Talkin' Talent with Cherry Bekaert's Sam McCarthy

In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy interviews Elizabeth Mashakas, an experienced HR leader, to explore strategies for supporting new hires during the critical "affirm phase," or the transition from job offer to their first day. Elizabeth shares how her team achieved a remarkable 97% offer acceptance rate, emphasizing the importance of trust, transparency and meaningful engagement during the hiring process. 

With the beginning of the year marking a peak time for new employees starting roles, this discussion offers actionable insights for HR professionals and leaders looking to set their teams up for success, regardless of company size. Listen for advice on bringing these insights to leadership and impacting your organization's onboarding. 

This episode covers: 

• The impact of employee attrition and engagement on organizational success
• Strategies for improving the "affirm phase" and onboarding when you have limited resources
• The importance of asking the right questions in interviews
• How cultural differences within organizations shape talent acquisition and HR strategies 

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In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy interviews Cynthia Daniel, the Diversity and Culture Leader at Cherry Bekaert. They discuss the evolution of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace, particularly since Cynthia joined the Firm in 2021. 

Cynthia shares her journey into HR, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive spaces through initiatives like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and "Green Table Talks." They discuss common misconceptions surrounding DE&I, the integration of DE&I within HR functions and how organizations can navigate changing laws and societal attitudes toward diversity. 

This episode covers: 

• The broad scope of diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Strategies for initiating DE&I programs in smaller organizations
• The importance of creating spaces for fostering inclusivity and open dialogue within an organization
• Navigating DE&I discussion and proposals with leadership 
• Common misconceptions about DE&I

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In episode seventeen of Talkin’ Talent, Susan Pittman, Managing Director and Leader of Human Capital Advisory at Cherry Bekaert, joins Sam McCarthy to discuss all things human resources (HR). Together, they discuss her fascinating career journey, which includes working as the only female in personnel management at the United States Steel Corporation, and how it led to her managing the Human Capital Advisory practice at Cherry Bekaert. 

With over 35 years of experience in human capital strategy and organizational development, Susan shares her insights on creating people-centered strategies that align with business goals. She also discusses her passion for fostering organizational cultures that unite and engage employees while building strong talent pipelines. 

Tune in to hear her valuable perspectives and learn more about Cherry Bekaert’s Human Capital Advisory practice. This episode covers: 

• Susan’s unique career path
• Key functions of human capital advisory
• How human capital advisory differs from staffing and recruiting 
• The differences between transactional and strategic HR 
• Career tips on influencing organizational change

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In episode 16 of Talkin’ Talent, Doug Smith and Evan Seward join Sam McCarthy to discuss when an organization should use an external search firm and the dynamics of temporary vs. permanent staffing solutions. They provide professional advice on understanding client needs, navigating recruitment challenges, and adapting to current staffing trends. Whether you’re optimizing your team or exploring new hires, this episode offers essential insights to enhance your recruitment strategies.

This episode covers: 

• Insights on when an organization would benefit from external support
• Their tried-and-true approach to addressing client needs
• Current trends in staffing and recruiting, including an analysis of post-COVID shifts and the job market 

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In the latest episode of the Talkin’ Talent, Sam McCarthy, Director at Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert, is joined by Tori Mitchell, SHRM-CP, Talent Acquisition Leader at Juno Search Partners. They discuss how the HR recruiting landscape has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and what the next 12 months have in store. They also delve into why working with an HR recruiter can be beneficial in this complicated hiring market, common mistake leaders make when hiring for HR and what to do instead.

Tune in to learn about:

• How the job market has changed post pandemic 
• Why working with a recruiter in the current job market is beneficial
• What the next 12 months looks like for HR, which roles will be open and which industries are ramping up hiring

Other episodes in this series:

• From Greeting Cards to Consulting: Tobey Wyatt’s Journey to Starting Her Own Fractional Operations Firm
• Key Strategies for HR Leaders During Acquisitions: Insights from Cherry Bekaert’s Chief People Officer

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In the 14th episode of Talkin’ Talent, Sam sits down with Tobey Wyatt, founder of Motherlode Consulting, as she shares how her unique career journey led her to offering “ops in a box” business operations services to support CEOs and leadership teams. Her trial-and-error approach, from starting a greeting card company as a child, to obtaining a degree as a high school math teacher, helped her uncover her passion for mentorship and helping others succeed in business. 

Unable to find a teaching job, she pivoted into business operations roles at several companies before starting Motherlode in 2021. Through her diverse professional experiences, Tobey recognized a need to help companies with 50 to200 employees with operations, human resources, change management and scaling. 

This episode covers: 

• Key milestones in Tobey’s career and how she transformed challenges into opportunities
• Operational and talent challenges small and medium-sized companies may face as they scale 
• Indicators businesses may benefit from operational consulting
• How fractional operational expertise can help CEOs reimagine human resources, implement organizational changes and handle transitions 

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Welcome to the 13th episode of "Talkin' Talent" with Sam McCarthy, MBA! Our guest, Lindsey McCarty, Chief People Officer at Cherry Bekaert, shares insights on navigating HR leadership during acquisitions. We explore key strategies such as transparent communication, talent retention and cultural integration. Learn how Cherry Bekaert excels in a flexible work model, embracing advanced technology, clear remote work policies and a commitment to employee well-being. Join us as we unravel HR leadership secrets in the dynamic landscapes of acquisitions and flexible work environments.

Listeners will learn about:

• Key strategies for HR leaders during acquisitions, emphasizing transparent communication and talent retention
• Cherry Bekaert's success in a flexible work model, driven by advanced technology and clear remote work policies
• The secrets of effective HR leadership in dynamic landscapes, navigating challenges in acquisitions and flexible work environments

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Welcome to the 12th episode of "Talkin' Talent" with Sam McCarthy, MBA! In this episode, we're joined by Kathryn Gombos, MPA, SPHR founder of Gombos Group, and compensation expert. We'll explore the intricacies of compensation in the modern job market, delve into the importance of pay transparency, and learn how to communicate effectively about compensation matters. From understanding today's trends and the role of competitive pay to addressing the challenges and merits of pay transparency and effectively discussing pay decisions, this episode promises to offer actionable insights for both employers and employees. Don't miss this informative and engaging discussion.

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Welcome to the 11th episode of Talkin' Talent! Join Sam as he sits down with Claire Kennedy, a seasoned HR and People professional who recently embarked on an exciting new job and career path. Together, they explore the lessons she's learned while seeking a fulfilling career. Claire generously shares her invaluable insights, offering practical strategies and innovative ideas for successfully navigating career transitions. Don't pass up the opportunity to tune in to this captivating and enlightening conversation!

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In the 10th episode of Talkin' Talent, Sam interviews Jocelyn King, Founder and CEO of VirgilHR. Jocelyn, a versatile HR professional, discusses her journey through various industries and how it led her to establish VirgilHR—a company specializing in assisting businesses with employment and labor law compliance. Tune in to hear Jocelyn's entrepreneurial story and insights on supporting companies with employment and labor laws. Enjoy the episode!

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