“HR as a business partner” isn’t just a title; it’s a mindset. Learn how small businesses can turn HR into a true growth driver by connecting people strategy to business outcomes, building credibility through curiosity, and designing systems that make work better for everyone.

HR has ever felt like too much : payroll, benefits, compliance, onboarding then you’ve probably Googled “PEO” at some point.Maybe it was after your fifth late-night payroll run, or when your first employee asked about health insurance and you had no idea where to start. You saw the promise: “instant HR relief” and “big-company benefits for small teams.” And for many small employers, that’s exactly what a PEO delivers. But what actually is  a PEO and how do you know if it’s th

lasting small business growth isn’t powered by automation—it’s powered by people. Learn how connection, gratitude, and everyday recognition drive retention, resilience, and sustainable success in 2026 and beyond.

These acquisition checklists outline step-by-step HR, payroll, and benefits actions across due diligence, close, and post-close periods to ensure compliance, seamless employee transitions, and benefit/retirement plan integration.

A practical, system-based guide to scaling culture with intention. It helps organizations translate values into daily habits through five key shifts, from words to experience, managing to connecting, control to clarity, busyness to purpose, and values to integrity, using practical templates that turn cultural insight into consistent action.

If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “Should I let this person go?” You are not alone. Every small employer struggles with it.  Firing someone feels personal, especially in smaller teams where everyone wears multiple hats. You might worry about morale, guilt, or finding someone new. So, you hang on a little longer, hoping things will turn around. But sometimes, holding on too long costs more than letting go. Here are a few simple ways to tell when it’s time to stop tryi

intentional shifts can transform your company culture. Learn five practical ways to build trust, consistency, and authentic connection in your small business—without expensive programs or empty slogans.

When the CEO is the toxic employee, what can HR really do? How to recognize the warning signs, protect your credibility, and navigate the impossible balance of leading culture when the problem starts at the top.

When HR gets stuck planning cupcakes instead of building culture, everyone loses. In this episode, we unpack why small businesses confuse “fun” with culture,and how HR can reclaim its time and purpose.

Learn how to communicate pay adjustments with clarity and confidence. This guide for HR leaders provides scripts, key talking points, and strategies to explain salary changes, whether employees are above or below range, without losing trust or credibility.

I started my career in big business HR, 7,000+ employees across retail, HQ operations, and distribution. We had software for everything. Need a report? Click a button. Want to track something? There was a system for it. But when I shifted into small business HR, it was a whole different story. Suddenly, I didn’t know how to get the information I needed to make decisions. I’d basically forgotten most of my Excel skills (and honestly, I never loved spreadsheets to begin with).

The Truth Behind “HR Is Not Your Friend” Most HR leaders have heard the refrain: Don’t trust HR. HR isn’t your friend. HR only cares...

Most small teams still rely on annual performance reviews. Once a year, everyone sits down, talks through the past twelve months, and...

Hiring is already hard enough without adding perfectionism into the mix. But every HR pro eventually runs into the manager who just can’t...

Earlier this year I shared some thoughts on how to train your managers to pick up their share of the HR load. Things like handling...

Investigations can make or break trust in your workplace—and one of the biggest mistakes HR or managers make is promising “confidentiality.” This guide walks you through why that’s a risk, and shows you exactly what to say and do instead. Inside, you’ll find a step-by-step playbook with real scripts, activity sheets, escalation guidelines, and communication templates to help you handle investigations with discretion, neutrality, and consistency_Never Promise “Confidentiality…

Addressing workplace behavior issues doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. This guide gives managers practical strategies to handle tough conversations with clarity and confidence, without escalating tension or hurting morale.

If your managers freeze the moment someone says, “Can we talk?”, this PDF is for you. The Low-Key Strategy: Train Managers to Handle Basic Employee Relations  guide gives managers confidence with practical, lightweight tools they can actually use—like one-pagers for handling performance or behavior issues, sample scripts for tough conversations, simple checklists for documenting problems, and decision trees for when to loop in HR.

Handbook template

Quick Guide: What to Include in an Offer Letter Extending an offer should be exciting, not stressful. This quick guide shows you exactly what to include (and what to leave out) so your offer letters are clear, professional, and legally sound.