Turning Tide Consulting

Turning Tide Consulting Christine Simmons is the Principal Consultant at Turning Tide Consulting, bringing over 20 years of experience as a human resources executive.

At Turning Tide Consulting, we empower small to mid-sized businesses and non-profits with comprehensive HR solutions, focusing on building strong foundations and scalable frameworks through strategic support. She has guided organizations through complex workforce strategies and cultural transformations, specializing in talent acquisition, benefits and compensation, employee engagement, organizatio

nal development, performance management, and change management. Christine has successfully led HR teams across industries such as banking, manufacturing, B2B, telecom, and legal, driving initiatives that align people strategies with organizational objectives. Passionate about fostering inclusive and innovative workplace cultures, she leverages her deep expertise to deliver impactful and sustainable results. At Turning Tide Consulting, Christine partners with clients to navigate evolving business challenges, offering tailored solutions for organizations of all sizes. Whether tackling small tasks or major initiatives, she focuses on providing results-driven solutions that align with her clients' business goals. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Villanova University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Christine also earned a High-Performance Leadership certification from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

As your business grows, your people data becomes one of your most powerful tools for making strategic decisions. Yet man...
08/14/2025

As your business grows, your people data becomes one of your most powerful tools for making strategic decisions. Yet many small to mid-size business owners overlook key HR metrics that can directly impact profitability and culture.

Here are five HR metrics you should be tracking:

Turnover Rate – Understand why employees leave and address root causes.
Time-to-Fill – Measure hiring efficiency to avoid costly vacancies.
Employee Engagement – Gauge morale and productivity through surveys or pulse checks.
Absenteeism Rate – Identify patterns that may signal burnout or workplace issues.
Training ROI – Ensure your investments in learning deliver measurable results.

Tracking these metrics helps you anticipate challenges, retain top talent, and scale with confidence.

At Turning Tide Consulting, we specialize in helping small to mid-size businesses build scalable HR systems that turn data into action. Let’s partner to make your HR metrics work for you.

📩 Send us a DM to get started.

Understanding Employment Law: Key Points for Small BusinessesEmployment law can feel like a maze for small business owne...
07/11/2025

Understanding Employment Law: Key Points for Small Businesses

Employment law can feel like a maze for small business owners—but ignoring it is risky and expensive. From wage and hour regulations to anti-discrimination laws and employee classification, compliance isn't just about checking boxes—it's about protecting your people and your bottom line.

At Turning Tide Consulting, we specialize in helping small to mid-sized businesses scale smartly by putting strong, compliant HR structures in place from the start. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or growing your team across state lines, understanding the legal basics is non-negotiable.

A few areas every small business should keep top of mind:
✅ Correctly classifying employees vs. contractors
✅ Understanding FMLA and ADA requirements
✅ Complying with state-specific wage laws
✅ Documenting policies to reduce liability

Don’t wait until a complaint or audit forces your hand—proactive HR guidance is one of the best investments you can make.

📩 Let’s connect! Partner with Turning Tide Consulting to build a compliant, scalable, and people-first workplace.

As your business expands, ensuring a smooth leadership transition becomes crucial for long-term success. A well-structur...
07/01/2025

As your business expands, ensuring a smooth leadership transition becomes crucial for long-term success. A well-structured succession plan helps you identify and develop the next generation of leaders, ensuring continuity and stability. Here's how you can start:

Assess Critical Roles: Identify key positions that are essential for your business's success. These roles may include executives, senior managers, or specialized technical positions.

Evaluate Potential Successors: Look within your current team for individuals with the potential and drive to take on higher responsibilities. Consider skills, experience, and cultural fit.

Provide Development Opportunities: Once you’ve identified potential successors, offer targeted training and mentorship to help them build the skills necessary to step into their new roles when the time comes.

Document the Plan: Create a detailed roadmap that includes timelines, responsibilities, and action steps. Make sure to regularly update it to reflect changes in your business.

Communicate Clearly: Keep your leadership team and key stakeholders informed about your succession plan. This transparency builds trust and ensures everyone is aligned.

