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In this Recruiter Rant Ken takes a sledgehammer to the sacred cow of corporate contracts: non-competes. Are they protecting businesses or just handcuffing employees? Ken dives into the murky waters of…

In this Recruiter Ra…

In this Recruiter Rant Ken takes a sledgehammer to the sacred cow of corporate contracts: non-competes. Are they protecting businesses or just handcuffing employees? Ken dives into the murky waters of non-compete agreements—unpacking their morality, legality, and the head-scratching ways they’re enforced across industries. Using real-world examples, Ken explores how these agreements impact employee freedom, stifle innovation, and whether businesses might be shooting themselves in the foot. Are non-competes a necessary evil or just plain evil? Tune in to find out! Spoiler alert: Ken’s tak…

Welcome to 2050—where we still don’t have flying cars, but we’re finally getting our hiring practices right. Host Ken is joined by the formidable Lisa Gable, former Presidential appointee, U.S. …

Welcome to 2050—wh…

Welcome to 2050—where we still don’t have flying cars, but we’re finally getting our hiring practices right. Host Ken is joined by the formidable Lisa Gable, former Presidential appointee, U.S. Ambassador, UN Delegate, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Lisa is here to shake up your future and maybe your present, too. With her wealth of experience at the highest levels of government and business, Lisa predicts a world where degrees collect dust and skills steal the show, where AI is the superhero women need to get back into the game, and where universities might want to start updating…

Think your succession plan is solid? Think again! In this episode, we’re ripping the lid off a topic companies often avoid talking about—succession planning. If your strategy is simply crossing yo…

Think your successio…

Think your succession plan is solid? Think again! In this episode, we’re ripping the lid off a topic companies often avoid talking about—succession planning. If your strategy is simply crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, prepare for a wake-up call. With just 35% of organizations having a formal plan, most leadership transitions are a high-stakes game of hot potato. Ken’s exposing why your company's future could be hanging by a thread if you haven’t properly prepped your successor. Spoiler alert: That “ready-to-go” leader might turn out to be a disaster in disguise. Get r…

Gen Z’s entry into the workforce is shaking things up with their high expectations and progressive ideals. From flexible schedules and remote work to instant recognition and a strong focus on social…

Gen Z’s entry into…

Gen Z’s entry into the workforce is shaking things up with their high expectations and progressive ideals. From flexible schedules and remote work to instant recognition and a strong focus on social justice, this generation is challenging the status quo. Ken sits down with TurningPoint's own Gen Zers, Cory and Katherine, to explore various topics related to job searching, leadership, and work expectations. Cory and Katherine share their perspectives on the desire for feedback, Growth opportunities, and engaging workplaces while also considering the effects of social media and AI on career pr…

Prepare for a deep dive into the contentious world of compensation. In this episode, Ken challenges conventional Wisdom on pay structures, revealing startling insights from his decades in executive re…

Prepare for a deep d…

Prepare for a deep dive into the contentious world of compensation. In this episode, Ken challenges conventional wisdom on pay structures, revealing startling insights from his decades in executive recruiting. From how companies risk losing top talent by pinching pennies to why many candidates fail to negotiate effectively, Ken exposes the pitfalls of outdated approaches.    Buckle up as he explores why transparency and market alignment could be the keys to unlocking a more equitable and motivated workforce. Whether you're an employer striving to attract top talent or an employee aiming to s…

Renowned for his exceptional ability to inspire and uplift, Venture Builder Capitalist Terrance Orr shares profound insights on the transformative power of humility and the invaluable lessons of mento…

Renowned for his exc…

Renowned for his exceptional ability to inspire and uplift, Venture Builder Capitalist Terrance Orr shares profound insights on the transformative power of humility and the invaluable lessons of mentorship.   In this best-of-episode, we're revisiting one of our favourite guest interviews. Terrance delves into the depths of his personal odyssey — from conquering adversities to emerging as a trailblazer of innovation in the business realm. Explore the transformative landscape sculpted by AI, unravel the art of compelling narrative in fundraising endeavors, and delve into the pivotal significa…

