EP 46 Retention, Troy Blanchard's Connections, and Ken Miles Got Jacked
Steve and Tony talk international remote workers and retention methods with Troy Blanchard from ZConnect. Steve talks about implementing COVID early and often. Tony talks about Ford Verses Ferrari and how the bureaucracy so prominent in that movie was real... and was probably the fault of the CEO. And finally, Tony introduces everybody to the "Slug Line" in DC.
Learn more about Troy Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trblanchard/
Learn more about Zconnect at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zconnect-global-outsourcing/posts/?feedView=all or https://zconnect.biz/
Learn more about the Shingo Model at: https://shingo.org/shingo-model/ or at: https://huntsman.usu.edu/mba/shingo-online-mba
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the Books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/
Troy is the co-owner of ZConnect, a company that helps U.S. businesses scale by connecting them with highly qualified remote professionals across Latin America and other parts of the world. With decades of experience in operations, leadership development, outsourcing, business development, sales, and strategic growth, Troy is passionate about helping companies solve complex business challenges, improve efficiency, and build strong cross-border teams. He enjoys bringing people together in a way that creates value for both the client and the professionals supporting them. Through ZConnect, Troy helps companies grow more profitably by developing and integrating remote teams that support key business functions while allowing leaders to stay focused on growth, service, and long-term success.
Learn more about Troy Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trblanchard/
Learn more about Zconnect at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zconnect-global-outsourcing/posts/?feedView=all or https://zconnect.biz/
Learn more about the Shingo Model at: https://shingo.org/shingo-model/ or at: https://huntsman.usu.edu/mba/shingo-online-mba
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the Books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/
Troy is the co-owner of ZConnect, a company that helps U.S. businesses scale by connecting them with highly qualified remote professionals across Latin America and other parts of the world. With decades of experience in operations, leadership development, outsourcing, business development, sales, and strategic growth, Troy is passionate about helping companies solve complex business challenges, improve efficiency, and build strong cross-border teams. He enjoys bringing people together in a way that creates value for both the client and the professionals supporting them. Through ZConnect, Troy helps companies grow more profitably by developing and integrating remote teams that support key business functions while allowing leaders to stay focused on growth, service, and long-term success.
Creators and Guests
Host
Fantastic Tony Benjamin
I am a unique HR leader with more than 20 years’ experience working for some of Utah’s oldest, fastest growing, and most well-known companies. My experience includes Superior Drilling Products, Air Medical Resource Group, Control4, Ovivo USA and Deseret Book. I am a regionally recognized authority on building successful cultures and am an alumni speaker at DisruptHR SLC and DisruptHR St. George. I have earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, and am a certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR). I'm married to a woman out of my league, have three brilliant kids I doesn’t deserve and, although I travel a lot, live in Vernal, Utah.
Host
Steven "Big Deal" Smith
Steve will be the first to tell you that recruiting is marketing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University and started his career in recruiting in Feb 2005. In 2008, he took a risk during a recession to help start a new company with Ryan Kohler, called ApplicantPro, a full suite HR platform for small to mid-sized businesses. In March 2025, ApplicantPro became iSolved Talent Acquisition, now serving 177,000 clients and close to 9800 employees. Before the merger, ApplicantPro made the Inc 5000 list 12 years in a row, Top Places to work in Utah 3 years in a row, and Steve was named the Small Business Utah HR Achievement Award winner in May 2024. iSolved was also named an Indeed Platinum Partner in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and is one of only ten ATS platforms in the country to obtain that designation. SHRM-CP & PHR certified, Steve currently volunteers on the Utah SHRM State Council as the immediate past State Executive Director. His book, The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction, was released in early 2023, and has helped thousands of organizations across the country rethink their approach to hiring. If you need help understanding the principles and role of SEO, marketing, and AI when it comes to attracting job seekers, Steve provides a solid framework for hiring effectively.
