Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges

On this week's episode of Tales Around the Water Cooler, Kristen sits down with Senior User Experience Designer and longtime friend Alison Gaddis. They run the gamut of topics regarding their careers, beginning with their very first job together at Coconut's Music and Movies. Kristen and Alison share their experiences as two women in leadership roles. The two chat about how to handle uncomfortable workplace dynamics, the unique value of a creative mind, and the trials and triumphs of being a woman in male-dominated fields. They also provide helpful discourse and relatable anecdotes on setting professional limits and taking up the space you deserve.

In this episode of "Tales from Around the Water Cooler," Amy M. Gardner, certified Career and Career Transitions Coach, shares her advice for navigating work in the midst of everyday life during these uncertain times. She shares personal testimony of switching careers after a life-changing German Marshall Fellowship and offers guidance on how to transform one's passion into a business. Amy and Kristen also discuss smart goal-setting, making each day enjoyable, and the importance of trust and communication when working on a team.

Amy is a certified Career and Career Transitions Coach and Team Development and Leadership Consultant with Apochromatik ("App-o-chro-matic"). She coaches lawyers and other professionals one-on-one, in small group masterminds, and delivers workshops for employers.

After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Amy was a Skadden litigation associate and then an associate and partner at a mid-size Chicago firm.

Amy left practice to serve as the dean of students at the University of Chicago Law School for many years, where she developed her interest in developing leaders within the legal industry.

She received her B.A. from Luther College, her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and her M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. She has completed extensive training and earned certifications in both individual and in team and leadership coaching.

Her career and goal achievement advice has been featured in media including ABA publications, Bustle, Corporette, Glassdoor, Health, Monster, NBC, and Women's Running magazine.

Bio:

Amy M. Gardner is a certified Career and Career Transitions Coach and Team Development and Leadership Consultant with Apochromatik. She coaches lawyers and other professionals one-on-one, in small group masterminds, and delivers workshops for employers. Her work draws on her unique experience as dean of students at the University of Chicago Law School and a successful career practicing law, first as a Skadden litigation associate and later as an associate and then partner at a mid-size Chicago firm. She received her B.A. from Luther College, her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and her M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Her career and goal achievement advice has been featured in media including ABA publications, Bustle, Corporette, Glassdoor, Health, Monster, NBC, and Women's Running magazine.

Stay Connected with Amy M. Gardner:

Website:www.apochromatik.com

Twitter:https://twitter.com/apochromatik

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apochromatik

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apochromatik

http://linkedin.com/in/amygardner

Blog: https://www.apochromatik.com/blog

Other: https://www.instagram.com/the_apochromatik/

Kristen sits down with Derek Drake, CEO and co-founder of Ditto Foods LLC., to talk food, farming, and entrepreneurship. Ditto Foods, which provides high-quality produce grown in a controlled environment to communities and customers, is a new startup. They discuss the difficulties of starting a new business in a pandemic, and the factors in Derek's life that gave him his interest in compassionate entrepreneurship, natural foods, and community access to healthy eating.

Stay Connected with Derek Drake:

Website: dittofoods.com

Instagram: Ditto_foods

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dittofoods/

LinkedIn: LinkedIn_Derek Drake

Ditto Foods LLC Mission

Founder of networking advisory company keepwith® Megan Burke recently joined Kristen to discuss networking and entrepreneurship during a pandemic. As a networking consultant, Megan's start-up has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, but the launch of a new digital service and other leaps forward have paradoxically led to unprecedented growth for keepwith. Megan and Kristen discuss these challenges and successes, as well as the importance of building a networking strategy and how networking is still possible—even in a pandemic.

Stay connected with keepwith:

keepwith website

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Read Megan Burke's advice on Fast Company:

"This is how mentorship relationships should adapt to the pandemic"

"8 smart ways to keep networking while you're stuck at home"

"Why you need a mentor who's younger than you"

For bookings and engagements with keepwith, e-mail Jenn Steinberg: [email protected]

The past several years have revealed just how widespread the problem of harassment in the workplace is. In this episode of Tales From Around The Water Cooler, Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco of The Prinz Law Firm have a frank discussion about anti-harassment trainings in the workplace. The duo breaks down what constitutes harassment and how companies can address the issue, from mandatory sexual harassment trainings to cultural audits and listening sessions. Kristen and Christina expand the discussion to the additional work that needs to be done around racial diversity and equality in the workplace, as well as the significance of workplace culture in combatting all forms of harassment.

It's important to have leaders that can have these conversations and effectively listen to the people of their company. Tune in to learn how to foster a sense of inclusion in your workplace, create a space where people can speak up, and take your employees seriously when they do come forward.

To learn more about our trainings and to schedule a FREE consultation, click here.

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn.

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn.

Show Notes: Carter Crockett calls in from Kigali, Rwanda, where he owns and manages a Karisimbi Business Partners, the first consulting firm in the country paid by business leaders to help with strategic decisions, often by providing business plans, market research, feasibility studies and more. He and Kristen discuss how one ends up doing social entrepreneurship in a small African country, and how business consulting works differently in different cultures. They also explore the business environment in Rwanda during the pandemic, and the exceptional role of women in Rwandan business.

