The HR Connection Podcast with Sabrina Baker

Can AI manage HR for small businesses?

Can AI manage HR for small businesses?
Sure — if we’re talking about the way most small employers handle HR today: reactive, administrative, checking boxes.
But what if your HR could be more than that?
What if it could actually drive your business forward — not just keep it compliant?
That’s where AI hits a wall.
So the real question is: Are you managing HR the way a robot could… or the way a real leader should?
Let’s talk about it."
Welcome back to the HR Connection. I’m your host Sabrina Baker and this is episode 11 asking if AI can manage small employer HR. It seems like every day there’s a new tool, a new update, or a new think piece about how AI is changing the way we work. And in HR, especially in small environments, there’s a real temptation to ask: can AI just manage all of this for me?
If you’re a one-person HR team, a CEO juggling HR tasks, or even part of a small HR team, AI may seem like a lifeline. But today, I want to get real about what AI can and can’t do when it comes to managing HR in a small business.
We’ll cover:
What AI is actually good at
Why it can’t replace HR leadership or judgment
And how to use it as a supplement to make your job easier, not irrelevant

Founder vs. Hired CEO: How Leadership Style Impacts HR in Small Businesses

When you’re in a small company, the CEO usually is your go-to person—but let’s be real, not all CEOs are wired the same. In this episode, we’re getting into the difference between a Founder CEO and a Hired CEO, and why your HR game needs to shift depending on who’s in charge.
Whether you’re trying to roll out a new HR system, pitch a culture initiative, or ask for budget for bonuses—how you ask can make all the difference.
We’re sharing real-life examples of how to tweak your message so it actually lands—and gets the support (and yes, the green light) you need to make things happen.

Preparing for Growth – Scaling HR as Your Business Expands

Today’s topic is one that comes up all the time in conversations with our clients: “What do we need to put in place before we grow?” Or more often… “We’re growing fast and it’s getting messy—what do we do now?”
Growth is exciting. It means your business is succeeding, scaling, expanding its impact. But growth also exposes every crack in your HR foundation.
Things that worked when you had 10 employees? They don’t work at 40. And what worked at 40? Won’t hold up at 75.
So in today’s episode, I’m walking you through what it really means to scale HR—not just hiring more people, but building people systems that are repeatable, sustainable, and ready for the next phase of growth.
I’ll share the key signals that tell you it’s time to scale, the three areas to focus on first, the mistakes I see most often—and my recommendations for where to begin.
If your business is in growth mode or about to be—this episode is for you.

The HR Tech Struggle is Real

Today we’re diving into a topic that can either be a game-changer or a giant headache—HR technology for small employers. If you’ve ever wondered how to make smart HR tech investments when your budget is tight, or how to streamline your processes without losing your mind, this episode is for you.
We’re going to talk through what to look for in a system, why we almost always recommend all-in-one platforms for small businesses, and how to approach demos with the right mindset. Whether you’re managing HR solo or supporting a growing team, I’ll give you tools to make tech work for you—not against you.
Stick around, because I’ve also put together a special downloadable buyer’s checklist you can grab from the show notes. Let’s get into it.

The Power of an HR Network – You’re Not Alone

In this episode of The HR Connection, we’re getting real about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the loneliness of managing HR in a small business. Whether you're an HR department of one or juggling HR with five other hats, it can feel isolating — and exhausting — to navigate all the people stuff solo.
I’ve been there. From being laid off on maternity leave with no network to building a business with no roadmap, I know what it’s like to feel disconnected. But here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t have to do it alone — and you shouldn’t.
In this episode, we’ll talk about:
Why HR can feel uniquely isolating in small businesses
What the lack of connection costs us (and our organizations)
Practical ways to start building your HR network today
A big announcement about a resource we’re launching to support you even more

Building a Strong Company Culture with Limited Resources

In this episode of The HR Connection, we unpack why company culture is a retention superpower—especially in small employers where every relationship, interaction, and habit is amplified. Host Sabrina Baker shares her candid take on what culture really means (hint: it’s not snacks or slogans) and how to start curating it intentionally, even when your HR budget is tight.
You’ll learn:
Why culture is a stickiness factor—and how it drives loyalty
What strong culture actually looks like in a small business
How poor leadership modeling will derail even the best values
Why recognition, gratitude, and celebration matter more than perks
The key role of core values—and how to tie them to behaviors
How to audit your culture using feedback loops like pulse surveys

Hiring & Retaining Talent on a Small Business Budget

Think you can’t compete with the Googles and Amazons of the world? Think again.
In this episode of The HR Connection, host Sabrina Baker debunks the myth that small employers can't win the war for talent. If you're working with limited resources (or no HR budget at all), this episode is for you.
We’ll talk about:
The real value candidates look for beyond pay and benefits
Why learning opportunities and purpose-driven work are game changers
How flexibility and decision-making influence can set your company apart
Low- to no-cost perks that actually boost attraction and retention
How to translate your employee value proposition into job ads, websites, and interview conversations
Why employer branding matters—even when you’re under 50 employees

What Are the Most Common HR Gaps in Small Employers (And How Can You Fix Them)?

In this episode of The HR Connection, we explore the HR "messes" that most small employers encounter—and the underlying gaps that lead to them. From compliance violations and inconsistent workflows to the total absence of HR strategy, we break down what’s going wrong and how to make it right.
Whether you’re dealing with outdated handbooks, reactive leadership, or wondering if your business is even legally compliant, this episode gives you a practical framework for moving forward.
You’ll Learn:
The 3 key areas where most HR breakdowns happen: compliance, infrastructure, and strategy
Real-world examples of costly compliance mistakes (including a $20,000 audit story)
Why handbooks, I-9s, and job classifications are more important than you think
How inconsistent workflows erode employee experience and trust
Why most small employers don’t have a real HR strategy—and what to do about it
Stay until the end to hear three things you can do this week to start to fill in these gaps

HR As A Business Partner, Not Just As An Admin

If you're an HR professional in a small business—or someone wearing multiple hats including HR—this episode of The HR Connection is for you. Host Sabrina Baker unpacks one of the most common frustrations in small companies: HR is often seen as just administrative support, not a key driver of business growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why HR is frequently viewed as a cost center in small businesses
What stops HR from stepping into a more strategic role
How to start being seen—and acting—as a strategic business partner
5 powerful questions to ask leadership to align HR with business goals
How to use data, metrics, and business language to build credibility
Whether you're a solo HR manager, a startup leader managing people ops, or part of a growing team, this episode offers practical, real-world advice to elevate your HR role and make a bigger impact on your organization.

What does good HR look like in a Small Employer?

Join Sabrina Baker, HR expert and founder of Acacia HR Solutions, as she dives into the essential HR principles for small businesses. In this podcast, Sabrina shares actionable insights on how to adapt HR practices to fit unique team dynamics, foster employee engagement, and build loyalty—all while working with limited resources.
Learn why personalization, generalist knowledge, and the ability to juggle both tactical and strategic HR tasks are crucial for small businesses. Sabrina also explores how to manage HR effectively, from the very first employee to scaling your organization, with a focus on creating a positive employee experience.
Whether you're an HR leader or a business owner, Sabrina provides practical advice for creating strong HR infrastructure that supports growth, compliance, and retention. Tune in for tips, resources, and strategies that will help your small business thrive!