The SPM Podcast
By Chad Dawson
The SPM PodcastAug 16, 2021
Recorded Live! FINAL EPISODE of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
FINAL EPISODE: View from the Front Lines
Industry leaders chime in on lessons learned from the pandemic, changes that are here to stay and their outlook on the future. A facilitated panel discussion with employers from a cross-section of industries including Clinical Research (Lisa Harrison), Hospitality (Mike Smith), Travel (Chris Ryan), and Manufacturing (Robert Monchamp).
Recorded Live! Episode 5 of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
Episode 5: Navigating a New Legal Landscape
COVID has added a number of necessary but temporary legal considerations for employers and employees. Will there be a permanent legal legacy? What a post-pandemic world looks like in the world of employment law. Presented by Ron LeClair and Nic Preston of LeClair and Associates.
Recorded Live! Episode 4 of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
Episode 4: Remote Work - Here to Stay or Just a Fad?
The pandemic created a sudden and rapid shift to remote work that has shattered the workplace paradigm. While some employers have fully embraced remote work, others are eager to return to traditional practices. Most are unsure how all of this plays out. A facilitated panel featuring employers embracing 3 different perspectives: Back to the office (Terry Gillis), Fully Remote (Robin Minielly) and Hybrid as the new normal (Angela Zehr).
Recorded Live! Episode 3 of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
Episode 3: Canary in the Coal Mine: How COVID Created Financial Awareness
43% of Canadians describe their financial situation as “challenged” or “struggling.” With mounting debt, escalating housing costs and ongoing worries about the ability to save for retirement, financial wellness is fast becoming an employer priority. Employers can help employees relieve stress and create a path to financial freedom through financial wellness, literacy and sound financial planning tools and resources. A facilitated panel featuring 3 generations of financial planners: Mike Sheffar, Matt Churchill and Lewis Kent of SPM Benefits.
Recorded Live! Episode 2 of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
Episode 2: The Future of Employee Health, Wellness and Happiness
Presented by: Chad Dawson. A year in the pandemic has left the mental health and wellness of Canadians in a precarious position. A wait-and-see approach will fall seriously short. Proactive employers will embrace new, innovative health, wellness, and happiness strategies now to help employees rise to the challenges of a post-pandemic world.
Recorded Live! Episode 1 of the "Kick COVID to the Curb" Series
After a year of relentless negative news and with an end to the pandemic in sight, SPM Benefits and Ahria Consulting are teaming up to bring you a series of 6 recorded live podcasts with a positive focus. We are bringing together some of the best and brightest from our community to help workplaces move their focus to the massive opportunity that lies ahead.
Our goal is to create a shift in perspective, from pandemic to prosperity, with ideas and inspiration for employers, their employees, our families and our communities.
You've worked hard to build a culture that aligns to your mission and values. However, COVID has turned the traditional office landscape upside down and has highlighted how powerful and/or disruptive remote teams can be. The question is: Are these changes still making sense and will they translate into long-term success? Presented by: Terry Gillis
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series - HR Edition. Episode 2: Robin Minielly of Mobials
This week's guest is Robin Minielly, Director of Human Resources for Mobials, a London, Ontario based software company founded in 2013. Mobials is a software company at the forefront of innovation of digital retailing tools, primarily in the Canadian automotive industry. Mobials is well known in the community as a growing, entrepreneurial organization with a commitment to workplace culture and community leadership. Robin is not only the HR Leaders at Mobials, but their #1 cheerleader as well, hooked from the start by the company culture and the innovative solutions they bring to the table for their clients. Robin's vision for the future came through loud and clear in our chat, a clear indication of time spent pondering the future, thinking strategically and beyond the current pandemic environment.
Robin's bio:
CHRL designation obtained. Human Resources Management with over 18 years in supervisory positions, including 15 years of comprehensive human resources experience in recruiting and selection, conflict resolution, management of change, benefits administration, and planning and implementing of programs. Possess broad knowledge of human resources functions in a variety of environments. Proven experience in collaborating with senior management, to implement HR strategic plans in order to support and further corporate goals. Demonstrated experience initiating cost containment strategies resulting in savings. Excellent ability to address and implement planned strategies for talent acquisition, retention and succession. Proven skills in the design and implementation of training and orientation programs for employees.
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series - HR Edition. Episode 1: Kelly Stewart of Tribe Medical
This week’s guest is Kelly Stewart, Director of Human Resources for Tribe Medical, a London, Ontario based orthopedic medical equipment distributor founded in 2006 that now employees over 100 people coast to coast. Tribe's people are highly educated, highly trained and part of a corporate culture cemented in a mission to put patients first. Kelly was Tribe's first ever HR Manager and has been a key part of their growth and success over the last 15 years. Her passion, energy and commitment to making Tribe a great place to work shine through in our conversation. Kelly is authentic and her alignment and belief in Tribe’s core values come up continuously during our chat – a clear testament to the fact that those values are aligned with her own – a refreshing and virtuous approach to HR.
Kelly's Bio:
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, I am responsible for the smooth and profitable operation of a company's human resources department. In all aspects of my role, I contribute to Tribe's Mission of Putting Patient Outcomes First... In Everything We Do. I oversee all Canada-wide recruitment efforts, as well as lead HR practices and objectives that will provide an employee-oriented; high performance culture that emphasizes Tribe's corporate values and mission.
