Lights, Camera, Leadership: Managing Teams Like a Movie Set
Hiring Matters
What do a classical pianist, a filmmaker, and a CEO have in common? In this week's episode of Hiring Matters, Ken Schmitt dives into the fascinating mind of Jieho Lee—CEO, Chief People Officer, and movie director. From ivory keys to boardrooms, Jieho takes us on a wild ride, showing us how the skills he developed on the movie set translate directly to leading a diverse and dynamic workforce. Cue the drama! Ken and Jieho hash out the great debate: Should company culture be more "work hard, play hard" à la Netflix, or should we strive for something a little more, dare we say, fun?...
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Stop the Exodus: Ken Schmitt’s No-Nonsense Guide to Retention
Hiring Matters
Ken is back with another fiery “Recruiter Rant,” this time he's taking on employee retention—and trust us, it's not your typical corporate pep talk. He pulls no punches, breaking down why your employees are fleeing faster than your Wi-Fi during an important Zoom call. Ken dives into the real reasons behind the great employee escape, and spoiler—it’s not because your office snacks are subpar. He takes aim at outdated engagement programs that haven’t evolved since the fax machine, stale career development boxes that get checked but rarely fulfilled, and the assumption...
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Coca-Cola, ArmorAll, and Pens?! Why CMO Jeff Werderman Says Your Leadership Style Needs a Refresh
Hiring Matters
If you think pens, soda, and car wax sound like the most boring things ever—think again. Our guest, marketing powerhouse Jeff Werderman, has spent 30 years leading at brands like Coca-Cola, Boost Mobile, and ArmorAll, and now he’s running the show at Pentel of America (yes, the pen company). But this isn’t about writing instruments—it’s about writing the new rules for leadership. Jeff’s got some seriously controversial takes on what’s wrong with today’s workforce, and why your leadership style is probably driving your best people straight out the door. From leading teams...
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Recruiter Rant: Non-Competes, Necessary Evil or Just Plain Evil?
Hiring Matters
In this Recruiter Rant Ken takes a sledgehammer to the sacred cow of corporate contracts: non-competes. Are they protecting businesses or just handcuffing employees? Ken dives into the murky waters of non-compete agreements—unpacking their morality, legality, and the head-scratching ways they’re enforced across industries. Using real-world examples, Ken explores how these agreements impact employee freedom, stifle innovation, and whether businesses might be shooting themselves in the foot. Are non-competes a necessary evil or just plain evil? Tune in to find out! Spoiler alert: Ken’s...
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Rewriting the Rules: The Future of Hiring with Former White House Appointee Lisa Gable
Hiring Matters
Welcome to 2050—where we still don’t have flying cars, but we’re finally getting our hiring practices right. Host Ken is joined by the formidable Lisa Gable, former Presidential appointee, U.S. Ambassador, UN Delegate, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Lisa is here to shake up your future and maybe your present, too. With her wealth of experience at the highest levels of government and business, Lisa predicts a world where degrees collect dust and skills steal the show, where AI is the superhero women need to get back into the game, and where universities might want to start updating...
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Recruiter Rant: Is Your Succession Plan a Recipe for Disaster?
Hiring Matters
Think your succession plan is solid? Think again! In this episode, we’re ripping the lid off a topic companies often avoid talking about—succession planning. If your strategy is simply crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, prepare for a wake-up call. With just 35% of organizations having a formal plan, most leadership transitions are a high-stakes game of hot potato. Ken’s exposing why your company's future could be hanging by a thread if you haven’t properly prepped your successor. Spoiler alert: That “ready-to-go” leader might turn out to be a disaster in disguise. Get...
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Hiring (GenZ) Matters: A Generational Showdown
Hiring Matters
Gen Z’s entry into the workforce is shaking things up with their high expectations and progressive ideals. From flexible schedules and remote work to instant recognition and a strong focus on social justice, this generation is challenging the status quo. Ken sits down with TurningPoint's own Gen Zers, Cory and Katherine, to explore various topics related to job searching, leadership, and work expectations. Cory and Katherine share their perspectives on the desire for feedback, growth opportunities, and engaging workplaces while also considering the effects of social media and AI on career...
