In this episode, Karen explores why so many small business leaders only think about performance management once something has already gone wrong.

Instead of seeing it as just paperwork, warnings and formal conversations, she looks at what good performance management really involves: clear expectations, regular feedback, role clarity, support, accountability and stronger leadership.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Why performance management should not start at the formal end
• The accidental manager problem
• Why role clarity matters more than many leaders realise
• How regular feedback and check ins prevent bigger issues later
• Why culture plays such an important role in accountability

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Visit amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.

Book a free discovery call: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie

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Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

In this episode, Karen is joined by Don Hett, founder of CleanKings, EarthyTabs and Crittiks.

Thirteen years ago, Don started CleanKings. Over time, the business grew successfully, but like many Founders, he found himself deeply embedded in the day to day operations. At one point he realised he had become a prisoner of his own company. That moment became a turning point.

In this conversation, Don shares how he transitioned from being the hands on operator to becoming the visionary leader behind the business. He talks openly about the systems, operational clarity and leadership capability required to build a company that does not rely solely on the founder.

We explore:

• The emotional shift from doer to leader of leaders
• Why hiring people smarter than you is essential for growth
• How to build culture across multiple ventures
• The importance of delegation with clarity and accountability
• What founders should stop doing if they want to scale
• How overthinking can stall business momentum

We also discuss Don’s latest venture, EarthyTabs, a purpose driven startup tackling the environmental impact of cleaning chemicals. Born from frustration inside his own cleaning company, EarthyTabs combines product innovation with measurable sustainability data, helping businesses understand the real impact of their choices.

If you are a founder, business owner or leader who wants to scale without being trapped in operations, this episode offers practical insights grounded in real experience.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

Also Mentioned in This Episode:

Connect with Don Hett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donhettofficial/

Earthy Tabs: https://www.earthytabs.com/

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In this episode, we explore what HR support services actually include, why they matter so much for growing businesses, and how the right support can help leaders feel more confident, reduce risk, and create a stronger workplace.

If you are spending more and more time dealing with hiring, performance issues, compliance questions, awkward conversations, or workplace tensions, this episode will help you understand when external HR support starts to make sense and what real value it can bring.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• What HR support services are and why they are about much more than policies and paperwork
• The key areas good HR support can help with, including compliance, employee relations, performance management, recruitment, onboarding, and strategic advice
• Why growing businesses often reach a point where their people practices need to catch up with their business growth
• The signs it might be time to bring in external HR support
• What an HR consultant actually does and how they can help simplify the people side of running a business
• Why outsourced HR can be a smart and flexible option for small and medium businesses
• How HR support can help with Fair Work compliance and reduce the stress of getting it wrong
• The difference the right HR partner can make to leadership confidence, employee experience, and business performance

This episode is a helpful one for business owners and leaders who want to strengthen their HR foundations before things start to feel urgent.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays.

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.

Free Download: https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep/

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Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

In this episode, Karen is joined by Dan Moussa from Third Way Advisory, and we unpack what really makes recruitment work in a small business. We talk about why so many hiring processes go off track before you even post the job ad, how to spot the early warning signs, and how to keep your process simple without being sloppy.

In today’s episode, you will learn about

• The most common leadership hiring mistake Dan sees, and why it usually comes down to skipping the preparation stage.
• The two biggest red flags your recruitment process is off track, including what it means when you are drowning in CVs or interviewing too many people without making a decision.
• Why internal alignment matters more than the job description, and what to discuss with stakeholders before you brief a recruiter or go to market.
• The referral trap, and how to keep your process consistent even when someone comes recommended.
• How to think about hiring a “superstar” versus hiring the “glue” and what that means for culture, performance, and retention over the long term.
• The reality of AI in recruitment, from AI written CVs to candidates using tools during video interviews, and how businesses can respond without panic.
• What great onboarding and retention looks like in practice, including why monthly feedback loops in the first six months can make a big difference.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-moussa-1307a522/

