437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment

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: [phone] Email: [e-mail] 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 Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What are some reasons for softener resin beads to crack? 2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be...