Hey there, Beyond the Deal listeners! It’s Jill Yahnite, and I’m pumped to bring you Episode 3 with John Bernatovicz, a serial entrepreneur who’s shaking up the HR world. We dive into his journey from ADP sales to owning an HR consulting firm and a water vending business—talk about variety! John’s book, HR Like a Boss, is all about making work meaningful, and he shares how to build a purpose-driven culture that employees love. We also unpack his “Purpose is Paramount” talk, showing why your business needs a clear “why” to thrive. If you’re a business owner or leader wanting to boost employee engagement and align your team with a bigger mission, this episode’s for you! Like, subscribe, and hit that bell for more tips to take your business beyond the deal!
Guest Introduction:
I’m thrilled to introduce John Bernatovicz, a family man, entrepreneur, and golf lover like me! John’s built businesses like Willory, an HR and payroll consulting firm, and even a water vending company. From his sales roots at ADP to 15 years as a full-time entrepreneur, he’s now the author of HR Like a Boss and a keynote speaker passionate about transforming how people feel at work. His insights on purpose and leadership are game-changers!
Key Takeaways:
John’s mission is to fix the global epidemic of people not loving their jobs—HR pros can lead the charge by owning their role and thinking like strategic business leaders.His diverse path from ADP to running multiple businesses shows how a strong sales foundation fuels entrepreneurial success.Purpose is everything! John’s “Purpose is Paramount” talk teaches us to define a clear, concise purpose (four words or less!) to guide decisions and inspire teams.Small businesses, listen up: don’t just check HR boxes—use fractional resources to create a culture where employees thrive and tell their friends, “You gotta work here!”Align your business with a societal cause, like John’s work with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, to attract talent and customers who share your values.Employee engagement skyrockets when you foster relationships at work—think shared interests like golf or volunteering together at a Habitat for Humanity event.Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:27 Guest Introduction
3:39 John’s Entrepreneurial Journey
6:57 HR Like a Boss: Transforming Work
9:22 Purpose is Paramount: Finding Your Why
12:32 HR Challenges for Small Businesses
18:38 Connecting Purpose to Business Success
28:20 Hiring with Purpose
33:39 Building Workplace Relationships
36:33 Q&A: AI, Writing, and Speaking
48:53 Q&A: Early Influences and Golf with Tiger
52:14 Closing
Keywords:
Jill Yahnite, John Bernatovicz, Beyond the Deal Podcast, HR Like a Boss, purpose-driven business, employee engagement, HR strategy, entrepreneurship, business leadership, workplace culture, strategic HR, nonprofit partnerships, business purpose, ADP sales, golf and business
Pull Quotes:
“John’s take on purpose hit home: ‘Get your team in a room, ask why your business exists, and boil it down to four words or less—it’s a game-changer!’”“I loved John’s insight: ‘If your employees feel connected to your company’s purpose, they’ll tell their friends, You gotta work here!’”
