In this episode, Karen dives into the impact of artificial intelligence on small and medium-sized businesses though a discussion with AI expert Janey Treleaven. As AI technologies and digital tools become increasingly integral to business operations, understanding and integrating them without overwhelming your people and existing systems is crucial for businesses to grow and succeed. 

In today’s episode, you will learn about: 

• The journey of adopting AI in business, from the initial exposure to its practical implementation, shared by Janey Treleaven, founder of Intelligence Assist. With over two decades of experience in technology at major Australian banks, Janey offers unique insights into making AI work for your business.
• The concept of AI literacy and its importance for businesses. Learn why training your team on how to effectively use AI tools is as critical as the tools themselves. 
• Strategies for choosing the right AI tools for your team, considering both the roles they perform and the tools' capabilities. This tailored approach ensures that AI integration is both cost-effective and impactful. 
• Practical advice on creating an "Acceptable Use of AI" policy to guide your team in using AI responsibly and effectively. 
• Insights into the potential of AI to return up to 30% of your team’s time by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic activities.
• And finally, explore the ongoing evolution of AI tools and how staying updated with these changes can significantly benefit your business operations. 

Whether you're already integrating AI into your business or just starting to consider its possibilities, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples to guide you through the AI revolution in business.  

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!
 
Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.  

Connect with Janey Treleaven, founder of Intelligence Assist here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janey-treleaven/ 

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

Great leadership goes beyond managing people—it’s about fostering growth, empowering teams, and creating a culture that drives business success. In this episode, we explore the five key leadership skills every business owner and manager needs to develop for long-term impact. 

Tune in to learn about: 

• Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness – How understanding yourself improves decision-making, leadership style, and team dynamics. 
• Effective Communication & Influence – Moving from ‘telling’ to coaching, navigating conflict with confidence, and providing feedback that drives real improvement. 
• Strategic Decision-Making – Shifting from daily tasks to big-picture thinking, setting a clear vision, and making data-driven choices that engage your team. 
• Delegation & Empowerment – The difference between ‘dumping’ tasks and truly empowering others to develop and succeed. 
• Building a Culture of Accountability – Encouraging ownership, celebrating wins, and maintaining engagement without fostering a toxic high-performance culture. 

If you’re looking to strengthen your leadership skills and create a thriving team, this episode is packed with practical insights. 

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!
 
Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources.  

Free download: Lead Smart Checklist 

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this episode, we focus on the pivotal role of managers in your business's growth and the complexities that arise with new managerial roles. Whether you're promoting from within or hiring externally, mastering people management is not just an HR task—it's a cornerstone of successful business leadership. 

Here's what you'll discover today:

-> Evaluating Potential Managers: Learn why promoting your top performers might not always be wise if they lack people management skills. We'll explore strategies to test leadership abilities before committing to promotions.

-> Setting Managers Up for Success: Find out about creating a leadership charter and embedding company values to support new managers. Discover practical steps to ensure they embody the leadership style that matches your business ethos.

-> The First 90 Days: Dive deep into the critical initial period for new managers with a detailed plan for their integration and effectiveness, from observation and learning to relationship-building and achieving results.

-> Sustainable Leadership Development: Gain insights on continuous development through structured feedback and goal reviews, ensuring your managers not only succeed but excel in leading your teams.

-> Real-World Applications: We provide actionable advice and real-life examples from past episodes, illustrating successful strategies implemented by other business leaders.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!
 
Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources.  

Free download: Lead Smart Checklist

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

Episode 9: Developing Next Generation Leaders 

Episode 57: Questions to Ask Before Promoting Someone to a Management Role 

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

Karen dives into the critical need to adopt a candidate-centric approach to hiring. With the landscape of recruitment evolving rapidly, understanding and optimising every step of the hiring process not only enhances your ability to attract the best talent but also strengthens your company's reputation and efficiency. 

What you'll discover in this episode: 

-> The importance of refining the recruitment process in your business, focusing on making it candidate-friendly and reflective of your company’s values and culture. 

