DK Stewart Consulting

03/19/2026

03/05/2026

Coming up.at noon today is one of my favourite topics — it’s all about delivering customer service excellence, and you can only do that by understanding and attracting the right customers and then mapping their customer journey through your business. 

So far in this podcast series, we've done a lot of business framework leading up to this point; where we're ready to greet our customers.  BUT, not every customer is for you and we will dig into that today!

When you and your team are clear on who you serve and how, you stop the temptation of chasing “everyone” and you start building loyalty with the right people — those who value what you offer, who love working with you, and who come back again and again because the experience feels right.

That’s what customer focus is really about — designing a customer journey experience so intentional and consistent that your customers become your best marketers.

Listen in at 12:05pm or ICYMI, visit Northumberland897 for the full library of previous shows.

Thanks for tuning into Ask Hr-Dar, so grateful to you for your time and your great suggestions! 

https://dkstewartconsulting.com/

02/26/2026

Today's episode in our series of "The Business of Managing Your Business"  is centered on your team.  We're taking a closer look at leading and managing teams and why it's a smart strategy to hire people smarter than you, provide clear direction and expectations...and then get out of their way!  We'll explore workforce planning, strategic sourcing, onboarding new hires and exit procedures for folks moving on, performance management & talent metrics, professional development designed to build succession within your ranks, and how to keep this all organized with compliant HR record keeping.  It's A LOT, we know, and it's why leaders need great people structures and HR support to sustain engaged, happy teams!  Join us for this important people-focused episode!

ICYMI: All episode playbacks available on the Northumberland 89.7 FM website under Shows and  "Ask HR-Dar"

Questions for the show?  Contact  Ask HR-Dar here:  dkstewartconsulting.com  and, most of all,  thanks for listening!

02/19/2026

We're back this week to discuss the second pillar in our six part series on The Business of Managing Your Business - Operational Excellence.

Operational excellence starts with clear documentation of your business to facilitate consistent value delivery, by aligning people, processes, and technology that support your purpose. It’s about being reliable, resilient, and relentlessly improving through Standard Operating Policies & Procedures that define how we do what we do,  organization charts and job descriptions to define who does what,  process checklists for quality control and reduce error, and training manuals that help your team flex with everyday business needs.   Sounds like a lot of work; do you REALLY need to do this?   If you haven't started, or need to update old policies and procedures, let this be the "nudge" to start building your operational excellence — one policy, one system, one process at a time.  These aren’t bureaucratic tools — they’re the playbook for success.

ICYMI: All episode playbacks available on the Northumberland 89.7 FM website under Shows and  "Ask HR-Dar"

Questions for the show?  Contact  Ask HR-Dar here:  dkstewartconsulting.com  and, most of all,  thanks for listening!

Dar ☀️

02/12/2026

We're diving into the first pillar of  The Business of Managing Your Business series - Fiscal Accountability.  This is where business owners and division leaders pay the most attention in terms of gauging the health of their companies and organizations.  

Today, we’ll explore why following the money is critical, how budgets and forecasts are your best friend, and why zero-based budgeting is the most accurate approach to annual budgeting - even if it feels like a pain in the neck!

This episode may be most helpful for small to mid-sized businesses and especially for entrepreneurs who just want to do the "thing," or be hands-on in their business; out in front with your customers and not having to sweat the numbers every second of everyday!  

I know financial management can feel like torture.  Thanks to some pretty amazing Financial mentors I've had at Cineplex, Universal Studios and HealthNet, I learned to love it - you can too! We'll talk about why and how on this week's episode!

ICYMI: All episode playbacks available on the Northumberland 89.7 FM website under Shows:   "Ask HR-Dar"

Questions for the show? 
Contact:  dkstewartconsulting.com  

Thanks for listening!  Dar ☀️

02/05/2026

Today's replay kicks off my mini- series designed specifically for leaders and business owners: The Business of Managing Your Business – A Six Pillar Approach.

Whether you’re a start-up founder, a non-profit leader, or part of a Fortune 200 or 500 company, there are six foundational pillars that make up the backbone of every successful business...and within each pillar we craft strategic objectives, goals, and KPI's so we can tell if we’re moving the needle in the right direction—or not.

