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Great businesses thrive by investing in their people. When companies face tough times, it's often due to a lack of workforce development.

If employees don't feel supported or aren't given chances to grow, it can lead to demotivation, higher turnover, and team dysfunction.

So, what is workforce development? How does it function, and how can you implement it effectively?

In this episode, Michelle Arentz and I chat about why workforce development matters and how creating a positive workplace culture can really boost employee retention and help your business grow. We talk about what makes the recruitment process effective and share some handy tips for small businesses to keep their teams motivated and productive.

My guest today is Michelle Arentz. She is a workforce development consultant and founder of Lazarus Learning LLC. She is a workforce MD, helping companies enjoy a healthy bottom line by focusing on strengthening their hiring, teams, leaders, and cultures. She has woven a career tapestry of over 2 decades between corporate learning and development in both Canada and the US as well as spending 7 years as a high school teacher.

We discuss: (timestamps)

01:50 The negative effects of the lack of intentional culture-building

5:40 The Four core elements of company culture

13:14 Treating employees well for better business outcomes

17:16 Avoiding the "Penny wise and pound foolish" trap

21:09 Employees are an asset, not an expense

26:18 The importance of employee happiness

33:45 Communicating changes effectively

37:40 Developing management skills in small businesses

43:50 One actionable step to move your company closer to your goals

Resources:
Michelle Arentz, Workforce Development Consultant, Founder of Lazarus Learning:
www.lazaruslearning.com

LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lazaruslearning

Email:
advance@lazaruslearning.com

Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

Blog post | How Workforce Development Drives Business Growth
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/listen/how-workforce-development-drives-business-growth/

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