Contractors or Employees? Decoding the Classification Dilemma for Small Businesses
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Contractors or Employees? Decoding the Classification Dilemma for Small Businesses

If you’re a small business owner you have probably hired a contractor to help out when things become too much for one person to handle. In many cases, as time goes on, small business owners will hire multiple contractors, some of which will end up working full time hours. At what point do you need to determine if your contractors are actually employees?

Read More
Building Your Dream Team
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Building Your Dream Team

Navigating the hiring process can be a challenge, from awkward questions to prolonged silences, creating an unpleasant experience for both employers and candidates. Whether you're a seasoned hiring manager or embarking on your first recruitment journey, a well-thought-out plan is key to ensure you're bringing the best talent into your team. Crafting a seamless hiring process not only benefits you as the employer but also contributes to a positive experience for potential candidates. Let's dive into the essentials of building a successful hiring strategy!

Read More
The Empowerment Equation
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

The Empowerment Equation

As a business owner, your passion and ownership over your business set the tone for everything you do. Your success is intricately tied to the success of your business, creating a profound sense of purpose. Naturally, you want your team to share this sense of empowerment, ownership, and pride. The question then becomes, how do you lead them to that point?

Read More
Back to Basics!
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Back to Basics!

Happy New Year everyone!

I took some much needed time between the holidays to disconnect and recharge, with hopes of starting the new year with a clear mind, and reignited inspiration. The beginning of the year is a fresh start but for some it can be anxiety-inducing with the pressure to move at full speed, trying to accomplish all the goals you have set for the year.

What if you paused and took a moment to go back to basics? Yes, it’s a great time to move full steam ahead, but you also want to make sure you are set up for success with your basics in line and intact.

What does that mean from a People perspective? Let’s focus on getting your team in order so you can start the year off compliant and organized.

Read More
Crafting Culture: The Art of Employee Handbooks
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Crafting Culture: The Art of Employee Handbooks

Let's face it, the idea of investing in an employee handbook might not spark excitement. It's often perceived as a hefty 50-something-page document, a necessary evil that small businesses might put off or view as an overwhelming task to start from scratch. You might have some scattered rules in a Google Doc or dispersed policies in a shared folder, but are they up-to-date, and are your employees even signing off on them?

Read More
From Chaos to Compliance: HR Audit Essentials for Entrepreneurs
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

From Chaos to Compliance: HR Audit Essentials for Entrepreneurs

In the dynamic realm of Human Resources, we navigate through the intricacies of leadership, people development, challenging employee relations, and the unique art of recruitment. 🌟

But today, let's shine a spotlight on something seemingly more straightforward - compliance. πŸ“‹ Yep, good old compliance. That word might make you a tad anxious, thinking about all the hoops to jump through to keep your business on the right side of the law. Maybe it's something you'd rather not dwell on because, well, bandwidth can be limited, right? But there's always that lingering fear of a government agency knocking on your door, wanting a peek at those I9 files. 😰

Fear not, my fellow professionals, because there's a guardian angel in the HR world - the HR Consultant. HR audits are your trusty companion on this journey. They're like a flashlight in the dark, revealing not just problems, but lighting the path toward solutions. πŸ’‘

So, you might be wondering, "What's this HR audit all about, and how can it solve your compliance woes?" Well, let's embark on this enlightening journey together. πŸš€ #HRCompliance #HRConsulting #NavigatingRegulations

Read More
Supporting Your Team Through Tough Times
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Supporting Your Team Through Tough Times

Running your own business can be challenging, especially in times of tragedy. You may be grieving yourself, or frozen and unsure how to move forward. Some leap to action, and some withdraw. Whatever your natural tendency may be, it is still your responsibility as a leader and business owner to guide your team. Every individual handles grief, shock, fear and sadness differently- let’s explore some ways you can support your team.

Read More
From Puppies to Professionals: Harnessing the Strength of Positive Reinforcement
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

From Puppies to Professionals: Harnessing the Strength of Positive Reinforcement

My life currently revolves around a 4-month-old puppy. She's a sweet little mush, but also a crazy demon. I wasn't fully prepared for what having a puppy entails, but let's just say, I'm learning a lot! I'm starting to realize that this can apply to so many different areas, including relationships, and even people management!

Read More
Hiring Your First Employee: From Fears to Cheers
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Hiring Your First Employee: From Fears to Cheers

So you’ve started your business and you’re at the point where you as one person can’t do all the work yourself. You want to keep growing your business but don’t know how to move forward! This is my favorite time to engage with a client. Hiring your first employee is a huge milestone but that doesn’t mean it isn’t completely terrifying. Taking on more responsibility can be hard, but hiring your first employee is also an extremely exciting time in your business. Let’s discuss some tips and tricks for hiring employee #1.

Read More
Turning Over a New Leaf: Why Performance Reviews Matter
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Turning Over a New Leaf: Why Performance Reviews Matter

I'm writing this as the Northeast just had one of those fake-start-fall weeks. To me, fall feels like the real new yearβ€”a distinct sense of closure and new beginnings. It's my absolute favorite season, a time when I'm inspired to refresh and embark on new projects.

Read More
Empowering Women in the Workforce: Part 1 of many
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Empowering Women in the Workforce: Part 1 of many

Fresh off an energizing business summit I'm ready to champion women's rights in the workplace. Let's ditch biases, offer family-friendly policies, embrace flexibility, and ensure equal pay. It's time for positive change! πŸŒŸπŸ‘©β€πŸ’ΌπŸ”₯ #WomenEmpowerment #EqualOpportunity

Read More
Navigating Conflict in the Workplace
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Navigating Conflict in the Workplace

Conflict is an inevitable part of life, even in professional settings where we strive to foster harmony. The workplace, with its diverse array of individuals united by a common purpose, naturally becomes a breeding ground for differing opinions, perspectives, and approaches. As leaders, the responsibility falls upon us to embrace these differences and employ various strategies to facilitate productivity. While it might seem simple in theory, the reality is far from that. When conflicts arise, leaders can employ some tactics to address them effectively.

Read More
Cultivating Your Dream Company Culture
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Cultivating Your Dream Company Culture

building a strong and vibrant company culture requires a collective effort, particularly from the business owners. While HR plays a significant role in shaping culture, it is crucial for entrepreneurs to envision and implement the values they hold dear. Creating and nurturing an ideal company culture is not just about lofty ideals; it demands daily practice, leading by example, and living by the shared values.

Read More
Navigating the Interview Landscape
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Navigating the Interview Landscape

Hiring the right employee is a crucial decision, particularly for small teams.It's easy to get carried away during interviews and ask personal questions, but this can lead to serious complications. In this article, we'll discuss what topics to avoid during the interview process.

Read More
Why a Blog?
Kirsten Zeigler Kirsten Zeigler

Why a Blog?

Why a blog? I’ve asked myself that same question!

Read More