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 6: Mobility Guru Will Hogendoorn of MVMT Strength
Will Hogendoorn is a health and fitness coach and trainer and one of the owners of MVMT Strength - a training facility in London, Ontario. Will is a passionate advocate and guru in the area of human movement and mobility. In this episode Will and I chat about the importance of human movement as the foundation of fitness, wellness and longevity. We extend this into the workplace with a great segment on practical tools, tips and ideas for building movement into our daily routines.
https://mvmtstrength.com/
https://www.instagram.com/willhogen
https://www.instagram.com/mvmtstrength
https://www.facebook.com/mvmtstrength
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 5: Ron LeClair of LeClair and Associates Management Law
In this episode Ron LeClair and I chat about the legal landscape of COVID for employers including the IDEL (Infectious Disease Emergency Leave) and practical advice, tools and tips to help employers navigate the multitude of scenarios they are and will face in the weeks and months ahead. True to his authentic nature Ron finishes the podcast off with some great commentary on how employers can build great culture through fair and transparent approaches to employee relations.
https://www.leclairandassociates.ca/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-leclair-7b6406114/
Ron LeClairRon is the Principal lawyer at LeClair and Associates, specializing exclusively in management side Labour and Employment Law. Ron assists various private and public sector clients with the full range of workplace legal issues. He is a highly sought-after speaker and lecturer on many labour and employment law topics.
Whether it involves a unionized or non-unionized working environment, Ron works with employers to successfully manage the various workplace issues they are confronted with. Through providing strategic advice, ensuring compliance with constantly evolving workplace laws and representing employers at mediation, arbitration, tribunal hearings, administrative proceedings or in court, Ron’s primary objective is to ensure that the employer’s overarching organizational goals are met. Ron’s approach is to support the employer’s strategic objectives by addressing legal issues – and maximizing available legal options – as part of the larger goal of achieving organizational vibrancy and success.
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 4: Cheryl Scollard of DMA Rehability
In this episode Cheryl and I discuss the ins and outs of bringing employees back to work - and how her experience in a rehab/disability management perspective can be applied to our current climate bringing employees back to work during a global pandemic. There are some great nuggets of wisdom that come to light during our chat - many of which employers may not have even considered. Cheryl offers up some great insights, practical tips and advice that can have a huge impact. As with other episodes in this series - Cheryl encourages a customized approach for every employee and every situation - making sure employers have a good understanding of employee needs, anxieties and concerns so they can properly prep a positive, successful atmosphere for all.
Cheryl is the Director of Marketing and Operations with DMA Rehability, an industry leader in Rehab and Disability Management. With experience as someone on the front-lines as well as at the 40,000 foot level Cheryl is the perfect person to look to for advice regarding return to work from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
DMA Rehability Website: https://www.dmarehability.com
Find Cheryl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-scollard-44646619
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 3: Terry Gilis of Ahria Consulting
In this episode Terry and I dig into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations as a result of the global COVID pandemic. While the challenges COVID presents are new - many of the solutions are tried, tested and true for organizations striving to be a "great place to work." The importance of avoiding a one size fits all approach and an emphasis on collaboration shine through in our conversation and discussion that took place in August 2020. Terry's optimism and passion are welcome at a time when the future seems unknown and uneasy for many.
About Terry...
Terry has cultivated over 20 years of progressive experience in the field of talent management with expertise in attracting, retaining, managing, and transitioning talent in both private and public sector settings. He possesses an entrepreneurial spirit that has helped foster the growth of our consulting firm. Terry is a certified professional coach bringing his expertise in executive & leadership coaching, career transition, leadership development, workshop facilitation, and organizational effectiveness.
Arhia Consulting Website: https://ahria.ca
Find Terry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrygillis
Market Zen: An SPM Podcast Mini-series with Steve Duench of High Street Asset Management
In his episode we chat with Steve Duench - a Portfolio Manager at Highstreet Asset Management in London, Ontario. Steve's a high energy guy with a massive and broad knowledge based when it comes to investing and markets - including great insights into how local and global events have an impact. This podcast is jam-packed with great insights into the markets over the last several months in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Steves Bio form the Highstreet website: Stephen is the portfolio manager for North American equity income products and has been an integral member of the Canadian equity portfolio management team. Stephen contributes to both quantitative and fundamental research initiatives. He is also central in the creation and support of the team’s proprietary portfolio management tools, analysis, and applications across both Canadian and Global mandates. Stephen has a keen interest in research surrounding Factor characteristics and their subsequent performance. Stephen has an Honours degree in Financial Mathematics and is a CFA® charterholder.
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 1: Craig Tillford of Stressed Out Solutions
Craig Tillford is the President of Stressed Out Solutions. Mental Health in the Workplace is gaining traction within progressive companies and organizations. Stressed Out Solutions (SOS) provides an experienced and practical approach to tackle mental health head on. In this episode Craig and I discuss return to work following the COVID-19 pandemic along with tips, tools and insights for organizations to ensure they are doing their part to promote positive mental health.
What's Next: An SPM Podcast Mini-series. Episode 2: Jeff Tudhope of Tudhope HR
Jeff Tudhope is a human resources and employee relations professional with extensive experience dealing with all aspects of workplace conduct, performance evaluation/management, organizational design, policy development, and other matters which comprise the daily activities of human resources personnel. TudhopeHR provides employers with assistance related to all day-to-day human resources and employee/labour relations matters.
In this conversation Jeff and I talk about HR in the context of the economy reopening following the COVID shutdown. We talk contracts, policy, procedure, return to work, accommodation, culture and more. Tons of solid take-aways and action items in her for employers of all size.
Market Update with Ian Sterling of Doherty & Associates
In this market update we connect with Ian Sterling, President of Doherty & Associates to gather his perspective on the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on markets. Ian provides valuable insights and a balanced view that will help investors of all types put the current volatility into perspective.