Bio: (items you would like me to mention when I introduce you): a 50-year old man from California, married to Kerry (anniversary tomorrow!), proud father of two amazing people (including Marcet Crockett!); Idealistic entrepreneur who has lived on three continents, worked in 8+ sectors and worked for 20+ employers; A technology entrepreneur, turned ethics scholar, turned professor, who became a social entrepreneur; A man who recently moved back to Rwanda to lead the company he started 11 years ago.... Thanks in part to COVID-19, for the foreseeable future, I am unexpectedly holding the responsibilities associated with the favorite job of my career.

Stay Connected with Carter Crockett:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://karisimbipartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carter-crockett/

Kristen talks work and life with Marcy Twete, founder of her own consulting business and expert in corporate responsibility and sustainability. From the failure of her first venture into entrepreneurship to the success she found through networking in a new city, fearlessness and ambition have played important roles in Marcy's journey to where she is now. They also discuss the responsibility of corporations to benefit society and the environment, especially now when those in the public eye are called on more than ever to do good. The conclusion of this episode is a timely discussion on the best mindset to adopt towards money during this pandemic.

Marcy Twete is a recognized leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability for multinational Fortune 500 companies, and has a background both broad and deep in ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors, ethical decision-making, marketing and communications. She is the founder and CEO Marcy Twete Consulting where she advises corporations, nonprofit organizations and their investors on environmental, social and governance risks and reputation management.

In addition to leading her consulting practice, Marcy also co-hosts Office Baggage, a podcast that tackles topics for women in business that are all too often brushed under the office rug. In June 2020, she will launch Table Stakes: The Podcast for Responsible, Sustainable Businesses & Leaders, discussing the issues of sustainability with forward-thinking leaders to forecast the future of responsible business.

Marcy is a proud Trustee at the Chicago Architecture Center, and a former member of the Boards of Directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and Step Up. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the College of Saint Benedict and her MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She resides in Chicago with her husband Charlie, her tabby cat Betsey and her terrier mix Pearl.

Stay Connected with Marcy Twete:

Website: www.marcytwete.com

Twitter: @MarcyTwete

Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcytwete

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marcytwete

Podcasts: www.officebaggagepodcast.com and www.tablestakespodcast.com

Other: You Know Everybody!: A Career Girl's Guide to Building a Network That Works

Kristen welcomes Brad Spirrison, an entrepreneur many times over who has made a mark in various sectors, from sports journalism to educational technology to the burgeoning cannabis marketplace. In this one-on-one conversation, Brad discusses his professional path, characterized by risk-taking and creating companies from the ground up. He also explains his interest in emerging markets and highlights some of his ongoing projects. He currently plays a key role in WorkFlowEdu, an educational technology start-up that is helping young students develop sharper executive skills through mindfulness. At the same time, he is a publisher of Grown In, a weekly newsletter dedicated to the emerging commercial cannabis industry in Illinois. If you are looking for inspiration to follow your own entrepreneurial spirit, this is the episode for you!

Kristen welcomes dentist Dr. Anushka Gaglani, co-owner of TruBlue Dentistry, to the show to discuss returning to work post-quarantine. They explore the anxiety felt by employees, employers, and the general public about returning to business as "usual" as well as the measures businesses are taking to ensure safety. Some dentists' offices and other clinics are implementing staggered appointments, temperature checks at the door, and requirements that patients fill out wellness forms before their appointments to help their businesses function safely and effectively. Anushka and Kristen discuss the importance of prioritizing the safety of patients and employees, especially those who are immunocompromised or otherwise at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Bio:

Dr. Anushka Gaglani graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. She practices all aspects of general dentistry, including root canals, wisdom teeth extractions, fillings, and cosmetic dentistry. She truly cares about what patients want and goes above and beyond to make them feel comfortable and cared for. She treats children and adults of all ages and believes that great smiles contribute to a great life.

Dr. Gaglani is a member of:

• The American Dental Association
• The American Academy of General Dentistry
• The Illinois State Dental Society
• The Chicago Dental Society

Dr. Gaglani practices at TruBlu Dentistry, which conveniently offers three locations in Burbank, Chicago, and Hegewisch, IL.

Stay Connected with Dr. Gaglani:

TruBlu Dentistry

TruBlu Dentistry on LinkedIn

Dr. Gaglani on LinkedIn

Kristen Prinz sits down (remotely) with President and CEO of KODO Care Chad Kodiak, Founder and CEO of Aqueity Dan Dunn, and Co-Founder and CMO of mSEED Group Anthony Standifer to talk about bringing employees back to work after weeks or months of quarantine. Representing a variety of business sectors, these leaders have employed unique strategies for returning to work, tailored to their respective industries. Since each company faces its own set of challenges while dealing with this pandemic, this groups explains that it is important to listen to one's workforce and adjust strategies accordingly. Tune in to hear what several enterprising business leaders are doing to ensure a safe and productive return to work.