
Episode 63: Essential Employee Benefits for 2025
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts sits down with Jesse Sitze, a strategic benefits advisor at Caravus, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing business owners and HR leaders today: employee benefits. With nearly 13 years of experience, Jesse specializes in crafting strategic and cost-effective benefit solutions that mix traditional coverage with innovative non-insurance options.
Episode 62: Better Employee Benefits on a Budget
In this episode, Kerri Roberts, a 20+ year HR Pro, dives into the growing emphasis on holistic employee wellness—encompassing mental, physical, and financial well-being. Employee wellness isn’t just a perk; it’s a strategy for better retention, higher engagement, and stronger performance.
Episode 58: How to Create Goals That Actually Motivate Your Team
In this conversation, Kerri Roberts breaks down the critical issue of unclear expectations in leadership and people management. She highlights how lack of clarity leads to employee frustration, decreased productivity, and missed opportunities. Kerri provides actionable strategies for leaders to set clear goals, define roles, communicate effectively, and document progress—ensuring a more engaged and accountable workforce.
Episode 55: 12 Steps to Launch Your Podcast
In this episode, Kerri Roberts celebrates the one-year anniversary of her podcast, 'Don't Waste the Chaos.' She reflects on her journey, sharing insights on why she started the podcast, the lessons learned throughout the year, and practical steps for those considering starting their own podcast. Kerri emphasizes the importance of authenticity, consistency, and vulnerability in connecting with an audience, and provides a detailed checklist for launching a successful podcast.
Episode 54: Hiring Your First (Or Fifth) Employee? Watch This First!
In this episode, Kerri Roberts dives into key strategies for small business owners to establish a robust HR foundation. She explores hiring and recruitment best practices, the value of effective onboarding, and the impact of employee recognition on satisfaction and engagement. Kerri also underscores the importance of leadership development, talent management, and offering comprehensive benefits and wellness programs—even for small teams. By focusing on these essential areas, businesses can attract, retain, and motivate top talent, paving the way for sustainable growth and success in the year ahead.
Episode 52:The 5 Metrics Every Business Owner MUST Track for 2025 Success
In this episode, we dive into the essential metrics every business owner should track to close out 2024 strong and prepare for a thriving 2025. Data-driven decisions are the backbone of successful businesses, and Kerri Roberts breaks down key areas of measurement to drive growth and efficiency. From revenue and profitability insights to customer acquisition and retention strategies, she highlights the importance of understanding financial performance and building lasting relationships. The conversation also explores operational efficiency, marketing and sales performance, and employee engagement, providing practical ways to optimize processes and foster a high-performing team. Tune in to learn how tracking the right metrics can set your business up for success in the year ahead.
Episode 50: Why Sustainability in Business is the Ultimate Business Strategy for 2025
n this episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, we’re tackling a topic that’s no longer optional: sustainability in business. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a larger organization, embracing sustainability is not just about saving the planet—it’s about creating lasting value for your customers, cutting unnecessary costs, and preparing your business for long-term success.
Tune in to hear why sustainability is a critical business strategy—not just a trend. Learn practical steps to make your business more sustainable, starting today. Discover real-life examples of small businesses that saw cost savings, increased customer loyalty, and operational efficiency by going green. Understand how to overcome common challenges like upfront costs and resistance to change. Explore why sustainability isn’t just about the planet—it’s about supporting your people and community too. Take your first step toward sustainability and make a meaningful impact.
Episode 47: Top HR Trends for 2025
As we prepare to enter 2025, organizations face an evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities in Human Resources. This episode dives into the top HR trends poised to shape the future of work, focusing on how businesses can leverage these developments to build resilient and thriving workplaces. From integrating AI tools and automation to fostering employee well-being, promoting DEI, and adopting hybrid work models, we provide actionable insights for HR leaders and business owners alike.
Episode 46: The Science Behind Behavioral Assessments in HR
This episode explores how behavioral and cognitive assessments can transform team dynamics by improving hiring decisions, enhancing employee development, and fostering collaboration. HR expert Kerri shares over 20 years of experience, offering practical advice and real-world success stories. Listeners will learn how aligning their people strategy with business goals can reduce turnover, boost productivity, and deliver measurable results—all while keeping costs manageable. Whether you're a small business owner or leading a growing team, this episode provides essential tools for leveraging people-focused strategies to drive sustainable growth.
