As a founder, do you ever feel stuck firefighting staff issues instead of focusing on growth? You’re not alone.  

One of the most common challenges for business owners is balancing the day-to-day of managing people with the long-term goal of scaling sustainably. 

In this episode, Karen Kirton explores why so many founders get pulled into reactive people management — from hiring mistakes to underperformance and workplace conflicts — and what it really costs your time, energy, and business growth. 

You’ll hear: 

• Why recruitment, poor hires, and unclear processes drain more than just your hours 
• The hidden emotional toll of people management on founders and leaders 
• Why avoiding policies can create more complexity (and how smart policies protect culture) 
• The turning point when founders shift from doing to leading 
• Three practical steps to break the cycle: simplify, delegate, and refocus 
• How our Find, Grow, Keep methodology transforms teams and frees founders to focus on growth 

 Ready to scale with confidence? Book a free discovery call here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie 

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

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/managing-performance/ 

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/why-smart-hr-policies-actually-reduce-complexity-in-growing-businesses/ 

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

Flexibility is one of the most talked-about workplace trends right now — from 4-day work weeks, to working from anywhere, to hybrid being the new normal. But for small and medium-sized businesses, these trends can feel out of reach or simply too complicated to implement. 

In this episode, Karen Kirton breaks down the myths versus realities of workplace flexibility, backed by research and real-world examples. Whether you’ve been thinking about trialling a 4-day work week, allowing team members to work remotely (even overseas), or refining your hybrid model, this episode will give you practical steps to make it work — without disrupting your operations or culture. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Why the 4-day work week isn’t a magic fix (and how to trial it successfully) 
• The hidden risks of “work from anywhere” policies — and how to manage them 
• Why hybrid work only works when it’s intentionally designed 
• Three questions to ask before introducing flexible work options 
• Practical ways to reduce risk and increase engagement with flexible models 

Flexibility can work for your business — when it’s done on your terms. Tune in for a clear, practical guide to making flexibility work for your team and your bottom line. 

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

Free download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep/  

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-16/australian-companies-trialled-four-day-work-week-continue/102479770  

https://www.4dayweek.com/anz-2023-pilot-results 

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Julian Fenwick, CEO of GRC Solutions, to explore how a business can grow across borders without losing its people-first values. 

Julian shares: 

• How GRC Solutions scaled across Australia and into Asia while maintaining a strong internal culture 
• The practical ways they’re using AI to improve productivity and job satisfaction 
• Why compliance training doesn't have to be boring—and how good design and trust can make it impactful 
• How they’ve built a legal and research graduate program that fuels both learning and recruitment 
• The lessons learned from leading hybrid teams and mentoring in remote-first settings 
• What international expansion really takes (hint: patience and local investment!) 

This episode is full of practical advice for leaders navigating growth, complexity, and cultural nuance. Whether you’re expanding globally or managing a growing team, Julian’s insights will help you stay focused on what matters most—your people. 

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 Julian: 

grc-solutions.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fenwick-415848/

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

Resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have in the workplace — it’s essential for keeping your team engaged, productive, and ready to adapt to change. In this episode, we break down what resilience really means (and what it isn’t), the critical difference between pressure and stress, and five leadership techniques you can use to build high-trust, high-performing teams. 

You’ll discover: 

• Why resilience is a skill anyone can develop. 
• How to recognise healthy pressure versus harmful stress. 
• Five practical ways to help your team recover from challenges and avoid burnout. 
• A simple problem-solving framework (AAA: Alter, Avoid, Accept) that builds a solution-focused mindset. 

Whether you lead a small business, a growing startup, or a division in a larger company, you’ll learn how to create an environment where people can thrive — even during uncertainty. 

📌 If you’re ready to build a more resilient, engaged, and productive workplace, book your free discovery call here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie 

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

Free download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/empowering-new-managers/  

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

As business owners, we often talk about scaling — but how do you grow sustainably without burning out your team or losing sight of what matters most? 

In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Matthew Forzan, Managing Director of Yoghurt Digital, a Sydney-based agency specialising in SEO, CRO, and data-led UX. With over 20 years in the industry, Matthew shares how his team uses data not only to drive client results, but also to make smarter internal decisions that support growth, culture, and retention. 

We cover: 

• How to introduce a data-driven mindset into your business without drowning in numbers 
• The “big rocks” approach to prioritising work and aligning your team with company goals 
• Balancing flexibility and collaboration in a hybrid workplace 
• Practical ways to retain great people in a competitive industry 
• Lessons learned (and surprises) from leading a high-performing team 

Whether you’re running an agency, leading a small business, or just starting to scale, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply right away. 

