Transform Your Workplace, where the conversation is all about effective talent acquisition. Brandon Laws talks with top recruiter and talent acquisition expert, Tatiyana Cure, about her book, Hire to Win: Managers Practical Guide for Attracting and Interviewing Top Talent. Learn about best practices for writing job descriptions, interviewing candidates, and selecting the right hire, all while cutting out the tedious and time-consuming methods that we’ve all grown accustomed to. TAKEAWAYS The biggest cost of a bad hire is your own mental health and productivity. A vague job description attracts a high number of candidates, so hiring managers end up investing too much time scratching the surface instead of determining if it’s the right fit. When interviewing, ask the same questions to all candidates so that you can adequately compare them to one another to find the best for the job. Set aside substantial time to look at resumes instead of glancing at the candidates and making hasty decisions. Address salary expectations upfront so that you and potential candidates can move forward in the interview process. Rejection is inevitable, but the best approach for rejected candidates is one of kindness. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Returning guest Victoria Dew sits down with Brandon Laws to discuss Dewpoint Communications’ latest report, The New Rules of Employee Experience and Communications in 2022. Get an up-to-date glimpse into what organizations of all sizes and across all industries had to say about the past year and its impact on their people and communication as a whole. TAKEAWAYS We’ve learned that change is a constant and that the need to adapt is not going to go away anytime soon. This new era of innovation means that we get to recreate, reimagine, and reinvent so many aspects of the employee experience, communication, and connection. The silver bullet for the employee experience is embracing chaos and complexity instead of implementing a one-size-fits-all approach. Employees are tired of offering their ideas and opinions only to realize that leaders won’t take action. Being proactive versus reactive when it comes to employee retention is the most strategic, smartest way to run a business.

SHOW NOTES Let’s face it. Remote work can be difficult, especially when it comes to leading teams and facilitating successful collaboration. In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws sits down with Anneke Victorica, HR expert and founder and director of BloomHR. Listen in as the two discuss approaches, resources, and best practices for navigating HR challenges in the ever-changing remote workplace. TAKEAWAYS The key to remote HR is finding great external support and service providers. When it comes to culture, the hiring process plays a critical role because it determines whether new employees will contribute to a positive culture. If new to HR, it’s important to be self-aware and true to your strengths, interests, and struggles.  Relationships will always matter, so those trying to navigate remote HR must be intentional about making and deepening these connections. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Considering taking a remote position? Or just in need of some tips to boost your remote performance? In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws sits down with Jill Duffy to talk about Jill’s book, The Everything Guide to Remote Work. Listen in to learn how to maximize the benefits and navigate the challenges of a remote position. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Research says that the more autonomy workers have, the more likely they are to be productive and loyal to their organizations. One prominent challenge in remote work is difficulty in creating boundaries that support work-life balance. Many remote companies offer an unlimited paid-time-off policy, which means that you earn or accrue PTO as time goes on, and you can take time off with manager approval. When working remotely, it’s easy to miss body language and signals, so over-communication is key. A specific job description is critical to the success of the remote employee. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Brandon Laws is joined by a colleague, Lacey Partipilo of Xenium HR for a bonus episode to share an oral history of the pandemic from their perspectives.  They share their experience at work and at home, and what they believe the future holds for the workplace.  Connect with Lacey Partipilo. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Is the popular saying “fake it ‘til you make it” really a recipe for success? According to our latest guest, Sabrina Horn, faking it ‘til you make it is actually “the worst business advice ever.” In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Sabrina suggests that authenticity is the answer for those wishing to seize business success. Listen in and gain insight into leading with authenticity in today’s unpredictable business world. TAKEAWAYS The idea of “faking until we make it” has mutated through social media and pop culture, eventually becoming a way to justify dishonesty. To stay grounded, it’s important to have mentors who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.  Sometimes people “fake it” because they're completely overwhelmed. Owning up to your mistakes means you'll recover faster and maintain your integrity. We should never stop learning or we’ll stagnate and lose our edge in the workplace. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

How should businesses deal with communication breakdown among leaders and teams? And where do they begin when it comes to clarifying needs and addressing conflict? According to recent guest Tim Franz, the Workplace Covenant is a time-test method for merging the obligations and expectations inherent in any workplace relationship. Listen in to hear how it works and get some valuable insight about fostering meaningful partnership at work.  TAKEAWAYS To truly listen to others, one must listen to understand and make sense of the feelings that the speaker is experiencing. The Workplace Covenant is a method that makes both the leader’s and the team’s implicit needs and desires explicit so that all can work together. Like any other process, the Workplace Covenant must be posted, reviewed in team meetings, and discussed frequently. The underpinning of the meaningful partnership is empathy, respect, trust, and alignment. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST 🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR 🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws 📋 In his own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” Contact Brandon and Xenium HR:  Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Sit down with Brandon Laws as he interviews Jane Finette, author of Unlocked: How Empowered Women Empower Women. The two discuss Jane’s latest book and her years leading a fellowship that helps emerging women develop into powerful and effective leaders. Listen in as Jane provides a fresh take on the unique role of women leaders in the workplace today. TAKEAWAYS Women are born connectors adept at creating meaningful relationships in the companies that they lead. When you empower one woman, you empower another because she will continue to give back to her family and community. Women tend to be much more people-focused, so they enjoy more employee retention and engagement.  Women will tend to build smaller than their male counterparts, but female-led businesses tend to be highly profitable despite the size. When a woman reaches a position of influence, she should use that influence to help someone else seize a career-building opportunity.