Lindsay Dagiantis

The human interaction piece needs to have purpose, intention, and clarity. But it doesn't necessarily need an ROI. The automation is the mechanism to execute the task of preparation: what happens to set it up, time for it to happen, prepare everyone. Automation is the input for a good output/human experience.

There are some fantastic HR and People Ops tech platforms available, but make sure you have someone who can really manage and maintain them, otherwise they can fail to deliver real results. A Fractional HR partner can help navigate and project manage the setup, or train others internally to be the owner and make sure the platform and tech is doing the heavy lifting.

Hire a fractional HR partner, even just to have a sounding board to walk through business steps! They can help focus on what is important and relevant in HR - from recruiting, onboarding, payroll, to general training. This is more than an admin but someone to help you not reinvent the wheel and get stuck in the weeds.

The major players (payscale, salary.com) have free versions and small cost options for a deeper look at the market. For cost of living information, larger staffing firms have great data on location scores. However, what drives you? What are your absolute non-negotiables (base, real bonus potential, culture, opportunity, benefits) and scorecard those. Be realistic and don't sell yourself into the role (I can make $$$ salary work if I try). Ask the employer, when and how compensation is reviewed, adjusted. What is the performance review cycle considering comp. What is the average increase when receiving a promotion? Does the company adjust compensation for your location?

The scope of insight coming from coaching sessions is filled with gold. Great coaching will only as be as strong as the trust between the coach, employee and the company. Coaching allows for a more bidirectional conversation about career development, business operations, and overall how best to communicate with employees. The employees and coaches that see this opportunity to share information and make improvements on both sides, outweighs the old thinking of "ROI" of an employees. It can drastically change the way companies interact with employees and clients.

Be a scientist. Test and try everything. Schedule the demo, learn about new products, tools. Critically evaluate everything and always ask "how can we make this better?"