People-Powered Solutions

In this episode of the People Powered Podcast, Lori Duguay speaks with Lorena Perry, a career coach and volunteer mentor, about navigating career transitions and embracing new opportunities. Lorena shares her inspiring journey from a newcomer to Canada struggling to find work to becoming a trusted career advisor. Through her personal experiences and 14 years of volunteer coaching, Lorena has helpe...

In this episode of the People Powered Podcast, Lori Duguay speaks with Chuck Sanders, CEO of JV Driver Group, about the importance of workplace culture, leadership, and empowerment. Chuck shares his journey from accountant to CEO and discusses the evolution of JV Driver Group from a construction company to a diverse conglomerate. He emphasizes the significance of local leadership in fostering a po...

Kati is the powerhouse behind A Positive Adventure (APA), turning 15 years of learning and development expertise into a thriving consultancy that elevates corporate training beyond the ordinary. Her work with giants like Instacart, Gannett and Bill.com has set new benchmarks for engaging, award-winning programs. More than a consultant, Kati is a Berkeley-certified coach, keynote speaker, and an in...

Cathy Thorpe, CEO of Nurse Next Door, shares insights on creating a highly thriving workplace culture. The company focuses on self-led employees who don't need to be managed and encourages a people development culture. They practice bold kindness, which involves having direct conversations with kindness and understanding the dreams and goals of their team members. Nurse Next Door also supports fle...

David Keselman, CEO of the Louis Brier Home & Hospital, shares his journey in creating a thriving workplace culture in the healthcare industry. He emphasizes the importance of employee satisfaction and how it directly translates into quality care for residents. David focuses on building a robust leadership team and aligning the organization's vision, mission, and values. He measures employee satis...

In this episode of the People Powered Podcast, we sit down with Georgina Dellar-Gardiner, the Director of People and Culture at mkodo. Georgina provides a deep dive into the strategies that create a thriving workplace culture. She underscores the critical roles of communication, transparency, and collaboration in cultivating a positive environment. At mkodo, regular town halls with guest speakers...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Eric Garrett, founder and CEO of the Garrett Companies. Discover how his unique approach to workplace culture has led to extraordinary employee engagement and retention. Learn about the innovative initiatives that make employees feel valued and appreciated and explore the company's rigorous hiring process designed to find the perfect cultural fit. Eric als...

In this episode of the People Powered Podcast, Lori interviews Kiran Mann, the CEO of Brar's, a company known for creating a workplace environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Kiran shares her journey and how Brar's has become a platform for her to apply her expertise in developing a positive work culture. She emphasizes the importance of aligning values, identifying strengths, and c...

In this episode, Kris Jones, head of product at ZAVA, shares insights on creating a highly engaging work environment and the importance of flexibility. The conversation covers Kris' background, experiences at Amazon, the concept of a dream job, and the significance of aligning company values with individual values. It also delves into ZAVA's approach to flexibility and the challenges of remote wor...

Dieter Runge, co-founder of Boostlingo, shares insights on creating an inclusive work environment and the impact of language access. He discusses the company's services, team blueprint, and initiatives for an engaging work environment. The conversation covers topics related to leadership, communication, team building, and leveraging technology for a positive workplace culture.   Key highlights: Fa...

In this episode, Lori interviews Greg Summer, COO of Oddball, a government contractor, discussing the vital role of culture in a growing company. Greg emphasizes hiring for culture fit, conducting culture interviews, and effective onboarding processes. He highlights using Slack, implementing Bonusly for peer recognition, and providing professional development. Greg stresses the significance of con...

In this episode of the People Powered Podcast, Lori interviews Dean van Zyl, the CEO and founder of National Adhesives. They discuss the importance of creating a thriving workplace culture and share strategies for building an engaged and productive team. Dean emphasizes the value of treating employees well and hiring for cultural fit. He also highlights the benefits of remote work, unlimited leave...

