News

The “better” way to conduct layoffs

Talent Management and Workforce Planning

Layoffs are hard on everyone. Even as business leaders and HR professionals, layoffs are one of the hardest things we have to do. Regrettably, many of us remember this from the all-too-recent pandemic layoffs. Layoffs are a reality we may soon face again as the threat of recession looms. And while we may not have […]


Resolve conflict like a champ

Management Issues

We’re hard-pressed to say conflict resolution is a fun or glamorous part of a Human Resources or leadership role, but it’s one of the most critical parts. How you mediate conflict impacts employee morale and retention, and also shows your leadership abilities and your willingness to tackle the tough stuff. Your conflict resolution skills can […]


Stop! and hire this candidate

Recruitment and Retention

It’s easy to criticize potential hires and spot reasons why we shouldn’t hire them. That one is too arrogant, that one lacks technical skills, and that one knows nothing about the company. Process of elimination, right? But too often we fail to recognize the positive reasons why we should hire someone. Positive flags can be […]


How to create enticing job titles

Job Descriptions

Writing a great job title is tougher than it seems. In just a few words, you’ll need to accurately convey the job duties and the level of experience required, rank highly in online searches, and earn bonus points for making it catchy. Ideally, the job title should also mean the same thing to most people […]


If Someone Had Told Me Sooner…

Working Smarter

Every professional trial and triumph brought you here today—hopefully somewhere amazing! But what if you had changed even one thing? Would you have achieved better, quicker, or totally different results? You can’t change the past, but you never know when insight into your career—maybe a path you wish you’d taken or a choice you wish […]


Why Your New Hires May Be Unhappy

Recruitment and Retention

Not-so-fun fact: On average, one-third of new hires quit during their first six months. That includes your company’s new hires. Keeping in mind most employees leave because their day-to-day role wasn’t as advertised, because of a bad work experience, or because of a culture conflict, could the problem be with your company’s recruitment and onboarding […]


Performance Review How-to—Never Say These Four Things

Working Smarter

Performance reviews can be stressful, especially if you’re only getting feedback once a year. And when you’re stressed, your words don’t always come so easily—they can even come out wrong! You don’t want to botch this valuable opportunity to showcase your hard work, especially if you are asking for a raise.


Four keys to landing your dream interview

Job Searching

With the right tools and a few tricks, you can score the coveted interview that connects you to your dream job.


How to Gracefully Decline Extra Work

Working Smarter

Your home office may be open all hours, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit in it at 2 a.m. because your boss keeps piling on extra work. You can and should have a say in whether to accept extra work that’s beyond your regular scope or that you just don’t have time to […]


Constructive Criticism That Won’t Make Others Cringe

Management Issues

Giving criticism is hard. Devising and delivering truly constructive criticism is even harder, especially when it is communicated over video chat. But thoughtful criticism builds effective teams, and it is critical for any employee’s professional (and personal) growth. So why do so many leaders have trouble giving constructive criticism?


How to Survive a Bad Workweek

Working Smarter

Are you having a week you just wish would end? Whether it’s a looming deadline, poor feedback, or another snippy email exchange with that coworker, we all have weeks that leave us clambering for the finish line. But take heart! Your bad workweek will end, and this guide can help you ride it out.


Marketable Soft Skills to Develop Now

Working Smarter

Soft skills, like delegation, creativity, and adaptability, turn good leaders into great leaders. And while some soft skills might come easily to you, you might have to work at others. For those skills you haven’t quite mastered yet, now is the perfect time to develop your professional skillset and secure a stronger position in tomorrow’s […]


YES! News

The “better” way to conduct layoffs

Layoffs are hard on everyone. Even as business leaders and HR professionals, layoffs are one of the hardest things we have to do. Regrettably, many of us remember this from the all-too-recent pandemic layoffs. Layoffs are a reality we may soon face again as the threat of recession looms. And while we may not have […]

Resolve conflict like a champ

We’re hard-pressed to say conflict resolution is a fun or glamorous part of a Human Resources or leadership role, but it’s one of the most critical parts. How you mediate conflict impacts employee morale and retention, and also shows your leadership abilities and your willingness to tackle the tough stuff. Your conflict resolution skills can […]

Stop! and hire this candidate

It’s easy to criticize potential hires and spot reasons why we shouldn’t hire them. That one is too arrogant, that one lacks technical skills, and that one knows nothing about the company. Process of elimination, right? But too often we fail to recognize the positive reasons why we should hire someone. Positive flags can be […]

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"Kathi has been an extremely reliable, knowledgeable and indispensable resource for our growing business. Anytime we had a difficult issue or needed to refine, replace or upgrade our HR communication, Kathi provided outstanding support and feedback. She is a wonderful person and an outstanding, solution oriented communicator. I can't recommend her enough to businesses who need assistance with HR strategy and support."

"Kathi is reliable, knowledgeable, and an excellent communicator. She has always been readily available to help us with all of our immediate needs, from handbooks to policies, and notices. We highly recommend her. A great team player."

"SPMD has been partnering with Kathi for almost 4 years. She is a fantastic partner to our design firm. Her experience, knowledge, professionalism and ability to problem solve is the perfect package to fit our business. Over the years she has helped us navigate many employee situations quickly and re-wrote our Employee Handbook. Kathi is always there in a heartbeat when a situation arises and has the answers and advice we need. We highly recommend Kathi!"

“Kathi provided Senior Human Resources leadership to Orqis Medical for over six years. Her effectiveness is immediate, her contributions substantial, and her ability to integrate into the employee base as a consultant outstanding. I highly recommend Kathi to any company looking for senior management help in the HR arena, without the ability to hire a full-time manager. This is a go-to person for any small, medium, or start-up company.”

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