The HR Cartel Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Moussa, founder of Thirdway Advisory and host of the Founders Fire podcast, to unpack what it really takes to make the right senior hire inside a founder-led business. We talk about why founders operate differently, the pressure that comes with building a business, and why the wrong executive hire can create more problems than it solves. Dan shares his approach to executive search, including why businesses need to do the “pre-season” work before going to market, how to get internal alignment before hiring, and why the best person for the role often isn’t the one with the flashiest CV. We also cover: Why the right hire can genuinely change a business The danger of hiring just to “fill a seat” Why founders need to think about their 3-year plan before hiring The importance of internal alignment before going to market Why culture, personality and workplace dynamics matter How senior hires can fail when the business isn’t ready for them Why transparency during recruitment is critical The difference between superstar hires and “glue” hires What actually attracts top-level people into founder-led companies This is a great conversation for founders, business owners and leaders who are thinking about growth, leadership structure and the people decisions that shape the next stage of business. Thirdway Advisory - https://www.thirdwayadvisory.com.au/ Dan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-moussa-thirdway/ The Founders Fire Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/033vkbhxwzNFnazB69Udj3 The HR Cartel - https://www.hrcartel.com/

In this episode, we unpack the growing sense of a coordinated siege against Australian employers. From government policies, to meddling in tribunal proceedings, to blocking employer's seeking support from the Commission, to union campaigns, tribunals operating with selective transparency, and regulators who appear increasingly activist. Small to medium-sized business owners are finding themselves in a storm of compounding pressure. We break down: Why many employers are losing trust in the Fair Work system The dangerous precedent set by recent Qantas and franchise wage cases How workplace regulators are treating compliance errors like criminal intent The weaponisation of legislation, that will wipe out smaller businesses And how unions are leveraging political influence to force unworkable workplace outcomes www.hrcartel.com Want to book an advice session? https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online

In this episode Tim breaks down the Productivity Roundtable and two hot-button IR reviews that matter to every small and medium employer: the part-time employment review and the “right to disconnect.” Tim explains why rigid minimum-engagement rules are locking potential workers out of the labour market, why more prescriptive right-to-disconnect rules would be pointless, and what practical, low-pain changes employers and the Fair Work Commission should adopt. You’ll also get Tim’s tactical guidance on using remuneration and incentives to drive performance. The HR Cartel has put to the Commission submissions for their reviews - available at the show links below. If you run a small business and want pragmatic, no-nonsense advice to lower your risk and increase productivity, this episode is for you. Visit www.hrcartel.com to get resources and join the conversation. Join the Cartel - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel Book a Session - Get Advice - https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online Get our 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast - https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast Show Links: Fair Work Commission Submission - Part Time Employment Review Submission Fair Work Commission Statement - Right to Disconnect https://media.licdn.com/dms/document/media/v2/D561FAQFd_yVgCgdyQg/feedshare-document-pdf-analyzed/B56ZjLjczIG0Ag-/0/1755761729408?e=1756944000&v=beta&t=TrU5p3KC--vIs7bRwZf-4SHpdfMgN64NDrrPUZq8Be8

In this week’s episode, I break down the Fair Work Commission’s $66 million decision against BHP under the new “Same Job, Same Pay” legislation, and what it really means for every other employer in Australia. While this case targeted a mining giant, it’s the thousands of small and medium businesses who’ll feel the ripple effects. I unpack how the ACTU’s political powerplay has reshaped the workforce, how misguided Fair Work commentary is throwing fuel on the fire, and why this kind of decision is the death knell for employer-led productivity. Whether you agree with BHP’s model or not, the Commission's hypocrisy is staggering. Tune in for a brutal but honest reflection on where we’re heading. www.hrcartel.com

In this episode, Tim Dive lays out his blueprint for an Australian industrial relations overhaul, as if he were Prime Minister. Drawing on recent government overreach (5,000+ new rules in three years) and the Fair Work Commission’s tone-deaf stance toward small employers, Tim proposes splitting the Commission into a Small Business Division (≤50 staff) and a Big Business Division, mandating productivity-impact reviews for every Award change, and restricting Union bargaining to larger firms, while preserving workers’ safety-nets and genuine right to representation. He explains how this model would unleash innovation, simplify compliance, and drive real productivity gains for companies of all sizes. Download our 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast here: https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast Join the Cartel - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartelwww.hrcartel.com Contact us: https://www.hrcartel.com/contact

In this mid-year update, Tim dives deep into the shifting sands of Australian industrial relations. With wage rises, gender-based award adjustments, superannuation hikes, and a flood of new IR regulations hitting small and medium-sized employers, it’s never been more critical to know exactly what’s coming and how to prepare. Tim breaks down the Fair Work Commission’s recent wage decision, owns a learning curve on gender-based award increases, and highlights looming threats from wage theft criminalisation and sham contracting to Greens Party policy drives for shorter workweeks and paid leave for casuals. He also exposes a surge in Fair Work case numbers that should set off alarm bells for anyone running a business. This episode doesn’t just diagnose the problems; it arms you with practical steps; audit your payroll now, leverage award flexibilities, and reinforce your documentation so you can navigate the next twelve months without losing sleep or money. If you care about the future of your workplace and want to stay ahead of the curve, tune in for a no-nonsense forecast and survival guide. Go to https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel - scroll to the Application section to apply to join the Cartel - the most proactive and protective HR/IR support for Small to Medium sized employers.

In this episode of the HR Cartel, host Tim Dive dives deep into the reality facing Australian business owners post-election. With a government that shows no signs of lifting the cost burden on small and medium-sized employers, Tim breaks down the pressing challenges and what business leaders must now do to survive. From skyrocketing wage costs and new criminal liabilities under wage theft laws, to the real-world implications of workplace performance management, this episode is a must-listen for every employer, manager, and HR lead trying to navigate the current IR landscape. If you've found yourself wondering whether performance management systems are worth the investment—or questioning how much further you can cut without collapsing your workforce—this conversation is for you. 📌 Topics include: Why cost-cutting in business is misunderstood What “performance management” should actually look like in SMEs How political ideology is shaping IR outcomes What you need to do now to avoid non-compliance and survive the next wave of reform This is one of the most frank conversations we’ve had yet. Visit www.hrcartel.com to join the community, access the compliance portal, and stay protected.