These are the dashboard gauges I return to again and again in my consulting practice, whether the organization is big or small, for-profit or non-profit.

In my experience, if you take the time to define and review these six pillars regularly, you’ll find it much easier to stay on top of your whole business and, because they’re interdependent, quickly identify the cracks before a pillar falls.

In this episode, I’m giving you an overview of these six pillars. Then, in the coming weeks, we’ll dive deep into each one with practical tools, strategies, and stories to help you grow as a leader and strengthen the areas of your organization that you want to true-up!

ICYMI: All episode playbacks available on the Northumberland 89.7 FM website under Shows and  "Ask HR-Dar"

Questions for the show?  Contact  Ask HR-Dar here:  dkstewartconsulting.com  and, most of all,  thanks for listening!

Dar ☀️

02/03/2026

Sharing...because this opportunity is with a wonderful organization doing really great work in our Community!

Community Health Centres of Northumberland is currently recruiting for a Temporary Part-Time HR Specialist.

Reporting to the Manager of Finance and Corporate Services, the Human Resources (HR) Specialist plays a critical role in the Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN), from coordination of the recruitment, screening, interviewing and onboarding processes for all staff, to developing and advising management on policies and employee relations. This multifaceted position also involves processing payroll and benefits, maintaining employee records, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

➡ To learn more or apply: https://chcn.me/Careers

02/03/2026

Sharing an amazing opportunity to join such a wonderful organization!

Community Health Centres of Northumberland is currently recruiting for a Manager of Finance and Corporate Services.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Manager of Finance and Corporate Services plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the financial, data and administrative operations of the CHCN, that includes finance, human resources, IT, and general administration of funder accountability agreements. The role requires a blend of financial acumen and leadership skills to drive operational excellence and strategic planning.

➡ To learn more or apply: https://chcn.me/Careers

01/29/2026

Managing conflict and employee performance can be one of the toughest tasks for any leader and, as an HR Consultant, it's what keeps my phone ringing.   Join me today for practical tools and language for addressing performance issues effectively; how to handle difficult conversations with clarity and compassion and how to foster an environment of growth and accountability. 

And hey, it's not always the employee's fault, so we'll look into the role of the Manager and Supervisors as well.   

This episode is supported by my Performance Improvement Document that's available as a free download at:  https://dkstewartconsulting.com/   Click on "Managing Employee Performance" tab to learn more. 

Tune into the live stream at Northumberland 89.7 fm's website, listen live on your drive or ask your smart speaker to stream "Northumberland897".   ICYMI, all episodes are available on the website under "Ask HR-Dar" 

Thanks for listening!  Dar ☀️

01/22/2026

Today's topic is timeless - more than ever, we need leaders and helpers who know how people REALLY react to change.  We need our leaders at all levels of their organizations, to lean in and do the hard work to engage our teams and influence change that will benefit employers and employees alike.  This episode also looks at how leaders balance the reality of constant, competing forces to ensure long-term success - no easy task!

If you take just one thing from today's replay, let it be this: lasting change fails when we treat it as just a "to do" on our monthly goals. If we want real change then it's on us to lead our people through transitions, engage them emotionally, and help them balance competing priorities, over and over again.

Tune into the livestream on the Northumberland 89.7 fm website, listen live on your drive, or ask your smart speaker to stream "Northumberland897". 

✨️ICYMI, all episodes are available on the website under "Ask HR-Dar" ✨️

Thanks for listening!

Dar ☀️

01/15/2026

Our most requested episode replays at 12:05pm (EST) today!

Stacey Jennings takes us through navigating change, both personally and professionally.  Like so many people at this age and stage of life and career, she knew something needed to shift — but defining what, how, and when was the challenge.   Today, she’s here to share her journey — still in motion, still evolving — and how a few key insights helped her take that first brave step forward.  I’m so grateful she’s joining us to talk about what it means to be in the middle of the journey and how long term transition takes time!

Tune in live at Northumberland 89.7 on the FM dial or ask your smart speaker to "play Northumberland987" to catch today's inspiration!

ICYMI - catch all episodes online at Northumberland 897fm's website and send your questions to Ask HR-Dar at dkstewartconsulting.com.   

Thanks for listening, Dar ✨️