Principal Office Hours

Summary:

In this episode of the HR Impact Show, CT Leong interviews Ron Storn, Chief People Officer at Truckstop. Ron shares his insights on elevating the HR function and aligning it with business objectives. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the language of the CEO and connecting HR initiatives to financial outcomes. Ron also discusses the implementation of a manager accelerator program to improve manager effectiveness and drive employee engagement. Tune in to learn how Truckstop is transforming its HR function to support the company's growth and success.

Key Takeaways:

• Ron Storn underscores the importance of HR leaders speaking the CEO's language, focusing on HR's impact on business goals rather than solely on traditional HR practices.
• Implementing strategic HR requires a deep understanding of business operations, a metrics-driven approach, and the creation of a culture that fosters continuous improvement.
• The development and support of managers are pivotal, as they act as the primary conduit for transmitting HR initiatives into actionable results within the organization.
• Tracking key HR-related metrics such as time-to-hire, manager effectiveness, and regrettable attrition allows organizations to quantify the ROI of HR initiatives.
• HR needs to align with external benchmarks for success, not just internal goals, to ensure competitiveness and progress in the broader industry context.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the HR Impact show and guest Ron Storn

0:01:07

Truck Stop's role as a marketplace for moving goods

0:02:30

Importance of HR understanding business goals and impact

0:03:08

People as the biggest expense and asset in every company

0:05:10

Assessing the company's culture and identifying gaps

0:06:02

Hiring key leaders to support company growth

0:06:29

Focusing on business outcomes and metrics for HR success

0:08:16

Connecting employees to the mission and values of the company

0:09:31

Measuring HR initiatives and setting North Star goals

0:10:20

Implementing performance reviews and upleveling the team

0:10:48

Three numeric metrics for measuring HR performance

0:11:24

Importance of tracking manager effectiveness

0:11:50

Goal of less than 10% regrettable attrition

0:12:19

Calculating ROI for engineering pods

0:13:49

Tailoring metrics based on pod focus

0:14:15

Tracking engineering recruiting time

0:15:17

Importance of matching time to hire with quality indicator

0:15:54

Striving for external benchmarks, not just internal metrics

0:16:28

Connecting internal benchmarks with external metrics

0:17:11

Starting with internal benchmarks and adapting over time

0:17:42

Need for a culture shift to focus on external benchmarks

0:18:08

Working towards showing ROI on HR activities

0:18:49

Using company-wide tools for HR reporting

0:19:41

Manager effectiveness as a key driver of HR impact

0:20:04

Manager accelerator program to develop key skills

0:21:17

Focus areas of the manager accelerator program

0:21:50

The importance of effective communication for managers

0:22:19

Developing others and helping them transition into management

0:23:05

The positive impact of the manager training program

0:23:57

Overcoming challenges in implementing the program

0:25:23

Selecting participants for the training cohorts

0:26:34

Designing the five pillars of the training program

0:27:51

Evaluating progress and defining success in revenue and EBITDA

0:29:44

Contacting Ron Storn on LinkedIn for further questions

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Ron Storn: linkedin.com/in/ronstorn

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode of our podcast, Dr. Jim sits down with Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer at 1Password, to dispel common myths surrounding HR and discuss the essential role of HR in scaling businesses effectively. Recorded live at the Transform conference in Las Vegas, this conversation explores the strategic initiatives at 1Password that enable their rapid growth and delves into the challenges of navigating market changes and talent acquisition.

Katya's insights paint a picture of an HR function that transcends the traditional boundaries to integrate deeply with business dynamics, including financials, product development, and market positioning. The conversation pivots around the need for HR to shed its outdated image as merely a policy enforcer, instead acting as a critical catalyst in fostering a culture conducive to business health and employee development. The discussion also emphasizes shared responsibilities in nurturing culture and leadership roles in advocating for people-focused initiatives.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Introduction and background of Katya and One Password

0:01:11 Unexpected challenges in scaling One Password

0:02:02 HR myth: HR as a policing function

0:02:56 HR's role in building culture and business success

0:03:51 Shifting responsibility for people, culture, and development

0:04:59 Conclusion and contact information for Katya

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Katya Laviolette: inkedin.com/in/katya-laviolette-6907b726

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode of "Talent Strategy Nerd," Dr. Jim sits down with Rachel Kleban, VP of People at OpenPhone, live from HR Transform at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas. Rachel steps into the spotlight, carrying forward her mission to debunk longstanding myths within HR and leadership circles. This conversation plunges into the nitty-gritty of effective employee communication, transparent decision-making, and the underestimated capacity of the workforce to handle truthfulness.

