In episode 246, Coffey talks with Kelly Price about building effective people strategy in small and medium-sized businesses.  They discuss why small businesses often treat HR as administrative rather than strategic; hidden financial costs of poor hiring and turnover; aligning people strategy with business goals and growth plans; improving recruiting processes beyond staffing agencies; designing structured onboarding and performance management systems; adapting to rapid change including AI and post-COVID workplace shifts; generational differences in workplace expectations and engagement; balancing flexibility with accountability in modern work environments; leveraging institutional knowledge from long-tenured employees; identifying when to bring in HR consultants and how audits drive strategic alignment; developing leadership capabilities as organizations scale beyond founder control.  For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP###  Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.   If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.   About our Guest:  Kelly Price is a dynamic leader and the passionate founder of ThriveHR. Kelly's career is a testament to her dedication and love for helping others, beginning with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Kansas State University.  Her professional journey started at Marriott International. It was here where she mastered the art of creating memorable experiences, igniting her passion for positively impacting people's lives, a core value she carries into her HR career.  Kelly's enriching path in Human Resources started as a recruiter. She found joy in helping individuals secure jobs and the ability to impact their lives and families. Climbing the corporate ladder, Kelly served in various critical roles, including Benefit Manager, Director of HR, and VP of HR. In these positions, she played a crucial role in reducing turnover, enhancing employee satisfaction, and reshaping people and HR strategies.  As a small business owner, Kelly now leverages her extensive experience to help other businesses excel through smart people decisions. With her energy and positivity, she ensures that every client interaction is impactful and meaningful.  Kelly Price can be reached at www.thrivehrkc.com www.linkedin.com/in/kellypricethrivehr   About Mike Coffey:  Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. Mike and his very patient wife of 29 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  Learning Objectives:  Understand the business impact of treating HR as a strategic function rather than administrative. Identify practical ways to improve hiring, onboarding, and retention in growing organizations. Apply people strategy principles to adapt to workforce, generational, and technological changes.