Ever had a job that felt like it sucked the soul right outta you? Struggling to find the right fit or to create a dynamic and engaged team? Let's dive deep into the world of hiring, careers, and leade…

Ever had a job that …

Ever had a job that felt like it sucked the soul right outta you? Struggling to find the right fit or to create a dynamic and engaged team? Let's dive deep into the world of hiring, careers, and leadership to explore how to break free from soul-crushing jobs and build a fulfilling work environment.   In this best-of-episode, we're revisiting one of our favourite guest interviews featuring Adam Weber, the Chief Evangelist of 15Five and Co-Founder of Emplify. Join us as Adam imparts his invaluable insights on discovering fulfillment in your professional journey and cultivating a vibrant, empowe…

Welcome to a world where progress hinges on the courage to engage in tough conversations. In our captivating season finale, join host Ken Schmitt as he delves into the transformative potential of thes…

Welcome to a world w…

Welcome to a world where progress hinges on the courage to engage in tough conversations. In our captivating season finale, join host Ken Schmitt as he delves into the transformative potential of these dialogues with seasoned HR leader Jennifer Pikoos. Embark on Jennifer's journey from Finance to HR, gaining invaluable insights into fostering engagement, navigating challenges, and driving workplace transformation. Throughout the episode, Ken and Jennifer explore the vital role of difficult dialogues in hiring and leadership. They delve into the profound impact of these conversations on shaping…

Are you at the crossroads of traditional hiring methods and the allure of AI Technology? Wondering if embracing Artificial Intelligence could be the magic bullet your recruitment process needs? Join m…

Are you at the cross…

Are you at the crossroads of traditional hiring methods and the allure of AI technology? Wondering if embracing artificial intelligence could be the magic bullet your recruitment process needs? Join me, Ken Schmitt, as we unravel the tangled web of AI in recruitment. From the seamless automation of candidate screening to the intricate analysis of facial expressions, we'll delve deep into the pros, cons, and complexities of integrating AI into your hiring strategy. But beware, for amidst the promises of efficiency lie the pitfalls of relying solely on algorithms. Discover why relying solely on …

Ever wondered how top leaders master the delicate dance between empathy and accountability, seamlessly weaving them into their leadership fabric to inspire, guide, and drive results? Today, we embark …

Ever wondered how to…

Ever wondered how top leaders master the delicate dance between empathy and accountability, seamlessly weaving them into their leadership fabric to inspire, guide, and drive results? Today, we embark on a journey of discovery with our distinguished guest, Chelsea Grayson. With a rich tapestry of experience helming iconic brands like American Apparel, True Religion Jeans, and Spark Networks, while serving on multiple private and public boards, Chelsea has honed her expertise to navigate the intricate balance between empathy and accountability. As we delve into her insights, we'll uncover how sh…

Ever felt the sting of a hiring decision gone awry? What if I told you the culprit might just be lurking in your inner circle? Strap in for a reality check as we uncover the dangerous allure of hiring…

Ever felt the sting …

Ever felt the sting of a hiring decision gone awry? What if I told you the culprit might just be lurking in your inner circle? Strap in for a reality check as we uncover the dangerous allure of hiring friends over qualifications. Prepare to uncover the hidden biases and pitfalls lurking in your hiring process as Ken navigates the treacherous terrain of hiring based on friendships instead of merit. Ken reveals the hard truth that unconscious bias often leads us to hire individuals who resemble ourselves, hindering diversity and innovation within teams. Get ready to revolutionize your approach w…

Are you tired of navigating the murky waters of leadership, constantly extinguishing fires as you strive to build your team and acquire new customers? If these challenges resonate with you, it's time …

Are you tired of nav…

Are you tired of navigating the murky waters of leadership, constantly extinguishing fires as you strive to build your team and acquire new customers? If these challenges resonate with you, it's time to explore a different approach and consider the power of radical transparency. Join host Ken Schmitt and special guest Matt Dusa, VP of Innovative Practices for the Specialty Fire Rescue Division of Global Medical Response as we embark on a journey to revolutionize your leadership style and business strategy. In this episode, we delve into the philosophy of radical transparency, where honesty and…

