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People Solutions

People Solutions

By Strategic Talent Management

People are the most important ingredient for your business or organization’s success. We believe the way to take your organization to the next level begins with knowing your people and yourself. When leaders and managers are spending fewer hours addressing the fallout of disengagement, mediocre performance and unclear communications, they have the time and energy to achieve organizational goals.

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Music: Geovane Bruno, Hello World - pixabay.com
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Episode 6: The Great Resignation

People SolutionsNov 18, 2021

00:00
50:58
Episode 58: Combatting Workplace Burnout
Mar 21, 202429:49
Episode 57: Leadership Fundamentals: Mindful Leadership
Mar 07, 202419:34
Episode 56: Succession Planning from Within

Episode 56: Succession Planning from Within

In this podcast episode, Art and Sue are joined by George Foster of Foster Marketing to talk about his “succession journey” which involved transitioning ownership to an internal successor.  He talks candidly about how he determined who would succeed him and how he was able to make that happen.

 

·         Answer the question, do you want a lifestyle business or a legacy business?

·         It’s never too early to start.

·         Determining the “who” (people) will drive the “how” (legal and financial).

·         The best exit plan may not be a transfer to an external buyer, but to a valued employee.

 

STM played a role in helping George answer the “who” question, and we can help you to.  Click here to download information about our approach to the succession process or reply to this message with TELL ME MORE and we can set up a time to talk about how STM can support you in your succession journey.

Feb 22, 202428:09
Episode 55: Leadership Fundamentals: Agility & Adaptability
Feb 08, 202407:50
Episode 54: Turnover and the Salary Ladder

Episode 54: Turnover and the Salary Ladder

A subject about which Alyssa is particularly passionate is the link between job hopping and people’s desire to climb the salary ladder.  In this podcast, she and Sue talk about that link and the potential consequences of responding to pay increase requests with “we just can’t afford it”.

 

·         Younger generations prioritize career growth (including salary growth), flexibility, and sense of purpose over career stability.

·         Job hopping is often influenced by a desire to climb the salary ladder and studies show this to be an effective strategy.

·         Turnover is expensive, often more so than meeting employee demands.

·         Retention is directly connected to providing growth opportunities, including salary growth.

 

Not sure how your employees feel you stack up when it comes to the salary issue?  Ask them!  Download our guide to Exit & Stay Interviews.  This includes a list of questions you should be asking in the Stay Interview in order to avoid the Exit Interview.

Jan 25, 202409:35
Episode 53: Communicating with Remote Employees

Episode 53: Communicating with Remote Employees

On this week's episode, Art and Alyssa re-opened a recent conversation in which they discussed different communication tactics and communicating with remote employees.

·         It goes beyond scheduled formal conversations

·         Don’t underestimate the power of spontaneous and informal interactions

·         Communication has to be a priority, and it is especially important with remote employees

·         Frequent conversation in the early days of employment build a sense of belonging and increases engagement and retention

We hope you find this conversation insightful and don't forget to drop your communication tips in the Q&A box! 

Jan 11, 202415:23
Episode 52: Legal Implications of Using AI
Dec 14, 202321:46
Episode 51: Differentiation: Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness
Nov 30, 202333:21
Episode 50: Preparing for Succession

Episode 50: Preparing for Succession

Art and Sue recently had an opportunity to talk with David Jean, a partner at Albin, Randall & Bennett and head of their succession planning division, Altus Exit Strategies. David is very knowledgeable in the areas of the financial challenges of business succession and often works with STM to address the people side of the equation. David tells us that it’s never too early to start thinking about who your successor might be. Are they ready?


Listen in as we talk about:


• Business owners are often so busy working in the business, that they don’t have a chance to work on the business which puts their legacy at risk.


• The more time you have to plan, the better the outcome.


• Having a comprehensive exit plan can increase the value of your business 2-3 times!


Listen Now


What can you do TODAY to get started on a succession plan? Check out David’s resources at www.arbcpa.com for answers to your financial questions.


Wondering how to choose and prepare your successor? Contact STM for a complimentary consultation.



