In this episode, Martin sits down with Tena Jolley, founder of Apela Strategic Solutions and a 30-year HR veteran, to break down everything small business owners get wrong about human resources.

Timestamps

• 00:50 - Episode & Guest Intro
• 03:44 - Why You Shouldn't DIY HR
• 04:56 - At Will Misconceptions
• 08:49 - Cost and Fractional HR
• 11:26 - What HR Really Covers
• 15:48 - When Hair Is On Fire
• 19:17 - Unemployment Claims Explained
• 22:31 - Progressive Discipline Steps
• 26:55 - Handling Attitude Issues
• 30:19 - Reviews That Look Forward
• 31:03 - No More Annual Ambushes
• 32:27 - Who Should Evaluate
• 33:47 - Work Family Boundaries
• 36:29 - Can People Really Change
• 39:25 - Legacy Employees Costly Lesson
• 42:50 - No Surprises Review Rhythm
• 44:01 - 360 Feedback Done Right
• 47:53 - Bonuses That Drive Results
• 51:10 - Alignment And HR Compliance
• 53:16 - Start Small With HR Help
• 54:40 - Wrap Up And Sign Off

Key Takeaways

1. HR covers far more than hiring and firing; it includes handbooks, job descriptions, compensation strategy, employee training, organizational design, and compliance with federal and state laws.
2. Progressive discipline has four steps: verbal warning, first written reprimand, second write-up, and separation. Each step should be documented and focused on helping the employee succeed.
3. Employee evaluations should happen at least quarterly, not just annually, and should focus on a roadmap forward rather than a year's worth of saved-up grievances.
4. Subjective issues like attitude can be addressed objectively by including conduct expectations in your employee code of conduct and discussing them during the interview process.
5. Keeping underperforming or toxic employees because you're afraid of unemployment claims or confrontation can cost you your best people, your culture, and significant money when you sell the business.
6. Bonus structures should reward measurable outcomes like accuracy, response time, and process improvements rather than flat annual gifts that create entitlement.
7. Fractional HR professionals can work with your budget on a retainer or project basis, starting as small as a single job description, and scale with you over time.

Resources

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠First Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Implementing AI in Your Business Workshop Sign-Up ⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠24 Things⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire & Train an Executive Assistant

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More from Tena Jolley

• Apela Strategic Solutions
• Tena on LinkedIn
• Apela on LinkedIn

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