POPS! The People Ops Podcast

Giving feedback can be nerve-wracking in and of itself, never mind when the person on the receiving end has more seniority than you. But according to Danny Speros, VP of People Ops at Zenefits, that shouldn’t keep you from speaking up. 

On this episode of POPS!, Danny shares tips for giving feedback with confidence. You’ll hear how to approach a feedback conversation as a coach would, and why having a common goal makes all the difference.

Additional Resources:

• HR Headaches Series: Giving Feedback to Managers With More Seniority Than You: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/hr-headaches-giving-feedback-to-managers-with-more-seniority-than-you/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>> [00:34-02:03] Why you shouldn’t be afraid to give feedback to someone who outranks you

>>>>> [02:04-03:58] How to leverage the coaching method when giving feedback

>>>>> [03:58-04:42] How to approach feedback from the place of a common goal

Eight in ten small business leaders believe the who, how, and where of work has changed forever. The future of work is here—is your business prepared?

On this episode of PREVIEW, Zenefits Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Marasco talks about a key challenge facing small businesses as they adapt to the new world of work: getting to know their own employees.

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>> [00:30-00:58 ] How Zenefits gathers data on what makes for a resilient organization

>>>>> [00:59-01:36] Why getting to know employees is a challenge leaders need to overcome

>>>>> [01:51-02:14] POPS! Quiz: How is your organization adapting to accommodate the future of the way we work?

Additional Resources:

Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

20 years ago, the end-goal of engaging employees was getting them to stay with the organization for the rest of their career. But times have changed, and the expectations of the workforce have changed as well. Today, employees crave opportunities and resources for growth from their employers. But according to Erica Betz, former head of HR at software company Squirrels, it’s not enough to say, “go develop yourself” and send them on their way.  

On this episode of PIVOT, Erica shares why it’s time for people ops to step up its game when it comes to developing people—professionally AND personally. You’ll hear tips for starting goal-setting conversations and how to use those conversations to engage employees and positively impact business performance. 

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• [02:52-05:39] What engaging and developing employees looks like in this day and age
• [05:57-07:50] How to implement practices that develop employees as whole people
• [07:51-09:57] The biggest mistake companies make when it comes to developing employees
• [09:57-13:53] How technology can be a safe space for employees to speak up 
• [13:55-16:57 ] How to use goal-setting and check-in conversations to solve problems
• [18:05-21:16] Measuring the success of development conversations 
• [21:51-24:35] 4 ways to kickstart a culture of personal and professional development
• [24:46-25:49] Why Erica is inspired to create better work environments for employees

After you listen: 

• Best Place to Work, Squirrels LLC, Nurtures Tech Culture in Ohio: https://www.zenefits.com/customer/squirrels-llc/
• Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

• Follow the podcast  
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

With more and more Gen Zers entering the workforce every day, today’s workforce is very generationally diverse. But can we close the gap?

On this episode of POPS!, Zenefits VP of People Ops Danny Speros breaks down what different generations value at work, what every generation has in common, and how to unify a team despite generational differences.

Additional Resources:

• HR Guide to Gen Zers vs Millennials in the Workplace: https://learn.zenefits.com/rs/180-GFH-982/images/GenZ-Millennials-Research-Zenefits.pdf

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [01:08-01:28] The defining factors that shape generations
• [01:28-02:36] What defines people based on their life and career stage
• [02:46-03:27] What all people of all generations have in common at work
• [03:29-04:42] How to embrace and celebrate generational differences 

With the rise of remote work and hybrid workplaces, work isn’t the only thing that’s changing right now. The entire HR function is being disrupted, too.

On this episode of PREVIEW, Zenefits Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Marasco highlights exactly how HR is changing, from the demand for virtual benefits to HR job titles.

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

• [00:00-01:00] Why the HR function is in a state of disruption
• [01:01-01:43] How HR titles are changing
• [01:59-2:20] POPS quiz: How is your organization shifting from HR to people ops?

Additional Resources

• Preorder your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

Now that traveling is safer, how will you handle many employees who want to take their built-up PTO simultaneously? According to Tracy Cote, to prevent employee burnout or an empty office this summer, people managers need to begin strategizing for the wave of PTO requests now.

