The Work Besties Culture Podcast

Tailoring Recognition to Keep Great Employees

We’ve reached the finale of Season 1—and we’re wrapping things up with a topic that sits at the heart of retention: recognition. In this episode, we dig into why employees really leave when they don’t feel valued, and how the success of any recognition effort—big or small—comes down to clear communication and mutual expectations. We explore creative, meaningful ways to build a culture of appreciation that doesn’t always require a bigger budget—just a better approach. If you’re ready to rethink rewards and recognition with intention and impact, this episode is your roadmap. Show notes:: Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ Send us your feedback: workbestiesculture@gmail.com Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon Follow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com [https://kirkpatrickbrands.com]

More Training Isn’t Always The Answer

Episode 9 – More Training Isn’t Always the Answer  “Let’s just do a training…” It sounds like a quick fix—but is it actually solving anything? In this episode, we break down the all-too-common trap of using training as a checkbox or a one-size-fits-all solution. We’re talking about why training won’t fix behavioral issues (that’s a management convo, friend), and how misusing it can waste time and energy. But don’t worry—we’re not anti-training! We’ll also share how to recognize when training is the right move and how to make it meaningful, engaging, and actually effective. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at yet another generic training invite, this episode is for you. Show notes:: Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/] Send us your feedback: workbestiesculture@gmail.com Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon Follow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com [https://kirkpatrickbrands.com]

Let’s Talk About Internal “Poaching”

Internal mobility—promoting or transferring talent within the organization—can be a powerful tool for retention, engagement, and growth. But when companies say they support internal transfers, are they truly prepared to follow through? In this episode, we unpack what internal mobility really means and explore the behind-the-scenes decisions that leave companies unprepared to support the very moves they claim to champion. From policy to practice, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it takes to make internal transfers work—for the business and for the employee. Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ Send us your feedback: workbestiesculture@gmail.com Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthonFollow Tessa Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr

Onboarding and Orienting for Success

From First Day To First Year - Essentials for Orientation and Onboarding  While orientation is often a well-oiled machine, onboarding can be a different story. Some organizations overwhelm new hires with too much information, while others leave them feeling lost with too little guidance. The right onboarding strategy protects your investment in new talent and sets them up for long-term success. In this episode, Mechelle and Tessa explore how to design a structured, engaging onboarding experience that strikes the perfect balance. SHOW NOTES Michael Watkins - The First 90 Days https://www.genesisadvisers.com/the-first-90-days [https://www.genesisadvisers.com/the-first-90-days] Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/] Send us your feedback: workbestiesculture@gmail.com [workbestiesculture@gmail.com] Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon] Follow Tessa Brown on LinkIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/] Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com [https://kirkpatrickbrands.com]

They Don’t Need (or Want!) Another Tumbler

A fancy tumbler won’t fix disengagement! True employee engagement goes beyond perks—it’s about creating a meaningful employee experience. In this episode, we break down what engagement surveys should really measure, why leaders must close the loop with thoughtful action, and how to craft a solution story that builds trust. Plus, we clarify the difference between engagement programs and employee activities—because while both matter, they’re not the same. Show Notes: Steve Browne blog; https://www.sbrownehr.com/ [https://www.sbrownehr.com/] Follow Work Besties Culture Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-culture-podcast/] Follow Dr. Mechelle Robertho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mechelleroberthon/] Follow Tessa Brown on LinkIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessabrownhr/] Follow Kirkpatrick Brands: https://kirkpatrickbrands.com [https://kirkpatrickbrands.com]