<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Alex Kotsos]]></title><description><![CDATA[I work with companies to enable their staff to be at their best and work in positive, productive, engaging and inclusive cultures]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:20:37 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.makingbetterworkplaces.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How to support fertility treatment and miscarriage at work]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why Irish employers need clear policies for fertility and miscarriage In every workplace — whether it’s a small creative team or a...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/how-to-support-fertility-treatment-and-miscarriage-at-work</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67f4eb21303022249c619cb9</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:35:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_1963b89a433f42bebd28fed9632c5328~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wellbeing isn't a fruit bowl: it's the fundamentals, done well]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rotten apple image courtesy of Giuseppe Cuzzocrea via Unsplash Too many organisations are missing the point when it comes to wellbeing....]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/wellbeing-isn-t-a-fruit-bowl-it-s-the-fundamentals-done-well</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67f3911ccbac1441ac4e37fe</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2025 08:57:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_a205a7259ef34a028b8d609f7b5351c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Words Matter: A lesson from feedback given 20 years ago]]></title><description><![CDATA[How not  to give critical feedback Image courtesy of Jamie Haughton on Unsplash Manager: [serious tone] Alex, I need to talk to you Me:...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/words-matter-a-lesson-in-feedback</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c59789bae3b45b2ccee847</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:46:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_abb3feb36cd948e5964f1de96858bedb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why ‘Treat Others How You Want to Be Treated’ Is Bad Advice for Managers]]></title><description><![CDATA[A golden rule of advice that doesn’t work for managers and leadership We’ve all been taught the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/why-treat-others-how-you-want-to-be-treated-is-bad-advice-for-managers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b45e64e08de5656dfb7f3f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:31:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_1dad4e24a5da407cb34f1d8e34900dc9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Too much of a good thing? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[When strengths have a negative impact "Alex, you're so pushy!" "Alex, you're being really bossy!" "Alex, enough already. We all know that...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/too-much-of-a-good-thing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">662b951547d1ccbee72ddf69</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 13:51:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_5d121109b740441aa471fed7f83123dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Compelling Reasons Why Investing in Your Team Pays Off]]></title><description><![CDATA[Investing in your team is not just a cost; it's an investment that yields significant returns for your organisation. Here are five...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/5-compelling-reasons-why-investing-in-your-team-pays-off</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65dc7fd1acdba088c46086e1</guid><pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:14:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_4684299ee7b1440f83622afda36d6b0a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[9 tips to successfully scale a team]]></title><description><![CDATA[Some years ago I was hired to work for a fast-growing company. I was employee #140 in Ireland. When I left 11 months later the employee...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/9-tips-to-successfully-scale-a-team</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a8f80ddb88c3d2e4058436</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:17:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_4f1c2e91fb0042feb7db180aa38a950a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[11 top tips for training new people managers]]></title><description><![CDATA[(I’ve just got my first role as a people manager! Help me!!!) Training new people managers can be a challenging task, but it is essential...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/11-top-tips-for-training-new-people-managers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a130665ea679869aaa38a2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:21:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_f2824fb70e3e455a80d6683a052ad369~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Steps to Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in your Workplace]]></title><description><![CDATA[Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are critical components of any healthy and successful workplace. Creating a culture that values...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/5-steps-to-improving-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-your-workplace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a138988ad4d2ad745cb6bd</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:14:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_213a616b36af458c8ec2712b47c8c518~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Must-Have Policies for Every New Business: A Guide for Start-ups and SMEs]]></title><description><![CDATA[HR just love a policy don’t they?!!! For years I have questioned whether policies are necessary for every business, surely we could all...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/5-must-have-policies-for-every-new-business-a-guide-for-start-ups-and-smes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">659fe5f8100425617ead66de</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:14:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_94251e1c1759463dad210906e4931c5e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Characteristics of High-Performing Teams]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a start-up or SME, building a high-performing team is essential to achieving success. But what does it take to create a team that not...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/7-characteristics-of-high-performing-teams</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a1339034a4f0b68af00013</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:12:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_74df228236154aa6a198a2098d2b35d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 signs that your business may need to hire an HR consultant]]></title><description><![CDATA[Whether you have an existing HR person, department, or function, you may still be experiencing challenges related to the HR needs of your...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/5-signs-that-your-business-may-need-to-hire-an-hr-consultant</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a12db49045a32d90efbee2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:11:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_3b90a09ef3d14a0fb0ef00ce2096ec23~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What do you do when your HR Manager just can’t do it all?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let me share a scenario with you. You start a business and begin hiring…as the staff numbers grow and revenues increase you decide that...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/what-do-you-do-when-your-hr-manager-just-can-t-do-it-all</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a12a5014cf9af971b309a2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:10:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_2edc3a703f6b45a69b5d1a15cce9ebc0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[9 Things to get in place before you get to 9 staff]]></title><description><![CDATA[Recently I was chatting to an acquaintance who asked if I knew anything about the treatment of holiday pay for part-time workers. My...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/9-things-to-get-in-place-before-you-get-to-9-staff</link><guid isPermaLink="false">659fca1f675e21cd7194af87</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:09:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_89a80bfa9cfc4015b16f371f97bb6e54~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strengthscope® and me!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Using psychometrics and personality profiles at work I’ve been working in HR for 25 years. I was lucky at the start of my HR career to...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/strengthscope-and-me</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a152f4472bfe6052f01a73</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:02:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_2f44b0861da14b9197fedb26b1c1e520~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Overlooked Issue: Age Discrimination and Career Development for the Over 45s]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's rapidly changing job market, diversity and career development are topics frequently talked about. While workplaces are...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/the-overlooked-issue-age-discrimination-and-career-development-for-the-over-45s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6515a9dd16f77683fc76194e</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Oct 2023 09:38:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_be9155e8a13f40f6bf268dd1312dc9d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who needs HR anyway? When do start-ups and SMEs need to hire an HR professional?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Perhaps you’ve started a business and you’ve gone past the 10-employee mark and you’re wondering if you need an HR person on board. Or...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/who-needs-hr-anyway-when-do-start-ups-and-smes-need-to-hire-an-hr-professional</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6501a12109d46839b85dfea5</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:15:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_dd6bd4afb4ac40e2a554a27b41110db4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 reasons why your HR Department sucks! What every CEO needs to have a great HR department.]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the past, when people asked what my line of work was, I used to hesitate. Sometimes I avoided answering the question at all. The...]]></description><link>https://www.alexkotsos.com/post/5-reasons-why-your-hr-department-sucks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64ff36e5888a6d551ff64df1</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:43:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a0bd3b_de7e5794b7b041858ddbbf122cd98b2a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>alexkotsos8</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>