Michelle D. Sims’ Post

If this is how you feel about scheduling another meeting, it’s a good sign you’ve hit your limit. That was me, and many on my team, a few months ago before we created some meeting boundaries and governance. We’ve all seen how burnout results from the stress of running on a hamster wheel, with no end in sight. To prevent this, more companies are adopting solutions like meeting-free days. For us at YUPRO Placement, the results have been undeniable. Having designated focus time or reducing the number of meetings allows employees to accomplish more. Meeting overload has become a widespread issue, with data revealing that business leaders spend nearly 24 hours per week in meetings, and 70% of managers feel these meetings are inefficient. It's clear: too many meetings kill productivity. In addition to meeting-free days, we’re combating the meeting madness by demanding that every meeting has a clear purpose. If it can be an email, it will be an email. Removing unnecessary meetings has freed up valuable time for deep, focused work—and our team's productivity has soared. Employees now have space to breathe, hit their goals, tackle their inbox, and take the breaks they need—whether it’s unloading the dishwasher or taking a mental reset. Here’s to more time, space, and grace. 💙 #Leadership

Y'all, this is a must-watch! Starting today (October 16), UNTAPPED FILM is available on Netflix. The The SpringHill Company, in partnership with Workday, presents this powerful documentary that follows six diverse young adults from low-income communities as they navigate a rigorous skills-training program through Year Up United, striving for a better future for themselves and their families. I was lucky enough to preview UNTAPPED before its release, and trust me, it’s well worth your time. The film tells a story of their personal challenges and victories, highlighting why shifting to skills-based hiring is essential—not just for individuals, but for companies and the broader economy. It challenges the idea of what makes a “qualified” job candidate and advocates for more inclusive, equitable hiring practices. So, grab your popcorn, settle into your favorite spot, and get ready to widen your perspective on what skilled talent truly looks like. Because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Read more about the film in this article from Workday: https://lnkd.in/gKuKE7-w #UNTAPPEDFILM

Almost every sector is battling an aging workforce and struggling to attract Gen Z and Millennial talent, right? But I’ve found that struggle to be especially true in the insurance industry. My recent article in InsuranceNewsNet is full of strategies to attract the attention of younger generations to rebuild your talent pipeline. Here are a few: ☑️ Shake up traditional recruiting methods. Take a look at candidates with transferable skills from other industries and with non traditional educational backgrounds. These professionals have unique perspectives and problem-solving skills. ☑️ Walk and talk like a Millennial. To best attract younger talent, TA leaders and hiring managers should be attuned to what benefits these generations desire. CSR, technological innovation, stability, and multiple career paths are at the top of their list. ☑️ Change for the better. The high demands of today’s market require bold action. The industry needs to rethink its approach by broadening its view and embracing innovative TA strategies. Learn more about how to beat the insurance industry’s age crisis in my recent article in InsuranceNewsNet: https://bit.ly/4dMueiQ #TalentAcquisition

Yes, I’m a CEO of a growing organization and I tell my employees to throw the load of laundry in. Load the dishwasher, let out the dog, and take 10 minutes to get some fresh air. Do whatever you need to do so you can reset and bring your best self to your job. Listen, I don’t want to be doing laundry all Saturday morning so you better believe I’m keeping up with it during the week. I want the same for my team. Weekends are for recharging our battery, relaxing and refueling—and those other house chores. 😉 Being productive and locked in for 8 hours straight isn’t even attainable — and unhealthy if it was. It can take a negative toll on mental health. So if you WFH like me and the rest of our team, this is your reminder that your clothes need to be put in the dryer. And don’t feel the least bit guilty about it. #WorkLifeBalance #Productivity #WorldMentalHealthDay

It’s Q4—how are your goals shaping up as we approach the end of the year? For some, it’s a touchy subject. But I’d argue that it doesn't have to be. One thing I’ve learned is that goals shouldn’t be cemented if they no longer serve the organization. When you take a step back and reflect on why you set them in the first place, the answer is almost always to motivate your team, right? But if those goals no longer inspire buy-in, it’s time for a reset. In a year where job openings are down and our original budget feels more ambitious than realistic, we’ve chosen to get real. Instead of fixating on targets that don’t align with the current reality, we’re shifting our focus. If we had clung to an unattainable goal—especially given outside challenges—our team would be more likely to throw up their hands and wait for next year. Our new aim is beating last year’s numbers, not holding on to a budget that no longer fits. This shift gives us the momentum we need to finish the year strong, even as we continue the uphill climb. We’re constantly reassessing, adjusting, and most importantly, setting goals that are achievable and energizing. How are you keeping your team engaged and motivated through a challenging year? #GoalSetting #Leadership

Can’t wait to have some fun with other staffing leaders at American Staffing Association’s Staffing World! If you’ll be in Nashville, I hope you’ll join this game show focused on what NOT to say in conversations with candidates, clients and peers. You’ll have a chance to participate and showcase your knowledge and understanding of workplace microaggressions. Go, team Friends in Hired Places! 👏 More on the breakout session here: https://lnkd.in/gVmBu3m9 #StaffingWorld

⌛ How do you prepare for conferences? Well, I grab a few books from the keynote speakers a month or two prior to the conference so I can read up and then soak up the in-person experience with the authors on stage. So, to prepare for ASA THRIVE LIVE in Nashville Oct 21/22, this morning 🌞 I am digging into these beauties 📖 by Molly Fletcher and Dr. Ella F. Washington and then taking these on the road for their signatures. These women are just a couple of the incredible speakers this year at THRIVE, the largest conference designed exclusively for women in staffing and their allies and advocates to build community and grow together. THRIVE delivers content worthy of your time away from your desk, and that is why our company commits to bringing several leaders each year as we tackle challenges facing our industry and company, together. And being in community sparks excitement and new ideas, reignites our passion, and we have fun - because we are allowed to have fun 🤠 while we learn. So join me, and amazing women of the American Staffing Association Women in Leadership council, along with many of our YUPRO Placement rising stars for THRIVE and if you want to learn more, DM me! With a 14-day+ advance airline purchase, it is budget-friendly and NOT too late! Learn more and Register: https://lnkd.in/d_hRkPck #ASATHRIVE #WomenINStaffing #WomenLeadership

Shifting from a traditional recruiting model to a skills-based approach may require big thinking, but it starts with small steps. Workday has followed advice we often share with employers: 1. Start Small. Focus on a role that doesn’t require a specialized degree. Workday chose to begin with sales—an excellent choice. 2. Gain buy-in. They secured support from a select group of hiring managers for the sales role and developed a hiring rubric based on the critical skills identified for their organization. These skills may differ across companies, emphasizing the importance of tailoring your approach. 3. Establish consistent criteria. Workday implemented a consistent hiring process across all candidates for the sales role, focusing on skills rather than pedigree. As they measure their progress in key areas like: ☑️Time to hire ☑️Retention rates ☑️Employee satisfaction and productivity ☑️Turnover costs Workday demonstrates that by using a case example, you can continue to build on a skills-based strategy, tackling one role or department at a time. As you see success, the receptivity and eagerness to change will spread throughout the organization! Hats off to Workday for identifying key skills-based initiatives that have sparked real momentum and change across their organization. https://lnkd.in/g6UEvmZd #SkillsFirst #AgileHiring #TalentDevelopment

Staffing Industry Analysts Gig Economy conference last week showed us all that a picture is worth a thousand emotions. For many, 2014 was the year of happiness. Even ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams reached the top US Billboard Hot 100 in 2014, but do you see ‘happy’ in these graphs?! Don’t shoot the messenger here, but happy is not the emotion I feel when you see that temp employment in 2024 is at 2014 levels! But even in a flat market, there are still reasons to clap along. 🎶 It might seem crazy what I’m about to say… – For the staffing industry, flat is the new up, and as of September, our company revenue and headcount is UP over prior year – Sustaining is the new performance metric as we ensure our customer service and sales basics are founded in strong relationships, because AI can’t replace our relationships – Who can’t wait for next year with a 5% overall growth projection? Me, me! – Nothing can replace a forward-focused and aligned leadership team influencing performance metrics that drive business forward – Tech needs to complement your competitive edge and support your execution but doesn’t replace people executing We are a relationship business so if there is anything that makes me happy, and why I love what I do every day, it is the relationships. So let's hit the playlist and keep Happy on repeat—because while 2024 might feel like a remix of 2014, our relationships and resilience are what truly drive us forward. And with ‘A Bar Song’ by Shaboozey at the top spot right now, I am not sure I am down with that mindset just yet, but the year isn’t over! #SIAGigE #SIA2024 #GigEconomy

“What a candidate can do matters more than what’s printed on their resume.” Mic drop. Hiring candidates based on anything other than their actual skills isn’t just outdated—it’s expensive. With each mis-hire costing an average of $17,000, it’s clear that sticking with traditional practices isn't paying off. Just ask your CFO! Let me get something straight: skills-first hiring isn’t slashing salaries. It's ensuring the right fit from the get-go, so you’re not left with mismatched hires that cost you time and money. It’s a strategy that builds a loyal, productive workforce and a more resilient organization. We’re not just breaking through the paper ceiling—we’re tearing down the outdated practices that prioritize credentials over skills. We’re flipping the script, redefining hiring standards, and helping employers evolve to meet today’s skills gap and talent shortage. This article is full of data and insights on how skills-first hiring is shaping the future of work so have a read: https://lnkd.in/guh62sfr #HumanResources #TalentAcquisition