In this episode, Trevor Muir recounts Surepoint's journey from a small team of 10 farm kids to a $92 million company with 250+ employees. Facing cultural disintegration as it grew, Trevor considered leaving. In 2013, he became CEO despite financial challenges. Through crises like the 2015 industry downturn and 2020 pandemic, he rallied the team, sought support, and navigated challenges. During the...

In this episode, Trevor Muir shares his personal story of struggle and transformation. He grew up in a small farming community and went on to co-found SurePoint, a successful company. However, despite his outward success, Trevor found himself feeling empty and unhappy. He reached a breaking point and sought help from a therapist. Through this process, Trevor learned the importance of prioritizing...

In this episode, Lori-Ann highlights the tools that her team has built to help achieve their mission of creating happier and more productive workplaces. She introduces the Happiness Factor Culture Check, a tool that allows leaders to assess the health of their workplace culture. She also discusses the People Powered Portal, a resource library that provides insights and action plans for improving w...

This week, we're revisiting an episode with our very own Sarah Medeiros, a seasoned HR strategist with over 7 years of experience. Sarah is known for her commitment to supporting diverse teams and shaping dynamic HR strategies. She excels in creating comprehensive HR frameworks that simplify complex information and optimize learning. In our conversation, we'll delve into her expertise, covering to...

In this episode, Lori interviews Hanns-Christian Mahler, CEO of ten23 Health, about their unique approach to organizational culture. They discuss the importance of trust, autonomy, and creating a psychologically safe environment. Hanns-Christian shares insights from the Loop Approach and how it has shaped their organization's structure and decision-making processes. They also emphasize the need to...

In this episode, Lori interviews Jim Kaldem from the Nelson Miller Group, covering leadership, post-acquisition integration, and sales process optimization. Jim shares insights on transitioning to influential management, blending cultures post-acquisition, and aligning work with individual strengths. He emphasizes the importance of profitability versus reaching full potential, starting with people...

In this episode, Lori chats with Joshua Skeens, CEO of Logically, a cybersecurity and IT solutions company. They cover topics like toxic workplace cultures, the importance of fostering a positive family-like environment at work and navigating transitions and acquisitions. Joshua shares his leadership approach and practical tips for effective leadership, including self-awareness and showing appreci...

In this episode, Lori reflects on the achievements of 2023 and shares exciting news about upcoming projects. She discusses the growth of her team and their mission to improve workplace cultures. Lori elaborates on her experience writing her book and launching the podcast, aimed at educating people on employee needs and workplace culture. She then explains the pivot to showcase companies with great...

In this episode, Lori interviews Arshad Hisham from inGen Dynamics, a company focused on robotics and AI. They discuss the importance of culture in attracting and retaining talent, with inGen Dynamics' five pillars serving as the secret sauce for their success. These pillars include zero tolerance for corporate bloat, being mission-driven with a product-first mindset, zero tolerance for office pol...

In this episode, we discuss everything about effective leadership with Kinetic Systems' Director, Harry Reynolds. Discover the essence of great leadership beyond titles as we unravel the subtle yet powerful qualities that make a leader exceptional. Whether you have a formal leadership role or not, there's something valuable for everyone in this conversation. Join us for insights, anecdotes, and pr...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of embracing conflict resolution and utilizing mediation. Mandi Clay, our seasoned guest and expert mediator, guides us through the nuances of mediation, sharing key insights and practical wisdom. Join us as we navigate the complexities of human behavior and interpersonal dynamics for effective conflict resolution. Tune in for a concise yet enlightening e...

In this episode, Lori-Ann interviews Delores Druilhet Morton, the CEO of Step Up, a non-profit organization focused on mentorship. They discuss the power of mentorship in empowering the next generation of workers and creating a culture of support and growth within organizations. Delores explains the concept of flash mentoring, which involves one-time powerful conversations that can have a transfor...

In this episode, we dive into the art of effective communication and conflict resolution with Hesha Abrams, a seasoned lawyer, mediator, and author. Join us as we explore practical strategies, behavioral insights, and nuanced approaches that can transform your interactions, whether at home, or in the workplace. From understanding human behavior to tailoring communication for diverse personalities,...