Hey there, Beyond the Deal listeners! It’s Jill Yahnite, and I’m pumped to bring you Episode 3 with John Bernatovicz, a serial entrepreneur who’s shaking up the HR world. We dive into his journey from ADP sales to owning an HR consulting firm and a water vending business—talk about variety! John’s book, HR Like a Boss, is all about making work meaningful, and he shares how to build a purpose-driven culture that employees love. We also unpack his “Purpose is Paramount” talk, showing why your business needs a clear “why” to thrive. If you’re a business owner or leader wanting to boost employee engagement and align your team with a bigger mission, this episode’s for you! Like, subscribe, and hit that bell for more tips to take your business beyond the deal!
Guest Introduction:
I’m thrilled to introduce John Bernatovicz, a family man, entrepreneur, and golf lover like me! John’s built businesses like Willory, an HR and payroll consulting firm, and even a water vending company. From his sales roots at ADP to 15 years as a full-time entrepreneur, he’s now the author of
HR Like a Boss and a keynote speaker passionate about transforming how people feel at work. His insights on purpose and leadership are game-changers!
Key Takeaways:
- John’s mission is to fix the global epidemic of people not loving their jobs—HR pros can lead the charge by owning their role and thinking like strategic business leaders.
- His diverse path from ADP to running multiple businesses shows how a strong sales foundation fuels entrepreneurial success.
- Purpose is everything! John’s “Purpose is Paramount” talk teaches us to define a clear, concise purpose (four words or less!) to guide decisions and inspire teams.
- Small businesses, listen up: don’t just check HR boxes—use fractional resources to create a culture where employees thrive and tell their friends, “You gotta work here!”
- Align your business with a societal cause, like John’s work with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, to attract talent and customers who share your values.
- Employee engagement skyrockets when you foster relationships at work—think shared interests like golf or volunteering together at a Habitat for Humanity event.
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:27 Guest Introduction
3:39 John’s Entrepreneurial Journey
6:57 HR Like a Boss: Transforming Work
9:22 Purpose is Paramount: Finding Your Why
12:32 HR Challenges for Small Businesses
18:38 Connecting Purpose to Business Success
28:20 Hiring with Purpose
33:39 Building Workplace Relationships
36:33 Q&A: AI, Writing, and Speaking
48:53 Q&A: Early Influences and Golf with Tiger
52:14 Closing
Keywords:
Jill Yahnite, John Bernatovicz, Beyond the Deal Podcast, HR Like a Boss, purpose-driven business, employee engagement, HR strategy, entrepreneurship, business leadership, workplace culture, strategic HR, nonprofit partnerships, business purpose, ADP sales, golf and business
Pull Quotes:
- “John’s take on purpose hit home: ‘Get your team in a room, ask why your business exists, and boil it down to four words or less—it’s a game-changer!’”
- “I loved John’s insight: ‘If your employees feel connected to your company’s purpose, they’ll tell their friends, You gotta work here!’”
