🎵Injunction Junction, what’s your function? Shooting down rules, and actions, and causes…🎵

In episode 164, Coffey talks with Julia Gannaway about the impact of the end of Chevron deference on several recent court decisions. The discuss the power shift to administrative agencies under Chevron deference; the Supreme Courts’ rationale in the Loper decision; the nationwide injunction against the Federal Trade Commissions’ noncompete rule; the Supreme Court’s Starbucks decision holding the National Labor Relations Board to a higher standard when seeking injunctions; the impact of the Fifth Circuit’s overruling of the Department of Labor’s “tip credit rule;” and whether this trend will extend to the DOL’s latest changes to the salary requirements for exempt employees.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP164 and include the following topics:

- School House Rock: Conjunction Junction
- The End of Chevron Deference: What the Supreme Court’s Ruling in Loper Bright Means for the Regulated Community
- Practical Guidance on Labor and Employment Issues in a Post-Chevron World
- Legal Challenges to the U.S. Department of Labor’s New Overtime Rule
- Texas federal court partially enjoins DOL’s overtime final rule
- Supreme Court, in Starbucks Ruling, Curbs Labor Regulator’s Authority: In a blow to the National Labor Relations Board, the justices made it more difficult to order employers to reinstate fired workers.
- Starbucks v. McKinney: Implications of the Supreme Court’s Ruling on 10(j) Injunctions
- Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction on FTC Noncompete Final Rule,
- Judge Tosses FTC Ban on Noncompete Agreements
- Fifth Circuit Strikes Down DOL Tip Credit Rule: What It Means for Employers

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Julia Gannaway is a 1991 graduate of Texas A&M with an economics degree and obtained her J.D. from the University of Houston in 1994. Her law firm – Ross, Gannaway, Clifton PLLC – dedicates itself solely to assisting employers. She advises clients on matters relating to federal and state agency investigations, conducts employer investigations, prepares and revises employer handbooks, and advises clients on pay matters including the FLSA and the Texas Pay Day Act. She is a member of the Texas Bar College. Julia currently serves on the Fort Worth HR Board of Directors as Legal and Legislative Director.

Julia Gannaway can be reached at

https://rossgannaway.law

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rossgannawayclifton

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the history of the Chevron rule and the impact of the Loper ruling on administrative agencies.
2. Make well-informed decisions about the use of noncompete agreements following the vacation of the Federal Trade Commission’s rule by a federal court.
3. Consider adjustments to tipped employees’ compensation compliant with federal law.

In episode 163, Coffey talks with George Rogers about creating effective workplace cultures and increasing employee engagement. They discuss defining organizational culture and employee engagement; the importance of engagement for business performance; key factors driving employee retention and satisfaction; the impact of AI on workforce development; effective performance management practices; the role of leadership in fostering engagement; and the importance of frequent, meaningful feedback.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

George Rogers has spent over two decades dedicated to inspiring leaders and transforming workplace cultures. Globally recognized as a keynote speaker, George delivers powerful insights on fostering purposeful and profitable businesses.

His book Champion Your Purpose offers practical steps for creating work environments supporting people and profits. It's a guide for those who want to lead with impact.

As the Chief Culture Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory and Culture of Good and founder of CandL llc, he has committed himself to shaping workplaces that are as people-focused as they are successful.

George helps organizations and leaders craft cultures rooted in purpose, ensuring that their work makes a positive difference while driving business growth.

George Rogers can be reached at

https://www.championyourpurpose.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thegeorgerogers

https://x.com/thegeorgerogers

https://www.facebook.com/georgerogerstalk

https://www.instagram.com/thegeorge_rogers

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement a comprehensive employee development strategy that focuses on leveraging individual strengths and providing growth opportunities.

2. Establish regular, structured feedback processes, including peer-to-peer recognition and frequent check-ins between managers and employees.

3. Develop leadership skills that emphasize active listening and understanding employee concerns without immediately trying to "fix" problems.

In episode 162, Coffey talks with Francisco Solis about global immigration strategies and challenges for multinational companies. They discuss CBRE's global talent management approach; integrating immigration strategy with corporate strategy; business travel compliance issues; cultural adaptation for expatriates; comparing U.S. immigration policies with other countries; safety and diversity considerations for international assignments; and key factors in deciding where to expand or hire internationally.

For more information about the Texas SHRM Global Conference on September 19th visit https://www.texasshrmglobalconference.org/

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Francisco Solis leads the Global Immigration Program at CBRE. In this role, he oversees global immigration strategy, which aligns with leaderships priorities to attract and retain top talent. 

