Trade Talk (Ep. 13) - Building a Workforce That Works: Hiring, Retaining & Leading with Purpose

In this episode of Trade Talk, Sarah and Erin sit down with HR professional Ashley Curtin to tackle three critical pillars of running a successful business: recruitment, retention, and performance management. With nearly 20 years of experience across hospitality, property management, and consulting, Ashley brings a wealth of real-world advice for leaders in the construction industry—and beyond.From the art of finding (and keeping) the right people to the importance of company culture, Ashley breaks down how hiring has evolved, why soft skills matter more than ever, and how leadership directly shapes employee loyalty. She also shares creative ideas for attracting younger generations, engaging staff without massive perks, and rethinking performance reviews so they actually work.Whether you run a crew of five or a company of fifty, this episode is packed with strategies you can use to build a workforce that works for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why focusing on soft skills can lead to better hires than a resume aloneHow multi-day, multi-perspective interviews improve cultural fitWays to engage younger generations and make your workplace appealingThe role of leadership in employee retention—and why culture starts at the topPractical, low-cost professional development ideas for small businessesHow to handle performance issues before they become deal-breakersCreative interview tactics and resources for small companies without in-house HRKey Quote:"You inspect what you expect. If you want employees to use their time wisely, they need to see you doing the same." – Ashley Curtin (7:42)Listen & Subscribe:New episodes drop every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show.Got a topic idea or feedback? Email us at [email protected] or submit them at contractors-connect.com/podcast.