by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Mar 30, 2016 | Leadership
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
by Chris Hunter | Mar 31, 2016 | Coaching & Soft Skills, General - Human Resources, Leadership
Running a business isn’t something you can usually do by yourself. One way or another, other people make their contributions to your enterprise. They could be members of your team, suppliers, co-directors or even family members who support you and they all...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
The implications of what has been termed the “skills shortage” need to be understood by every business owner. The ways we hire, train, remunerate and manage people will have to change, and so will the way we run our businesses. Most countries have an aging...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Compensation, Employee Recognition & Rewards
by Chris Hunter | Dec 25, 2015 | Absenteeism
There can be more than meets the eye when it comes to absenteeism. Team members may stay away due to uncaring supervisors or unsatisfactory working conditions. There are a number of ways to address the problem to improve morale and the efficiency of the workplace. An...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Retention
by Chris Hunter | Jan 2, 2016 | Training Programs
by Chris Hunter | Dec 25, 2015 | Absenteeism
by Chris Hunter | Mar 28, 2016 | Delegation, Leadership
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Retention
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Dec 25, 2015 | Absenteeism, Benefits, Human Resources
Hardly any manager can get through the year without several team members taking a few days of paid sick leave to recover from a hangover or go to a sporting event. Studies have found it is a significant problem for small businesses. In the UK, for example, one third...
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Retention
The Herman Group of Greensboro, North Carolina are business advisers specializing in issues concerning the workforce and workplace trends. They tell us that “an estimated 75 percent of American employers do not have a dedicated employee retention...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
Dishonesty in the workplace takes two main forms – lying and stealing, and both are more common than many of us would like to think. Everyday examples of lying in the workplace include embellishing the truth on personal resumes and company track records; suggesting to...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources, Leadership
Every person in every organization is well aware that by adopting even the most basic time management techniques they can become more effective, and hence more productive. Even if they don’t actually do it. For professional service firms it is especially...
by Chris Hunter | Mar 28, 2016 | Delegation, Leadership
Almost every business owner has too much to do and not enough time to do it in. But there is a solution – let your team members take some of the weight off your back by learning how to delegate effectively. Are you taking work home every night? Do jobs pile up...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding
The first day at a new job is always a time of confusion. So many people to meet, and so much to learn, in a short span of time. A well-planned staff induction program can make it so much easier for new team members and so much more beneficial for the firm. Some...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding
A new employee’s first day is a key experience for both the employee and the company they work for. It’s like meeting a person for the first time. A first impression sets a tone for a relationship and can have a big impact on the way it develops....
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding, Recruiting
by Chris Hunter | Dec 28, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
Description: In an ideal world, a subordinate would accept critical feedback from a manager with an open mind. He or she would ask a few clarifying questions, promise to work on certain performance areas, and show signs of improvement over time. But things don’t...
by Chris Hunter | Mar 28, 2016 | Delegation, Leadership
“Empower” is one of those words we see a lot of these days, but what does it really mean to a business owner? It doesn’t mean giving up your authority. It doesn’t mean shuffling off all the responsibilities of ownership onto the shoulders of...
by Chris Hunter | Jan 2, 2016 | Training Programs
Businesses that use training to increase the skills of team members can enjoy improved team performance and a better ROI on their salary expenses. This will only happen if a number of factors are given consideration before the training begins. A high standard of...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
The exit interview is an interview given to a departing employee – usually one that has voluntarily resigned instead of those that are fired or are restructured out of a job. The exit interview can be conducted any time after an employee has given notice of...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
Description: Nobody likes performance reviews. Subordinates are terrified they’ll hear nothing but criticism. Bosses, for their part, think their direct reports will respond to even the mildest criticism with stonewalling, anger, or tears. The result? Everyone...
by Chris Hunter | Nov 6, 2019 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews, General - Personal Growth & Leadership, Human Resources, Leadership
This tip is adapted from “Are You Sugarcoating Your Feedback Without Realizing It?,” by Michael Schaerer and Roderick Swaab Many managers sugarcoat tough feedback, either to avoid retaliation or to protect employees’ feelings. But research shows that managers tend to...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
It was a hot issue a few years ago but now flextime seems to have been dropped from press coverage. Does that mean it was tried and didn’t work? Momentum to introduce flextime grew through the 1990s and peaked along with the economy. However, since the dotcom...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 29, 2015 | General - Human Resources
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Retention
by Chris Hunter | Jan 2, 2016 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Training Programs
Managers always have high expectations for the people they hire. But new team members don’t always fit right into the organization, perform their jobs without fault and obey directions without questioning them. We’re only human and that means that our...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Interviews & Onboarding, Retention
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Jan 2, 2016 | General - Personal Growth & Leadership, Leadership, Training Programs
Leadership is a combination of inherited and acquired characteristics. Even if your genes didn’t make you a ‘natural’ leader you can certainly learn a lot about leadership if you’re called upon to lead. Natural leaders stand out – they’re easy to identify. Identifying...
by Chris Hunter | Jan 1, 2016 | Interviews & Onboarding, Retention
by Chris Hunter | Dec 26, 2015 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Communications & Performance Reviews
by Chris Hunter | Dec 30, 2015 | Communications & Performance Reviews, Job Search Strategies
by Chris Hunter | Dec 30, 2015 | General - Human Resources
Nobody likes laying off employees. But there are ways of minimizing the unpleasantness on both sides. It’s obviously important to ensure that layoffs are conducted legally and that there are no ensuing court cases. It’s worth checking with a lawyer...
by Chris Hunter | Mar 27, 2016 | Coaching & Soft Skills, Employee Recognition & Rewards, General - Human Resources, Leadership, Performance Management, Retention
Everyone who’s ever worked in a business has thought about how to make it better. It’s usually with the goal of making their own job a bit easier or more rewarding, but that’s natural and highlights the sincerity of suggestions that originate from...
by Chris Hunter | Mar 31, 2016 | Communications & Performance Reviews, General - Personal Growth & Leadership, Leadership, Management & Motivation
There is no “one size fits all” solution to succeed in the demanding area of managing people. Most managers have their own styles and some are more effective than others. What is certain is that people management must be an active part of every business...
by Chris Hunter | Mar 31, 2016 | Coaching & Soft Skills, General - Human Resources, Leadership
by Chris Hunter | Dec 30, 2015 | Interviews & Onboarding, Legal Issues, Recruiting
by Chris Hunter | Dec 30, 2015 | General - Human Resources
Description: Managers invariably use their personal contacts when they need to, say, meet an impossible deadline or learn the truth about a new boss. Increasingly, it’s through these informal networks–not just through traditional organizational...
by Chris Hunter | Dec 30, 2015 | General - Human Resources
While there will always be some gossip and rumors, office politics does not need to be a negative experience. Office politics can be used to advantage if done properly. Let’s face it: office politics are inevitable. Wherever people gather, they will gossip, spread...
Chris’ combination of academic credentials, career experience and temperament ideally suit his calling as a business development advisor. Clients say he has a mind for business and a heart for service.