On this episode of PIVOT, the People Ops Advisor to Zenefits Tracy Cote discusses strategies for managing vacation time as an organization while still empowering your employees to unplug and unwind.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

>>>>>[00:00-04:31] - How to manage a vacation season with built-up PTO

>>>>>[04:32-07:29] - When and how to encourage people to take a vacation

>>>>>[07:30-11:17] - Vacation management planning strategies

>>>>>[11:18-13:55] - How to check-in on your employees’ mental health

After you listen: 

• For One Glorious Summer, Americans Will Vacation Like the French: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/04/pandemic-summer-vacation-time-off/618554/
• Pre-order your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book
• Follow the podcast
• Submit your People Ops questions: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/ask-a-question/

In this episode we’re focusing on the Pareto principle, have you heard of it? It’s all about giving you more time to do the work that moves your business forward. It’s not new, but it’s leverage to replace traditional HR Busy work to help power better Peoplework? That is new. Here’s a preview.

Additional Resources: 

Preorder your copy of our book People Operations: Zenefits.com/pops-book

How do you keep employees engaged if your business can’t afford raises or promotions? 

On this episode of POPS!, Zenefits VP of People Ops Danny Speros shares ideas for low-cost ways to show appreciation for employees in lieu of raises and explains how to motivate employees when a bigger paycheck isn’t an option.

Additional Resources:

• HR Headaches Series: What Can I Do If We Can’t Afford Raises and Promotions?: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/hr-headaches-what-can-i-do-if-we-cant-afford-raises-and-promotions/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>[00:17-01:17 ] What you can offer employees in lieu of raises 

>>>>>[01:17-02:05 ] Experiences that build camaraderie 

>>>>>[02:07-03:49 ] The biggest motivator at work (besides money)

How should you prepare for a conversation sharing that someone has been passed over for a promotion?

On this episode of POPS!, Zenefits HR Advisor Lora Patterson shares tips on handling a tricky conversation with an employee who isn’t ready for a promotion with intentionality, transparency, and empathy. 

Additional Resources:

• HR Headaches Series: How to (Gracefully) Deny a Promotion Request: https://www.zenefits.com/workest/hr-headaches-how-to-deny-a-promotion-request/

On this episode, you’ll hear: 

>>>>>[00:35-01:21] Tips for setting the stage for a productive promotions conversation

>>>>>[01:02-02:03] Pick a time and place to share the news with the other applicants 

>>>>>[02:06-03:27] Be as transparent—and empathetic—as you can

>>>>>[03:28-04:08 ] Don’t make promises you can’t keep

>>>>>[04:08-05:22 ] Go over alternative ways you can help them in their career

>>>>>[05:23-06:18] Create a career path

>>>>>[06:19-06:52] How to prevent someone from leaving when they don’t get a promotion

“Wellness” has become somewhat of a buzzword in small business circles. Pre-pandemic, the term typically referred to activities and experiences that companies offered employees. But with many businesses still navigating remote work, how can leaders help each individual employee be the very best version of themselves?

On this episode of PIVOT, life and leadership coach Nicola Ries Taggart explains what it takes to achieve well-being at work in times of chaos and crisis. You’ll hear how to approach your well-being holistically and better manage your mindset, energy, relationships, and environment in order to be more centered in ourselves and how we show up at work.

On this episode, you’ll hear:

>>>>>[03:23-06:12] The challenge of achieving well-being during a pandemic

>>>>>[06:27-10:40] How to build personal well-being while looking out for our teams’ wellbeing

>>>>>[11:13-12:54] How to manage your mindset

>>>>>[12:54-14:54] How to manage your energy

>>>>>[14:54-16:37] How to manage your environment

>>>>>[16:37-19:34] How to manage your relationships

>>>>>[20:05-21:03] What it means to renegotiate communication agreements

>>>>>[21:05-22:18] Why now is the time for courageous conversations

>>>>>[22:41-26:28] How incremental changes can build better personal wellbeing 

>>>>>[27:35-30:06] What Nicola is most optimistic about for small businesses this year