People Solutions

People Solutions

By Strategic Talent ManagementBusiness
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People Solutions episodes

  • Episode 23: Answering Client Questions

    In this episode, Art and Sue address client questions about handling difficult situations with valued employees.

    • Someone who is driving others away
    • Two people who do great work but just can’t get along with each other
    • Managing up

      • If you have a question you’d like us to address in a future episode, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

      16 min
    • Episode 22: Exit Planning: Building Business Value

      In this podcast, Art and Sue are joined by special guest David Jean, Managing Director of Altus Exit Strategies. An important aspect of growing a successful business is creating transferable value. Transferable value is what your business is worth to someone else without you at the helm.  


      To get started in determining your business’s value and creating an effective exit strategy, ask yourself these 3 Universal Questions:

      • How much do you as the owner want to take out of the business when you exit?
      • When do you want to scale down? To exit?
      • Who are the future leaders of your company and are they ready to step up?
        • 21 min
      • Episode 21: Cultural Cohesion vs. Groupthink

        Selecting people who fit your culture is important, but if you’re all too much in lock step, you open yourself up to blind spots and the perils of groupthink.


        - Too many differences, and you’re susceptible to conflict, mistrust, and miscommunication.

        - Too many similarities can discourage creativity, innovation, and individual responsibility.

        - “Fit” is more about people sharing the same broad values rather than thinking exactly the same way. Planned diversity is healthy.

        18 min
      • Episode 20: Structured Interviews = Hiring Success

        Hi STM Subscriber,Are you struggling to find the right interviewing formula? Do you feel that your interviewing practices aren’t screening for top talent the way you’d like? STM can help!


        Check out our latest podcast episode where we discuss interviewing tactics like:

        - Be aware of your own bias; look beyond behavior.

        - For every question you ask, know why you’re asking it and what you do and do not want to hear.

        - Don’t stop with the first answer; dig deeper for validation.

        27 min
      • Episode 19: Results from Our Roundtables

        Art and Sue recently hosted a series of roundtables at a conference centered around the issues of hiring, development, and retention. In this podcast, they share some of the ideas and issues that came up in those conversations.

        - How can we compete in this crazy hiring market?

        - What benefits and incentives can we offer to attract and retain good people?

        - Do we really have to put up with mediocrity? Is it better to have a marginally productive person than an empty chair?

        31 min
      • Episode 18: Are you offering the right performance incentives?

        Are you providing your employees with rewards and incentives that are meaningful to them, or are you making assumptions based on what's meaningful to you? In this podcast, Art and Sue talk about the clues that help you determine what your individual people value and what rewards and incentives will resonate with them.

        - Hobbies and the roles your people play on your team can give you valuable clues to their motivators.

        - Everybody likes a raise or bonus, but it’s not always all about the money.

        - Customizing rewards to zero in on what your people really value is a powerful tool.

        30 min
      • Episode 17: Are you getting the most out of your contractor relationships?
        Outsourcing work to contractors is a common practice, but are you really getting the most out of these relationships? In this podcast, Art speaks with STM’s marketing contractor, Graham Nash, to address common challenges managing your external people. Join Art and Graham as they discuss:
        - Effective onboarding is essential. Make sure your contractor has access to the resources and information they need to do the job.
        - You're not their only client. Respect their boundaries, bandwidth, and scope of work.
        - Communication is key. Contractors are not mind readers or magicians.
        27 min
      • Episode 16: Workplace Agility and Adaptability
        What's holding you back? To maintain and grow your business in today's world agility and adaptability are more important than ever. They are essential to navigating change and seeking out the best of each situation as you confront them. In this podcast we cover:
        - Now is the time to analyze how you do what you do. Is it out of necessity or is it just a habit?
        - Take a look at your culture, your people, and your systems. Are they serving you well in this new reality?
        - Trust your employees. Is how it gets done as important as that it does get done?
        22 min
      • Episode 15: Are you using the right assessments in the right way?
        We often talk with companies who use behavior assessments in making hiring and promotion decisions.  Behavior is a good place to start, but you shouldn’t stop there.
        - Using behavior assessments alone in hiring decisions is as effective as flipping a coin.  Any behavior style can do any job.
        - Personality (a.k.a. behavior) can mask both strengths and weaknesses in your employees and candidates.
        - Using the right assessments can accelerate and sharpen your hiring process.
        21 min
      • Episode 14: David Jean, CPA and Exit Planning Expert interviews Art Boulay
        To prepare your company for planned or unplanned succession, you should prepare legally and financially. But you should also identify people who fit your culture and who can build on your organization’s success. The most important concern for your potential buyer is the quality of your management team, so that should be your number one concern as well. 
        - Every business problem is about process or people and how STM addresses the people issue
        - The buyer of your business expects to see a strong management team in place after you leave
        - Your next generation of managers will need coaching and development to prepare for taking charge
        16 min

      About People Solutions

      From the publisher's feed

      People are the most important ingredient for your business or organization’s success. We believe the way to take your organization to the next level begins with knowing your people and yourself. When leaders and managers are spending fewer hours addressing the fallout of disengagement, mediocre performance, and unclear communications, they have the time and energy to achieve organizational goals.