Transform Your Workplace

Latest Episodes:

Making a Measurable Difference with Caroline Boudreaux Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Get ready for an incredible story of what it really means to "seize the day." In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Caroline Boudreaux recounts an evening in May of 2000 where she visited an orphanage in India. Caroline was struck not only by the poverty but also by the untapped potential that she witnessed in the over 100 orphaned children. That very evening, Caroline decided to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing access to education, nutrition, health, and protective services to children in need. This is Caroline's compelling story of sacrifice, heartbreak, and fulfillment — a story that is still being written.

ABOUT THE GUEST

After leaving a career in advertising, Caroline decided to take a trip around the world. What she found there led to her decision to found the Miracle Foundation, a non-profit that, since its inception, has improved the lives of over 15,000 children in need. Caroline is passionate about measuring real success at each orphanage and streamlining the processes to make sure every child has access to the services they so desperately need.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

📋 In his own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Defining and Finding Holistic Wellness with Sara Bradley Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Brandon Laws interviews Xenium's own Sara Bradley, an HR Account Representative and solid resource for learning how to pursue a life of wellness. The two cover topics such as self-care, work-life balance, and workplace initiatives to promote wellness in the lives of employees. Your busy schedule doesn't have to dictate your wellness. Listen in to learn how to balance it all with no burnout.

TAKEAWAYS

Wellness isn't just related to our physical well-being. We must be willing to take stock of all areas of our lives if we want to experience holistic wellness.
Employers do have a critical role in promoting employee wellness, but employees must hold themselves accountable for it as well.
Finding work-life balance starts with identifying priorities and setting boundaries.
If employers want to promote wellness among their teams, they must be willing to give employees space and time to take advantage of wellness services.

ABOUT THE GUEST

The guest of this podcast episode is one of Xenium's own, Sara Bradley. Sara is an HR Account Representative and is passionate about delivering the best service to her clients. She is a coveted member of the Xenium team and an expert in all things HR.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

A New Hire's Take on the Xenium Onboarding Process Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

In this unconventional episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, we take on a topic frequently requested by our audience: best practices for onboarding new employees. Brandon Laws interviews our latest new hire, Gabrielle Cohen, to get her take on her onboarding experience with Xenium. We cover the good, the bad, the tried, and the true so that you can take what worked (and avoid what didn't) as you hone your new-hire onboarding experience.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Learn, Adapt, Grow: A Post-Pandemic Reflection with Lilith Christiansen Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

It's all in the name of growth, and sometimes the only way to grow is to challenge the status quo. This episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast features guest Lilith Christiansen, Chief Strategy and Product Officer of SilkRoad Technology, and her reflections on the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on unsuspecting businesses. There's no doubt that the pandemic exposed workplace weaknesses, but what better response than to learn from the challenge? Listen to learn how you can make the right changes for the future of your business, no matter what obstacle arises next.

TAKEAWAYS:

If we want to be the best business leaders we can be, we must reflect on the weaknesses that the pandemic exposed and learn how to remedy them.
Employees across the board reported that the pandemic resulted in a significant increase in job responsibilities.
Employees stated that role confusion and unanswered questions were also common in the weeks and months following the onset of the pandemic.
Despite the many challenges that the pandemic presented, many businesses saw increased productivity, resulting in a willingness to continue a work-from-home or hybrid home/workplace model for the future.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Lilith Christiansen is the Chief Strategy and Product Officer of SilkRoad Technology and an industry expert, author, and speaker. With an extensive background in talent strategy and business management, Lilith is passionate about helping her clients realize their potential, implement relevant strategies, and grow their businesses.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Promoting Workplace Wellness with Diane Schwartz Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Brandon Laws talks with Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications and the Workplace Wellness Insider. They dig deep into COVID-19's effects on important issues like mental health, workplace connection, and the employee-employer alignment of values. Wondering what changes are coming? Tune in to learn what new workplace developments are right around the corner.

TAKEAWAYS:

COVID-19 has a silver lining: it has effectively destigmatized open discussion of mental health.
In the post-COVID era, employees will expect employers to allow them to cultivate a healthy work-life balance.
Employees want to work for an organization that has values that align with their own.
The future of the workplace includes a hybrid model that incorporates in-person collaboration and at-home individual projects.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Diane Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer of Ragan Communications, a media event company, and Ragan's Workplace Wellness Insider, "an online publication dedicated to giving leaders in HR, wellness, and communications the insights, ideas, and strategies that align employee health and engagement with organizational goals." In addition to her 25 years of media communications experience, Diane is also a former journalist and a wish-granter with the Make a Wish Foundation.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

No Nonsense Time Management with Karen Leland Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

What if there were time-tested methods that could help us truly maximize our time? According to Karen Leland, President of Sterling Consulting and Marketing Group, it's possible to get the most out of the day as long as we're willing to make some simple changes. Author of her new book, No Nonsense: Time Management: 50 Tips to Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done, Karen gives podcast listeners the scoop on time management techniques that will truly make a difference.

