Let's Talk Talent by Talent Plus

Meet Shawn Brady, a leader who discovered his purpose behind a KFC counter as a young chicken cook—and never looked back.  In our latest “Let’s Talk Talent” podcast episode, Shawn, Director of Human Resources at Harman Management (a long-time client partner of Talent Plus), shares how recognizing talent can transform an individual’s trajectory and fuel exceptional guest experiences. From starting his career at 15 to guiding teams for 37 years, Shawn knows that success in the quick-service industry isn’t about finding “any warm body.” It’s about identifying and nurturing people who genuinely love to serve—those who see each customer as an opportunity to deliver something special. With Talent Plus by his side, Shawn harnesses The Science of Talent to build teams that excel, inspire and stand the test of time. Hear Shawn’s story—how one encouraging conversation set the course of his life’s work—and learn actionable strategies, designed for anyone in the hospitality sector looking to make a lasting impact.

Tune into our special edition of the Let's Talk Talent Podcast, in honor of Talent Plus' 35 Year Anniversary. In this series, host Mark Epp, Talent Plus Management Consultant Director, speaks with remarkable leaders and individuals, and learns the role talent has played in impacting their personal and professional lives. This episode features Makenzie Rath, Austin Rath and Kramer Rath — siblings and children of Talent Plus Founders, Kimberly and Doug Rath. They discuss what it’s like to grow up in a family business and take on key roles within the company and how they balance respecting long-standing traditions while pushing forward with innovation. Listen in to hear their vision for the future of Talent Plus and their advice for other family-owned businesses on how to navigate growth, collaboration and long-term success.

We are excited to launch a special edition of the Let's Talk Talent Podcast, in honor of Talent Plus' 35 Year Anniversary. In this series, host Mark Epp, Talent Plus Management Consultant Director, speaks with remarkable leaders and individuals, and learns the role talent has played in impacting their personal and professional lives. Our first episode features Michaella Kumke, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Lincoln. Tune in to learn more about Michaella and how her personal experiences shaped her mission-driven leadership, her approach to nurturing talent within her team to drive future success and how the talent of one volunteer made a lasting impact on the food bank. Tune in to get inspired by Michaela’s journey and leadership insights.

Listen to our latest episode of Let’s Talk Talent, featuring Janice Hall, founder and principal consultant at Kinderhill Consulting LLC.  In this episode, Janice and Let’s Talk Talent podcast host Mark Epp discuss:  Hall’s HR career with Estée Lauder How to develop a fast-to-action team  Why you must focus on your people The importance of asking employee questions Learn more about how you can recruit and develop the best  employees with Talent Plus Talent Online Assessments. 

We are thrilled to launch our first episode of Let’s Talk Talent Season Two featuring special guest Kim Russel, Founder and CEO of Russel Advisors and Talent Plus Advisor’s Network Member.  In this episode, Russel and Let’s Talk Talent podcast host Mark Epp discuss:  Russel’s career and legacy in healthcare  The importance of succession planning within an organization  How to approach and think about succession planning  What to include in a succession plan  To learn more about Talent+Ready, Talent Plus' scientifically predictive solution that identifies future leaders and executives and know when they're ready to lead, visit https://go.talentplus.com/talentplusready.

In the final podcast episode of Let's Talk Talent Season One, host Mark Epp has a conversation with Larry Sternberg, Talent Plus Fellow and Board Member. Talent Plus recognizes, engages, accelerates and leads talent, talent strategies and talent planning across organizations. In this episode, they discuss:  Sternberg's past days in the hospitality industry and how he hired the best talent for a new hotel in an unconventional way. Why emotional rehiring is so effective for team morale.  How kind gestures and positive attitudes make a huge difference in people's lives.  Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

