View from the Bridge: Is there deception during your interview?

April 24th, 2019

A WORD FROM THE TOP

This month we’re featuring a great article on job interviews written by Scott Wintrip for ERE Online (see below). The title is a bit controversial, however over my years of working in recruitment and HR I’ve seen less than transparent interviewing and hiring practices happen over and over again. Read more

View from the Bridge: 2 questions to ask employees (before they leave)

March 29th, 2019

A WORD FROM THE TOP

Dear Reader,

The cost to replace a key employee is not a new topic of conversation for most employers. It’s a subject that gets a lot of focus and attention from HR professionals, senior executives and finance. We know the cost of turnover is high and organizations should be working to ensure they are a workplace where people want to stay. While there are numerous ways to do this, the following article talks about two key questions that should be asked long before anyone is heading for the door.

Another consequence of turnover is how it can potentially affect a company’s brand, both with customers and with future employees. We’ve included a video this month to show just how negatively an unhappy employee can impact an employer’s “brand”… this video has been viewed almost 7 million times! At Vertical Bridge we love to work with our clients to ensure that they never end up in a video like this one!

Happy Spring Break to everyone….

Sandra Reder, CPC
President

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CUT LOSSES BY ASKING EMPLOYEES THESE TWO QUESTIONS (BEFORE THEY LEAVE)

Credit: Marcel Schwantes, Inc.

Study has concluded that voluntary turnover in this country is ‘self-inflicted’ and could be easily avoided.

One harsh truth in the human capital space has remained true for over two decades: 70 percent of U.S. employees are disengaged in their work and workplace right now.

It should come as no surprise that, according to a report by Gallup, 51 percent of American workers are actively looking for a different job or watching for openings.

Gallup says that those who have already jumped ship have cost U.S. businesses $1 trillion.

If you’re a number-crunching CFO and your company has high turnover, you’re sweating bullets. Do the math: The cost of replacing a single employee can be anywhere between one-half to twice that employee’s annual salary.

There are other hidden costs that come with a voluntary turnover–a decline in team morale, distrust in management, uncertainty about the future, and unhappy customers.

Ask 2 important questions to stop the bleeding.
Read more…

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HIS IS CRAZY!

An employer’s nightmare:Meet Joey. He quit his hotel job with a marching band in tow.

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View from the Bridge: The tremendous cost of ignoring HR

February 28th, 2019

A WORD FROM THE TOP

Recently I was reading an article written by Dr. John Sullivan (featured below) on the cost of “Doing Nothing” in HR, and it struck a chord. In fact, many of the HR challenges that Dr. Sullivan highlights in his article are the reason I started Vertical Bridge almost 14 years ago. I realized that many employers don’t have an HR person, or department they can rely on to ensure that things like employee engagement and retention, leadership development, development of HR best practices and policies, etc are happening within their companies.

It’s been my experience, having worked with literally 100’s of companies, that when there is HR support (whether out-sourced or in-house) within an organization there is less turn-over, a higher level of engagement and employee satisfaction and, as a result increased levels of happiness and productivity. To learn more about the cost of doing nothing in HR check out Dr. Sullivan’s article, it’s worth the read!

On another note, Vertical Bridge has been nominated again for the HR Reporter’s “Reader’s Choice Award” for “Best HR Consultant”. We would appreciate it if you could take a minute and vote for us, your support is much appreciated!

Warm regards,

Sandra Reder, CPC
President

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UNDERSTANDING THE TREMENDOUS COST OF “DOING NOTHING” IN HR

Credit: Dr. John Sullivan (TLNT )When you notice an engine warning light in your car, most quickly calculate that “doing nothing” would be a costly option. And if you’re not familiar with the term, the “cost of doing nothing” is the costs that occur because needed actions are never taken or are unnecessarily delayed. For example, if your facility had a leaking pipe and fixing it was postponed until it burst and flooded an entire floor, the repair costs that result from “doing nothing” might go up exponentially from under $1,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It’s important for HR to realize that calculating the cost of doing nothing (CDN) is common in almost every business function (e.g., the cost of skipped equipment maintenance), however, the calculations or even the concept are almost non-existent in HR. Read more...

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IN IT TO WIN IT!

Vertical Bridge team has been nominated again for the 2019 HR Reporter Readers’ Choice Award for best HR MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT! We want to win this thing! It only takes 30 seconds to vote (find us in question #8). Your help means a lot to us. Deadline is March 18, 2019.

NOTE: You DO NOT have to enter in your email address to complete the survey!

Vote Now

THIS IS OUR GOAL!

It’s awards season and just like Bohemian Rhapsody: We are hoping to win a golden trophy as the HR Champions!

View from the Bridge: 3 HR trends to watch in 2019

January 30th, 2019

A WORD FROM THE TOP

With the first month of 2019 almost over, it’s important to ensure that your HR planning is on point with current trends and predictions. This year there is a very strong focus on ensuring a healthy workplace for all of your employees. This goes beyond preventing accidents on the job, employers are being encouraged to support their employee’s emotional and cognitive health by creating a supportive and mentally healthy workplace. Below is an article outlining 3 HR trends to watch in 2019.