Episode 44: What Veterans and Military Spouses Can Teach Us About Life and Success.
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, we dive into the unique and powerful life lessons learned from the experiences of veterans and military spouses. These lessons—shaped by resilience, adaptability, and deep community ties—are not just relevant for those who have served but are invaluable for anyone looking to lead a more fulfilled and prepared life. Join us as we uncover these often overlooked insights and discuss how they can transform the way we approach challenges, relationships, and personal growth.
Episode 42: End of Year Payroll Checklist
In this episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, we’re diving into one of the most critical tasks for business owners as the year winds down: the year-end payroll wrap-up. From verifying employee data to filing crucial tax forms, we’ll walk you through a comprehensive checklist to ensure your payroll process is smooth, compliant, and ready for the new year. Staying on top of payroll not only helps avoid penalties but also builds trust with your employees and sets your company up for success in 2024.
Episode 40: HR Compliance Checklist
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, host Kerri Roberts dives deep into the world of legal compliance in human resources, sharing essential best practices for business owners and HR professionals. Whether you're running a small business without a full-time HR team or overseeing a growing company, staying compliant with employment laws and regulations is crucial. Kerri outlines 7 key strategies, from keeping up with ever-evolving laws to documenting everything thoroughly and conducting employee training. Tune in to learn how to create a culture of fairness and transparency while avoiding costly legal pitfalls.
Episode 38: Why HR Can’t Ignore AI
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, we explore the inevitable rise of AI and automation in human resources. With over 20 years of experience in HR, our host, Kerri M. Roberts discusses why AI can no longer be ignored and why it’s crucial for businesses, regardless of size, to embrace these advancements. From streamlining recruitment processes to enhancing employee engagement and performance management, AI is reshaping how companies operate. Kerri breaks down where HR departments should begin and the strategies they can adopt to ensure a smooth transition into this new technological landscape.
Episode 36: Outdated HR Practices that are Killing your Business.
In this episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, 20 year HR Pro Kerri Roberts explores how outdated HR practices could be slowing down your business, hurting your ability to attract top talent, and reducing employee engagement. From manual processes to rigid work policies, we’ll discuss why it’s time to leave these old methods behind and adopt modern, efficient HR strategies.
Whether you’re an HR leader or a business owner, this episode will show you how to make the changes that can help your company thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
Episode 34: The Cost of Ignoring Conflict
In this episode, our host Kerri Roberts, a 20 year HR Pro, explores conflict, and more specifically, what leaders and HR professionals can do to address and manage conflict in the workplace effectively. And while most of us prefer to turn a different direction and ignore the drama, it's killing your culture and your productivity.
Episode 32: The Power of Upskilling
In this episode, we're focusing on a subject that's become increasingly important for Owners, Leaders, and HR professionals—Upskilling. As the economic landscape shifts and recruitment becomes more challenging, it's crucial to turn our focus inward and invest in the growth and development of our existing workforce.
Episode 30: The Secret to Elevating HR
We're exploring the intersection between Human Resources (HR) and Operations. Our host, 20 year HR pro Kerri Roberts, shares her personal journey, from being assessed as a stereotypical COO to proving why HR professionals need operational expertise. Discover why HR should not be viewed as a necessary evil but as a critical component of business operations.
Episode 29: Control Freak or Empowering Leader?
When you micromanage, you’re not just controlling the work; you’re stifling the growth and potential of your team. It's a serious issue that can disrupt teams and hinder growth. On this episode of DWTC, our host Kerri Roberts dives deep into why micromanagement occurs, its negative effects, and practical strategies to transform from a micromanager into an empowering leader.
Episode 28: The Science Behind Workplace Stress & Exhaustion.
In this episode, we dive deep into the science behind burnout and workplace stress. Discover how chronic stress affects both mind and body, and learn practical strategies to manage and prevent burnout. Whether you're an employee feeling overwhelmed or a leader looking to support your team, this episode offers valuable insights and solutions.
Episode 27: How to conduct a SWOT analysis
In this episode, Kerri Roberts, 20+ year HR Pro explains the importance and process of conducting a SWOT analysis to help businesses identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, aiding in strategic planning and decision-making.