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Recruiter Rant: Compensation isn't Everything... but It's Pretty Damn Important
Hiring Matters
Is your compensation strategy secretly sabotaging your business? For decades, Ken has witnessed companies cling to outdated pay structures that not only fail to attract top talent but actively drive it away. In this episode, he challenges conventional wisdom on compensation, revealing startling insights—from how penny-pinching risks losing your best employees to why many candidates fail to negotiate effectively. Ken exposes the hidden pitfalls of outdated approaches and offers a bold new perspective on how to rethink your compensation strategy. Buckle up as he explores why transparency...
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Introducing Season 4!
Hiring Matters
We're thrilled to announce that the third season of Hiring Matters is officially in the books! Over the last 18 months, we've hosted over 40 incredible guest interviews with leaders from Global Medical Response, Sancora, Boost, Spark Networks, and many more. We've tackled hot topics like bad interviewing practices, the pitfalls of hiring based on potential friendships, and the importance of solid job descriptions. Now, we're gearing up for an even more exciting fourth season! 🎙️ Our listener base has grown thanks to YOU, with more comments and five-star reviews than ever...
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Hiring (Mentorship and Humility) Matters with AdVenture Capitalist Terrance Orr
Hiring Matters
Renowned for his exceptional ability to inspire and uplift, Venture Builder Capitalist Terrance Orr shares profound insights on the transformative power of humility and the invaluable lessons of mentorship. In this best-of-episode, we're revisiting one of our favourite guest interviews. Terrance delves into the depths of his personal odyssey — from conquering adversities to emerging as a trailblazer of innovation in the business realm. Explore the transformative landscape sculpted by AI, unravel the art of compelling narrative in fundraising endeavors, and delve into the pivotal...
info_outlineIs your job like gum on your shoe? Then it's time to scrape that sh*t off and walk away! Jessica Yarbrough left her “dream job” and embraced a non-traditional business model to become a successful growth strategist. It's time to stop focusing on the what and start focusing on the why. Jessica shares her story and how you too can crush your business goals.
Ken asks Jessica:
- Where did you grow up, and what made you decide to study international business?
- Your mom was a highly successful executive who blazed a trail in the male-dominated construction industry - what was that like growing up seeing and hearing her stories?
- What prompted you to travel worldwide and backpack in your early 20s?
- When did you know you wanted to start and run your own business (and what led to the decision to build a team vs. going alone)?
- Given how your mom motivated you, how transparent are you with your daughter about what you experience as a business owner?
- I love your YouTube videos and tutorials because you discuss values and alignment as the cornerstone of building a business. Where does that values foundation come from?
- What words/phrases would describe your personal and or professional philosophy?
- You ran your own business, went in-house for three years at Elevate Digital, then went back to your business - why the change, and what were the pros and cons of working for someone else for those 4 years?
- What are the most significant differences when working with different generations?
- What do you do outside of your search to stay balanced, and do you have any guilty pleasures?
- You have built a reputation for helping small businesses get 'unstuck.' Why do so many owners get stuck in the first place?
- Have you ever thought about writing a book?
- What is your approach to pushing through tough times and being in the moment?
- Is resilience or perseverance more important?
About Jessica Yarbrough:
Jessica Yarbrough has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the best business strategists and marketing and sales consultants for entrepreneurs who want to sell high-value products and services. Her background is in international business, and she has built multiple companies.
Jessica is a genius at showing entrepreneurs how to build an expert platform, rapidly raise their value, build their credibility online, and attract high-paying clients. She travels the world teaching and inspiring entrepreneurs and helping them grow their influence and make the income and impact they desire.
Learn more at www.jessicayarbrough.com