 

Nov 16, 202320:59
Episode 49: A Practical Approach to Artificial Intelligence
Oct 26, 202332:54
Episode 48: Remote Teams & Great Culture Can Coexist

Episode 48: Remote Teams & Great Culture Can Coexist

In our latest podcast Sue is joined by Noel Andrews, CEO of JobRack.eu, who specializes in helping businesses hire amazing remote team members. As we all struggle to find awesome talent in our own markets, and more potential employees are expecting to be able work anytime from anywhere, being able to successfully manage remote teams is an essential leadership skill. Listen in as Sue and Noel talk about: 

  • Advantages of hiring remotely
  • Managing accountability
  • Maintaining a great culture
Oct 12, 202314:09
Episode 47: Case Study: Getting Even More Out of a Great Employee
Sep 28, 202320:57
Episode 46: Work-Life Balance: A Generational Perspective

Episode 46: Work-Life Balance: A Generational Perspective

In a recent team meeting, the subject of work-life balance came up and how people from different generations have different perspectives on what it really means. It was then that we realized that among the four of us on the full-time STM team, we have four generations represented. That would make a great podcast, right? Listen in while we talk about:

  • Common threads
  • Differences
  • Maximizing generational advantages

 Appreciating generational diversity and making it work to your advantage can be a challenge. STM can help

Sep 14, 202336:36
Episode 45: Influence vs. Manipulation: How to tell the difference

Episode 45: Influence vs. Manipulation: How to tell the difference

In our latest podcast, Art and Sue tackle the issue of Influence vs. Manipulation.  Empathy and the ability to read people is an asset, right?  What if that ability is used for selfish or political gain?  Listen in as we talk about: 

  • What are the differences between these closely related capacities?
  • Why is it important to be able to determine one from the other?
  • How can you determine if someone is genuinely empathetic and interested in making a connection, or if they’re using their ability to use social cues to just feed to what you want to hear?

 Need more tools to help you avoid falling into the manipulation trap?  STM’s assessments can help!

Aug 31, 202310:32
Episode 44: Lattices vs. Ladders: Addressing Internal Mobility
Aug 03, 202317:07
Episode 43: Engagement: Connecting with your Candidates & Employees
Jul 20, 202318:57
Episode 42: All Things Assessments with Jim Robins: Part 2
Jul 06, 202329:06
Episode 41 : All Things Assessments with Jim Robins: Part 1
Jun 22, 202322:45
Episode 40: BABA 2023 Recap

Episode 40: BABA 2023 Recap

Art and Sue just returned from Chicago where they attended the Agency Management Institute’s Build a Better Agency Summit. They each hosted a roundtable discussion – Art on leadership development issues and Sue on effective interviewing. There were so many good conversations and ideas that we thought it would be helpful to share some of the things we heard. Whether you’re with an agency or in another industry, we hope you find some tips and suggestions that can make managing people a bit easier.


  • What issues are business leaders struggling with in terms of hiring and developing good people?
  • What tools and techniques are working?
  • How can STM support businesses that want to improve their hiring success and leadership development?

There is a wealth of resources on our website, but particularly relevant to this conversation is our Interviewing Guide and recently released resource on Exit and Stay Interviews.

If STM can help you address your people challenges, get in touch!

May 25, 202320:22
Episode 39: The Who, What, and Why of Exit (and Stay) Interviews

Episode 39: The Who, What, and Why of Exit (and Stay) Interviews

We’ve been talking a lot about the power of the exit interview and an emerging concept of the stay interview.  In this podcast, Sue and Nicole discuss the reasons for having these conversations and the importance of using the information to make changes that improve the employee experience. 

  • Why are they useful?
  • What questions should you be asking?
  • What do you do with this information?

Visit the resources page of our website for a complimentary summary and lists of suggested questions you should be asking .  If you need help putting together a program for your business, give us a call!

May 11, 202312:09
Episode 38: Why is DEI Important for Your Organization?

Episode 38: Why is DEI Important for Your Organization?

In this episode of our People Solutions Podcast, Sue is joined by Dr. ClauDean Kizart, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Tidewater Community College. We’re hearing a lot about DEI, and it can be daunting to take on this issue in a proactive and meaningful way. Join us as we discuss:

• What is the definition of DEI?
• Why is it important for businesses?
• How can we get started in embracing and implementing DEI programs?
Apr 27, 202323:13
Episode 37: What do people think about your organization as an employer?

Episode 37: What do people think about your organization as an employer?

In this episode, Sue talks with Lori Highby, founder of strategic digital marketing agency Keystone Click.  Lori works with a number of clients in the area of Employer Branding.  Tune in to get answers to these questions: 

·      What is employer branding and why should you care about it? 

·      What are the biggest mistakes companies are making when it comes to employer branding? 

·      What are steps that you can take right now to improve your employer brand? 

·      Do you need help defining and improving your employer brand?

Apr 13, 202311:33
Episode 36: The Financial Implications of Having Out-of-State Remote Employees

Episode 36: The Financial Implications of Having Out-of-State Remote Employees

In this episode, Art and Sue are joined by Craig Cody, CPA of Craig Cody & Company.  Continuing in the vein of our recent podcast about the legal ramifications of having out-of-state remote employees, Craig helps us address some of the financial considerations.
What are the administrative costs?
What are the tax implications?
How can you avoid unpleasant surprises?

