Category: Culture

Business-First is Out. People-First is Profitable. Let’s Talk Employee Experience

There’s a reason HR professionals are banging the employee experience (EX) drum louder than ever — because it works. Not in a fluffy, warm-and-fuzzy, “yay team” kind of way. In a hard, measurable, bottom-line-impacting kind of way. But to get there, businesses need to undergo one of the biggest mindset shifts of all: from business-first […]

The Real Work: Why Compliance Won’t Save You From Turnover

There’s a belief out there — still very much alive in small business land — that if you hire good people, you’ll get good performance. That if you “treat people fairly,” they’ll stick around. That if you tick the compliance boxes, you’ve done your bit. Let’s be blunt: compliance alone is not a retention strategy. It […]

Getting the Best Out of Your People Isn’t Luck. It’s Intentional.

You know what doesn’t work anymore? Managing people like they need to be managed. Policies written for the lowest common denominator. Performance reviews designed to protect the business instead of grow the individual. Engagement surveys that read like compliance checklists. If you want to build a workplace where people thrive—not just survive—you need to recognise that […]

The Real Work: Holding the Mirror Up to Culture, Leadership and the Future of Work

There’s a reason most businesses would rather slap up a new mission statement than ask their people what culture really feels like day-to-day. Because asking the question means you have to be ready for the answer. It takes courage to hold a mirror up to your culture — not just your vibe or your branding, but […]

Hiring Warning: Are You Importing a Culture You Don’t Want?

Let’s talk about a recruitment temptation that’s very real—especially in regional areas and during a skills shortage. You’ve just hired a brilliant employee from a competitor. They’re sharp, they get the job done, and within weeks… five of their former colleagues want in too. Sounds like all your staffing headaches are solved, right? Well… not quite. Because […]

When the Boss Is the Business: Why Culture In SMEs Needs a Different Playbook

Let’s be honest — most leadership advice floating around the internet is written for the Googles and the Westpacs of the world. Unlimited budgets, whole HR teams, and enough corporate buzzwords to fill a bingo card. But what about the business owners who are the HR team, the payroll officer, the complaints department, and the person still […]

Why It’s Time to Rethink the 40-Hour Work Week

Nearly 100 years ago, the 40-hour work week was considered revolutionary.Today? It’s starting to feel a little… outdated. When Henry Ford made headlines for introducing a five-day, 40-hour week in 1926, it was a bold step towards a better balance between work and life — for the times.Back then, most households had one breadwinner (usually […]

Beyond the Paycheque: What Really Drives Engagement?

Let’s have an honest conversation.At a certain point, money stops talking. I was listening to a brilliant episode of This Working Life recently (one I think every business leader should have on their playlist). It was about employee purpose — or, more accurately, how organisations often miss the mark chasing satisfaction through financial rewards alone. One point really hit […]