📌 Connect with Matthew:
Website – Yoghurt Digital
LinkedIn – Matthew Forzan 

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

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

We often think of employee retention as "keeping them forever." But what if success means helping someone grow—even if that growth takes them beyond your business? 

In this episode, Karen shares the story of a high performer who was supported with mentoring, development, and stretch opportunities—and stayed for seven years before moving on to a bigger role elsewhere. And the best part? It was a win for everyone involved. 

Tune in to discover: 

• Why letting go of a great employee might mean you did everything right 
• How to extend retention by investing in growth, not control 
• Four practical strategies for keeping top performers longer—even if they eventually leave 
• Why graceful exits matter for culture, reputation, and future boomerang hires 

This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to build trust-based, long-term people strategies that create value for both the employee and the business. 

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

Free download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep/  

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/retain-your-best-employees-with-personal-development-plans/ 

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

What does it take to build a business where every employee thinks and acts like an owner? 

In this episode I’m joined by Jarred Rubin, CEO and Partner at Blackwattle Investment Partners—a new-generation Australian investment firm doing things very differently. Jarred shares how they built their business from a blank sheet of paper, designing a structure where alignment, accountability, and equity are embedded in every decision. 

We explore: 

• Why every Blackwattle team member is also an equity owner 
• How their hiring process filters for humility, drive, and curiosity 
• The role of strong governance—even in a flat structure 
• How to design incentives that truly drive the right behaviours 
• The challenges of scaling culture and how to overcome them 
• Practical advice for founders who want to create more ownership in their teams (even in other industries) 

This episode is packed with honest reflections and actionable tips on creating a culture that not only performs but lasts. 

Tune in now to hear how you can apply these lessons in your own business. 

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

➡ Connect with Jarred on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarredrubin/ 

➡ Learn more about Blackwattle: https://www.blackwattlepartners.com

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

As a business owner, one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever face is knowing when someone just isn’t the right fit for your team — especially when you've already invested time, money, and energy into them. 

In this episode, Karen draws inspiration from an unexpected source: Gordon Ramsay. Yep, the fiery chef from Kitchen Nightmares offers a surprisingly perfect metaphor for what to do when a team member is holding your business back. 

You’ll learn: 

• Why keeping someone in a role they’re not suited to doesn’t serve them or your team 
• How to spot the signs and have the tough conversation (with compassion) 
• The key recruitment and onboarding strategies that help you hire right the first time 
• Why psychometric testing, structured interviews, and behavioural clarity matter more than you think 

If you've ever said “but they're really nice…” while avoiding a performance issue, this episode is your wake-up call. 

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

Also Mentioned in This Episode: 

https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/what-to-do-when-your-new-hire-isnt-working-out/ 

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

HR isn’t just a line item or a compliance tick-box. It’s a strategic investment that can either help your business grow or quietly cost you through high turnover, poor onboarding, and disengaged teams.

 In this episode, Karen breaks down:

• What the data says about HR costs (and what benchmarks you should ignore)
• The hidden financial and cultural risks of underinvesting in people
• How HR should look and function at different business stages—from 5 to 100+ employees
• Why smart, strategic HR pays for itself (and then some)

 If you're still relying on admin or payroll to “do HR,” you may be holding your business back. Tune in to learn how the right investment in people can actually boost your bottom line—and what it looks like to scale HR as you scale your team.

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

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

In this episode of the Find Grow Keep podcast, Karen sits down with Michelle Miller, CEO of Robokids—an award-winning STEM education company that started as a side project and has now reached over 375,000 teachers and students across Australia. 

Michelle shares her journey from classroom teacher to purpose-driven CEO, revealing how she built a business that puts people first—every single time.  

Whether she’s supporting her team through health challenges or making brave hiring calls, Michelle leads with care and conviction. 

💡 You’ll hear: 

• How to lead a small team through rapid growth without losing your values 
• Why trusting your gut in hiring can save your culture 
• Practical ways to support mental health at work (including a tool Michelle created with Beyond Blue) 
• How she built a business that can run without her—and why that’s a leadership goal worth chasing 

If you’re a business owner trying to grow without burning out your team—or yourself—this episode is full of candid wisdom and practical advice. 

🔗 Learn more about Michelle and Robokids: www.robokids.com.au 
📨 Get in touch: [email protected] 

✨ At Amplify HR, we help businesses build teams that thrive.
Book your free discovery call here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie 

Subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday! 

Send us a text

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep