HR Power Hour

ave you ever talked on the phone with someone and then met in real life only to be surprised at what the person looked like? What does the accent of television and movie characters speak to as to a character’s personality and skillset?

How, if at all, does the accent of a prospective employee impact decision-makers in determining whether the individual is qualified for the position?

Accent bias effects how individuals process information and make decisions, both in the work environment and in life generally.

On this episode of HR Power Hour, join co-host Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Heather Hansen, Founder of Global Speech Academy and author of Unmuted as they discuss accent bias at work and steps decision-makers can take to minimize the adverse effects it has on your decision-making at work.

In business we have information coming at us a mile a minute. Some of it’s useful, some of it not-so-much. At the same time, each of us (and our employees) have lives outside of work.

Big things, little things, old things, new things, all the things that we carry with us that makes us who we are–but which also can interfere with productivity and general ability to be “present” at work.

In this episode of HR Power Hour, join host Tawny Alvarez, as she talks to Dr. Amy Wood, psychologist, about ways that high performers can defy disruption and improve their focus.

From understanding the effect technology has on our lives–both how it helps and hinders productivity–to how clutter in the work environment is adversely affecting our ability to think clearly, this show will be packed with helpful tips to improve your and your team’s focus.

What is important to “you” in workplace culture? 63% of employees say RESPECT and if they do not feel respected, they will leave. So how do you build a culture that focuses on respect and builds trusting relationships in a work environment? How does it affect women vs other genders in the workplace?

  In this episode of the HR Power Hour, host CMA’s David Ciullo discusses Let’s Discuss Workplace Culture… with Coleen Greco, Joyologist and Coach that empowers and inspires women to reclaim their joy. Listen to simple and practical examples and stories of how women have changed their paradigm, made themselves heard, and find balance and joy in their lives.

Employers often ask their employees to “bring their whole self to work.” Companies ask employees to engage in inclusion endeavors and to help the organization achieve its mission as it relates to culture, diversity, and growth.

Often, however, when the organization is unsuccessful in achieving any of these goals, the organization blames the individual—using terms and phrases such as “they weren’t the right fit” or they didn’t “integrate” well with the “culture”.

But the issue could be larger than these catch-phrases. Instead, it may be time for the organization to be asking—do employees feel psychologically safe at work?

On this episode of HR Power Hour, join Tawny Alvarez and Chuck Mollor, founder, CEO, executive coach, and advisor at MCG Partners, as they discuss the importance of psychological safety at work, including why it’s important and how you can help to build a more psychologically safe work environment for your employees.

Growth is leadership’s number one challenge. Your greatest impediments are communication and focus. The single most powerful tool for dealing with those impediments is an effective strategic management process that leverages your most valuable asset – your leadership team. In this episode, host CMA’s David Ciullo discusses with John Myrna, Co-Founder and CEO of Myrna Associates, Inc., his new book- The Chemistry of Growth: A CEO’s Guide. Listen as David and John discuss a practical and proven formula that has enabled hundreds of small and mid-sized companies to create and grow exceptional value, turning their company’s vision into reality.

Do you have the right people, in the right roles, doing the right work? Not just that, but even if the right people are in the right role, are they happy?

  Do they enjoy the work that they do daily?

  Does it bring them joy? What if there was a resource that could help you determine the right role for your team members—while also making sure that they feel included and engaged in your organization’s mission and purpose? There may be.

  In this episode of HR Power Hour, join Tawny Alvarez and guest David B. Jones, CEO of The Talent Enterprise, as they discuss how using Science and Analytics can provide your company with the insights you need to effectively evaluate not just the needs of the organization—but the needs of your team.

While most employers are aware that pregnant employees are entitled to some form of protection under the law, do you and your HR team have a full understanding of the statutes and regulations that provide protections to expectant parents—as well as their rights after a child is born?   

There are a multitude of both state and federal laws that come into effect once an individual learns that they are expecting a child, each with individualized obligations for the employer, including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that takes effect on June 27.  

 On this episode of HR Power Hour, join host Tawny Alvarez as she talks to Verrill attorney Elizabeth Johnston about an employer’s legal obligations as it relates to pregnancy in the workplace—from the FMLA to the recently enacted Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Your business is only successful if there is a market for its products or services. There is only a market if a company recognizes, engages and encourages its team member to build a community that can consume the products or services.

As we all know, a company rarely “acts”—it’s the people within the organization, those who run and participate in the operations that “act” on behalf of the organization.

So how can a company be engaged in its community? Simple, by communicating community engagement as a priority within the organization while ensuring your actions support your verbalized commitment. But in most cases, it is anything but simple; it takes a lot of hard work.

  In this episode of HR Power Hour, join Tawny Alvarez as she talks with Melissa Denbow, Vice President Community Experience Manager at Machias Savings Bank, about the work that she has done to help Machias Savings Bank become a key member of the community it serves, and steps other companies can take to communicate the value of community engagement to its team members.

Executive Presence is a certain set of attitudes, behaviors, and skills which and when combined, send the right signals, influence others, and ultimately drive results. How would you rate yourself in this critical area?

In this episode, host CMA’s David Ciullo discusses with Mark Gonska, Founder of Career Accelerator and Career Management Associates’ Senior Career and Executive Coach, Executive Presence; Do You Have “It”?

This critical skill is a combination of confidence, poise, and authenticity that convinces the people around you that they in the presence of someone who’s the real deal.

While companies would prefer to operate “crisis free,” such a goal is usually unobtainable.

The crisis could be small—a difficult employee who takes up significant time and energy and appears uncoachable—or a larger crisis—supply chain issues, recalls, active shooter situations.

The question, however, that should be asked is whether managers in the organization have the skills and resources to decrease crises before they occur (in addition to respond fully and efficiently when they do occur).

In this episode of HR Power Hour join host Tawny Alvarez while she discusses these issues and the tools that we can provide to managers to help them be more effective in crisis with John Robertson, workforce wellness expert and culture alignment specialist of FORTLOG Services, Inc.