On Feb 11th I have the privilege of sitting on a panel of experts at the upcoming Employment Law Masterclass conference being held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This is going to be an amazing day full of great information on everything from the legalities of cannabis at work, to workplace mental health. If you’d like to learn more please scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter and click on the link, Vertical Bridge client’s receive a discount. I hope to see you there!

Here’s to a healthy and happy 2019!

Sandra Reder, CPC
President

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3 HR TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2019

Credit: Cecile Alper-Leroux (TLNT)The role of HR continues to be dynamic and ever-changing, with major economic, sociological, technological and cultural trends impacting the way people will work and live in 2019. HR’s shift from a largely administrative function to a strategic business unit has been slow up until now. But that is about to change, as HR has the opportunity to take center stage and become a champion for businesses looking to keep up with the pace of these changes.HR is responsible for mitigating some of the most critical issues facing businesses today, such as hiring and retaining talent, skill development, and creating a positive employee experience in a tight labor market. Organizations adapting to the future of work are realizing they need business-savvy, innovative HR leaders to help them navigate the evolving needs of the modern workforce.This, in turn, puts more pressure on HR leaders to stay ahead of the latest trends and find solutions that move businesses and employees forward amid intense competition. Below are just a few trends that HR leaders will need to follow closely in 2019 if they want their businesses and the employees they serve to excel in the future of work.

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EMPLOYMENT LAW MASTERCLASS

On Monday, Feb. 11th,Vertical Bridge’s Sandra Reder will be on an expert panel at the Employment Law Masterclass – the year’s most exciting event for anyone seeking to gain in-depth awareness of the latest industry updates, familiarity with practical case studies, knowledge of guidelines and how to implement them, high-level overviews of industry talking points and big HR issues such as accommodation, sexual harassment and the legalization of marijuana in the workplace. Check out the agenda here. We’d love to see you there!

Save $137!

Vertical Bridge clients are invited to use the code “EBRATE” at registration to get the lowest, early bird rate of $775 (price is currently $912).

THIS IS THE FUTURE!

Meet the new boss?: Should we be worried about AI taking over the world?

View from the Bridge: The ultimate test of how you’ve lived

December 13th, 2018

A WORD FROM THE TOP

Dear Reader,

It’s that time of year when we focus on expressing “goodwill and kindness” towards one another. It’s a time to celebrate love and family and a time for giving. At Vertical Bridge we work year round to assist our clients in creating engaging workplaces for their employees. We believe that an engaged workforce is a happy and productive workforce.

We also believe that everyone deserves the an opportunity to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. However, there are many people who have fallen on hard times and work is not always accessible to them. I am proud to sit on the Board of EMBERS, a social enterprise and registered community economic development charity located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Since 2001, EMBERS has helped thousands of people facing barriers to work lead productive, fulfilling lives by offering economic and employment opportunities – including job placements, training and support.

In lieu of sending out Christmas cards this year, Vertical Bridge has donated $500 to EMBERS’ 100 Boot Challenge and we invite you to give a “helping hand” to those less fortunate than us and to donate today. Let’s all make a difference!

We have also featured an article below that shares some words of wisdom from Warren Buffet that we can all incorporate into our lives and workplaces in 2019!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Vertical Bridge!

Sandra Reder, CPC
President

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WARREN BUFFETT SAYS THE ULTIMATE TEST OF HOW YOU’VE LIVED YOUR LIFE BOILS DOWN TO 1 POWERFUL WORD

Credit: Marcel Schwantes, Inc.When it comes to sage-like wisdom, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has a mountainous surplus of it circulating the internet.Some of his advice is so commonsensical it stops us in our tracks and makes us think about whether we’re truly measuring up to the things that truly matter. For example, take this truth-telling mirror moment from the Oracle of Omaha:

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JOIN US IN THE 100 BOOT CHALLENGE!

Donate Today

THIS IS EMBERS!

“A job is much more than just income”: Meet Marcia Nozick, CEO of EMBERS Vancouver. She’s an entrepreneur focused on creating livelihoods for those on the economic fringes.

View from the Bridge: Yesterday a colleague, today a boss. Now what?

November 28th, 2018

A WORD FROM THE TOP

As more and more Millennials take on leadership roles within their companies there’s a good chance that they will be put into the challenging position of suddenly having to manage their friends and co-workers. Over the last couple of years we’ve seen a significant increase in calls from organizations facing this very real situation.

View from the Bridge: Four onboarding tips for new hires

October 25th, 2018

A WORD FROM THE TOP

We all know how difficult it is to find top talent in today’s employment market. Hiring is extremely competitive, expensive and it can be very time consuming. Imagine doing all that work and spending all that time and money and the new hire quits within the first year! A key to a successful hire is how you bring them into your organization, how are you ”onboarding” your new hires? Imagine showing up on the first day and it’s very clear that no one was really “expecting” you. You’re plunked down at a desk told this is your computer, read this manual and feel free to ask questions, then you’re left on your own. This happens more often than you may think.

