Transform Your Workplace

During a panel discussion at the Leadership and Economic Summit on November 4, 2015 in Portland, Oregon, three business leaders discuss some of the unique ways they are attracting and retaining talent for their business, given the tight labor market for talent. The panelists discuss the topics of recruiting and finding talent, hiring for culture fit, and offering unique benefits tailored to each individual. The panelists also discuss employer-sponsored group health benefits and whether or not they see this way of delivering health insurance to employees changing in the future. The panel was moderated by Rick Thomas of Pilot Wealth Management. The panelists included Angela Dowling, President of Regence Blue Cross BlueShield of Oregon, Mark Hellweg, Founder of Clive Coffee and Bill Huseby, Founder of SigmaDesign. 

Scott Beebe of the Business on Purpose podcast joins Brandon Laws to discuss why business leaders and HR professionals should be operating business with very clear vision, mission and values statements and how to best integrate those into their business and people practices. Scott and Brandon also discuss why lack of employee training is one of the biggest gaps in business. Lastly, Scott shares his experience in mastermind groups and also discusses a few recent books that have been insightful.

Tyler Meuwissen of Xenium HR joins Brandon Laws for a discussion of the book The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann. During the discussion, they discuss the five laws taught in the book and summarize what they thought of the message.  Looking for additional HR & Leadership content? Subscribe to Xenium's It's About People podcast for a round table discussion on hot HR & leadership articles in the news.

Lacey Halpern of Xenium HR joins Brandon Laws on the Human Resources for Small Business podcast to discuss employee assistance programs (EAPs). Lacey shares how employers can leverage an EAP program to retain talent and do right by employees by offering this unique benefit. Lacey also shares common ways employees use the EAP in certain life circumstances.

Katherine Thomas of Xenium HR joins Brandon Laws for a discussion on emotional intelligence (EQ) in relation to IQ and why people, including employers, should start putting more emphasis on EQ in the workplace. During the episode, Katherine and Brandon discuss what makes up emotional intelligence, how to determine if someone has a high EQ, how people can develop their EQ, and how businesses can benefit from having employees with high EQ.

Wendy Gilbert and Brandon Laws of Xenium HR discuss people with criminal records re-entering into the job market and what it means for employers and society, in general. They also discuss the new Ban-the-Box law in Oregon effective 1/1/16 and what employers should do in response.  New development specific to Portland, Oregon as of 11/25/15: Stricter rules effective 7/1/16 won't allow employers to ask about criminal background until after job has been offered. Read more here.

Jon Spencer, CFO, COO & Principal at Solutions YES and Brandon Laws discuss the growth of Solutions YES, meeting the demands of the market, their hiring and recruiting strategy, and why they continue to grow the business with purpose in mind. Click to learn about Solutions YES

Lacey Halpern of Xenium HR discusses the back-to-school challenges that working parents face. Inevitably, kids get sick, they have after-school programs they need to get to, and parent-teacher conferences come up. Lacey touches on each of these scenarios and shares what she believes employees and employers can do about it. 

Brandon Laws and Tyler Meuwissen discuss the book Joy, Inc: How We Built a Workplace People Love by Richard Sheridan. In the episode, Brandon and Tyler discuss some of the most unique human resource practices Menlo Innovations is putting into practice in their business, such as hiring, recruiting, office set up, how people work together, purpose, and much more.

Fallon Niedrist, an Associate Attorney with JJH Law in Portland, Oregon, joins the Human Resources for Small Business podcast to discuss the new Oregon Paid Sick Leave Law, effective in 2016.  During the conversation, Fallon shares all the details around the new Oregon Sick Leave Law, what employers may consider changing in their policies, how to track time, common traps employers will likely fall into as this law takes effect, and much more. Learn more about Fallon Niedrist and JJH Law at www.jjh-law.com/ or contact Fallon at fallon@jjh-law.com