HR Insights Blog

Compensation equity, paychecks being held in the air

Competitive Pay: How to Build a Fair Compensation Program

Competitive pay isn’t just about numbers—it helps you hire top-tier candidates faster, reduce churn-related expenses, and avoid the hidden costs of disengaged employees. In our conversation with compensation expert Susan Pyles, a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, we discussed some practical strategies for building a solid compensation program. Defining Competitive Pay Competitive … Read more

DIY vs. Expert Compensation

DIY Compensation Analysis vs. Hiring an Expert: Which Method Is Right for Your Business?

When it comes to compensation analysis, you know it’s not as simple as just updating a spreadsheet or comparing job titles. In our experience, figuring out fair pay today almost always demands more than just a DIY approach. We talked with Susan Pyles, a seasoned compensation expert, who explained why many organizations benefit from outsourcing … Read more

Micki Byrnes

Micki Byrnes (Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor, Adcom): Forest Rangers, ‘Good Cop’ & the Garage Test

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Micki Byrnes, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor at Adcom, and former President and General Manager of WKYC, to talk leadership, reinvention, and the surprising career lessons learned from decades in the media. From her early dreams of being a … Read more

Three doors, representing a choice

How to Choose the Right Fractional HR Partner

The Highlights: If you’re reading this, chances are you’re at a crossroads. Maybe your HR person is going on leave. Maybe they just left. Maybe you’ve never had someone in that seat but things are getting too complex to keep handling on your own. Or maybe you do have HR support, but something feels off: … Read more

Ohio TechCred technical training

Ohio TechCred: How Ohio Employers Can Get Up to $180,000 for Upskilling Employees

Editor’s Note: In response to continued program growth and limited remaining funds for the current fiscal year, TechCred is not accepting applications as of January 1, 2026. Check the OhioTech Cred website regularly for updates on future application rounds.  If you’ve been planning on upskilling your workforce, or even if you weren’t, now might be a … Read more

Employee Engagement Ideas

Employee Engagement Initiatives that Have the Most Impact: 31 Ideas to Try

When employees aren’t fully engaged, productivity drops, team morale suffers, and turnover can spike. But even small initiatives—like recognition programs or flexible scheduling—can spark measurable improvements in employee motivation, collaboration, and retention. In this post, you’ll find over 30 practical ideas, from training to team-building, all designed to boost employee engagement. Key Engagement Initiatives Leadership … Read more