Policies that support your business and team

If you run a business or an organisation, the Code of Conduct is one policy you want to invest in.

Creating policies for your business might not be the most exciting task, we get it – but some guidelines are essential, and this is one of them.

Having a code underpins and informs almost everything your business does, from communication best practices to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. In this blog post, we explore what a Code of Conduct is, where and why it's useful, and how it can significantly benefit your business.

What is a Code of Conduct?

A Code of Conduct is a formal document that outlines the guiding principles, standards, and behavioural expectations for all team members within your organisation. It serves as a set of rules and guidelines that govern interactions, communications, and behaviour...

Hello and welcome to Episode 182 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Today we’re talking ‘team meetings’. We all know we need to have them right? Yet so often they feel like a waste of time, or like many members of People Powered HR recently said, they are sick of hearing their own voice in team meetings and wished their teams would participate and engage.

So how can we hold meetings that matter, that have impact, that people participate and engage in, and that aren’t all about us just talking?

To help find the answers I thought I’d get an expert in to chat to us.

I’m thrilled to be joined by Cat Matson of Impactful Presenters. Cat is the CEO and Lead Facilitator of Impactful Presenters, empowering business owners and community leaders to speak with confidence, authority, authenticity and impact. A popular and accomplished Speaker, MC and Moderator, Cat is known for her straight-talking, 'realness' and extracting 'the juice' from her clients.

Hello and welcome to Episode 181 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Today we’re talking about a Code of Conduct and why they are so valuable to have in your business.

A code of conduct is a formal document that outlines the guiding principles, standards, and behavioural expectations for individuals within a business.

It serves as a set of rules and guidelines that govern the conduct and interactions of employees, management, and other stakeholders associated with the business.

A well-structured code of conduct is designed to promote ethical behaviour, create a positive work environment, and ensure consistency in decision-making across the organisation.

For me it’s super valuable in articulating ‘this is how we do things around here’.

I’d love to hear about whether you have a Code of Conduct in place, and whether you’re finding it to be a valuable resource, so I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, HR Support for...

Understanding changes to the parental leave pay scheme as an employer

If you run a business with staff,  keeping up with compliance is one of the most important things to be on top of.

The Parental Leave Pay scheme is a significant pillar of support for families. The recent changes represent a step toward greater flexibility and inclusivity, recognising the diverse dynamics of modern families.

To ensure you stay up to date with current changes to compliance, we’re covering the recent changes to the Parental Leave Pay Scheme. If you have team members who have recently had a child or adopted a child, or you have team members who will be going through that process in the future, the details we cover below will be beneficial.

What is the parental leave pay scheme?   

The Parental Leave Pay Scheme can be a bit confusing for the uninitiated, primarily because even though it has the word ‘leave’ in the name, it’s not actually a type of leave....

Hello and welcome to Episode 180 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

In today’s episode I am sharing a previous conversation Juliet Robinson and I had on the Grow Your Influence Podcast.

Recently I have had a lot of business owners ask about leading different generations at work, and how to understand and motivate each generation.

This discussion is one Juliet and I had some time ago, probably a little over a year, but it’s still really relevant and valuable.

Stay tuned as we will have some new episodes on generational differences at work really soon.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with managing and leading different generations at work. I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, HR Support for Australian Businesses, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

What is micromanagement at work?

Micromanagement at work refers to a management style that is typically excessive and controlling and usually exercised by a supervisor or manager. This management style focuses heavily on task-specific elements while often neglecting the bigger picture, such as overall outcomes, staff development, and collaborative teamwork.

Micromanagement can impede team efficiency and arise from several underlying factors. These factors usually encompass a lack of confidence in team members' competencies, a tendency to seek control due to apprehension or self-doubt, and a need to maintain close oversight to ensure tasks meet personal expectations.

Micromanagement frequently emerges when leaders encounter challenges in effectively delegating tasks, motivating their team, and fostering a culture of accountability. Although the motivations behind micromanagement might be rooted in aspirations for success, the approach inadvertently restricts autonomy, stifles...

Hello and welcome to Episode 179 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Today I have an update on my intern experiment.

Back in Episode 173 I shared that I have decided to experiment with having interns in my business, and promised to share my journey with you here on the podcast.

Here’s the thing though, things haven’t exactly gone to plan, as I discuss today, these people are a little more ninja like than I expected.

In today’s episode I share what’s happened so far, why I don’t actually have an intern (yet!) and what I plan to do from here.

I’d love to hear about whether you have engaged interns before, or are considering it in the future, so I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, HR Support for Australian Businesses, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Building Self-Awareness for Effective Leadership: We can't change what we're not aware of

How self-aware are you as a leader?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were oblivious to a particular issue until someone brought it to your attention?

Like the moment you become aware of a stain on your shirt? Or food stuck in your teeth after a meal? Things that you weren’t aware of until someone brought it to your attention or you noticed it.

In these situations, you likely immediately took action to rectify the problem once you became aware.

In leadership, it can take us a little longer to develop this kind of awareness – and even if we are aware, the necessary action isn’t always clear.

As writer, tech executive, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg says, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”

In leadership, just as in life, we cannot change what we are unaware of.

Once we become aware,...

Hello and welcome to Episode 178 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Today I have a quick compliance update for you on the recent changed to the Paid Parental Leave Scheme.

This is the Government funded payment that employees can access when they are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. From 1 July 2023 there have been a raft of changes to this scheme, including the merging of the old 18 week parental leave payment and 2 week dad and partner pay into one 100 day or 20 week allocation, which can now be shared much more flexibly between parents.

If you’d like to connect with other business owners and leaders who are also facing the challenge of managing leave I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, HR Support for Australian Businesses, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Boss Guilt: What it is and how to break free as a leader            

Are you a leader who feels like you can never get on top of things?

As the boss of my own business, I know firsthand what it’s like to burn the candle at both ends – and still feel guilty that you’re not getting enough done.

The other night I was exhausted.

I’ve been working long days. Not many breaks. Balancing the fine art of family alongside the demands of my business. I kept finding myself at my desk thinking, “If I just get this one thing done”, or “I’ll just do this one more thing before I take a break.”

And I caught myself.

This way of thinking signals the slippery slope of boss guilt.

What exactly is boss guilt?

The type of boss guilt I’m talking about is that feeling that you’re lacking, that you’re not doing enough, or being enough.

This kind of boss guilt...