Mar 30, 202320:07
Episode 35: The Legal Implications of Having Remote Employees in Other States
Mar 16, 202310:56
Episode 34: Why do we treat our best people so poorly?

Episode 34: Why do we treat our best people so poorly?

In this podcast, Art is joined by David Jean, one of our strategic partners and a partner at Albin, Randall, Bennett.  In a recent conversation, the question came up, “Why do we treat our best people so poorly?”  Are you falling into any of these traps?

  • Taking the path of least resistance and overloading your best performers because you know the job will get done right without any hand holding
  • Spending so much of your time trying to develop green or underperforming employees that you ignore the needs of your rock star
  • Failing to invest in developing other talent because you know you can always turn to a handful of your best people

Don’t risk burning out and losing the best people on your team.

Mar 02, 202321:25
Episode 33: When is a focus on people just too much?

Episode 33: When is a focus on people just too much?

How to spot people who are just "too nice."

Our latest podcast episode features Art and Alyssa as they discuss competency shifts and what they mean. Some highlights include:

  • Trends we've seen in job candidates’ attitudes about people, productivity, and planning
  • When an over focus on people can be too much of a good thing
  • How to screen out candidates who are too focused on people to the detriment of the competencies you really need

You can contact STM to learn about how our assessments can help you improve your success rate in hiring and promotions, including identifying those who are just “too nice” for the job.

Feb 16, 202317:36
Episode 32: “What do you do?” Is a trick question
Jan 19, 202328:25
Episode 31: Skills Can Be Developed, Values Cannot
Dec 15, 202212:60
Episode 30: The Importance of the First 90 Days

Episode 30: The Importance of the First 90 Days

In this episode of STM’s People Solutions podcast Sue and our Senior Consultant for Training & Development, Chris Massaro, talk about how to navigate the critical first 90 days of employment. Break your strategy down into 30-day increments: learning, planning, executing This is a two-way street.  The same structure applies to the employer and the new leader. This is not the time for big, bold moves.  It is a time for listening, observing, and asking a lot of questions.
Dec 01, 202220:03
Episode 29: Performance Management: It’s a Process, Not an Event

Episode 29: Performance Management: It’s a Process, Not an Event

In this episode of STM’s People Solutions Podcast, Art and Sue talk about the importance of ongoing communication as a key element in an effective performance management process.Some of the topics we touch on in this episode include:

  • Regular communication about performance increases retention and reinforces strategic vision.
  • Performance management is a continuous process of improvement and goal setting.
  • If managed effectively, no one should be surprised at the annual review.
Nov 17, 202217:09
Episode 28: Experience vs. Capacity: Finding Diamonds in the Rough

Episode 28: Experience vs. Capacity: Finding Diamonds in the Rough

In this week's episode of STM's People Solutions Podcast, Alyssa and Art talk about what you might find when you look beyond an individual's education, experience, and skillset. Consider their capacity, and the importance of looking within your organization first when trying to fill a position. Join us as we discuss:

  • Hiring young or inexperienced people is risky because you do not know if the candidate is worth your investment of time, energy, and dollars to train or develop.
  • Capacity is more important than skill, because if the candidate has the capacity, you can train them for skill.
  • Don’t forget to look around your organization for individuals who may have the capacity and drive to fill vacant roles first, otherwise they may end up at your competitor's business!
Nov 03, 202214:25
Episode 27: Do you have the right gear in your leadership toolbox?
Oct 20, 202212:00
Episode 26: Bridging the Gap in Career Development Expectations

Episode 26: Bridging the Gap in Career Development Expectations

We recently circulated a report around our team that was based on a survey by Adecco. The report asserted that although we all understand that the best way to address the global skills shortage is through re-skilling, up-skilling, and an overall commitment to career development, the research showed that leaders and the people they lead have radically different perspectives about whether that is being achieved. What does this mean and what can you do about it?

  • At its core, this is a communication issue. Regular and meaningful career conversations with your people is a worthwhile investment.
  • We tend to know more about the career aspirations of our new hires than our long-term employees. Make it easier to hire internally than externally.
  • Set up the aspiration to build a culture of life-long learning and internal mobility.
  • Create the expectation that your employees need to take charge of their own careers. They need to have skin in the game.
Oct 06, 202206:31
Episode 25: Effective Onboarding and Offboarding

Episode 25: Effective Onboarding and Offboarding

We spend a lot of time talking about onboarding, but are we paying enough attention to offboarding? Regardless of why and how your employees leave you, they will still be talking about you. How they’re treated on the way out the door will impact what they say. Will they be an ambassador or an adversary? In this episode we discuss:

  • Recognizing exiting employees for their contributions.
  • Creating a plan for handing off projects and responsibilities.
  • If it's an involuntary exit, providing constructive feedback to help them be more successful in the future.
  • Not underestimating the power of a structured exit interview!
Sep 22, 202219:24
Episode 24: Goals Are Important, Right?