Throughout the episode, Rachel unfolds her experiences since joining OpenPhone, the passion that resonates with its vision, and the diligent work she has embarked upon to fortify the company's people operations. Rachel brings forward the conviction that employees deserve full transparency, which in turn fosters trust and boosts morale.

Key Takeaways:

* Employees appreciate and benefit from transparent and honest communication, particularly regarding decisions impacting them directly.

* Treating employees like the intelligent adults they are is a foundation for building trust within an organization.

* Thoughtful and well-explained compensation systems can significantly enhance employee satisfaction.

* Before disseminating any information, it's important to ask if the decision-making process behind it is sound and justifiable.

* HR leaders should focus on direct messaging and involve employees in the understanding of the decision-making process behind changes that affect them.

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Rachel Kleban: linkedin.com/in/rachelkleban

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode recorded live from HR Transform 2024 at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas, we engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Janine Yancey, CEO of Emtrain. Janine brings her extensive experience as an employment lawyer and a seasoned corporate counselor to the table, sharing her expertise in transforming workplace compliance and culture.

Janine chats about her journey from practicing employment law to spearheading Emtrain, illustrating how recognizing repetitive patterns in workplace conflict propelled her to pioneer a more proactive approach to corporate compliance. Her emphasis on compliance as a skill set deeply intertwined with overall talent strategy offers a fresh perspective that challenges traditional views.

The episode serves as a reminder of the link between compliance, culture, and skills within the fabric of any organization. Janine articulates this connection with engaged illustrations of how Emtrain's solutions are applied internally to foster continuous learning and improvement.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the conversation with Janine Yancey

0:00:30

Janine Yancey's background and the inspiration behind Emtrain

0:01:04

How Janine's experience as an employment lawyer shaped her talent strategy

0:02:27

Discussion on the myth about compliance being separate from skills

0:03:13

Example of Boeing's compliance failure and the importance of skills and culture

0:05:13

Where to find Janine

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Janine Yancey: linkedin.com/in/janineyancey

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary: In this insightful episode of the HR Impact show, host CT Leong engages in a conversation with Sandra Guerra, head of HR for North America at Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, discussing unconventional leadership strategies and the importance of nurturing a dynamic workplace environment. The episode delves into the nuances of the global energy transition, talent acquisition, and building a resilient HR infrastructure amid organizational change.

The discussion offers a deep dive into Siemens Energy's commitment to driving sustainable energy sources while maintaining a balance in global energy distribution. Sandra Guerra shares personal insights on leading an HR team through systemic transformation and highlights the criticality of adapting HR systems to global needs. By touching upon mental health awareness and employee development, this episode encapsulates the evolving role of

Key Takeaways:

• Siemens Energy's vision, "energize society," ist reflected in their diversified approach to sustainable energy sources.
• HR challenges are consistent across industries, and success hinges on aligning with business strategy and establishing efficient structures and tools.
• Effective leadership requires not making oneself indispensable but creating a collaborative environment enabling team success.
• Mental health is seen as a linchpin in the workplace, requiring proactive management to ensure high engagement and performance.
• Systems are pivotal in an organization, with their proper implementation being integral to supporting and sustaining business operations.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction to the HR Impact show and guest, Sandra Guerra

0:01:09

Overview of Siemens Energy's vision to energize society

0:03:06

Importance of utilizing multiple sources of energy for a sustainable energy transition

0:04:56

Pride in successfully managing the transition to being an independent organization

