Unleashing the Power of Recruiting Essential Workers with Dave MacDonald

In this episode of Training Unleashed, Evan Hackel sits down with Dave MacDonald, a passionate leader who built his business from the ground up to help essential workers find fulfilling employment opportunities. Dave shares his journey of overcoming adversity and his commitment to helping blue-collar workers find dependable, life-changing jobs.

From side hustles to founding Better Together Group, Dave’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and dedication to making a difference. He shares key insights into the recruitment process for essential workers and how businesses can foster a culture that truly values their workforce. You’ll also hear about Dave’s “WTF Philosophy” (Work Hard, Tell the Truth, Finish the Job) and his approach to integrity in hiring.

Key Topics Discussed:
  • The importance of recruiting qualified, dependable workers
  • How businesses can create a company culture that supports and values essential workers
  • The three “I”s: Integrity, Intensity, and Intentionality
  • The “WTF Philosophy”: Work Hard, Tell the Truth, and Finish the Job
  • The challenges and rewards of hiring blue-collar workers versus executive-level employees
Key Takeaways:
  • The secret to successfully recruiting essential workers and creating a productive workforce
  • How integrity, intensity, and intentionality shape hiring practices
  • The values that drive Dave MacDonald’s leadership and business success
About Our Guest

Dave MacDonald is the Owner and President of Better Together Group, which is the parent company of three staffing agencies. His journey began nearly 30 years ago when he found himself fired and struggling to provide for his family. This adversity ignited his passion for helping essential workers secure meaningful, reliable jobs. Better Together Group is built on the principles of integrity and helping others succeed, with a mission to boost client productivity and ensure job candidates can fulfill their goals. Dave’s proudest achievement is welcoming his children into his company at their request. His focus on people-first leadership continues to drive Better Together’s success.

How to Connect with Guest:


Website: Better Together Group

LinkedIn: Dave Macdonald
Dave’s Podcast: xtoz.org

Stay connected with Training Unleashed beyond the podcast! Join our growing community and be part of the conversation about leadership, training, and personal growth.

2024-11-13T11:57:06-05:00November 13, 2024|

Unleashing Retention and Development Strategies with Max Holvik

In this episode of Training Unleashed, host Evan Hackel sits down with Max Holvik, a seasoned expert in the field of training and development. Max shares his insights on the importance of training as a tool for employee retention, particularly among younger generations. They discuss the role of training in fostering a growth mindset and the value of having a structured training plan.

Key Discussion Points:

  1. Value of Training in High Turnover Environments:
    • Training as a retention tool, especially for younger employees who value growth and development opportunities.
    • The importance of engaging and career-oriented training programs to motivate employees.
  2. Generational Differences in Training Needs:
    • Younger generations’ appreciation for continuous learning and career development.
    • How companies like McDonald’s have successfully retained employees by offering comprehensive training programs.
  3. Challenges and Solutions in Employee Turnover:
    • Case study of a restaurant chain with 65% turnover and the realization that better hiring and compensation practices are essential.
    • Examples of successful companies like Costco and Chick-fil-A, which invest in their employees through better pay and career opportunities.
  4. Cost-Effectiveness of Training:
    • The economic benefits of training and retaining motivated employees versus the costs of turnover.
    • The importance of cultural fit and motivation in the effectiveness of training programs.
  5. Collaboration Between HR, Training, and Operations:
    • The need for a true partnership between HR, training departments, and operations to achieve successful outcomes.

Special Offer:

Max offers a limited-time opportunity for the first 20 listeners who reach out to receive a hard copy of “Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation,” a fundamental resource for anyone in the training industry. Contact through either company’s website or via email at [email protected].

Max Holvik emphasizes the importance of having a clear training plan and roadmap to achieve desired outcomes. His final tip is to understand the objectives and restrictions upfront to create effective training programs.

About Guest:

Max Holvik is the founder of two companies: Training Systems Design and Learning Staff. Training Systems Design specializes in creating custom training solutions for large corporations, having developed over 1,000 courses. Learning Staff provides staff augmentation services, offering professional learning personnel to clients on a short-term basis.

How to Connect with Mike Skrypnek:
Additional Media:

2024-08-07T11:28:21-04:00August 7, 2024|

Unleashing Potential: Key Lessons in Leadership from Dr. Karen Jacobson

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, effective leadership stands as a cornerstone for organizational success. Dr. Karen Jacobson, CEO of Aligned Leadership Academy, brings her wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront in a recent episode of the Training Unleashed podcast. Here are the key takeaways from her insightful conversation with host Evan Hackel:

Navigating the Generational Divide

Dr. Jacobson highlights the ideological clash present in today’s workforce, particularly between different generations. With the workforce comprising individuals from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, understanding and bridging this gap is crucial for fostering collaboration and cohesion within organizations.

The Power of Resilience and Adaptability

Drawing from her background in the Israeli army, Dr. Jacobson emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in leadership. Leaders must navigate uncertainty and chaos with calmness, finding solutions amidst challenges. Building resilience not only enhances individual performance but also inspires and supports team members during turbulent times.

Proactive Succession Planning

One of the standout recommendations from Dr. Jacobson is the implementation of proactive succession planning. By initiating conversations with new recruits during onboarding and creating future plans for their growth within the organization, leaders can nurture talent, enhance retention, and build loyalty. This strategic approach ensures a pipeline of capable leaders ready to step into key roles when needed.

Leveraging Neuroscience for Learning and Development

Dr. Jacobson underscores the significance of leveraging neuroscience principles to enhance learning and development initiatives within organizations. Simple yet effective strategies grounded in neuroscience, such as continuity and simplicity, can optimize training programs, leading to improved knowledge retention and application.

Cultivating a Culture of Growth and Development

Ultimately, Dr. Jacobson advocates for cultivating a culture of growth and development within organizations. Leaders play a pivotal role in creating environments where individuals feel empowered to learn, grow, and excel. By investing in leadership development at all levels and fostering a growth mindset, organizations can unleash the full potential of their teams and drive sustained success.

About Our Guest

Dr. Karen Jacobson, founder of Aligned Leadership Academy is a former Israeli military commander and competitive Ballroom Dancer. As an expert in neuroscience and human potential, she stepped away from her Chiropractic practice to pursue her passion of working with organizations to provide them with a competitive edge by developing their leaders and High-Performance teams. Dr. Jacobson is the author of the business communication guide Power Conversations, as well as the developer of the High-Performance Triad strategy for maximizing your talents, skills, and effectiveness in both the personal and professional arenas.

For consultations and booking go to www.drkarenjacobson.com

2024-05-22T10:36:55-04:00May 22, 2024|
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