HR Insights Blog

DIY vs. Expert Compensation

DIY Compensation Analysis vs. Hiring an Expert: Which Method Is Right for Your Business?

When it comes to compensation analysis, you know it’s not as simple as just updating a spreadsheet or comparing job titles. In our experience, figuring out fair pay today almost always demands more than just a DIY approach. We talked with Susan Pyles, a seasoned compensation expert, who explained why many organizations benefit from outsourcing … Read more

Employee Engagement Ideas

Employee Engagement Initiatives that Have the Most Impact: 31 Ideas to Try

When employees aren’t fully engaged, productivity drops, team morale suffers, and turnover can spike. But even small initiatives—like recognition programs or flexible scheduling—can spark measurable improvements in employee motivation, collaboration, and retention. In this post, you’ll find over 30 practical ideas, from training to team-building, all designed to boost employee engagement. Key Engagement Initiatives Leadership … Read more

Two compensation experts

How the Best Organizations Approach Compensation

You know how challenging it can be to develop a compensation strategy that continuously attracts and retains the talent you need. By learning from the approaches used by top-performing organizations, you’ll find some practical ways to design your pay practices. In this post, we’ll cover the best of the best, including building a clear compensation … Read more

Podcast with Josh Marx, CEO of Medical Service Company

Josh Marx: People-First Growth, You Days & Transformative HR Culture

Is putting your people first the secret to unlocking next-level business growth? Meet Josh Marx, CEO of Medical Service Company, a 70+ “years young” family business specializing in home medical equipment and patient care. In this episode, Josh shares how bringing an “employee-first” mindset to his organization has fueled major expansions, from doubling the workforce … Read more

10 Common Compensation Questions HR Teams Ask in 2026

Compensation questions don’t stop coming. From small Northeast Ohio manufacturers to scaling nonprofits, the same patterns surface again and again in what HR teams bring to our Helpdesk: benchmarking sources, review cadence, market shifts, fairness conversations. The list has grown a little longer for 2026. Pay transparency laws are reshaping what employers publish, remote work … Read more

A piece of paper reading "start"

Where to Begin with Compensation: Insights from a Compensation Expert

When it comes to paying your employees, starting with the right strategy is critical, and we’ve seen firsthand what works—and what doesn’t. ERC compensation expert Nicole Doria, CCP shares practical insights to guide you through the essential steps of developing a compensation strategy. Whether you’re a CEO or an HR leader, these three steps will … Read more

NC99 Top Workplace Trends

ERC’s CEO Kelly Keefe Reflects on Top Workplace Trends & Data from 2024 NorthCoast 99 Winners

If the Northeast Ohio region were a stage, the NorthCoast 99 winning companies would be the A-list stars! These companies don’t just shine – they steal the show with their innovation and commitment to their employees. I feel so lucky each year to have front-row seats to see the best companies in action. They not … Read more