Episode 24: Goals Are Important, Right?

We at STM talk a lot about energy & drive and how important it is to uncover it in the interview process. In this podcast, Art, Sue, and Alyssa talk about future focus as a key indicator.

  • Too low and you risk a mediocre hire, disappointment, and a lack of commitment and engagement.
  • Too high and you’ll have someone who will accomplish their goals with you or without you. Is all of that energy pushing them in the direction you need them to go?
Aug 25, 202216:02
Episode 23: Answering Client Questions

Episode 23: Answering Client Questions

In this episode, Art and Sue address client questions about handling difficult situations with valued employees.

  • Someone who is driving others away
  • Two people who do great work but just can’t get along with each other
  • Managing up

If you have a question you’d like us to address in a future episode, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

Aug 11, 202215:25
Episode 22: Exit Planning: Building Business Value

Episode 22: Exit Planning: Building Business Value

In this podcast, Art and Sue are joined by special guest David Jean, Managing Director of Altus Exit Strategies. An important aspect of growing a successful business is creating transferable value. Transferable value is what your business is worth to someone else without you at the helm.  

To get started in determining your business’s value and creating an effective exit strategy, ask yourself these 3 Universal Questions:

  • How much do you as the owner want to take out of the business when you exit?
  • When do you want to scale down? To exit?
  • Who are the future leaders of your company and are they ready to step up?
Jul 28, 202220:03
Episode 21: Cultural Cohesion vs. Groupthink

Episode 21: Cultural Cohesion vs. Groupthink

Selecting people who fit your culture is important, but if you’re all too much in lock step, you open yourself up to blind spots and the perils of groupthink.

- Too many differences, and you’re susceptible to conflict, mistrust, and miscommunication.

- Too many similarities can discourage creativity, innovation, and individual responsibility.

- “Fit” is more about people sharing the same broad values rather than thinking exactly the same way. Planned diversity is healthy.

Jul 14, 202217:10
Episode 20: Structured Interviews = Hiring Success

Episode 20: Structured Interviews = Hiring Success

Hi STM Subscriber,Are you struggling to find the right interviewing formula? Do you feel that your interviewing practices aren’t screening for top talent the way you’d like? STM can help!

Check out our latest podcast episode where we discuss interviewing tactics like:

- Be aware of your own bias; look beyond behavior.

- For every question you ask, know why you’re asking it and what you do and do not want to hear.

- Don’t stop with the first answer; dig deeper for validation.

Jun 30, 202226:11
Episode 19: Results from Our Roundtables

Episode 19: Results from Our Roundtables

Art and Sue recently hosted a series of roundtables at a conference centered around the issues of hiring, development, and retention. In this podcast, they share some of the ideas and issues that came up in those conversations.

- How can we compete in this crazy hiring market?

- What benefits and incentives can we offer to attract and retain good people?

- Do we really have to put up with mediocrity? Is it better to have a marginally productive person than an empty chair?

Jun 02, 202230:54
Episode 18: Are you offering the right performance incentives?

Episode 18: Are you offering the right performance incentives?

Are you providing your employees with rewards and incentives that are meaningful to them, or are you making assumptions based on what's meaningful to you? In this podcast, Art and Sue talk about the clues that help you determine what your individual people value and what rewards and incentives will resonate with them.

- Hobbies and the roles your people play on your team can give you valuable clues to their motivators.

- Everybody likes a raise or bonus, but it’s not always all about the money.

- Customizing rewards to zero in on what your people really value is a powerful tool.

May 19, 202229:56
Episode 17: Are you getting the most out of your contractor relationships?

Episode 17: Are you getting the most out of your contractor relationships?

Outsourcing work to contractors is a common practice, but are you really getting the most out of these relationships? In this podcast, Art speaks with STM’s marketing contractor, Graham Nash, to address common challenges managing your external people. Join Art and Graham as they discuss:
- Effective onboarding is essential. Make sure your contractor has access to the resources and information they need to do the job.
- You're not their only client. Respect their boundaries, bandwidth, and scope of work.
- Communication is key. Contractors are not mind readers or magicians.
May 05, 202226:30
Episode 16: Workplace Agility and Adaptability

Episode 16: Workplace Agility and Adaptability

What's holding you back? To maintain and grow your business in today's world agility and adaptability are more important than ever. They are essential to navigating change and seeking out the best of each situation as you confront them. In this podcast we cover:
- Now is the time to analyze how you do what you do. Is it out of necessity or is it just a habit?
- Take a look at your culture, your people, and your systems. Are they serving you well in this new reality?
- Trust your employees. Is how it gets done as important as that it does get done?
Apr 21, 202221:28
Episode 15: Are you using the right assessments in the right way?

Episode 15: Are you using the right assessments in the right way?

We often talk with companies who use behavior assessments in making hiring and promotion decisions. Behavior is a good place to start, but you shouldn’t stop there.
- Using behavior assessments alone in hiring decisions is as effective as flipping a coin. Any behavior style can do any job.
- Personality (a.k.a. behavior) can mask both strengths and weaknesses in your employees and candidates.
- Using the right assessments can accelerate and sharpen your hiring process.
Apr 07, 202220:49
Episode 14: David Jean, CPA and Exit Planning Expert interviews Art Boulay

Episode 14: David Jean, CPA and Exit Planning Expert interviews Art Boulay

To prepare your company for planned or unplanned succession, you should prepare legally and financially. But you should also identify people who fit your culture and who can build on your organization’s success. The most important concern for your potential buyer is the quality of your management team, so that should be your number one concern as well.
- Every business problem is about process or people and how STM addresses the people issue
- The buyer of your business expects to see a strong management team in place after you leave
- Your next generation of managers will need coaching and development to prepare for taking charge
Mar 24, 202215:33
Episode 13: Are you losing out on valuable talent?

Episode 13: Are you losing out on valuable talent?

The recruiting landscape has changed and having an engaging selection process is critical in this competitive market for talent. In this episode we talk with STM’s most recent hire, our Executive Assistant Nicole Rodrigue, about her job search experience. What got her to engage, and what practices turned her away? Join us as we discuss:
- Are you painting an accurate picture of the opportunity and your organization?
- Are you asking for information you don’t need or won’t use?
- Are there ways you can streamline your selection process without sacrificing quality?
- Ghosting goes both ways. You can’t expect candidates to fully engage with you if you’re not communicating with them.
Mar 10, 202214:48
Episode 12: We Answer Some of Your Questions

Episode 12: We Answer Some of Your Questions

Listen Sue MacArthur and Art Boulay answer some questions from our clients.
- How many interviews are adequate and how many is just too much?
- Are you really communicating or just talking?
- When is enough really enough? How do you know it’s time to cut ties with a mediocre employee?
- Are you rewarding employees the way they want to be rewarded, or the way you like to be rewarded?
Mar 03, 202218:35
Episode 11: Does Your Company Need a Cultural Tune-up?

Episode 11: Does Your Company Need a Cultural Tune-up?

The upheaval of the last two years and today’s highly competitive hiring market have forced us to rethink how we position ourselves in the world. Whether you’ve clearly defined your company culture or not, now’s the time to pay attention to who you are and how your people fit together.
- Significant changes in the makeup of your leadership team, the business climate, your industry, or the way you do business (i.e. in person vs. remotely) are key triggers for taking a closer look at your culture. Is it what you thought? Is it what you need to get you where you want to go?
- If you haven’t measured it, how do you know how you’re doing? Using specific and repeatable measurements are the only way to track your cultural progress.
- Once you’ve defined your culture, creating benchmarks for hiring, promotion, and succession take the guesswork out of making critical people decisions.
Feb 17, 202213:12
Episode 10: Management vs. Leadership: Is there a difference?

Episode 10: Management vs. Leadership: Is there a difference?

Listen in as Sue MacArthur and Chris Massaro, STM's Director of Training & Development, discuss relevant topics including: The most impactful leaders in your organization may not have a management title. Leadership is more than just a title; it’s an attitude and behavior. Do you have people who just work for you, or do you have followers? A leader without followers is just a manager. An organization’s culture is defined by its leadership. What values do your leaders bring to your culture?
Jan 20, 202236:18
Episode 9: Past, Present, and People Need to be a Part of Your Planning Process

Episode 9: Past, Present, and People Need to be a Part of Your Planning Process

Listen in as Team STM discusses relevant topics including:
Don’t start with the future, start with the past and the present. You can’t develop a realistic plan without knowing where you are and where you’ve been.
Get EVERYONE involved! Creating buy-in from day one increases your chances of successful execution.
Don’t be afraid to talk about the “great unsaid,” the elephant in the room.
Tune in for valuable insights for developing
Jan 06, 202225:15