At Turning Tide Consulting, we specialize in helping small to mid-sized businesses scale their HR functions, including creating effective succession plans that drive organizational success. Let us help you plan for the future and build a leadership pipeline that will secure your company’s growth.

Partner with Turning Tide today and let us guide you through the process of creating a succession plan that fits your unique needs. Reach out now to get started! 🌊

Internships aren’t just about getting help for the summer—they’re a chance to build your future team 💼✨Here’s how to cre...
06/25/2025

Internships aren’t just about getting help for the summer—they’re a chance to build your future team 💼✨

Here’s how to create an internship-to-hire pipeline that actually works:

🔍 Start With Intention – Don’t just fill seats. Choose interns with potential for long-term growth.

📚 Train Like You’re Hiring – Give real projects, mentorship, and feedback. It shows them (and you) what the future could look like.

🗣️ Communicate Career Paths – Let interns know upfront that there’s room to grow into a full-time role if it’s a great fit.

🎯 Evaluate With Purpose – Use performance check-ins to assess not just skill—but culture fit and work ethic.

When done right, internships become one of the smartest ways to grow your team from the inside out. 🚀

📞 Need help setting up a pipeline that feeds your future hires? Give us a call at (803)-622-5934 or send us a quick message!

🚪Letting Someone Go? Do It With Care.Here are a few quick tips to do it the right way:🤝 Be Respectful & Direct – No surp...
06/23/2025

🚪Letting Someone Go? Do It With Care.
Here are a few quick tips to do it the right way:

🤝 Be Respectful & Direct – No surprises, no dragging it out. Clear and kind goes a long way.

📄 Document Everything – Protect your business by keeping records of performance issues, warnings, and policies.

🧘‍♂️ Stay Calm & Professional – Even if emotions run high, your tone should stay steady and respectful.

💡 Plan the Exit Process – Think about final pay, equipment return, and access removal before the meeting.

You can lead with empathy, but not every decision will make everyone happy—and that’s okay. What matters most is doing what’s right for your business.

📞 Need help navigating the tough conversations? Call us at (803)-622-5934 or message us to get started

💰 Want to Attract (and Keep) Top Talent?It starts with a competitive compensation package 💼✨Here are a few key tips:📊 Do...
06/20/2025

💰 Want to Attract (and Keep) Top Talent?

It starts with a competitive compensation package 💼✨
Here are a few key tips:

📊 Do Your Research – Know what others in your industry (and area) are paying. Competitive doesn’t always mean the highest, but it does mean fair.

🎁 Think Beyond the Paycheck – Benefits like health coverage, PTO, flexible hours, and professional development can set you apart.

📣 Be Transparent – Clear communication about pay structure builds trust and reduces turnover.

Great compensation isn’t just about money—it’s about value, balance, and long-term growth. 🌱

📞 Want help putting together a package that works for your team and your budget?
Call us at (803)-622-5934 or DM us to get started!

Want a stronger team and a healthier workplace? Start listening. 👂💬Here’s how employee feedback can improve your busines...
06/19/2025

Want a stronger team and a healthier workplace? Start listening. 👂💬

Here’s how employee feedback can improve your business:

✅ Builds Trust – When people feel heard, they’re more engaged and loyal.

📈 Improves Processes – Your team sees the day-to-day. Their insight can help fix what’s not working.

🎯 Drives Performance – Regular feedback creates a culture of growth—not guesswork.

🔑 The key - Make feedback safe, simple, and actionable.

💡 Want help building a feedback system that actually works?
📞 Call us at (803)-622-5934 or send a direct message

👩‍💻 Managing a Remote Team? Don’t Just Wing It. Here are a few quick tips to keep your team productive and connected — e...
06/16/2025

👩‍💻 Managing a Remote Team? Don’t Just Wing It. Here are a few quick tips to keep your team productive and connected — even from miles away 🌍👇

✨ Set Clear Expectations: Let your team know what “done” looks like. Clarity beats micromanagement every time.

🗓️ Hold Regular Check-Ins: Weekly 1:1s and team calls keep things human and help you stay in sync.

