Hiring doesn’t end when the offer letter is signed, it begins with onboarding. In this episode of Hire Power, we break down why onboarding is not a “nice to have” but the launchpad for every new hire’s success.

I share a story from my time in global consulting, where one small change in onboarding practices dropped turnover from double digits to single digits. And joining me is Laura Poepping of Plum Coaching and HR Consulting, who brings her expertise and practical best practices for building an onboarding experience that truly works.

In this episode:

• Why onboarding is just as critical as recruiting in the hiring process
• The hidden costs of weak or rushed onboarding (and how to avoid them)
• Simple steps every leader can take to make new hires feel valued from day one
• The ROI of investing in a structured, personalized onboarding process
• How leaders—not just HR—set the tone for culture and retention

Whether you’re running a small business or leading a large team, this episode will change the way you think about onboarding—and show you how to turn it into a powerful tool for engagement, performance, and retention.

Connect with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorapoepping/

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com

One of the biggest myths I hear from small business owners is: “We’re too small to attract top talent.” The truth? You’re never too small for a great hire... in fact, it matters even more at your stage of growth.

In this episode of Hire Power, I’m breaking down why small companies actually have an edge when it comes to leadership hires—and why waiting until you’re “big enough” could cost you everything.

In this episode:

• Why flexibility, visibility, and direct impact make small businesses attractive to top leaders
• The hidden risks of believing large corporations offer more security
• The true cost of a bad hire (up to 2.5x salary for leadership roles!)
• How one great leader can transform a small company with growth, culture, and engagement
• Why investing in the right recruiting partner isn’t an expense—it’s an ROI multiplier

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com

Is chasing the biggest paycheck really the best career move? In this episode of Hire Power, we’re diving into one of the biggest traps professionals fall into: focusing on compensation before culture.

From toxic leaders to unrealistic job expectations, money can’t fix a poor environment, and the data proves it. In fact, employees are 10x more likely to quit over culture than pay. So why do so many smart professionals still fall for the lure of the “golden handcuffs”?

In this episode:

• Why culture, growth, and challenge matter more than compensation for long-term success
• How overpaying employers use “golden handcuffs” to keep you stuck—and why it backfires
• The hard truth about how unrealistic salaries can stall your career and close future doors
• What top leaders do differently to prioritize impact and environment over titles and paychecks

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com

In this episode of Hire Power, Kim Frost tackles one of her biggest hiring pet peeves: professionals who judge an opportunity by its title alone.

Drawing from decades of executive search experience, Kim breaks down why titles are often meaningless outside of your current company and how they can vary wildly in scope, responsibility, and impact. She shares a powerful real-life example of a candidate who looked beyond the job title, seized a high-growth opportunity, and retired a multimillionaire.

You’ll learn why focusing on the actual responsibilities, leadership potential, and long-term growth of a role will get you further than chasing a “VP” or “Director” label—and how being open-minded in your career can lead to life-changing opportunities.

In this episode:

• Why titles rarely reflect the true scope or influence of a role
• The career-killing mistake of dismissing an opportunity too soon
• How passive candidates often find the best opportunities
• A real story of one leader who looked past the title and built a legacy
• Why great leaders focus on impact, not labels

If you’ve ever been tempted to pass on a role because it “didn’t sound senior enough,” this episode will change the way you look at career opportunities.

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com

Hiring the right people is only the beginning. The real magic happens when you use behavioral tools to build trust, develop leaders, and create a culture where everyone can thrive. Insights are power, and behavioral tools are a perfect way to find insights!

In this episode of Hire Power, Kim Frost sits down with Rachel, a communications and employee development leader, to explore what it really looks like to implement a behavioral assessment tool across an entire organization, from the executive suite to the production floor.

Rachel shares:

• The hiring pain points that led her team to seek out a better tool
• Why choosing the right assessment takes time, research, and real-world testing
• How her company uses the Culture Index to shape hiring, retention, succession planning, and team development
• The importance of having an internal champion to drive adoption and training
• How behavioral tools can become a common language for collaboration and performance

Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or manager looking to strengthen your team, this conversation will challenge you to think beyond the interview and invest in tools that shape your company’s future.

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com

What does your candidate experience really say about your company culture? Kim Frost dives deep into a topic that’s often treated as an afterthought: the interview process. Spoiler alert, it’s not just a way to vet candidates; it’s your first leadership moment.

Kim shares real-world stories and practical tips on how small gestures can leave a lasting impression, how Gen Z candidates are reading between the lines, and why the interview is a two-way street. From creating a welcoming environment to giving honest feedback, this episode is your wake-up call to rethink the hiring experience from the ground up.

You’ll Learn:

• Why the candidate experience is a direct reflection of your leadership and culture
• How small details — like putting a name on a door — build trust and loyalty
• The red flags candidates notice during interviews (and what drives them away)
• What a true two-way interview looks and feels like
• Why transparency, feedback, and follow-through matter more than ever

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frostkim/

Learn more at: https://www.frostconnections.com

Giving feedback is one thing, but receiving it? That’s where real leadership starts.In this episode Kim Frost explores what it means to truly lead with humility and intention.

Following last week’s conversation with her client, Robert, on giving tough feedback, Kim flips the script and shares why receiving honest feedback is one of the most important (and overlooked) skills a leader can build.

If you have not listened to last week's episode, please be sure to do that!

You’ll learn:

• Why receiving feedback is so hard—and how your ego might be in the way
• The 3 reactions that shut down honesty in your team
• What great leaders do differently to encourage feedback
• A powerful story from Kim’s client Jason on turning tough feedback into real culture change

💬 Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more at: frostconnections.com

What happens when no one on your team is willing to give tough feedback—except you?

In this episode of Hire Power, host Kim Frost dives into leadership styles that emerge during uncomfortable conversations. Through a powerful real-life story from her client Robert, Kim explores what it truly means to lead with courage, clarity, and respect.

You'll learn:

• The 3 leadership styles when it comes to feedback: the Avoider, the Bulldozer, and the Coach
• Why avoiding tough conversations does more damage than speaking up
• How Robert gave long-overdue feedback to a 20-year employee—and what happened next
• How delivery, empathy, and timing define your impact as a leader

If you're dealing with a technically strong team member who’s culturally off, this episode will help you find the clarity—and courage—to address it.

💬 Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more at: frostconnections.com