The article below highlights 4 things to keep in mind while onboarding. Developing a formal onboarding process for your company could be the difference between keeping a great employee and losing them!

I also want to take a moment to welcome our newest HR Consultant, Allison Ribaux to the Vertical Bridge team. Allison brings her passion for employee relations along with solid HR expertise in a number of different industries. Please check out her full bio below.

Warm regards,

Sandra Reder, CPC
President

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Request a FREE Consultation

IF YOU DON’T BOTHER TO DO THIS WITH YOU NEW HIRES, YOU’RE THROWING $10,000 DOWN THE DRAIN

Credit: Tommy Mello, INC.

Hiring is a long, hard process.

You’re not Google. Neither are you Apple. A-players aren’t fighting tooth and nail for a chance to work on your company. So it’s up to you to attract them with a kickass job description and a great company culture.

But here’s the thing:

Hiring isn’t just about attracting rockstar candidates, and conducting interviews. There’s another piece of the puzzle that’s equally important: and that’s onboarding newer hires.

According to a survey by BambooHR, 91 percent of HR managers think their onboarding processes need to be improved. And guess what? 45 percent of these managers believe that their companies waste up to $10,000 per year on ineffective onboarding processes. I mean, $10,000 is a lot of money. And it could be put to better use elsewhere, such as your marketing campaigns.

Want to work on your onboarding process, and make it more effective? Here are four tips that can help you do that.

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WELCOME A NEW VBer!

Allison Ribaux is an accomplished and passionate Human Resource professional with over 14 years of work experience in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Allison believes that honest communication and strong organizational values are the key to success and employee engagement. Workplaces and individuals are unique, and she strives to help organizations find solutions that fit their needs.

Originally from Montreal, Allison has been in Vancouver for almost a decade. In her spare time, she likes to explore the outdoors with her two dogs, hiking, running or biking around the lower mainland. Allison is also the Co-Founder of CAARE, a dog rescue that rehomes dogs in need from remote northern communities to the lower mainland.

Read Allison’s Full Bio

THIS IS A WELCOME!

First day on the job: We bet yours wasn’t quite like this!

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NETWORK WITH US!

HR is about people. People are social. We are social HR people! Connect with us!

View from the Bridge: Don’t worry (be happy)

July 25th, 2018

A WORD FROM THE TOP

Happy July! The sun is shining, the days are long and the smell of barbeques is in the air! It’s time to take a moment to relax and be happy. If you have any trouble doing this we’re sharing an article below with some great tips on what happy people do.

Speaking of happy, we’re pleased to announce that we’re partnering with David Ogle, the Founder of a successful North American coaching and leadership practice. Recently David delivered a workshop on “Leadership and Innovation” with one of our Vertical Bridge clients. The feedback was excellent and I was blown away by his delivery. It’s no surprise then that David led Lululemon’s Leadership Development team during their growth to a $2 billion company. Check out his full bio and please join us in welcoming David to Vertical Bridge .

Warm regards,

Sandra Reder

President & Founder
Vertical Bridge Corporate Consulting

_______________________

7 THINGS YOU’LL NOTICE THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE DOING

Credit: INC., Marcel Schwantes

Here are seven habits of the happiest people, which will make the rest of us perpetually jealous if we don’t hop on the wagon and join them.

So much has been written about the burgeoning happiness movement within the ever-expanding field of positive psychology, it’s hard to keep up.

What scientists have discovered is that practices like compassion, gratitude, positive thinking, meditation, and kindness are not only good for your health and well-being, they’re especially good for business.

While we know that leaders are partly responsible for setting the right conditions for employee happiness, employees have to be held responsible for making wise choices to ensure their own happiness, no matter what curve balls life throws their way.

While combing through my own research and notes on what successful and happy people do, it struck me how intentional they are in working the happiness advantage, putting emphasis on choosing the right mindset and literally training their brains to become happier and more optimistic. It’s a lifelong commitment.

Here are seven habits of the happiest people, which will make the rest of us perpetually jealous if we don’t hop on the wagon and join them.

>> READ FULL ARTICLE

MEET A VBer!

Vertical Bridge is very excited to be working with David Ogle, an extremely talented and sought after leadership coach. David led the Leadership Development team at Lululemon Athletica through a stunning $2B in growth. He works with executives, Olympic athletes as well numerous leaders within organizations, and is a candidate for his MSc in Applied Neuroscience & Mental Health. With over a decade of coaching and organizational leadership, David is known for his ability to ask the challenging questions, create the conditions for insight, and he does this so his clients don’t feel like the sky is falling.

We encourage you to read his full bio!

>> READ FULL BIO

THIS IS WORRY-FREE!

Words to live by: Remember this catchy hit from 1988?