What if HR wasn’t the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? 

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Tia Amundson, HR Director at HOH Water Technology, to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. 

Redefining HR’s Role 

Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH’s HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent communication, and culture building. From structured check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days to coaching managers and bridging communication gaps, her approach ensures employees feel supported, heard, and connected. 

Culture as Competitive Advantage 

HOH’s success story demonstrates how culture directly shapes business outcomes. Tia explains how open-book management, employee engagement surveys, and intentional recognition programs have increased retention, profitability, and trust across the organization. By aligning HR strategies with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), HOH has cultivated an environment where employees thrive and deliver exceptional service. 

Talent, Retention, and the Future of HR 

Finding and retaining the right people remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Tia outlines the importance of a clear employee value proposition, authentic recruiting practices, and a commitment to work-life balance. She also discusses how HR will evolve over the next decade, balancing automation with the irreplaceable human element of caring for people. 

Dream Management and Employee Growth 

As a Certified Dream Manager, Tia integrates personal growth with professional development. By helping employees pursue their own dreams, HOH has fostered deeper engagement, loyalty, and breakthroughs that extend far beyond the workplace. 

Conclusion 

For leaders in the water treatment industry, this episode challenges you to view HR not as a cost center, but as a powerful lever for long-term success. Strategic HR practices can reduce turnover, build culture, and give your organization a competitive edge. 

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! 

 

Timestamps 

02:28 - Trace Blackmore welcomes listeners, shares personal “sharpen the saw” growth theme 

04:53 - Sharpen-the-saw story 

08:10  - Water You Know with James McDonald 

10:05  - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals  

13:15 - Interview with a friend and Rising Tide Mastermind member Tia Amundson, HR Director, HOH Water Technology  

13:30 - HR as employee connection + leadership alignment, not a “principal’s office” 

16:32 - From hiring to long-term care 

19:14 - Coaching managers 

23:49 - Turnover → P&L 

33:12 – Recruitment Realities  

44:03 – Dream Manager Program 

48:11 – Overcoming Skepticism  

50:02 – The Future of HR 

51:13 – Start/Stop for HR 

52:50 – Foundational operating system (EOS) first 

 

Quotes 

“HR isn’t about punishment—it’s about building trust, culture, and strategic advantage.” 

“Pour into your employees, and they will pour into their work. That discretionary effort is what differentiates great companies.” 

“Open communication and transparency aren’t soft skills—they’re the foundation of an intentional culture.” 

“We started this interview saying we’d shatter how people think about HR—and I think we’ve shattered about a dozen things already.”  

“When you engage employees in their personal dreams, you directly impact workplace engagement.” 

 

Connect with Tia Amundson

Phone: +12247721377 

Email: tamundson@hohwatertechnology.com  

Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-amundson-shrm-cp/  

 

Guest Resources Mentioned  

HOH Water Technology  

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)  

Gallup Q12 Engagement Survey  

The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly 

How to Be a Great Boss: Gino Wickman, René Boer 

Traction by Gino Wickman 

Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni  

Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams by Jim Clifton (Author) & Jim Harter  

People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture (The EOS Mastery Series) by Mark O'Donnell (Author), Kelly Knight (Author), CJ DuBe' (Author)  

Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard 

 

Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned 

AWT (Association of Water Technologies) 

Industrial Water Week 

Scaling UP! H2O's Industrial Water Week Resources

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