Tune in to a special episode of Let's Talk Talent, in honor of Giving Tuesday. Mark Epp chats with guests Rico Zavala, CEDARS Director of Development and Rylee Waters, Client Strategist and CEDARS Pillar Lead at Talent Plus. CEDARS is a child-service organization that provides support to children and their families, from foster care to emergency shelter and prevention services.In this episode, they discuss:  The importance of organizations partnering with and supporting nonprofits in their community. How giving back can include many avenues besides monetary donations. Why understanding what your colleagues care about is essential to finding an organization to support. Learn more about CEDARS here.Learn more about our pillar program and how it’s making a difference for our colleagues and in our local community here.Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

In this episode of Let's Talk Talent, host Mark Epp speaks with Dr. Bryan K. Williams, Founder of BW Leadership Academy and Strong Leader Institute. The two discuss: Educating and inspiring professionals to be consistently exceptional. Why recruiters should put their values and mission into their recruiting materials.  The question, "What would the world be like if everyone did what they were good at and enjoyed?" Learn more about Dr. Bryan K. Williams here. Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent, our host Mark Epp has a conversation with Bridget Johnson, Talent Plus Management Consultant.Talent Plus recognizes, engages, accelerates, and leads talent, talent strategies, and talent planning across organizations. The two discuss: Bridget’s background as a Talent Plus client and how the experience influenced how she approaches consulting clients today. Why training your eye to spot talent raises your awareness, and how it helps you to understand and develop it.  How feedback can be a game-changer for your team’s performance and how to incorporate it into conversations. Click here to learn how we help organizations identify and select the best manager talent. Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent, host Mark Epp chats with Scott C. Whiteford, Ph.D., Director of Leadership Analytics at Talent Plus. Talent Plus recognizes, engages, accelerates, and leads talent, talent strategies, and talent planning across organizations.The two dialogue about: How relationships are central to the development of leaders and those who report to those leaders. Why a shared vision and the collaborative process of understanding it are the foundation of a great team. How TeamView, a Talent Plus Development Solution, can help leaders understand the gaps between their current team and their ideal state, and define team benchmarks. Click here to learn more about our TeamView Solution.Click here to learn more about Career Investment Discussions (CID's) and how they help leaders better invest in the growth and development of their team members.Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

In this episode of Let’s Talk Talent, host Mark Epp engages in a conversation with Talent Plus’s Vice President of Client Experience Matt McGuire. Talent Plus recognizes, engages, accelerates, and leads talent, talent strategies and talent planning across organizations.They chat about: How following your purpose and letting it drive your day forward ties directly to taking care of your team and creating a positive culture. Why organizations that lead with relationship, service and empowerment are the ones that are successful with their interactions. Why an individualized strength-based approach is the best way to develop talent. Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let’s Talk Talent!

In this episode of Let's Talk Talent, I sit down with Talent Plus research expert Jonah Garbin to explore the critical intersection of data and talent management. We discuss their backgrounds in psychology and how they leverage statistical analysis to enhance employee engagement and retention. The conversation delves into the phenomenon of the "big resignation" and the importance of internal motivation in the workforce. We also highlight how Talent Plus's role-specific assessments promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by focusing on innate talents rather than traditional resume metrics. Join us as we uncover actionable strategies for organizations to invest in their talent and thrive in today's competitive landscape. Tune in for insights that can drive measurable success in your teams.

In this pilot of Let’s Talk Talent, host Mark Epp has an insightful conversation with Makenzie Rath, President of Talent Plus. Talent Plus recognizes, engages, accelerates, and leads talent, talent strategies, and talent planning across organizations.In this episode: They discuss the challenges of bringing a company through a pandemic all while maintaining meaningful relationships with clients. Rath explains how compassionate leadership and a genuine heart has led to her success as both a leader and a mom, and how it can help you too. They address the challenges of the current labor market, the economic factors at play, and how to still find, hire, and retain the right talent amid it all. Read Makenzie's blog, One Size Fits No One — How Parenting Changed my Perspective on Leadership here. Contact us today to learn more about how we predict performance and maximize human potentiality. Let's Talk Talent!

Preview our first episode of the Let's Talk Talent Podcast, featuring Makenzie Rath, Talent Plus President.