72 episodes
On the Up and Up Kira La Forgia
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- Business
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5.0 • 29 Ratings
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We spend almost 100,000 hours of our lives working (probably more like 200,000 for entrepreneurs, let’s be honest).
What if work didn’t have to suck? What if it can be fun?
On the Up and Up™️ podcast challenges the status quo of the boring workplace, and teaches leaders how to use HR, legal, and ethics to boost the fun factor of your business. Welcome to the show!
Every week, we talk about the real reality behind leadership and management. Not the buzzwords and HR appropriate policies, but the good, the bad, and the juicy gossip that comes with the behind-the-scenes of running a business.
Come laugh and hang with us every Wednesday while your host, Kira La Forgia (seen in Forbes and Scribd), shoots the (sometimes HR inappropriate) sh*t with badass founders, diverse managers, and kickass employees to help us build cultures that matter.
Because your favorite HR lady may have fired your bestie or made you sign a love contract, but we also have all the gossip that will make you better at your job, whether you’re on your way up the corporate ladder, are a fellow HR villain, or are building a culture as a rising entrepreneur.
If this resonated with you, join us every Wednesday for your weekly dose of HR fun!
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BONUS EP: Pop Culture and PR for Small Business with Brittney Lynn
Think your small business doesn’t need Public Relations? Don't write it off yet!
You might be wondering how a publicist could possibly help your under-the-radar biz. Or thinking you’re too “small” for a PR strategy.
But before you dismiss the idea, let Brittney Lynn share some insights that might just totally change the way you see PR and its potential for your business!
Brittney is a thought-leader for how purposeful connection can change the world. Through her agency, The Human Connection Agency, she’s leading the way in the online business space for companies who are looking to connect authentically with their audience and share their stories through a thoughtful PR strategy. Her clients have been featured in places like The New York Times, Fast Company, Real Simple, Forbes, Business Insider, The Today Show, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and more.
She also has lots of thoughts about Tom Sandoval’s PR disaster, which I just can’t get enough of.
Timestamps:
02:52: The importance of PR in a marketing strategy (even for small businesses!)
06:11: Crafting a unique message and point of view in PR
11:55: Overcoming limiting beliefs holding people back from putting themselves out there
13:14: Where to start with pitching yourself
20:14: The reality of being more visible
27:43: The long-term nature of PR and the need for persistence
37:02: Good vs. terrible podcast pitch strategies and how to be a stellar guest
52:30: PR lessons from Tom Sandoval and the Vanderpump mess
1:21:59: Similarities and differences between HR & PR
Links Mentioned:
Learn more about Brittney and her PR agency: https://www.humanconnectionagency.com/
Follow Brittney on IG @brittneyllynn -
Client And Employee Appreciation Gifts 101: Building A Memorable Brand with Kristin Fisher
When done right, employee and client appreciation gifts can stop your recipient in their tracks and generate a fantastic ROI. #goals
But if you miss the mark, they'll breeze past these gifts without a second thought, tossing them (and your hard-earned business dollars) in the trash as they go.
Eh ehm, no, that new client you just signed doesn't feel special opening a box of generic, branded knick-knacks weeks after onboarding.
Turns out, there's a lot to consider in crafting a gift-giving strategy!
This week, the Queen of intentional gifting, Kristin Fisher of Bocu, joins us to discuss how and why to integrate thoughtful gifts into your overall marketing strategy.
We unwrap:
Strategies for meaningful and purposeful B2B and B2C gifting that reflect your values and ensure a worthwhile investment.The trust that develops through the physical exchange of gifts.Why promotional materials are not equivalent to meaningful gifting, whether for teams or clients.When to include your logo on a gift and when to leave it off.Tips for maximizing your gifting budget to achieve the greatest return.Innovative and affordable ways to show appreciation that deliver tangible ROI.
She’s also built an incredibly thoughtful and intentional ecommerce brand that we’re swooning over. Whether you’re product or service based, there’s something for everyone in this episode!
ABOUT KRISTINKristin is a former corporate retail buyer turned small business owner & retail coach. Bocu came to life in 2018 as a solution to make it easier to send a thoughtful gift without sacrificing your gift-giving style or standards.
LINKS MENTIONEDFor businesses looking to send thoughtful gifts, head to www.shopbocu.com and use the code UpAndUp15 to receive 15% off
Follow Bocu on IG @shopbocu
Kristin also offers Retail Strategy Coaching and Mentorship for product-based brands, makers, brick and mortar stores. Visit https://kristinfishercoaching.com/ to learn more! -
Myth Buster: Does An Employee Cost More Than A Contractor?
“But Kira, aren’t employees more expensive than contractors?! I can't afford to be compliant!”
We’ve heard it a million times, and we know why. There's a lot of misinformation out there. So we’re putting this fallacy to rest once and for all.
We’re diving into the 3 actual costs of hiring an employee versus a contractor. What exactly will hit your budget? We'll break down the must-pays (eh ehm, taxes), the optional extras, and how much to budget to keep everything HR compliant when working with employees.
Plus I’m revealing the most unexpected, often overlooked cost of bringing on an employee. Trust me, it’s not what you’re thinking.
Let’s bust this myth together!
SHOW NOTES: Employee Cost Calculator: Download the calculator here and start plugging in your numbers today! https://settoscale.com/products/employee-cost-calculator?_pos=1&_sid=7a0642f27&_ss=r
Set To Scale: Join our monthly membership for personalized HR solutions that grow with your business. Learn more here: https://the-paradigm.com/settoscale -
Protecting Your Peace While Leading A Blended Team
Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of your team’s happiness and productivity on your shoulders?
It's too much, right? Especially for compassionate leaders who genuinely care about their people.
Good news, straight from the HR horse’s mouth! You’re not actually as on the line for everyone’s wellbeing as you may think. Let's rethink our responsibilities as leaders.
If you're leading a blended team of employees and contractors and finding it tough to manage everyone’s wellbeing, let’s chat about where to channel your leadership energy and where it's okay to take a step back.
Leadership is heavy enough as it is…this episode will help you lighten your load!
Timestamps: 2:15 The Responsibility of Business Owners and Leaders To Your Team
6:25 Demanding a Good Client Experience From Your Contractors
11:45 Different Leadership Approaches for Employees and Contractors
15:25 Managing Performance and Enriching the Employee Experience
18:35 Legal and Compliance Implications Of How You Treat A Blended Team
LINKS MENTIONED:Join Set To Scale: https://the-paradigm.com/settoscale -
#NoFilter: Jamar Diggs Gets Real & Raw About The Ups & Downs of Leadership
Feeling like your biz isn't quite clicking the way you hoped? It’s not just you!
Entrepreneurship can be a real cluster f*ck sometimes. But we sit firmly in our belief that sharing stories from those who've navigated the twists and turns to success is what keeps us all going!
So today, Jamar Diggs and I giggled our way through this warm-hug-of-an-episode as he shared his leadership journey, from Busch Gardens to YouTube Marketing Strategist, and A LOT in between! Jamar is sharing it all; launching his own agency, wrestling with the whole contractor vs. employee dilemma, course correction as a manager with internalized trauma from past jobs, and ultimately switching up his entire business model to align with how he works best (isn’t that what blazing your own trail should be all about?!)
Whew! Jamar’s candidness is a refreshing reminder that we're all out here just learning and figuring things out as we go!
PLUS, Jamar gives us a crash course on YouTube marketing and nurturing your audience through the funnel of engagement…get ready to take notes!
SHOW NOTES
Join The Low Lift Club here: https://jamardiggs.com/community
Access Jamar’s Free Training, “YouTube Funnel Blueprint”, here: https://jamardiggs.com/blueprint
Follow Jamar on YouTube and Instagram (@jamardiggs) for lessons in all things YouTube, and tons of laughs! -
6 Factors Of Contractor Classification Explained [Part 2: Factors 4-6]
Let's pick up right where we left off, shall we?
Last week, we delved into the DOL's first three factors of contractor vs. employee classification, covering control, investment, and permanence, and how they influence your hiring decisions.
This week, we're wrapping up our deep dive with the final three factors, complete with real-world examples to help you apply them. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of whether a role in your business calls for a contractor or an employee.
If you missed last week's episode, be sure to check it out first, then come back here to round out your understanding of worker classification under the DOL’s Final Ruling!
Timestamps:5:13: Factor #4 - Nature and Degree of Control
13:03: Factor #5 - Extent To Which Work Performed Is An Integral Part of Potential Employer’s Business
17:34: Factor #6 - Skill & Initiative
SHOW NOTES:The DOL has a super helpful compliance guide for small entities navigating this new law.
Full link here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/small-entity-compliance-guide#overview
Have more questions about the DOL’s Final Ruling? Schedule a free consultation and we can assess your risk and help you come up with a plan moving forward.
Full link here: https://the-paradigm.com/contact
Customer Reviews
Not your momma’s HR!!
I’ve never heard HR concept broken down better and in a more accessible way than how Kira does it! As someone who isn’t a business owner but a freelancer and employee, hearing about the in’s and outs of owning a business from the other side of the table makes me a more well rounded employee and candidate for future work! I’ve got a better understanding of these concepts than I could ever gather in a typical “boring” HR presentation. It’s fresh, fun, and most importantly, packed with value!
Sound advice that every business owner needs
This podcast is a great resource for business owners who care about creating a strong, supportive culture and team. Hiring and managing others is not easy, but when you’ve got expert guidance like this, you’re able to create systems to ensure consistency.
Exactly the help I needed!
I was searching for some help on having difficult conversations with employees. I listened to a couple before finding this one. I got so much helpful information! I paused and re-listened to a couple sections more than once. I am thrilled to have found this podcast! Thank you!