Francisco has over 16 years of in-house experience in immigration, international HR, and expatriate management. His experience has included major players in Oil & Gas, Tech and Commercial Real Estate; which include two Fortune 100 organizations.

Francisco Solis can be reached at 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-solisgm

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop a comprehensive global immigration strategy that aligns with corporate goals and considers the full lifecycle of international employees.

2. Implement robust compliance measures for international business travel, considering varying regulations across countries.

3. Evaluate multiple factors beyond immigration policies when expanding internationally, including local talent pools, ease of hiring, cultural fit, and legal considerations.

In episode 161, Coffey talks with Meredith Morris about global employment strategies and challenges for U.S.-based companies. They discuss the Texas SHRM Global Business Conference; reasons companies seek international talent; alternatives to H-1B visas; risks of misclassifying workers as independent contractors; employer of record (EOR) services; cultural differences in international employment; and legal compliance issues in global hiring.

Register for the Texas SHRM Global Business Conference at https://www.texasshrmglobalconference.org/

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Meredith Morris is a seasoned global mobility professional with over 25 years of progressive experience across multiple verticals within the global business services and relocation management space. 

Meredith is the current Director, International Development with Global Expansion where her focus is educating and supporting international companies to align strategies and solutions to mobilize and hire people resources globally.

Meredith is the current Director of the Texas SHRM Global Business Conference, served for over 11 years on Houston Relocation Professionals Board of Directors in multiple capacities including former President and Vice President, along with involvement with Texas SHRM, SHRM and Worldwide ERC.

Meredith, currently based in Houston, Texas, is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned her BBA in Marketing. She is a licensed Realtor and has earned the SHRM-CP designation through the Society of Human Resource Management, as well as Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) and Global Mobility Specialist (GMS) designations through Worldwide Employee Relocation Council. 

On a personal note, she is a mother to two young adult boys, One a Sophomore in College and one about to be a Freshman in college, a fur baby Australian Shepard named Boo and enjoys reading, baseball, salt water fishing and the beach.

Meredith Morris can be reached at 

https://texasshrm7.wildapricot.org 

https://www.globalexpansion.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-morris-crp-gms

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore alternative strategies for international hiring  to comply with local laws and mitigate risks.

2. Evaluate the benefits and challenges of tapping into global talent pools, including legal, cultural, and operational considerations.

3. Develop awareness of cross-cultural communication issues and implement training to improve international workplace interactions.

In episode 160, Coffey talks with Matt Morris about various health insurance options and strategies for employers, particularly small to medium-sized businesses. They discuss recent trends in health insurance cost increases; comparing traditional fully-insured plans to alternative funding methods; health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs); level-funded and self-funded plans; captive insurance arrangements; reference-based pricing; the importance of employee education and communication; and criteria for selecting an insurance broker.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Matt is a Fort Worth native graduating from Aledo High School then Hardin-Simmons University where he obtained his BBA in Finance and Leadership, graduating with honors in 2002. He was a two-time NCAA All-American offensive lineman while working through college where he met his wife Sarah.  In 2006 Matt received his MBA from Texas Christian University while helping grow Gus Bates Insurance & Investments serving in operational, consulting, Team Lead and President roles from 2002-2020. 

In July of 2020 Gus Bates joined HUB in a very strategic move to merge 2 great offices within Fort Worth.  Matt then assumed the role of Area President and now leads the combined teams.  The HUB Fort Worth family is a passionate, energetic team with the guiding principle “Don’t tell me how much you know, just show me how much you care.”  Matt leads by example.  He supports and encourages teams pushing themselves to “find the better way,” constantly.  He believes the "pursuit of excellence" is something that should never end!  Matt holds his Texas Life, Accident & Health, Texas Insurance Counselors, and Texas Property & Casualty licenses.  He also holds FINRA Series 7, Series 65, and Series 63 licenses, a Chartered Benefits Consultant Designation, among others.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and two daughters, Lillian and Hannah.  As a family they enjoy anything outdoors, traveling, reading, coaching and competing in kids sports which often occupies their weekends.  They are active members of Christ Chapel Bible Church, part owners in the Aledo Volleyball Club, and Matt serves on numerous boards such as First Financial Bank’s Advisory Board and Aledo’s various Growth Committees, among others.

Matt Morris can be reached at 

https://www.hubinternational.com/

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore alternative funding methods like level-funded plans, self-funded plans, and captive arrangements to potentially reduce healthcare costs and increase flexibility.

2. Implement effective employee communication strategies to educate staff about their health insurance options and the true costs of coverage.

3. Evaluate insurance brokers based on their technological capabilities, customer service, and ability to provide ongoing education and support, rather than solely on premium rates.

