Find Grow Keep

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores how goal setting is essential for ensuring employees understand expectations, stay motivated, and achieve strong performance—especially in evolving workplace models like remote and hybrid work. She highlights why clarity and structure in goal setting lead to better engagement and productivity.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• The five key principles of effective goal setting, based on research by Locke and Latham: commitment, clarity, challenge, complexity, and feedback.
• How to create motivating goals that empower employees to take ownership of their work.
• Why specific and measurable goals are more effective than vague expectations.
• The importance of balancing challenge and attainability to drive performance without overwhelming employees.
• How regular feedback and progress reviews help employees stay on track and remain engaged throughout the year.
• Why performance reviews should be ongoing rather than an annual process to ensure continuous improvement and motivation.

This episode provides a practical framework for business leaders looking to set clear, motivating goals that drive success for both employees and the organization.

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

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

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Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton tackles one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today—finding great employees in a tight labor market. She explores why many organizations struggle to attract talent and shares practical strategies to improve recruitment efforts, particularly as competition increases in industries like IT, construction, and financial services.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• How sign-on bonuses can incentivize candidates to choose your company over others and when they are most effective.
• The power of employee referrals, why they work, and how to structure a referral bonus program.
• Why reconnecting with former employees (boomerang employees) can be a great source of talent.
• The importance of leveraging social media and customer newsletters to expand the reach of job opportunities.
• How redesigning roles—such as hiring trainees, apprentices, or graduates—can help businesses struggling to find experienced talent.
• The opportunities and challenges of sponsoring overseas talent, especially with Australia’s evolving immigration policies.
• Why outsourcing certain functions (such as HR, marketing, or finance) can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring full-time employees.

With the employment market expected to heat up in early 2022, this episode provides actionable insights for businesses looking to stay competitive and attract top talent. Listen for our top 8 tips for recruiting great people in a tough market

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton discusses why recruitment is more of a marketing activity than a human resources function and how businesses can effectively position themselves as attractive employers. She explains how developing a strong employer brand and clearly communicating your employee value proposition (EVP) can significantly improve recruitment outcomes and reduce turnover.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• The importance of employer branding and how to define your workplace culture to attract the right candidates.
• How to use employee engagement data to shape your recruitment messaging and authentically represent your workplace.
• Why a strong employee value proposition (EVP) is essential, including the benefits and perks that candidates prioritize, such as flexible work arrangements and career development.
• How job ads should focus on selling the company to candidates, rather than just listing responsibilities and requirements.
• Why candidates research potential employers and how updating your LinkedIn and online presence can improve your appeal.
• The role of recruitment agencies and how to ensure you are partnering with the right one for your industry.

This episode provides actionable steps for businesses looking to market themselves effectively and attract top talent in a competitive hiring environment.

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

Make sure to subscribe to our podcast to get more insights like these and check out Amplify HR for more resources.

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

 In this episode, Karen Kirton explores how clear position descriptions help employees understand their roles, align expectations, and improve performance. She discusses why many businesses overlook position descriptions and how outdated or unclear job roles can lead to confusion, misalignment, and decreased productivity.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why role clarity is essential for setting expectations and improving performance.
• The four key principles of effective position descriptions: clarity, simplicity, bias review, and regular updates.
• How to write clear and concise position descriptions, focusing on key accountabilities rather than an exhaustive list of tasks.
• The importance of avoiding bias in job descriptions, including gendered language and unnecessary experience requirements.
• How to ensure position descriptions remain relevant, with simple processes for regular updates, such as reviewing them during recruitment and salary review cycles.

This episode provides practical guidance for business owners and managers looking to create and maintain effective position descriptions that support employee success and workplace productivity.

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

 Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

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

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores how pre-employment assessments—often referred to as psychometric assessments—can significantly improve hiring decisions and reduce bias in the recruitment process. With research showing that traditional interviews alone are poor predictors of job performance, she explains why incorporating assessments can increase hiring accuracy by two to three times.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why interviews are unreliable predictors of job performance due to bias and impression management.
• The role of psychometric testing in improving hiring outcomes by assessing cognitive ability, integrity, and behavioral fit.
• How research shows that structured, behavior-based interviews combined with assessments provide much better hiring outcomes than interviews alone.
• The types of assessments that are most effective, including cognitive ability and integrity tests, while also discussing the limitations of personality testing.
• How small businesses can access assessments without large-scale subscriptions and why they should view these tools as a cost-effective investment in long-term hiring success.
• The importance of balancing assessment results with structured interviews and practical work tests to get a complete picture of a candidate’s ability.

This episode offers practical guidance for business leaders looking to make smarter hiring decisions, reduce turnover, and build strong workplace cultures through better recruitment strategies.

