EP03 - The Art of Employee Empowerment: Insights from Kevin Hayward

"Let's be reasonable. But if we missed it, we have a conversation about, hey, what happened? What can we do to kind of avoid that? Because that's the best thing we got going for us, is that responsiveness, that care, that attention, that conscientiousness."

Welcome back to the Business and Bytes Podcast! I'm your host John Hansman, alongside my co-host Emelio Mejia. Today, in Episode 3, we'll be diving deep into the art of hiring and creating a thriving work culture with our special guest, Kevin Hayward, a seasoned State Farm agency owner from Lacey, Washington.

Kevin has been mastering the craft of building a strong team for over a decade, and he's here to share his structured assessment process that prioritizes motivation and urgency in candidates. We'll unpack his meticulous interview strategies — from the initial handshake to the follow-up call with references — and discuss how these methods contribute to his impressive track record of hiring reliable individuals.

Emelio will shed light on his innovative post-hiring techniques, while I'll be probing into how Kevin fosters a proactive and engaged team culture. We'll explore how Kevin's hands-on approach has empowered his employees not just to excel in their roles but also to prepare them for future success – highlighting a case where a former employee was inspired to open her own State Farm office.

Plus, stay tuned as we navigate through the aftermath of a significant data breach and reinforce the importance of cybersecurity in your business. It's a jam-packed episode filled with enriching discussions and takeaways designed to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

So whether you're looking to refine your hiring process, boost your work culture, or just fishing for some expert tips on employee development and cyber protection, you've landed at the right place.

Let's get started on Episode 3 of the Business and Bytes Podcast, with Kevin Hayward – where every byte of business knowledge counts. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest updates and episodes! Let's roll!

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Timestamps for your reference:

00:00 Friend Kevin, trusted insurance agent, business journey.
05:44 Grateful for success despite challenges and turnover.
08:13 Failed hiring process, learning from past mistakes.
12:40 Using Zoom for interview provides better insight.
15:57 Thorough interview process focuses on important details.
17:54 Pre-hiring process: video responses and self-presentation.
22:47 Encouraging accountability, support and empowerment in leadership.
24:21 Balancing friendliness and professionalism in customer service.
29:17 Young employee shows grit, joins family business.
31:54 Encouraging ambition and growth in office staff.
34:52 Learning process shows dedication and character assessment.
37:46 Creating culture for employees and customers' satisfaction.
42:58 Cyber attackers are improving phishing attacks.
47:01 Seeking audience engagement and guest recommendations.
48:16 Excited for it, see you next week!

To Contact Kevin -(360) 459-2277/ https://www.laceywainsurance.com/