After four years of running his business solo, Phil Gregory faced the daunting task of hiring his first employee. With The People Consultancy's support, he completed the entire hiring process within a week, ensuring full compliance and confidence. "Emily has a gift of making the complicated and scary seem manageable," says Phil, who has since continued with business coaching, leading to improved processes and increased work capacity.

With my 'business therapist' hat on, I see this pattern emerge time and time again. A business owner comes to me frustrated that their marketing isn't working, or their team member isn't performing, or they can't seem to delegate effectively.

I'm not your typical HR consultant who shows up with a clipboard and a rulebook. Instead, I'm more like your strategic partner who rolls up their sleeves and dives in to find real, practical solutions. As one client put it: "Emily was brilliant not just as a service but a solutions provider".

Are you tired of constantly putting out HR fires in your small business?

December isn't just about Christmas prep – it's the perfect time to transform your approach to people management for 2025.

"I just need you in that meeting with me."

Three weeks ago, Sarah* reached out about what seemed like a straightforward HR issue – ongoing performance challenges in her team. But as we sat down together, it became clear there was so much more beneath the surface.

Ever notice how employee issues hit different when you're a business owner?

That pit in your stomach when conflict arises isn't just about the immediate problem – it's often tied to deeper emotional threads woven through our entrepreneurial journey.

I've been working with a recruitment business owner recently who was at breaking point. He'd been paying for a generic HR helpline (you know the type - insurance-backed, call centre approach, tick-box solutions). But they just weren't getting it.

The challenge? An underperforming consultant with ongoing sickness issues. Months of frustration, zero progress, and a helpline that didn't understand the unique dynamics of recruitment businesses.

In today's video, I'm going to share how successful businesses are flipping the script on performance management. We'll explore how focusing on coaching and development first can transform your business culture, boost your billers' confidence, and actually make those tougher conversations more constructive when they're needed.

If you've spent your weekend worrying about talking to that employee about that performance issues that just won't go away....then here is a little something for you.

A quick and simple guide on how to tackle performance concerns in your business.

Are you leaving performance to chance in your business? Are you just hoping to get the results you want without clarity?

I see this all the time - usually resulting in a stressed, frustrated business owner, taking it all on themselves.

There is another way.

Here's a radical thought for recruitment & small business owners - what if performance conversations actually energised your team?

Somewhere along the way, the very mention of "performance" became associated with blame, fear and that dreaded march to HR. It's no wonder we all tense up at the phrase "we need to talk about your performance."

What if we changed this narrative in our businesses?

In my 15+ years supporting business owners, one truth stands out. When your people are your biggest headache, your business becomes a burden rather than a joy.

Here's what I know …

What happens when your team don’t really know what is expected of them?

• They don’t know how to perform at the levels you want?

• Someone leaves and nicks your data?

• Or goes off sick for three months and you can’t get hold of them?

There is always a better way …

My client, an experienced entrepreneur leading a team of 15, was struggling with the people management side of her business. In her own words, she found it:

- Stressful
- Overwhelming
- Like constantly watching over her shoulder for something to go wrong

Yes, I'll make sure your contracts are watertight and your policies are up to date. But my real value? It's in helping you build a business where both you and your team can thrive.

Ready to go beyond surface-level HR and tackle the real issues in your business? Let's talk. Your peace of mind is waiting on the other side.

You know exactly what I'm talking about - that employee who consistently underperforms, the one you've been meaning to address for weeks, months, maybe even years. Yet, here you are, once again picking up their slack, feeling the weight of unresolved issues on your shoulders.

Fear-based leadership is never a good strategy. It creates a toxic environment where:

- Innovation is stifled
- Open communication breaks down
- Employee well-being suffers
- Turnover increases
- Productivity declines

About Emily … Throughout my career, I've learned that true business transformation comes from addressing both the strategic and human elements of an organisation. That's why I focus on developing comprehensive solutions that align your people strategy with your business objectives, while ensuring you're protected legally and ethically.

One of the things I see all the time that totally hinders performance in recruitment businesses is a lack of clarity around expectations.

This is often coming from a really good place. Business owners not wanting to recreate the restrictive KPI, fear driven cultures of recruitment past. Not wanting to bog down the business in rules, policies and complex contracts. I totally get it.

However, an all or nothing approach is really damaging your business and your culture.

So on this World Menopause Day I encourage organisations to really educate themselves - there are so many ways to support the people experiencing the effects of menopause in your businesses, and it will make such a huge difference to your people.