💬 Communicate Often (but Smart): Not everything needs to be a Zoom call. Use tools like Slack, email, or async updates to avoid burnout and time wasting meetings.

🎉 Celebrate Small Wins: Shout out great work, birthdays, even Friday finishes. Remote doesn’t have to mean boring, make your employees feel seen even though they may never be in an office with you!

💼 Want help building systems that actually work for remote teams?
📲 Call us at (803)-622-5934 or shoot us a DM

🎯 Want to Hire Smarter? Start with a Structured Interview!Tired of bad hires and awkward interviews that go nowhere? 😅 H...
06/06/2025

🎯 Want to Hire Smarter? Start with a Structured Interview!Tired of bad hires and awkward interviews that go nowhere? 😅 Here are a few tips to help you structure your interviews like a pro💼👇
1️⃣ Start with a Warm-Up 🧊 → 🔥Begin with light/conversational question help to ease nerves and builds rapport right away.
2️⃣ Dive into Core Competencies 🎓Ask behavior-based questions tied directly to the role. These give you real insight into how they’ve handled challenges that will also be faced when working for you.
3️⃣ Assess Culture Fit 🌱Culture matters. Ask questions and look for alignment with your company’s values.
4️⃣ Leave Room for Questions 🤔Give candidates a chance to ask you questions. It shows you value communication and gives insight into their priorities and interest.
5️⃣ Take Notes & Stay Consistent 📝Use the same questions for each candidate, making it easier to compare responses and make informed decisions.

👀 Want someone to design interviews that actually work for your business? Let’s talk! 💬

📅 Book a free consultation on our website📩 Or send us a DM to get started!

At Turning Tide Consulting, we know that the most successful small to mid-size businesses invest in their people.Trainin...
05/29/2025

At Turning Tide Consulting, we know that the most successful small to mid-size businesses invest in their people.
Training and development programs aren't just "nice to have", they are essential for building a strong, scalable organization. These programs boost employee confidence, enhance productivity, and reduce turnover. Most importantly, they signal to your team that you're invested in their growth just as much as they’re invested in yours.
Whether you’re onboarding new talent, preparing future leaders, or upskilling your current team, a well-crafted training strategy is a competitive advantage.
💡 Ready to create or elevate your training and development programs?
Let’s work together to design a solution that grows with your business.
📩 Message us today to get started with Turning Tide Consulting—your HR partner for growth.

Today marks one year since Turning Tide Consulting set sail, and what an incredible journey it’s been!To our clients, th...
05/09/2025

Today marks one year since Turning Tide Consulting set sail, and what an incredible journey it’s been!

To our clients, thank you. Your trust, collaboration, and commitment to building stronger workplaces have made this milestone possible. I’ve had the privilege of partnering with remarkable organizations and individuals, each one reinforcing why this work matters so much.

From day one, my mission has been clear: to help businesses thrive through thoughtful, people-first HR strategies. Over the past year, we’ve made waves together, and this is just the beginning.

Here’s to continued growth, deeper partnerships, and the exciting opportunities on the horizon. The tide is turning, and the best is yet to come!

At Turning Tide Consulting, we work with small to mid-size businesses that are scaling fast—and one of the most overlook...
04/05/2025

At Turning Tide Consulting, we work with small to mid-size businesses that are scaling fast—and one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in that growth journey is employer branding.

Your employer brand is more than a logo or a careers page. It’s the story you tell the world about what it’s like to work at your company—and just as importantly, the story your employees and candidates tell about you.

A strong employer brand: ✅ Attracts top-tier talent
✅ Increases retention and engagement
✅ Differentiates you in a crowded marketplace
✅ Builds trust with future hires

As your business grows, so does the need to be intentional about your reputation as an employer. Don’t let your culture and candidate experience evolve by accident.

📢 Ready to strengthen your employer brand and scale with purpose? Partner with Turning Tide Consulting—we’ll help you build a brand that speaks to the heart of your values and the talent you want to attract.

Let’s turn the tide together. 🌊

Address

Columbia, SC
29206

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

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