In episode 159, Coffey talks with Mark Smith about employers’ shift towards skills-first hiring. They discuss the evolution of applicant evaluation to skills-first hiring; the diminishing relevance of college degrees in hiring; the importance of soft skills in employee retention; the process of developing a skills-based hiring approach; the use of assessments and structured interviews in hiring; preventing cheating in skills assessments; and the ethical considerations of candidate projects or role-play assessments.

Mark Smith best-selling book  “A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring.”  https://a.co/d/hTK228B

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Mark Smith, Ph.D., is a distinguished HR expert and the Principal Consultant at A Better Choice Hire, specializing in candidate assessments. He is the author of the recent best-selling book, “A Better Choice: The Manager’s Guide to Skills-First Hiring.”

With a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, Mark has dedicated his career to advancing hiring practices and talent management strategies. Named one of the top 50 HR Professionals and Leaders of 2024, he also serves on the Advisory Board for Xobin.

Mark's innovative approaches to candidate assessment and his extensive experience in HR assessments and validation have earned him a reputation as a leader in the field. He presented expert testimony about skills-based hiring to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce and has collaborated with the National Academy of Science on the future of work.

In addition to his consulting work with various organizations, Mark has made significant contributions to HR research and certification exams for HR professionals. His primary focus is helping companies stay competitive by hiring the right people.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mark is also an accomplished ballroom dancer alongside his wife, Kira. They have reached the Gold level at Arthur Murray Dance and have performed in the Nutcracker and Don Quixote with the Virginia Ballet Company. Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mark brings a unique blend of scientific rigor, creative problem-solving, and passion for human potential to all his endeavors.

Mark Smith can be reached at

www.abetterchoicehire.com

www.linkedin.com/in/mark-smith-ph-d-1776201a8

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement a skills-first hiring approach that focuses on evaluating candidates' actual abilities rather than relying solely on credentials or experience.

2. Develop structured interview processes and utilize appropriate assessment tools to effectively measure both technical and soft skills.

3. Design ethical and time-efficient methods for final candidate evaluation, such as brief role-play assessments, to make informed hiring 
decisions without exploiting candidates' time.

In episode 158, Coffey talks with Ashley Smalley about recent HR trends and news items related to employee engagement and workplace culture. 

They discuss Gallup's global survey on gender differences in employee engagement; the importance of leadership communication and employee feedback; the concept of "personality hires" and its potential drawbacks; productivity anxiety among employees; and the dangers of making broad generalizations about demographic groups in the workplace.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP158 and include the following topics:

• Women's Engagement Advantage Disappears in Leadership Roles
•  42% of Employee Turnover Is Preventable but Often Ignored
• What's a personality hire? Here's the value they bring to the workplace 
• Have we entered an era of ‘toxic productivity’? 

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Ashley Smalley is the Founder of Smalley Consulting, a certified human resources professional, a trusted consultant, and an adept facilitator in the workplace culture sphere. Her passion is for people to enjoy their work because they enjoy the people with whom they work, and she accomplishes this with her talent for tailored leadership and people development strategies.

Her eclectic work experience from retail, local government, oil and gas, and the local church has given her a unique perspective on people in the workplace, regardless of industry. She uses that perspective to bring practical teaching that can be utilized immediately.

Ashley Smalley can be reached at

Smalley Consulting Website

Follow Ashley on LinkedIn 

Follow Ashley on Facebook

Follow Ashley on Instagram

Follow Ashley on Youtube

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop effective communication strategies and feedback mechanisms to increase employee engagement and reduce turnover.

2. Evaluate hiring practices to balance personality fit with necessary skills and consider the impact on existing team dynamics.

3. Implement individualized approaches to employee management, avoiding generalizations based on demographics and focusing on understanding each employee's unique needs and motivations.

In episode 157, Coffey talks with Kristine Conway about the evolution of HR roles from generalists to business partners to trusted advisors. They discuss the difference between “business partners” and  “trusted advisors;” the importance of resilience and emotional intelligence; developing listening and coaching skills; building relationships to establish trust; and growing from transactional to relationship-based interactions.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Kristine is a visionary in the process of guiding leaders to become more effective by shifting from 'fixing problems' to 'facilitating solutions'. With a foundation in change management and emotional intelligence models, she offers a fresh perspective to HR executives and organizations who aim to contribute at their highest level. 

Kristine's unconventional 'stop fixing' philosophy stands out, emphasizing the power of facilitation in achieving lasting solutions while humanizing work-culture. 

Her focus on creating effective and sustainable solutions resonates with HR professionals seeking lasting organizational change.

