Behind the Scenes of Effective Workforce Strategy with Bellevue HRM

The Employee Engagement Crisis: "according to a recent Gallup poll that there's about only 33% of US employees are actually actively engaged in their work and in their in their job." - Jake Harter

Hosts Katie Ellis and Brett Johnson welcome Jake Harter, founder of Bellevue HRM, to discuss what truly drives employee engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.

Drawing from his experience in both large corporations and entrepreneurial ventures, Jake shares practical strategies for building a high-performing workforce—including insights from a powerful real-world success story that led to significantly lower turnover for a local business.

Jake unpacks the “three pillars” of a dynamic workplace, explains how human resources can be a strategic accelerator instead of just a rule enforcer, and offers advice tailored specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Plus, hear about emerging trends reshaping HR, from remote work to the rapid pace of change driven by technology.

Whether you run a team of five or five hundred, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas on how to foster an environment where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.

Here are the top 3 takeaways from the conversation:

Employee Engagement Drives Performance

Jake emphasizes that genuine engagement stems not from perks like pizza parties, but from fostering autonomy, psychological safety, and open communication—leading to organizations that are 21% more profitable, according to Gallup.

Small Changes, Big Results

By implementing clear goal-setting, regular feedback sessions, and recognizing achievements in even a small call center, Jake helped achieve a 25% reduction in turnover and a noticeable boost in employee morale—proving that incremental steps can create tangible ROI.

HR as a Strategic Business Partner

With rapid advances like AI and evolving workforce expectations, HR’s future is as a proactive accelerator of business growth, not just a policy enforcer. Building a culture where people are empowered and developed pays dividends in innovation and retention.

Inspiring Moments

03:24 Addressing Employee Disengagement Solutions

09:10 Enhancing IT Skill Development Strategy

12:16 Employee Engagement Boosts Turnover Reduction

14:23 "Empowering Frontline Communication"

19:28 HR: Business Partner, Not Just Custodian

22:14 Critical Steps & Employee Retention

24:32 "Overcoming Growth Barriers"

27:13 Available for Quick Consultations

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

[e-mail]

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!