Jeff Kortes
Jeff has more than 25 years experience in human resources. He has worked at companies that specialize in manufacturing, construction, and high tech. During his career he has worked to recruit, retain and develop employees, at companies including ConAgra Foods, SPX, Midas International and American Crystal Sugar.
Jeff is the founder of Human Asset Management LLC, which helps organizations to recruit, engage, develop and retain talent. Organizations that embrace his process have experienced reductions in employee turnover of 40-80%. He is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and a frequent speaker on the topic of loyalty, employee retention, recruitment and culture building. He is an avid high school wrestling fan, CrossFit participant and US Army veteran. Jeff is the author of Give Your Employees C.R.A.P...and 7 Other Secrets to Employee Retention and HR Horror Stories…True Tales from the Trenches.
Most Requested Programs
Give Your Employees C.R.A.P...the Success Formula for Building Employee Loyalty
Have you ever wondered why some leaders have people who are incredibly loyal to them, and who will do anything for their boss … while others have a revolving door of employee turnover? The bosses who people want to follow give their employees lots of C.R.A.P. (Caring, Respect, Appreciation and Praise)! Jeff Kortes provides a “headhunter’s” perspective on how giving your employees C.R.A.P. drives employee loyalty. Through humorous, real-life stories and interactive participation, Jeff has created a keynote that helps participants understand the key to building employee loyalty (yes, it’s C.R.A.P.!).
R.E.S.P.E.C.T...It's More Than Just A Song
Give Your Employees C.R.A.P.® … Caring, Respect, Appreciation and Praise. The bosses and organizations that people want to follow give their employees lots of it! The problem, all too often, is that bosses and organizations disrespect their people without even knowing it. Through real-life stories and interactive participation, Jeff Kortes helps participants understand that demonstrating respect in their day-to-day work interactions systematically builds an essential pillar in employee loyalty, engagement and culture.
Making Millennials Great...5 Pillars for Building the Next Generation
Jeff teams up with a millennial cohort, Randy Wilinski, to produce a program that uses humorous anecdotes, live-action role play, real-life stories and interactive participation to teach participants the 5 pillars to building this new generation and unlocking its potential at work. Because of their unique (and differing) perspectives, Jeff and Randy demonstrate how millennials think, and what drives them … and what doesn’t motivate them to go the extra mile for their boss and organization. Audience members will be enlightened and entertained by the differing takes of a baby boomer and a millennial on being successful in the workplace. Their unique message will resonate with attendees, leaving them with actionable takeaways and quite a few laughs.
Creating a Culture of C.R.A.P: How Creating an Engaged and Loyal Workforce Will Drive Results in the New Workplace
Have you ever wondered why some organizational cultures produce excellent results, year after year? Have you seen bosses who people would do almost anything for … and wondered what their secret was? The bosses and organizations that build people-centric operations understand it’s the culture they create that drives success - not the opposite. Jeff Kortes’s experiences as an HR leader, “headhunter,” coach, martial artist and U.S. Army veteran taught him that cultures with people as the foundation deliver sustained results, year in and year out. Through real-life stories and interactive participation, Jeff’s keynote helps participants understand how building an energized and loyal workforce produces a culture that drives consistent
HR Horror Stories … or Why Leadership Matters
In a haunted house, you’ll see crazy, bizarre and very frightening scenes, often bordering on the surreal. Sound like some of the places you’ve worked? Using humor and compelling real-life stories, Jeff Kortes recalls the most important leadership lessons he’s learned over his 25-year career in human resources. Based on his book HR Horror Stores … True Tales from the Trenches, Jeff’s keynote helps audience members put their sometimes crazy work environments into perspective, realizing that although events can be “bizarre” at times, there is a reason they chose leadership as a calling … and what they do does matter.
Testimonials
Your session “Give Your Employees C.R.A.P. and 7 Other Secrets to Employee Retention” was well received by our attendees receiving a 9 out of 10, the highest rated session at the convention.
The information on employee retention as well as the additional reference material you provided were both useful and timely. Your willingness and foresight to speak to a couple of members prior to the presentation really tailored it to employer needs in the concrete industry. You did a great job of engaging the audience, making it an educational and enjoyable learning environment. - Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Jeff is a dynamic speaker who engages the audience from start to finish as he discusses everyday values like communication, respect, accountability and loyalty. He gives you pertinent information that guides you to examine your organizational culture, as well as, your personal leadership style. The tips Jeff gives you allows you to implement changes immediately within your organization/program.
Our conference evaluations were so complimentary, I contact Jeff to beg him to present again and I asked him to do something on “different generations within a workplace and working with millennials” and again he knocked it out of the park! He gave fantastic insight on what makes each generation “tick” and helped some of the senior, veteran employees learn to love and respect their millennial co-workers.
Again, I urge you to reach out and talk to Jeff about any of your employer/employee needs. Jeff is fantastic to work with; he is professional, friendly, accommodating and fun!
- Indiana Head Start
It was a pleasure to meet you and hear you speak at our Ohio HR Conference this past fall at Kalahari. You did an excellent job in our general session and packed the room.
The presentation flew by as it was very engaging, and the feedback from attendees was tremendous. Based on our evaluations, your session, “Give Your Employees C.R.A.P... and 7 Other Secrets to Employee Retention” got high marks, so it was very well-received by the audience.
What a timely, relevant topic too. I really enjoyed the employee retention discussion as well as your useful tips. Also, what a nice addition to have your book available to attendees.
I enjoyed your presentation style so much so that I’d love to bring you to Toledo so our Northwest Ohio HR Association can hear you speak as well.
- Ohio State SHRM Conference
Your common sense and straight forward approach, C.R.A.P. (care, respect, appreciation and praise) is fun but very effective.
You connected well with the group and we received very positive feedback from them. I also appreciate the research you did prior to the presentation as well as the onsite visit. I think that was very beneficial and allowed you to connect so well with them.
A good culture and positive, supportive work environment are key elements in employee recruiting and retention. Your presentation gave our Foremen practical tools and resources to use on a daily basis.
I look forward to continuing to work with you in various areas throughout all of our Walbec Companies.
Thank you again for being so detailed and passionate about what you do. It certainly comes across when you are speaking.
- Walbec Companies
Jeff is:
- A straight shooter, tells it like it is and seems down to earth
- He has walked in the shoes of that which he speaks about
- He had some excellent suggestions that can be implemented right away and don't cost anything other than thought and effort
- It was very interactive with him asking us a lot of questions
- There was real "takeaway" value
- His delivery is clear and concise
- He was an excellent story teller and weaved them into the material making it relatable
- He has slides with very few words and doesn't need any notes or a script- just speaks from experience
- Vistage