Buying guide
The PEO scorecard: 12 questions that expose the real differences
A disciplined way to compare service, benefits economics, implementation, technology, and contract terms.
By Maya Chen, SPHR · Editorial Director · 8 min readHRPair magazine · Field notes for operators
Clear thinking for the work behind work.
Guides, frameworks, and honest tradeoffs for HR leaders and business owners. Written to help you decide, not to fill a content calendar.
Partner models
PEO or ASO? Choose the relationship before the vendor
A plain-English decision framework for co-employment, benefits, control, and administrative depth.
By Jon Bell, SHRM-SCP · Contributing Editor · 7 min readTeam design
Do you need a first HR hire or a different kind of help?
Separate leadership, employee support, administration, and project work before opening a role.
By Maya Chen, SPHR · Editorial Director · 6 min readCompliance operations
Before the offer letter: a multi-state hiring checklist
The registrations, payroll, policy, leave, and operating questions to resolve before day one.
By Jon Bell, SHRM-SCP · Contributing Editor · 9 min readBenefits
Run benefits renewal like an operating decision, not an emergency
A 120-day process for goals, census quality, employee impact, market review, and implementation.
By Maya Chen, SPHR · Editorial Director · 7 min readFractional leadership
How to scope a fractional CHRO engagement that actually works
Define decision rights, cadence, access, outcomes, and the work that remains with your team.
By Jon Bell, SHRM-SCP · Contributing Editor · 6 min readBuying guide
Stop watching demos. Give HR vendors these five scenarios.
A scenario-based demo script that reveals workflow, service ownership, and implementation reality.
By Maya Chen, SPHR · Editorial Director · 5 min readWorkforce basics
Seven signs your employee handbook needs more than a template update
When growth, geography, manager practice, and policy drift make a deeper rewrite necessary.
By Jon Bell, SHRM-SCP · Contributing Editor · 6 min read