-> Practical steps to ensure a smooth and engaging application process, including why traditional methods like requiring cover letters may need to be reconsidered. 

-> Insights into effective communication strategies throughout the recruitment process to maintain candidate interest and engagement. 

-> The significance of a robust selection process that goes beyond casual coffee chats to structured interviews and appropriate assessments that align with the job's demands. 

-> The value of feedback — not only providing it to candidates but also soliciting it from them to improve your recruitment practices continuously. 

Join us as we explore how to make your recruitment process a strategic tool for growth and innovation by centring it around candidate experiences. 

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!
 
Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources.  

Free download: Hire right: Making your business a people magnet - Amplify HR 

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

Informal vs structured job interviews 

Episode 38 

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this episode, Karen provides actionable insights on leveraging your employer brand to drive business growth through strategic recruitment.  

As businesses expand, the challenge of hiring the right people becomes even greater. This episode provides a deep dive into how strengthening your employer brand can significantly enhance your recruitment process and overall business success. 

In today’s episode, you will learn about: 

-> The importance of employer branding for businesses of all sizes and how it transcends beyond big corporate buzzwords to become a critical strategy for attracting and engaging both candidates and current employees. 

-> A case study of a retail business facing challenges in hiring management roles, providing insights into how a well-articulated employer brand can address hiring difficulties and improve store performance. 

-> How to uncover your unique selling propositions that differentiate your business in a competitive job market. 

-> Practical strategies for drafting job advertisements that stand out, including segmenting. 

-> Essential training for hiring managers to adopt a candidate-centric approach, ensuring that the recruitment process treats candidates as potential customers, which is vital in today’s job market. 

-> Steps to review and adapt your recruitment messaging to reflect the unique aspects of your business, ensuring you attract the right people. 

This episode is packed with expert advice and practical tips for any business owner or leader looking to hire great people so their business can grow.  

Free download: 

Hire right: Making your business a people magnet - Amplify HR 

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

Make an Employment Offer They Can’t Refuse 

Recruitment is more marketing than HR 

Use social media to engage more candidates 

Episode 19 

Episode 30 

Episode 41 

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this milestone episode, we delve deep into why managing 'people stuff' effectively is not just an HR function but a core aspect of running a successful business. If you're looking to unlock growth and drive performance, this episode is a must-listen! 

In today’s episode, you will learn about: 

-> The crucial role of employee engagement in financial success, illustrated by a case study where disengaged employees were secretly job hunting, unbeknownst to a content management team. 

-> Why employee surveys and focus groups are essential tools for uncovering the real sentiments in your workplace—what your managers think might be very different from the reality. 

-> Six strategic themes that every business leader needs to focus on if they want to boost their company’s performance and culture: 

• Improving performance and decision-making 
• Recruitment and retention 
• Nurturing a positive workplace culture 
• Training and development 
• Adapting to future trends and changes 
• Enhancing employee engagement and well-being 

-> Practical advice on how to apply these themes to your business, with real-life examples and success stories from past episodes. 

-> Insights into how businesses can misjudge their cultural health and the steps you can take to realign your strategy with the actual needs of your team. 

-> Why it's vital to integrate people management into every facet of your business strategy to truly unlock growth and innovation. 

-> Looking forward to the next hundred episodes, where we will continue to explore how HR strategies are integral to broader business success and sustainability. 

If you've enjoyed the journey so far, or if you're just joining us, this episode is packed with invaluable insights that could change the way you think about business growth. Don't miss out on learning how a strategic focus on people can lead to real business success! 

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on every second Monday release—Episode 101 will feature a fresh take on these ongoing conversations about people and culture 

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/podcasts/find-grow-keep-series-2/  

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/consultancy-bespoke-programs/  

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this episode, we provide alternatives to a high performance culture and how being innovative, customer-centric or purpose driven may instead be what inspires high performance in your organisation.

Thanks to Warren Carney for agreeing to have his business case studied in this episode!

We’d love your feedback on this series, just head on over to amplifyhr.com.au or connect with Karen on LinkedIn!

