Are you tired of constantly putting out HR fires in your small business?

December isn't just about Christmas prep – it's the perfect time to transform your approach to people management for 2025.

"I just need you in that meeting with me."

Three weeks ago, Sarah* reached out about what seemed like a straightforward HR issue – ongoing performance challenges in her team. But as we sat down together, it became clear there was so much more beneath the surface.

Ever notice how employee issues hit different when you're a business owner?

That pit in your stomach when conflict arises isn't just about the immediate problem – it's often tied to deeper emotional threads woven through our entrepreneurial journey.

I've been working with a recruitment business owner recently who was at breaking point. He'd been paying for a generic HR helpline (you know the type - insurance-backed, call centre approach, tick-box solutions). But they just weren't getting it.

The challenge? An underperforming consultant with ongoing sickness issues. Months of frustration, zero progress, and a helpline that didn't understand the unique dynamics of recruitment businesses.

In today's video, I'm going to share how successful businesses are flipping the script on performance management. We'll explore how focusing on coaching and development first can transform your business culture, boost your billers' confidence, and actually make those tougher conversations more constructive when they're needed.

Today marks White Ribbon Day - a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to stand against gender-based violence and create a safer world for women and girls.

If you've spent your weekend worrying about talking to that employee about that performance issues that just won't go away....then here is a little something for you.

A quick and simple guide on how to tackle performance concerns in your business.

Are you leaving performance to chance in your business? Are you just hoping to get the results you want without clarity?

I see this all the time - usually resulting in a stressed, frustrated business owner, taking it all on themselves.

There is another way.

Here's a radical thought for recruitment & small business owners - what if performance conversations actually energised your team?

Somewhere along the way, the very mention of "performance" became associated with blame, fear and that dreaded march to HR. It's no wonder we all tense up at the phrase "we need to talk about your performance."

What if we changed this narrative in our businesses?