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In this episode, Karen Kirton sits down with accountant and business advisor Jonathon Hunt-Mason to unpack the real numbers that keep small and midsize businesses healthy. If revenue looks fine but something feels off, this conversation will help you spot survival mode early and course-correct with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• Why cash flow data is a lagging indicator and what to watch first
• The three numbers that matter most day to day cash flow, profit and capacity
• A practical bottom up approach to paying yourself first and setting a real break even
• The difference between accrual and cash so you do not get blindsided by liabilities
• How to think about benchmarks without copy pasting someone else’s model
• Pricing with value not scarcity and why losing the wrong client can be a win
• What working on your business actually looks like across different stages
• The role of education and accountability in making better, less emotional decisions

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

Free download: Unlock Business Growth Through Your People

Free download: Hire right: Making your business a people magnet - Amplify HR

Also Mentioned in This Episode:

Jonathon@leddys.com.au

www.leddys.com.au

Book a chat with Jonathon here https://shorturl.at/nLgqJ

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If you have ever thought, I need HR support but I do not need a full time HR person’’, this episode is for you.

Karen unpacks what on demand HR services really look like, who they suit best, and how to get the support you need without the overheads of building an internal HR team.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• What on demand HR services are and how the model typically works for small and growing businesses
• The most common areas on demand HR support covers, including HR advice, policies and documentation, compliance guidance, recruitment and onboarding, employee relations, and performance management
• Why on demand HR can be a smart option for businesses with fewer than 15 employees or businesses that are growing quickly and want to reduce risk
• The real benefits business owners notice fast, including less second guessing, faster problem solving, more confident managers, and more consistent people decisions
• Common pitfalls to avoid when choosing an HR provider, including unclear scope, generic templates, slow response times, and poor cultural fit
• How on demand HR compares to fractional HR and how to choose the right level of support for your business right now.

If you would like to talk through what level of HR support will suit your business, you can book a free discovery call here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fouri

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Visit amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.

Send us Fan Mail

Get our free eBook packed with practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain top talent. Perfect for business owners and leaders focused on building a thriving team. Download it at amplifyhr.com.au/downloadable/find-grow-keep

If you are hearing “I am so stressed”, you are not alone. Today I am joined by Jess Jasch, a Wellbeing Consultant and Embodied Leadership Coach who helps leaders and teams build real stress resilience with practical mindfulness. No hours of meditation. No fluffy language. Just simple habits that actually work at work.

In this episode you will learn

• The difference between healthy stretch and system stress
• How to spot early warning signs in yourself and your team
• A gentle check in script leaders can use today
• One minute micro practices that regulate the nervous system
• Easy team rituals to reset between meetings
• How to support without becoming a counsellor
• A two week reset for stressed leaders that builds sustainable performance

Who this is for

Managers and business owners who want practical tools to reduce stress, prevent burnout and lift performance without adding more to the to do list.

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases on Mondays!

Visit https://www.amplifyhr.com.au/ for more insights and resources.

Book a free discovery call with Amplify HR https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie

Connect with Jess on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajasch/

Visit Jess’s website https://j-leigh.com.au

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This episode is a special one as it also marks five years of the Find Grow Keep podcast!

In this conversation, we explore why leadership development workshops are one of the most practical ways to lift performance, strengthen culture, and improve retention, especially in small and medium sized businesses.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• What leadership development workshops actually are and what great workshops include, from skill building to practice, coaching style support, and feedback
• Why leadership matters more than ever, and how many culture and retention issues are actually leadership capability gaps
• The outcomes you can expect when workshops are designed well, including clearer communication, stronger decision making, better team cohesion, and fewer escalations back to the business owner
• High impact workshop topics that consistently deliver results, such as active listening, difficult conversations, feedback, team effectiveness, emotional intelligence in practice, problem solving, and self leadership
• Who should attend, including current people leaders and emerging leaders, and why shared language across leaders matters
• Formats that work for busy businesses, including half day workshops and practical series that build capability over time
• How to tailor workshops to your culture and real workplace scenarios so the learning sticks
• How to build buy in and think about ROI, including what to measure and how to create follow through

If you would like support designing leadership development workshops that fit your team and your business, book a free discovery call here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ronita-fourie

Make sure to subscribe to stay updated with new releases every second Monday!

Visit amplifyhr.com.au for more insights and resources.

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On Thursday 12 March in Sydney. Join us for a hands-on, in person, interactive workshop is designed to equip business owners and leaders with tpractical tools to build capacity, clarity and control, and a simple 90-day plan you can implement straight away. Register: https://tinyurl.com/AHR26SydEvent