Takeaways:

Most of us aren't conscious of the many ways in which we waste our time, and we don't see the consequences either.
One way to realize better time-management is to take stock of where your time is spent; keeping track and labeling your activities will show you where your priorities are.
Working toward a goal isn't always "sexy" work; sometimes it means committing to completing mundane tasks until you see progress.
Narrow your to-do list down to two achievable priority items so that you don't end up overwhelmed by a list of unattainable tasks.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Karen Leland, President of Sterling Consulting and Marketing Group, is a branding and marketing expert passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals. When it comes to the topic of time-management, Karen has written two books and has years of experience leading workshops that help people stay focused on what matters and scrap what doesn't.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

A Glimpse Into Workplace Conflict and Mediation with Nicole Blevins Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Xenium's own Nicole Blevins gives listeners a glimpse into workplace mediation. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a mediation certification to her repertoire. From an outline of the process itself to the challenges that come with workplace conflict, Nicole is excited to share her new knowledge and experience with the Transform Your Workplace audience.

Takeaways:

An effective mediator asks open-ended questions that facilitate conversation.
Listening skills and empathy are critical to resolving conflict, even when it seems like the situation is "too far gone."
Ideally, mediation should be implemented in the early stages of a conflict before it blows up.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Today's guest is Nicole Blevins, an avid Transform Your Workplace podcast listener who ended up moving from Florida to Oregon to pursue her career at Xenium HR. Among her varied HR-oriented skills and extensive experience, Nicole recently added a workplace mediation certification to her repertoire. A growth-oriented learner, Nicole is excited to share her love of all things HR with the Transform Your Workplace audience.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Redefining HR with Lars Schmidt Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

In this eye-opening episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Lars Schmidt — HR advocate, podcast host, and founder of Amplify — brings a fresh approach to the HR status quo. Lars discusses some of the topics found in his book, including challenging "legacy HR" practices and proposing a shifting of perspective when it comes to our people, our teams, and business as a whole.

Takeaways:

HR grows and changes with the times. To become better and more effective, we must learn from those who are getting it right.
HR Open Source is an invaluable growing resource that will help HR teams boost efficiency.
We can't afford to let the concept of "culture fit" keep us from hiring candidates that will challenge and grow us.
We need to rethink the once-a-year performance evaluation. In an ever-changing business environment, employees need frequent, ongoing support and feedback.

About the Guest:

Lars Schmidt — HR advocate, podcast host, and founder of Amplify— is the author of the 2021 book, Redefining HR: Transforming People Teams to Drive Business Performance. From recruiting to team consulting, Lars has had his hand in virtually every aspect of the world of HR. He is passionate about building progressive people teams and shifting perspectives about the role of HR in business.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Why Investing in Your People is Critical to Business Success Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Barbara Rea knows how to build businesses. From her experience leading the ultimately successful startup of BKM Capital Partners to her determination to launch her own advisory company during a global pandemic, Barbara Rea has a track record for results. In today's episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, Barbara reflects on her years of business experience, from the highs to the lows. She offers invaluable advice to current business leaders and those who want to embark on building a new business.

Takeaways:

To entice top talent, you've got to show them that they will be a part of something bigger than themselves.
People are critical to the success of any business. They must be bought-in and given the tools to succeed.
When starting a business, you have a blank slate. Decide who you want to be and then "make it true."
Your employees are trusting you with their careers, so you must lead them well.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Today's podcast features an interview with Barbara Rea, an expert coach and advisor passionate about helping businesses develop leaders, tools, and processes so that they can really become more efficient and more profitable. With a background in real estate and marketing, Barbara is an expert in optimizing operations and maximizing returns for her clients. Her key focus is to set businesses up for success.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Finding Your Identity Both In and Out of Work With Laurie Ruettimann Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Laurie Ruettiman — entrepreneur, speaker, HR expert, and author of Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career — looks back on the many career and general life lessons she's learned over the years. From her own personal obstacles to those of inspiring colleagues, Laurie shares a story for virtually any workplace woe. She also dives into the content of her recently published book.

Takeaways:

Our careers aren't everything. We must pursue our passions outside of the workplace to find fulfillment in all areas of our lives.
To make any monumental change, preparation is key.
If you have to dial work back to find fulfillment, then do it.

GUEST AT A GLANCE

Laurie Ruettimann is an entrepreneur, renowned speaker, HR expert, and now the author of her 2021 book, Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career. Laurie is passionate about empowering others to find fulfillment both within and outside of the workplace.

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

🔊 Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, Sponsored by Xenium HR

🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws

Contact Brandon:

Email Brandon.Laws@xeniumhr.com or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

Learn more about Xenium HR at xeniumhr.com

Follow Xenium on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.