0:08:41

Focus on implementing effective systems and processes for a global organization

0:09:27

Debunking the myth that HR is different in each organization

0:11:12

Secrets to managing a lean HR team: understanding business needs, establishing structure, and having the right talent

0:12:36

Importance of upskilling the HR team for improved service to the busines

0:13:24

Collaborative practice and co-designing for success

0:15:02

The problem with being indispensable in a team

0:16:22

Creating an environment where the team can succeed without the leader

0:18:15

The importance of team wins and individual growth

0:21:19

The role of compassion and mental health in team engagement

0:24:17

Taking action to improve mental health in the workplace

0:26:39

Simple steps for leaders to care for their team's mental health

0:26:39

Leaders should care for the mental health of their people

0:26:54

Encourage employees to use their benefits for annual checkups

0:27:28

Building elite teams and taking care of physical and mental health

0:27:59

Conclusion and invitation to check out more resources

0:28:14

Closing remarks

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with: linkedin.com/in/sandrajguerra

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope

Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode of the HR Impact show, host Dr. Jim welcomes Dr. Leslie Bergstrom to explore leadership strategies within the K-12 education space. Dr. Bergstrom shares her insights on employee development and retention, particularly in educational settings where each decision can significantly influence both educators and students' futures.

Dr. Bergstrom underscores how budget constraints and the attrition of teachers from the profession shape her approach to talent management. With the Oregon School District's diverse urban, suburban, and rural landscapes acting as the backdrop, she discusses the importance of creating a cohesive talent strategy that marries these distinct ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultivating internal talent is as crucial as sourcing new educators, and the Oregon School District's leadership development initiatives exemplify effective strategies to encourage growth within the organization.
• Time and flexibility emerged as significant themes in retaining educators, leading to innovative approaches to the school calendar and daily scheduling.
• Dr. Bergstrom's participatory approach in the hiring process, including one-on-one interviews for all professional staff, sets a precedent for personnel investment and shapes the candidate experience positively.
• Implementing leadership opportunities such as the administrative intern program fosters talent growth even when educators do not pursue formal administrative roles.
• Stay interviews provided critical insights into why educators remain in the profession, prompting a focus on manageable workloads and job satisfaction.

Chapters:

0:00:00

Introduction and overview of the topic of employee development and retention in the K-12 education space.

0:04:24

Exploring the challenges of building a cohesive talent strategy in a district with diverse communities.

0:07:50

The importance of organizational commitment and how it impacts teacher retention.

0:09:36

The impact of a collaborative hiring process on teacher retention and development outcomes.

0:13:15

Dr. Leslie explains how internal talent is cultivated and how principals lead with experience.

0:17:25

Dr. Leslie emphasizes the positive outcomes of the Administrative Intern program, whether candidates stay or go elsewhere.

0:20:13

Identifying the interests of individuals who aren't vocal about their career aspirations.

0:23:28

Dr. Leslie suggests various ways to connect with staff, including bus duty and recess duty, to foster open communication.

0:25:45

Dr. Bergstrom explains the use of surveys and stay interviews to gather feedback from employees.

0:30:41

Dr. Bergstrom discusses potential changes to the school calendar to create more breaks and time for collaboration.

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Leslie Bergstrom: [email protected]

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jim welcomes Bryan Power, the head of people at Nextdoor, to "bust some myths" within leadership and HR realms. Set against the exciting backdrop of the HR Transform conference at The Wynn in Las Vegas, the dialogue delves into contemporary issues surrounding workplace flexibility, remote work, and the evolving strategies within talent management.

Bryan Power brings a fresh perspective to the conventional wisdom regarding work-from-home policies and their perceived relevance to gender, exploding the myth that flexibility is predominantly a women's issue. The discussion highlights the importance of abandoning outmoded ideologies and embracing a more nuanced understanding of productivity in today's diverse working environments. By weaving in contemporary trends with insightful analysis, this episode provides listeners with an informed viewpoint on crafting intentional, effective workplace strategies.

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Bryan Power: linkedin.com/in/bryanpower

Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope



Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact