HR Insights Blog

What is Fractional HR?

What Is Fractional HR and When Does It Make Sense?

As organizations grow, so do their people challenges. What started as a small team that could “figure things out as we go” now needs consistent hiring processes, clear policies, and better ways to manage and support employees. HR issues can start to take more time, and they’re landing on the owner’s or president’s desk (maybe … Read more

Compensation and Cost of Labor Chart

Is Your Compensation Strategy Keeping up with the Cost of Labor?

Making sure your wages stay competitive means focusing on the cost of labor, not the cost of living. And relying on old data or only occasional reviews just won’t cut it.  We talked with compensation expert Susan Pyles to put together insights on pay practices that meet market demands. Cost of Living vs. Cost of … Read more

First HR Hire

When Should an Organization Make Its First HR Hire?

If you’re reading this, you might be feeling the strain of not having a dedicated HR professional, but you’re also not sure if you’re ready for a full-time hire. Maybe you’ve got leaders juggling HR tasks. Maybe hiring feels inconsistent, employee questions are taking more time, or you’re starting to worry about compliance as you … Read more

Cindy Torres Essell (Chief People Officer, Heinen’s): Frontline Flexibility, Feedback & Cheese Dip

Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen? Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped … Read more

Austin Merk (President, Universal Oil): Taking Big Swings, Defining Culture & Chili Cookoffs

Meet Austin Merk, President of Universal Oil, a nearly 150-year-old, 100% employee-owned organization. Universal Oil is a distributor of fuels and industrial lubricants serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and transportation, right here in Cleveland. In this episode, Austin shares what it looks like when a new leader takes the helm of a long-standing company and … Read more

Supervisors

The Best Supervisor Training Programs for Your Organization in 2026

When employees move into supervisory roles, it’s common to realize they need new skills to lead effectively. Supervisors may be navigating the shift from peer to manager, learning how to communicate expectations, or figuring out how to handle conflict constructively. Here’s how to explore supervisor training options that fit your organization’s goals and resources. For … Read more

PEO vs. Fractional HR Consultant

PEO vs. Fractional HR: Which is Right for Your Growing Company?

For companies approaching or surpassing the 50-employee mark, HR quickly becomes more complex. You’re now facing requirements like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and more detailed compliance reporting. If you don’t have an in-house HR leader, you’re probably contemplating your next step. (Check out our article comparing internal, … Read more