Transform Your Workplace

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 together and helps them press forward. This episode is sponsored by Swag.com. Get 10% off your order by going to https://swag.com/tyw and enter promo code TYW10 at checkout.   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.

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 https://swag.com/tyw and enter promo code TYW10 at checkout.   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.

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 to become deeply invested in the company itself.   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.

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 🔊 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.

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 are feeling and areas of potential improvement and expansion.   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 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 is being a master listener, and that means being a complete listener.   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.

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 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.

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 where the employee’s passions lie — and they are critical to retention during these difficult times. 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.

Craving connection at work? According to our most recent guest, Charmaine Hammond, personal connection is critical to mental health and the overall health of a business. Listen in to learn some best practices for increasing opportunities for meaningful connection among in-office, remote, and hybrid workers alike.   TAKEAWAYS Workplace conflict increases as employees navigate frequent change and uncertainty. With the rise of remote work, teams are missing impromptu or informal connection in the workplace. Informal connection is critical to workplace culture and team elements like building trust and maintaining relationships. When employees can see only names and black squares in a Zoom meeting, assumptions and miscommunications abound. Even though we’re connected virtually through different platforms and tools, many say that the quality of that connection is not as meaningful. Meeting norms, courtesies, or rules of engagement help employees know how to “show up” to business meetings. 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.

When it comes to the well-being of employees, how much responsibility should an employer take on? According to guest Ravi Swaminathan, a growing number of companies are doing more than just giving lip service regarding employee wellness. In fact, they’re taking action by offering some unconventional benefits. One such benefit is TaskHuman, an app that gives users virtual one-on-one access to experts in virtually every category of wellbeing. Listen in to learn about this exciting new offering and how it may help you attract and retain top talent.    TAKEAWAYS Wellbeing is simply the state of who you are and how you feel. Your wellbeing can change depending on what you’re going through physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Companies engender employee loyalty by choosing more areas of your personal life to support.  Supporting employees with new and unconventional benefits helps companies attract and retain the best talent. TaskHuman allows employees to access live, unlimited one-on-one coaching from all over the globe.   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.