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

 Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

 Free download:

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

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton examines whether offering higher salaries to retain employees who have received external job offers is an effective strategy. With the current employment market making it easier for recruiters to entice talent with significant salary increases, businesses need to consider whether counteroffers truly work in the long term.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why employees typically resign—whether it's purely about money or if other factors, such as career growth and work-life balance, play a bigger role.
• The risks of creating pay inequities when counteroffers are made, leading to disengagement among other employees.
• How retention bonuses can backfire if they don’t align with what actually motivates employees to stay.
• The importance of assessing salary structures to ensure pay remains competitive, especially in industries experiencing wage inflation.
• How counteroffers can lead to golden handcuffs, where employees stay for the money but become disengaged and dissatisfied over time.
• Data on what truly keeps employees in their roles, including work-life balance, career development, and respect in the workplace.

Instead of relying solely on counteroffers, this episode explores alternative strategies to improve retention, including focusing on company culture, career development, and non-monetary benefits that employees value.

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

 Visit Amplify HR for more insights and resources. 

 Free download: Secrets to Keeping Your A Players - Amplify HR

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores the growing conversation around pay transparency and fair remuneration practices, sparked by recent media coverage of Apple employees sharing salary details. She examines the complexities of salary transparency, the challenges organizations face in maintaining pay equity, and the importance of structured remuneration policies.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why employees are increasingly discussing salary details and how businesses should respond.
• The risks of lacking transparency, including employee dissatisfaction, pay inequities, and reduced engagement.
• How documented remuneration policies can help businesses ensure fair and equitable pay while maintaining confidentiality.
• The importance of structured pay reviews that align with market data, internal equity, and compliance with workplace regulations.
• How removing informal salary negotiation processes can help reduce bias and ensure pay decisions are based on merit rather than personality or negotiation skills.

This episode provides practical insights for business leaders looking to create fair and transparent pay structures that build trust, improve retention, and align with organizational goals.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every Monday.

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores the concept of the Great Resignation, a term used to describe the significant increase in workforce turnover seen in many countries, including Australia. She discusses why employees are leaving, the key drivers behind this trend, and what businesses can do to strengthen retention and workplace culture.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• The main reasons behind the Great Resignation, including changing attitudes toward work-life balance, deferred resignations, dissatisfaction with employer response during the pandemic, and a desire for remote work flexibility.
• How businesses can proactively respond by understanding what their employees truly want and improving workplace culture before retention issues escalate.
• The importance of employee engagement and satisfaction surveys to measure workplace sentiment, identify areas for improvement, and track progress over time.
• How roundtable discussions with employees can provide direct insights into company culture, workplace challenges, and potential improvements.
• Why leadership behaviors set the tone for employee retention and how taking action on feedback can improve engagement and loyalty.

This episode offers practical strategies for businesses looking to reduce turnover, retain key talent, and adapt to the evolving expectations of employees in the post-pandemic workplace.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every Monday.

Have you noticed an increase in resignation rates?

We’d love your feedback on this series, just head on over to Amplify HR or connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton discusses the importance of employee recognition and how to make it meaningful, rather than just a routine process. She explains why recognition should be specific, timely, personal, and tied to a larger purpose to truly impact employee engagement and motivation.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why personalized recognition is more effective than generic rewards or automated platforms.
• How to understand individual preferences for appreciation, using frameworks such as "The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace."
• The importance of different levels of recognition, from simple acknowledgments to structured rewards, to ensure employees feel valued in ways that matter to them.
• How to tie recognition to company values and goals, reinforcing behaviors that contribute to the organization’s success.
• Why accountability is key to maintaining an effective recognition program, ensuring it remains active and relevant over time.

This episode provides actionable insights for businesses looking to create a culture of appreciation, where employees feel valued not just for what they do, but for how they contribute to the workplace.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every Monday.

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

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/ 

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores the key moments when businesses should reassess their team structure. While many companies only consider restructuring when faced with immediate challenges—such as workload overflow, employee departures, or staff complaints—Karen highlights a more proactive approach to ensure businesses remain efficient and scalable.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Common reactive triggers for restructuring, such as too much work, employee departures, and workload complaints, and why these may not be the best way to approach structural changes.
• Proactive indicators that signal a need for restructuring, including bottlenecks, lack of collaboration, and innovation stagnation.
• The importance of succession planning and talent mapping to ensure high-potential employees are supported, retained, and given opportunities to grow within the business.
• The role of span of control in effective management, with guidelines on the optimal number of direct reports to maintain performance and engagement.
• Strategic planning for staffing needs, including how to establish triggers for hiring based on revenue, workload, or business growth forecasts.

This episode provides practical insights for business owners and leaders looking to optimize their team structure before issues arise, ensuring their organization remains adaptable and well-positioned for success.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every Monday.

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

Send us Fan Mail

Download our free guide, “Getting Stuff Done Through Your People,” giving you the tools to build a culture where people take ownership, goals get achieved, and results follow.

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/getting-stuff-done-through-your-people/