Welcome to Episode 99: Navigating 2025 – Trends and Strategies for Employee Engagement!

In this episode, our host Karen Kirton explores the vital trends shaping employee engagement for the coming year and offers a step-by-step guide to enhancing your workplace environment. This episode is crucial for any business leader seeking to improve profitability and create a thriving culture through effective people management.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

-> The ongoing evolution of hybrid work and how to tailor it to benefit your business, ensuring productivity and employee satisfaction.

-> The increased importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, driven by recent societal changes and legislative updates, along with practical steps to address these needs.

-> The rising expectation for continuous learning and career development, particularly valued by younger workforce generations, and how you can integrate these into your business strategy.

-> A comprehensive seven-step plan to boost employee engagement and ensure alignment with your business goals for 2025:

1. Establish clear goals and a compelling vision.
2. Invest in learning and development.
3. Prioritize wellbeing with enhanced programs.
4. Foster connection and belonging, especially in hybrid settings.
5. Collect and act on feedback to improve workplace dynamics.
6. Recognize and reward achievements to motivate your team.
7. Communicate transparently and authentically to build trust.

-> Insights from the latest research, including Gallup's 2024 report, highlighting the significant impact of engaged employees on business profitability.

This episode not only provides you with the tools to anticipate and adapt to upcoming trends but also empowers you to strategically plan for a more engaged and productive 2025. Tune in to transform your approach to employee engagement and set your business up for success.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

Send us a text

Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this episode, Karen addresses the challenges of recruiting in a slow economy and the strategic shift towards hiring early career professionals or students. This approach not only cuts costs but also builds a pipeline of talent that grows with your business. Karen shares her insights and strategies on how to adapt the recruitment process to better suit early career candidates.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

-> The current recruitment landscape and how to navigate hiring amidst economic slowdowns without compromising on talent acquisition.

-> Strategies for attracting early career professionals, including the importance of initial screening calls to gauge candidate interest and suitability.

-> Detailed insights into conducting fair and effective recruitment processes that focus less on experience and more on potential and fit within your company culture.

-> Innovative methods for assessing candidates, such as prioritization exercises and whole-brain thinking activities, to understand their decision-making processes and personal attributes.

-> Practical advice on conducting interviews that allow candidates to showcase their true selves, including the unique 'do over' option which alleviates pressure and encourages authenticity.

-> Tips on how to continuously engage with candidates from the application stage through to final interviews, ensuring a seamless and candidate-friendly experience.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for business leaders and HR professionals looking to enhance their recruitment strategies and better integrate young talent into their organizations.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!
 
 Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

Free download: Hire right: Making your business a people magnet - Amplify HR

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Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.

In this insightful episode, Karen revisits the ever-relevant topic of workplace flexibility, particularly the hybrid work model, as businesses continue to adapt to the changing dynamics of office and remote work into 2025. This episode builds on past discussions and incorporates fresh research to guide companies on how to effectively manage their evolving workplace strategies.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

-> The latest 2024 research on the trends in office use and hybrid work policies, with insights into why businesses are re-evaluating their need for office space.

-> The benefits of hybrid work models in maintaining employee satisfaction and retention, and how these can be balanced with the need for in-office presence.

-> Practical strategies for businesses considering increasing office-based days, including how to enhance office spaces to make them more appealing and conducive to collaboration.

-> Six key considerations for integrating more office days:

1. Gathering and utilizing employee feedback effectively.
2. Defining clear objectives for why office presence is necessary.
3. Revising physical office spaces to better suit current work habits.
4. Crafting flexible policies that accommodate diverse employee needs.
5. Ensuring technology supports hybrid working effectively.
6. Continuously monitoring and adjusting policies based on real-time feedback and results.

-> How to involve employees in the decision-making process to ensure any changes are well-received and effectively implemented.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for leaders looking to navigate the complexities of hybrid work environments while aligning with both business goals and employee needs.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!
 
 Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

Send us a text

Register today for our next free and online masterclass on 22nd May -  From Unclear to High Performing: A Framework for Managing and Rewarding Your Team.