With holidays looming on the horizon, business leaders face a familiar challenge: maintaining operational excellence while managing HR problems that emerge during these critical months. 

By systematically gathering, analyzing, and applying HR metrics, organizations can align strategies with broader goals, anticipate challenges before they arise, and allocate resources where they’ll deliver the greatest impact. In short, data empowers leaders to make smarter, faster, and more confident choices about their workforce and their future.

As businesses emerge from a period of massive change and reinvention, one truth has become increasingly clear: your people are your greatest asset . And just like finance or operations, the people side of the business deserves strong executive leadership. That’s where the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) comes in. Once a role exclusive to enterprise-level companies, the CHRO is now more accessible—and more essential—than ever. Thanks to the growing trend of fractional exe

Many CFOs, CEOs, and COOs assume that once they begin hiring HR personnel internally, their need for external help naturally fades. But the reality is, fractional HR can supercharge the success of your in-house team. It’s about strengthening your new team with seasoned expertise, scalable systems, and strategic oversight that builds a sustainable, high-performing HR department from the ground up. Here’s why leading companies are keeping fractional HR in the picture as they gr

Terrible advice about HR; misconceptions that can cost businesses time, money, and their best talent.

A scalable business model ensures that growth does not compromise efficiency, sacrifice quality, or avoid compliance.

HR compliance has moved its traditional role and has transformed into a critical strategic differentiator that can reshape an organization.

Fractional HR and Outsourced HR both offer alternatives to in-house HR but differ significantly in their structure and implementation.

Effective personnel management is not just a function of human resources, it is a strategic approach that can significantly impact a company

The integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping financial roles at an unprecedented pace

Having an engaged and productive workforce can drive profitably and higher employee retention rates for organizations.  It’s been well proven that engaged employees are more motivated, committed, and willing to go the extra mile. This can ultimately drive better outcomes and higher profit margins for businesses. However, maintaining employee engagement and productivity is a challenge that requires a strategic approach and the implementation of effective HR best practices. Emp

Fractional HR services can be invaluable for staying ahead of problems like these. They offer a proactive approach to mitigating legal risks

Effective employee onboarding and offboarding have become a crucial aspect of talent management.  Whether welcoming new hires into the company or bidding farewell to departing employees, organizations need robust strategies in place to ensure a smooth transition at every stage of the employee lifecycle.  At Higher Design, LLC, we understand the importance of integrating new team members seamlessly while also facilitating the departure process with professionalism and care.  H

The high cost of a problem employee can be significant in terms of direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include compensation, legal fees, and other expenses related to their employment. Indirect costs include lost productivity due to decreased morale among other staff members and time spent addressing the issue that could otherwise have been used for more productive tasks. The impact on your organization's reputation with customers or clients may also be an unexpected hidd

Are you a small business owner considering hiring a Human Resources professional? You may be wondering if it's worth the investment. Or, perhaps you're already using fractional (or part-time) HR services and are thinking of switching to a full-time model. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of fractional HR so that you can make the best decision for your business. Let's get started! Sometimes, it takes an outsider to see things differently and help you take your bus

In today's world the phrase “business as usual” no longer means a relentless grind and tough work conditions. Today, business owners, human resources professionals, and managers recognize the importance of creating an environment where their teams can thrive – namely, by building a positive company culture. Not only does this help ensure happier employees and improved morale overall, but it also translates to better results for organizations: research shows that creating an i

Talent acquisition and talent management are some of the most important aspects of any organization. A company can have the best products or services in the world, but it will only be successful if it finds and keeps the right people. This blog post will discuss some things companies should do to ensure they are hiring and retaining the best talent possible. Know what you are looking for in your next hire. This concept may seem simple, but it is essential to have a good unde

According to the Oxford dictionary, management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. Why? Well, people create the product, people make the marketing, and people handle the customers. Without your employees, your "people," your business would no longer exist. How each of these areas performs is based on the people responsible for them, and if they are not happy, your customers will not be either. Your employees are an extension of your company and wil

Hiring can be a daunting task, creating a job description that fits just right, posting, recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and on and on. Once you look at everything needed to bring a new employee on, it seems overwhelming to do it right. Some businesses take shortcuts, hire based on desperation for help, or make mistakes like rejecting an applicant due to them being "overqualified." These mistakes mean you may miss your golden employee. Putting in place a structured proc

Employee handbooks are a vital component of any business, whether small or large. There are many reasons why an employee handbook is so critical; some of these areas are: Creates a benchmark for employee expectations Ensures consistent treatment for each employee Outlines behavioral guidelines for employees and supervisors Gives steps and information regarding company policy and direction in general concerns Defense in Unemployment claims and lawsuits An employee handbook cr