Hello, and welcome to Episode 246 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Can you believe it’s already November?

I’m excited because Inside our People Powered HR community, November is Planning Month!

I really believe this is the best time of year to work on your 2025 plans – because let’s face it – none of us will do it in December, and if we wait until January we’ll be in February before we put our plans into action.

Over the next 3 episodes we’re talking planning. Specifically in today’s episode we’re talking about your 2025 resource plan, next week we’ll get into your HR compliance business protection plan, and finally your engagement and motivation plan.

In today’s episode we are looking at:

• The fact that the team that got you to where you are no, may not
• be the team to get you where you want to go in business – and that’s ok!
• I showed you how to create clarity with your ideal team structure through the Clean Slate Exercise; and finally
• We looked at your 2025 dream team hiring plan.

As always, 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.

Hello, and welcome to Episode 245 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today on the podcast I’m joined by Ryan Griffin, MD of Chunky Duck, to talk about leading and managing a remote team.

Like many of us entrepreneurs, Ryan’s journey to his current business has not been a straight line. Initially a professional baseball player, he returned to Australia ready to start his career in digital marketing. He worked for many years in marketing agency before turning to scuba diving and juggling freelancing. As Covid hit he went all in on his own digital agency – now known as Chunky Duck.

In today’s discussion Ryan shares the benefits and challenges of managing a remote team, some of the great initiatives he has put in place to create connection and enable collaboration, and why he thinks it’s a great move in terms of attracting and retaining the best possible people.

If you’d like to connect with Ryan you can find him on LinkedIn here, or head over to Chunky Duck to check out their work.

As always, 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.

Hello, and welcome to Episode 244 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Can you believe it’s already November? The year is flying by, and here we are with another important topic for business owners just like you.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into an area that’s critical but often misunderstood: redundancies.

Recently, I’ve been hearing about a surge in redundancies, especially in business groups, networks, and conversations with peers. But the big question is – are all of these redundancies legitimate, or are they sometimes being used as a workaround for performance issues that should have been managed differently? In this episode we explore why it’s so essential to get this right and discuss the real reasons for this trend.

Inside our People Powered HR community, each month we focus on a specific theme from The P.E.O.P.L.E Pathway. October’s focus was on ‘Exit’ – a challenging but necessary part of business and people management.

The reality is that people will exit our business, whether we choose to exit them or they resign. If we need to exit someone from our business, a redundancy may well be a valid way to do this, but we need to understand when and how they should be used. So today, I’ll share three key insights to help you navigate redundancy in a way that’s both compliant and compassionate.

In This Episode:

What is a Redundancy and When is it Genuine?

Redundancy is not as simple as many think. According to the Fair Work guidelines, redundancy is genuine when an employer no longer needs a role to be performed by anyone – not just one person – due to reasons like new technology, restructuring, or closing of operations. But here’s the critical part: redundancy cannot be used as a substitute for poor performance management. Following the correct consultation process, especially if employees are covered under awards, is a requirement to avoid the risk of unfair dismissal claims.

The Difference Between Redundancy and Performance Management

I’ve observed that some employers, especially during slower business periods, may attempt to label dismissals as redundancies. Often, this is because performance issues were allowed to continue unchecked, making redundancy seem like a convenient solution. However, if not managed properly, this can lead to costly repercussions, including redundancy pay in small businesses or even an unfair dismissal claim. It’s essential to distinguish between a genuine redundancy and cases where performance management should be applied.

Top Tips for Exiting a Staff Member with Integrity and Care

Exits are never easy, but there are ways to make the process smoother for all involved. First, get comfortable having difficult conversations, and address performance concerns early. Use the probationary period to its fullest extent, keeping minimum employment standards in mind. Practise compassion and approach every exit with honesty and facts, avoiding emotional responses. And finally, don’t be afraid to get help – navigating exits properly can protect your business and uphold dignity for all parties.

As always, 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.

And as I mentioned, if you’d like to learn more about People Powered HR, you can get all the details and join us by clicking here.