Hiring (and Onboarding) Matters: Leadership Insights from Target & Cencora with Michelle Byers
Release Date: 04/01/2024
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 He takes aim at outdated engagement programs that haven’t evolved since the fax machine, stale career development boxes that get checked but rarely fulfilled, and the assumption...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_outlineEver feel like you've hired someone only to watch them vanish into the Bermuda Triangle of new hires? Well, the mystery of successful onboarding is about to be solved! Michelle Byers, a seasoned expert with 17 years of fine-tuning her craft in human capital management at top-tier organizations like Target and Cencora, is going to show you how to guide your new hire toward a smooth landing with air traffic controller expertise. Michelle reveals how to use your team as your co-pilot and unveils the single most crucial activity every leader must undertake within the first 30 days of a new employee's journey. Get ready to glean insights on issues like navigating the multi-generational workforce and discover Michelle's three buckets of effective onboarding strategies firsthand. Tune in and fasten your seatbelts for a masterclass in setting your team up for success from day one!
About our Guest:
Michelle Byers is an accomplished HR and Learning & Development Leader with extensive experience across retail, distribution, technology, and pharmaceutical sectors. Currently serving as Senior Director of Learning & Development at Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), Michelle drives operational success by aligning learning programs with business objectives. With a master's degree in Management and a bachelor's in Marketing from Azusa Pacific University, Michelle excels in strategic planning, leadership development, and fostering strong business partnerships. Prior to her current role, she led HR initiatives at Target, achieving notable improvements in operations, talent management, and diversity leadership. Michelle's expertise lies in crafting tailored solutions that elevate organizational performance and drive growth.
About Your Host:
Ken Schmitt is the CEO and founder of TurningPoint Executive Search. He is also the author of "The Practical Optimist: An Entrepreneur's Journey through Life's Turning Points". Ken was raised in an entrepreneurial family and brings a uniquely authentic voice to his podcast, blending life, family, and business together. With almost three decades of experience in executive recruiting, Ken is a seasoned expert. In his podcast, he focuses on revealing the secrets of recruiting, retention, and real HR strategies. The podcast is not preachy, academic, or theoretical. It provides authentic perspectives on the challenges, triumphs, and quirks that make the hiring game both exhilarating and unpredictable. Twice a month, Ken offers tactical advice and industry insights to empower listeners to navigate the intricate world of executive recruiting confidently. "Hiring Matters" is your go-to resource for elevating your hiring game and equipping you with the tools to build, grow, and lead truly exceptional teams. Brace yourself for Ken's "Recruiter Rant" episodes, where he shares unfiltered insights and behind-the-scenes revelations about the industry's hidden secrets. Get ready to gain more than expected from this informative and engaging podcast.
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