Posts by Nicole Martin
Building a Best & Brightest™ Company to Work For Does Not Happen by Accident
Every employer wants great people. The challenge is that many organizations try to solve people challenges one issue at a time. They improve hiring because turnover is increasing. They adjust compensation because employees are leaving. They introduce training because managers need support. They focus on culture because engagement has declined. While these efforts can be…
Read MoreSuccession Planning Isn’t About Replacement Anymore; It’s About Future Readiness
Fresh off the press from the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), the 2026 Succession Management for a Future-Ready Organization survey offers a candid look at how organizations are approaching leadership continuity—and where they are falling short. The findings reveal a common theme: many organizations recognize the importance of succession planning, but far fewer have built…
Read MoreHow to Discourage Employees and Limit Business Growth
By Dr. Jay Colker, Executive HR Advisor, HRBoost® This topic is of interest to me because despite sincere intentions to be effective in their roles, many leaders inadvertently behave in ways to negatively impact employees and business results overall. Leaders take on the burden of being overly responsible and feel the pressure of business success,…
Read MoreEmployee Retention in Today’s Workplace
Employee retention is no longer a passive outcome of good pay and stable roles. In today’s workplace, it has become a proactive strategy shaped by evolving employee expectations, rapid technological change, and shifting definitions of career success. Organizations that wait for disengagement to show up in exit interviews are already too late. The companies that…
Read MoreMentally Healthy Workplace Leadership: Why Real Conversations Matter More Than Ever
Mentally Healthy Workplace Leadership By Nicole Martin, Chief Empowerment Officer, HRBoost® For me, mentally healthy workplace leadership starts with understanding the human behind the role. This is exactly why I hold one‑on‑one conversations with every person on my team outside of work. I aim for 1:2:1 with all minimum once a year. I call them…
Read MoreFeng Shui Vision Board Workshop
Register Now What does 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, have in store for you? The Fire Horse year carries bold, fast-moving, passionate energy. When harnessed correctly, it can bring incredible momentum, breakthroughs, and expansion. When left unfocused, it can feel overwhelming or chaotic. That’s why I’m excited to offer my 2026 Feng Shui…
Read MoreWhole Leaders, Wild Trust Event
Trust is in crisis. Across workplaces, communities, and institutions, trust is eroding—not because it vanishes overnight, but through daily pressures and misalignments that pull leaders away from who they intend to be. The good news? Trust can be restored. Not through perfection, but through repair. Through small, courageous, intentional choices that shape leaders from the…
Read MoreBeyond Hiring and Firing: The Hidden Costs of Reactive HR (and How to Avoid Them)
Are you solving today’s challenge with tomorrow’s vision in mind? As leaders, it’s easy to get caught in the urgency of the moment. But sustainable success demands alignment with your long-term strategy—and that means involving your People leader early. At HRBoost, our Dedicated Team Approach ensures your People Partner is right there with you, helping…
Read MoreWhy ICHRA Works for HRBoost — And Why It Might Work for You, Too
Health benefits have long been one of the most complex (and costly) aspects of running a business. But what if you could give your team more flexibility and keep costs under control? That’s exactly what Nicole Martin, CEO of HRBoost, set out to do—and why she embraced the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) years ago. Today,…
Read MoreChicago’s Best & Brightest Companies 2025: Stories, Strategies & Leadership Lessons for a Thriving Workplace
The Best & Brightest Companies to Work For celebration in Chicago stands as more than an award ceremony—it’s a living showcase of the people-first practices, creative solutions, and bold leadership shaping the city’s most admired workplaces. As the 21st annual event unfolded, a spotlight shone not only on winners but also on the unique, replicable…
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