Fed up with companies asking irrelevant interview questions, Ken is dropping some truth bombs about interviews. He challenges the status quo and reveals that years of experience are about as useful as…

Fed up with companie…

Fed up with companies asking irrelevant interview questions, Ken is dropping some truth bombs about interviews. He challenges the status quo and reveals that years of experience are about as useful as a paper umbrella in a hurricane when it comes to predicting performance. With nearly nine out of 10 new hires crashing and burning due to issues unrelated to their tenure, like motivation and emotional intelligence, Ken pulls no punches in calling out the obsession with irrelevant metrics. He shreds the myth that past experience is a golden ticket to success, emphasizing that it's not about what …

Ever feel like you've hired someone only to watch them vanish into the Bermuda Triangle of new hires? Well, the mystery of successful onboarding is about to be solved! Michelle Byers, a seasoned exper…

Ever feel like you'v…

Ever feel like you've hired someone only to watch them vanish into the Bermuda Triangle of new hires? Well, the mystery of successful onboarding is about to be solved! Michelle Byers, a seasoned expert with 17 years of fine-tuning her craft in human capital management at top-tier organizations like Target and Cencora, is going to show you how to guide your new hire toward a smooth landing with air traffic controller expertise.  Michelle reveals how to use your team as your co-pilot and unveils the single most crucial activity every leader must undertake within the first 30 days of a new emplo…

Are your job descriptions repelling potential rockstar employees faster than you can say "Monday morning meeting"? Do they read like a laundry list of demands or a cryptic puzzle that even Sherlock Ho…

Are your job descrip…

Are your job descriptions repelling potential rockstar employees faster than you can say "Monday morning meeting"? Do they read like a laundry list of demands or a cryptic puzzle that even Sherlock Holmes couldn't solve? In our latest Recruiter Rant, Ken challenges the status quo of job descriptions by diving headfirst into the absurdity of ridiculous requirements and outrageous expectations. (Read: degrees, specific industry experience, arbitrary skills such as "good communication skills" or proficiency in Word and Excel.)  He confronts the gaping chasm between these archaic job specs and th…

From the iconic halls of Nike to the dynamic landscape of Boost, our guest, Tim Mitchell, is sharing the secrets behind building global empires and the transformative power of passion-driven leadershi…

From the iconic hall…

From the iconic halls of Nike to the dynamic landscape of Boost, our guest, Tim Mitchell, is sharing the secrets behind building global empires and the transformative power of passion-driven leadership. Join host Ken as he delves into Tim's incredible journey, spanning from his early days in the Midwest with a journalism degree to leading Nike's matrix organization and overseeing the company's evolution from $5 billion to $40 billion. Tim shares insights on Nike's strategic shifts and the importance of adaptability as Nike transitioned from wholesale to a category-focused approach and later em…

Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding why candidates or hiring managers vanish into thin air? Ken is tackling one of his biggest pet peeves and one of the most irk…

Ever feel like you'r…

Ever feel like you're stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding why candidates or hiring managers vanish into thin air? Ken is tackling one of his biggest pet peeves and one of the most irksome frustrations in the business world: ghosting. From seasoned executives to top-tier job seekers, ghosting continues to plague the hiring process, leaving professionals scratching their heads. But fear not! Ken is here to shine a bright light on this elusive phenomenon, offering invaluable insights and strategies to tackle it head-on. Join Ken as he delves deep into the heart of the matter, unc…

HIRING MATTERS — DON’T MESS IT UP! Join Ken, a seasoned expert with nearly three decades in executive recruiting, and his executive guests as they unveil the secrets of Recruiting, Retention, and …

HIRING MATTERS — D…

HIRING MATTERS — DON’T MESS IT UP! Join Ken, a seasoned expert with nearly three decades in executive recruiting, and his executive guests as they unveil the secrets of Recruiting, Retention, and Real HR Strategies, sharing their ‘secret sauce’ for building and retaining top-performing teams. They’ll dissect the art and science of building exceptional teams, retaining top talent, and implementing effective HR strategies that work in today’s competitive landscape.  But that’s not all – brace yourself for our “Recruiter Rant” episodes, where Ken unveils the industry’s hidd…