Backed by her expertise in change management and emotional intelligence, Kristine helps leaders increase self-awareness and remove barriers to success.

With over 20 years of experience, Kristine has excelled in organizations with revenues ranging from 60 million to 9 billion across industries like software development, aerospace, finance, and healthcare.

Kristine advances leaders through one-on-one coaching, leadership development programs, ICF accredited coaching education, and online courses, ensuring tailored solutions for each HR executive's unique needs.

Kristine is passionate about developing leaders who can remove barriers and maximize their teams' contributions, recognizing this as the most significant asset a leader can bring to an organization.

She holds a master’s degree in management and administrative sciences with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Executive Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas. Kristine is also a certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation. Effective Focus, Inc. is also an education provider for SHRM, HRCI, and ICF.

Kristine Conway can be reached at

https://effectivefocusinc.com/

https://thewellequippedcoach.com/landing-page

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineconway

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop resilience and emotional intelligence to become a more effective HR practitioner.

2. Practice active listening and coaching techniques to better support and guide employees and leaders.

3. Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders to transition from transactional interactions to becoming a trusted advisor.

In episode 156, Coffey talks with Dee Maddox about the business impact of “putting people first.”

They discuss the meaning of a “people-first” approach; balancing people-first practices with business objectives; common mistakes companies make in implementing people-first strategies; the consequences of neglecting people in favor of processes; the concepts of reboarding and retooling employees; and the importance of trust and open communication in organizations.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

DeAdrian "Dee" Maddox, the Chief Excellence Officer (CEO) of DMX Consulting, LLC, is a skilled human resource professional with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about putting the 'H.U.M.A.N.' back into human resources to assist businesses in achieving their objectives. Dee is not only a consultant but also an accomplished trainer, sought-after public speaker, published author, and regular podcast guest. 

She has received recognition for her achievements, including being named one of the 2023 Your Hour, Her Power Women's History Month Honorees, the 2022 Junior League of Collin County Volunteer of the Year, and graduating from Leadership Frisco Class XXIV in 2021. She is an active member of NSA North Texas and DallasHR.

Dee holds a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MBA from George Washington University. Her personalized approach to her work is well-known, and her clients and colleagues describe her as a skilled and knowledgeable professional who always strives to understand each business's unique needs and prioritize people over processes to enhance the employee experience.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Dee lives in Frisco, Texas, with her family. She enjoys serving the community, traveling, and watching old movies.

Dee Maddox can be reached at:

https://deemaddoxconsulting.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemaddox 

https://twitter.com/dmxconsulting1 

https://www.facebook.com/dmxconsulting1 

https://www.instagram.com/dmxconsulting

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Implement active listening and understanding practices to align individual needs with organizational goals.

2. Develop strategies for regular reboarding and retooling of employees to keep them updated on organizational changes.

3. Foster a culture of trust and psychological safety where employees feel empowered to voice concerns and contribute to process improvements.

In episode 155, Coffey talks with Tony Buffum about the evolving freelance workforce and its impact on the labor market.

They discuss the growth of the freelance workforce; differences between gig jobs and freelance work; the increasing preference for freelance work among younger generations; the use of platforms like Upwork for accessing diverse talent; the benefits of hiring fractional executives through freelance platforms; and the role of freelancing for retirees and experienced professionals.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Tony Buffum is VP of HR Client Strategy at Upwork. As a key member of the senior-level executive client strategy team, Buffum is responsible for accelerating growth of current and prospective Upwork enterprise clients, helping them solve HR challenges related to finance, procurement and talent transformation. Buffum is an accomplished HR professional with more than two decades of experience leading global HR teams as well as driving transformational change in company culture, organizational design, performance management, and employee integration and engagement. 

He joins Upwork following a series of noteworthy leadership positions including chief human resources officer (CHRO) at FLIR Systems, VP of global human resources at STANLEY Security, VP of human resources at Stanley Black & Decker and others. Alongside his role at Upwork, he serves as Chairperson of PEI Human Capital Forum and is the HR Venture Advisor at SemperVirens, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology transforming healthcare work and financial wellness. 

Buffum graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Industrial & Labor Relations.

Tony Buffum can be reached at 

https://www.upwork.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-buffum-hrexecutive

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Adapt to the growing freelance workforce by understanding the differences between traditional employees, freelancers, and gig workers, and the specific benefits each type brings to the organization.

2.Facilitate effective integration and collaboration by addressing cultural and operational challenges, such as remote work, security protocols, and communication practices.

3. Leverage freelance platforms to access diverse talent and meet both short-term project needs and long-term strategic goals, while considering the potential for converting freelancers to full-time roles if appropriate​.