Category: Culture
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2027 Workforce Outlook
By Mike Heffner, Founder and President of Express Employment Indy South, Express Employment Columbus and the Specialized Recruiting Group of South Central Indiana. As we look toward 2027, I have been thinking about what the latest labor market signals could mean for employers here in Central Indiana. Through our work with local businesses, we see…
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Keeping Work Human
Let’s Keep Work Human in the Age of AI Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, and I believe that’s a good thing. I use AI regularly and our office continues to find new ways to leverage it. I expect its impact on business will only accelerate in the years ahead. AI can help…
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Then What Do You Think You Should Do?
Then What Do You Think You Should Do? Writing for the Southside Times again feels a little different. I had the privilege of writing for Rick Myers and this publication for nearly 20 years. Rick, who passed away a couple of years ago, believed in our Southside communities, loved connecting with people, and believed there…
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We Are Having a Workforce Moment
The workforce challenge is no longer just a recruiting issue. It is a leadership, retention, development, productivity, and clarity issue. The Moment Leaders Are In In many of the conversations I am having with business owners and hiring leaders, one idea has been on my mind: leaders rarely get to wait for perfect information. They have to pause for…
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Are We Misreading This Moment in the Labor Market?
It’s been a little while since my last post, and in that time I’ve sat down with a LOT of business leaders across our market. Different industries, different sizes, different challenges — but one message keeps popping up: “Mike, hiring feels better than it did last year.” And honestly… they’re not wrong. The urgency feels lower. Open roles don’t feel as desperate. In many cases, application flow…
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Hiring Beyond Skills: Why Core Values Matter More Than Ever
In today’s fast-paced business environment, finding great talent is tougher than ever. But hiring isn’t just about finding talent—it’s about finding people with the right character and values. For our team to succeed, we focus on seven core values. These values, set in place over 15 years ago, have become our guiding principles and influence…
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Empowering Your Team with Accountability and Discipline
When economic times become more difficult, many companies start looking to cut costs and improve sales. However, success often comes down to two things: accountability and discipline. When times are good, it’s easier to find success without these two elements, but almost impossible when competition increases and business gets harder. It’s important to find the…
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How Serving Helps You Become A Better Leader
I write a lot about the importance of culture and leadership. Good leadership creates a loyalty to the team beyond the leader. A strong culture makes for a team that is committed to their purpose and goals. So how does a leader build this culture and commitment? A purposeful leader doesn’t even think of it…
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If You Want to Solve the Problem, Get to the Root
Last year, I took down a dying tree. We cut it down at the base, but we didn’t grind up the roots. Guess what? The tree started producing shoots from the stump. It was not dead, we just cut it back and it kept growing. Most issues or problems are similar. We tend to address…
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What Defines Your Criteria for Hiring Remarkable Leaders
One of my favorite leadership authors is Jon Gordon. He focuses his books, energy, and posts on how to be a positive leader. In a recent social media post, Gordon listed his nine-item checklist for hiring a good leader. That list inspired me to expand my thoughts on the five that have been important to…