Intrapreneurship: Is it Right for Your Company?

Focus HR

Intrapreneurs are valuable team members who create thoughtful approaches to improve how things are done within existing frameworks using existing resources.  Unlike entrepreneurship, which relies on the visions of the business owner, intrapreneurship focuses on the development of teams, using the skills found in the trenches.  But will this approach work for your company? What […]

5 Types of Managers & Their Roles

Focus HR

One of the challenges for new managers is discovering their management style, a journey that’s both personal and pivotal in shaping how they lead.  Understanding your unique approach is key to effectively guiding your team. Here, we look at the five most common management styles and the distinct roles they play in helping you meet […]

Why It’s More Productive to Have Fewer Meetings

Less is more sign

Many small businesses fall into the habit of meeting for meeting’s sake with the belief it keeps them organized.  However, according to recent research, 70% of all meetings actually interfere with productivity and the completion of tasks.  Here, we look at why fewer meetings help keep you more productive, with tips on how to reduce […]

5 Signs That Your Company Needs to Outsource HR

Man holding help sign

Small businesses often have leaders who wear many hats, including HR responsibilities that impact everything from your company culture to team member retention and compliance with payroll and labor laws to acting as a liaison between managers and their teams.  If you’re finding yourself overtasked and spread too thin, it could be time to consider […]

From “Performance Reviews” to “Check-ins”: Why it’s More Than Just a Name Change

Focus HR

Industry jargon can become confusing when someone throws a new word into the mix.  If you’ve heard fellow managers tossing around the term “performance check-ins” you might just think they’re trying to sound more relevant in changing times. However, there’s more to performance check-ins than a new term for performance reviews.  In fact, they’re actually […]

5 Ways to be a Mentor and Coach to Your Employees

Lead by example

Coaching and mentoring are at the heart of employee development, creating an agile internal talent pool with the potential for leadership growth.  However, many businesses fail to see the value of this HR tool, or they simply don’t know what they don’t know.  Here we share five ways to be a successful mentor and coach […]

Are Bottom-up Ideas Right For Your Company?

Lightbulb

Bottom-up ideas provide valuable insights from the people in the trenches.  Although your managers can be thought leaders, it’s often the people with hands-on experience who can inform your processes, improve efficiencies, and help you succeed.  Here we look at bottom-up ideas to help you decide if employee-driven innovation is right for you. Bottom-up Ideas […]

Us Vs. Them: Understanding Division in The Workplace 

Pencils in a holder

Workplace division is an “us versus them” culture where employees and leaders break into groups or cliques that create divisive forces.  It is a very toxic environment, pitting workers and departments against each other, and it’s stating the obvious that this is not a place you want to find your business in.  Here, we look […]

Shaping the Future: Proactive vs. Reactive HR

Proactive reactive sign

When it comes to your human resources strategy, think of it as being at a crossroads.  You can take the proactive path, where HR gets out in front, spots problems and opportunities from a mile away, and comes up with plans to tackle them before they snowball.  Or, there’s the reactive route, where HR is […]

What is Loud Quitting, and How Should You Respond?

Focus HR

Loud quitting provides a soapbox for employees who feel they’ve been treated unfairly or suffer from the effects of a toxic work environment.  Although it causes conflict, it also highlights potentially undesirable working conditions. As a result, it can cause a domino effect of employee churn and make workers feel unsafe.  Here, we look at […]