The Vibrant Workplace Podcast

In this episode Craig is joined by Jon Franko, Partner Founder of St Louis based industrial marketing agency ‘Gorilla 76’, who has a mission to create one of the best workplaces in the US.

With an employee net promoter score that once sat between 10 - 15 but hit 89 this summer, Jon and the team have shown what a difference a focus on culture can make.

In this episode Jon talks about the journey he and the team have been on and the four key people metrics that have helped him gauge progress along the way.

Earlier this year 'That Recruitment Company' were one of the first to proactively choose to give employees a pay-rise to help with the cost of living crisis. This is "not something you need to thank me for" said Founder Chris Stringer, "it's due diligence that we as a business are looking after you properly."

Chris joins Craig on this episode to discuss:

- Why he chose to do this when most other companies weren't

- His beliefs around people, workplace culture and starting the company he never found

- What he and his team have learnt about the 'Great Resignation' from their interactions with jobseekers and employers

- And so much more!

Check it out and let us know what you think!

In this episode Craig is joined by Interview & Career Coach, Cara Quinn. 

After a 20-year career in recruitment in which Cara’s greatest pleasure was facilitating the “win-win” of a happy manager finding the best talent for their role and a delighted candidate, taking the next leap in their career – Cara founded Stellar Impact to demystify interviews and show that they are not events which should be feared.

Cara has interviewed thousands of candidates, designed numerous interviews and assessments, trained hundreds of diverse and global managers in interview skills and led recruitment teams. 

She joins us on the show to share tips on what companies can do to develop a stellar interview experience that helps them identify the best talent, and what jobseekers can do to give themselves the best possible chance of getting their dream job.

Kukoon Rugs has become the largest independent retailer of rugs in the U.K. and Ireland with founders Paul & Clare Vallely having been on an amazing journey since starting out in their dad’s shed just over 15 years ago selling rugs on eBay.

Now they’re turning heads running a really vibrant business and were recently shortlisted in the category of 'Innovation & Leadership' at the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards!

In this episode Managing Director Paul shares with Craig what he's learnt so far on his leadership journey and in particular the impact of Values, 2 second lean and a people first culture on the business.

Hospitality was never designed to close. March 2020 hit and suddenly Galgorm Collection had to learn how to shut down their operations and switch off overnight...

In this episode Craig speaks with Group HR Manager Laura Millar about the challenges they've faced over the past couple of years and how the strength of their connection with their people helped them come through the pandemic.

In this episode Craig chats with Dr Jonny Bloomfield from Support to Perform about an unexpected benefit from the pandemic as it has helped push the discussion around employee wellbeing to the forefront of every discussion.

Barcelona based Nuvolar Works are a true example of an organisation with a leadership team who really care about their people. During the pandemic they made the decision to offer their workforce the opportunity to work remotely forever, but also kept an office in the city for those who would prefer to come into a shared workspace. In this episode Markéta Bártová, Nuvolar's HR Manager, shares with us what it's been like engaging a remote workforce.

The novel concept of working a four day week for the same pay has been in the media a lot in recent years - often talked about in theory rather than practicality. In our first episode Craig is joined by Michelle Murphy, Head of HR & Operations at JMK Solicitors & CRASH Services, as she shares their experience of introducing the concept.

Hi folks, this is the preview episode for our upcoming series - The Vibrant Workplace Podcast!

In it I'll share with you why I set the podcast up, and what I hope to achieve with it. I'll be inviting guests on to future episodes to share with us what they're doing to attract, retain and engage people in their businesses for better business performance.

Check it out and if you like the idea, hit the follow button so you're notified when I release future episodes!

Thanks,

Craig Thompson