437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O · R. Trace Blackmore, CWT, LEED AP: Water Treatment Enthusiast, Trainer and Consultant
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Show Notes
What if HR wasn't the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive?
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Tia Amundson, HR Director at HOH Water Technology, to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry.
Redefining HR's Role
Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH's HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent communication, and culture building. From structured check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days to coaching managers and bridging communication gaps, her approach ensures employees feel supported, heard, and connected.
Culture as Competitive Advantage
HOH's success story demonstrates how culture directly shapes business outcomes. Tia explains how open-book management, employee engagement surveys, and intentional recognition programs have increased retention, profitability, and trust across the organization. By aligning HR strategies with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), HOH has cultivated an environment where employees thrive and deliver exceptional service.
Talent, Retention, and the Future of HR
Finding and retaining the right people remains one of the industry's biggest challenges. Tia outlines the importance of a clear employee value proposition, authentic recruiting practices, and a commitment to work-life balance. She also discusses how HR will evolve over the next decade, balancing automation with the irreplaceable human element of caring for people.
Dream Management and Employee Growth
As a Certified Dream Manager, Tia integrates personal growth with professional development. By helping employees pursue their own dreams, HOH has fostered deeper engagement, loyalty, and breakthroughs that extend far beyond the workplace.
Conclusion
For leaders in the water treatment industry, this episode challenges you to view HR not as a cost center, but as a powerful lever for long-term success. Strategic HR practices can reduce turnover, build culture, and give your organization a competitive edge.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:28 - Trace Blackmore welcomes listeners, shares personal "sharpen the saw" growth theme
04:53 - Sharpen-the-saw story
08:10 - Water You Know with James McDonald
10:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:15 - Interview with a friend and Rising Tide Mastermind member Tia Amundson, HR Director, HOH Water Technology
13:30 - HR as employee connection + leadership alignment, not a "principal's office"
16:32 - From hiring to long-term care
19:14 - Coaching managers
23:49 - Turnover → P&L
33:12 – Recruitment Realities
44:03 – Dream Manager Program
48:11 – Overcoming Skepticism
50:02 – The Future of HR
51:13 – Start/Stop for HR
52:50 – Foundational operating system (EOS) first
Quotes
"HR isn't about punishment—it's about building trust, culture, and strategic advantage."
"Pour into your employees, and they will pour into their work. That discretionary effort is what differentiates great companies."
"Open communication and transparency aren't soft skills—they're the foundation of an intentional culture."
"We started this interview saying we'd shatter how people think about HR—and I think we've shattered about a dozen things already."
"When you engage employees in their personal dreams, you directly impact workplace engagement."
Phone: +12247721377
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-amundson-shrm-cp/
Guest Resources Mentioned
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly
How to Be a Great Boss: Gino Wickman, René Boer
Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni
Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams by Jim Clifton (Author) & Jim Harter
Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O's Industrial Water Week Resources
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What are some reasons for softener resin beads to crack?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.