JULY 2026 | EDITION: 019

XCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

The monthly newsletter for Xclusive Team Members across the nation.

WE RESPECT PEOPLE | WE ARE SERVICE OBSESSED | WE CHASE EXCELLENCE | WE OWN IT | WE DO THE RIGHT THING

Standing With Venezuela

The recent earthquakes in Venezuela have left thousands of families facing unimaginable loss. To help, we're launching a Xclusive Stands with Venezuela Donation Drive in support of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), an organization already providing emergency assistance on the ground in Venezuela.

How It Works

Make a donation to the IRC through our campaign page button below.

Xclusive will match every dollar donated by our team, up to $2,250.

Together, our goal is to raise $4,500 through employee contributions and Xclusive's matching gift.

According to the International Rescue Committee, $4,500 can help support a mobile health clinic for an entire month, bringing medical care and essential services to families affected by the disaster.

Donate Here

Human resources

Leadership, Connection, and the Future of Work

Deidre Lewis reflects on SHRM 2026

Last month, I had the opportunity to represent Xclusive at SHRM 2026 in Orlando, joining thousands of HR and business leaders from across the country to explore the future of work, leadership, and organizational success.

While there were countless discussions around AI, automation, and emerging technologies, one message stood out above all others: leadership remains deeply human.

One of the most impactful sessions for me was Simon Sinek's keynote on purpose-driven leadership and building cultures rooted in trust. As someone who has long admired his work, what resonates most is his unwavering optimism. Even while discussing the challenges organizations face—from rapid technological change to evolving workforce expectations—his message remains focused on possibility, growth, and the belief that people can achieve extraordinary things when leaders create environments built on trust, purpose, and human connection.

Oprah Winfrey's leadership conversation echoed many of these same themes. Her insights on authenticity, empathy, and helping people feel seen served as a powerful reminder that while technology continues to transform how we work, the human experience remains at the center of effective leadership.

Beyond the conference sessions, our team also had the pleasure of hosting a customer happy hour, bringing together approximately 20 customers and prospective clients. It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with industry peers outside the conference environment. These conversations reinforced another key takeaway from the week: meaningful partnerships, like great leadership, are built on trust, connection, and shared experiences.

I am excited to bring new insights, ideas, and tools back to Xclusive as we continue investing in our people, strengthening leadership capabilities, and embracing innovation. SHRM 2026 reinforced that while technology will continue to shape the future of work, organizations that prioritize people, culture, and connection will be best positioned for long-term success.

technology

🤖 Meet Your New Paylocity AI Assistant

The Paylocity AI Assistant is now enhanced with access to our team member handbook and internal policy documents. Whether you need help finding a company policy, understanding a benefit, locating a payroll form, or navigating Paylocity, AI Assistant can help you find answers quickly and independently.

Why Use AI Assistant?

AI Assistant is designed to save time and empower team members with self-service support. It pulls information from trusted sources, including:

Our company handbook and policy documents
Paylocity's knowledge base (PEAK)
Department of Labor resources
IRS publications

How to Access AI Assistant

On your desktop or mobile app, simply log in to Paylocity and click the AI Assistant icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. The chat window will open, allowing you to ask questions in natural language. Yes! You can use it in Spanish!

Your Feedback Helps Improve AI Assistant

One of the best ways to make AI Assistant better is by providing feedback after your chat.

If a response was helpful, let us know! If something was incorrect, incomplete, unclear, or didn't answer your question, submitting feedback helps improve future responses and identify areas where our documentation can be enhanced.

When providing feedback, you can:

Rate your experience
Indicate whether the response solved your issue
Identify if information was incorrect or unclear
Add comments about how the response could be improved

Every piece of feedback helps us improve the experience and ensure AI Assistant continues to provide accurate, useful answers.

A Helpful Reminder

While AI Assistant is a great resource for finding information and answering routine questions, some situations still require personalized support. If you need assistance with a unique matter or cannot find the answer you're looking for, please reach out to your manager or HR team.

Give AI Assistant a try today and make it your first stop for HR, payroll, benefits, and policy questions! 🚀

service shoutouts

Have received customer feedback about an Xclusive team member in your area?

All shoutout recipients receive $100 in Paylocity for their first recognition, and $20 for each additional recognition.

branch news

Orlando Job Fair Delivers Strong Results and Builds Talent Pipeline

Our Orlando team recently hosted a highly successful Job Fair that generated strong candidate interest, immediate hiring results, and a promising pipeline for future opportunities.

The event was the result of a true team effort, with managers and administrative staff working together to maximize community outreach and attract qualified candidates.

To drive attendance, the Orlando team leveraged a variety of recruitment channels, including:

Social media promotion through Facebook and Instagram
Outreach to local community groups, including Latino and Haitian community networks
WhatsApp Status posts shared by managers and team members
Recruitment-focused WhatsApp groups supporting various customer locations and job functions
Direct promotion during visits to customer properties
Re-engagement of previous applicants who learned about the event through social media

To help create a welcoming experience for attendees, the team also provided refreshments, including cookies and lemonade, during the event.

Event Results

The Orlando Job Fair attracted 16 applicants and generated several immediate hiring outcomes with 6 hires and 3 more expected hires, plus 3 previous applicants who returned for additional interview opportunities.

Overall, the event delivered immediate hiring success while also creating valuable connections for future staffing needs.

Momentum Across Multiple Markets

Orlando is not the only branch investing in community recruiting efforts. Our St. Louis team recently hosted a similar job fair, demonstrating our continued focus on engaging local talent, building applicant pipelines, and supporting our customers with qualified candidates across multiple markets.

These hiring events provide an opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face, share information about available positions, and strengthen our presence within the communities we serve.

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of this event, the Orlando team plans to expand its recruitment strategy for the next job fair in July by adding Craigslist advertising to reach a broader audience and attract additional English-speaking candidates.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and creativity to make this event a success. Efforts like these help strengthen our recruiting strategy, support our customers, and connect more job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities.

legacy awards

Meet Our Q2 Legacy Nominees

Great organizations are built by great people, and this quarter's Legacy Award nominees are a perfect example.

These team members were recognized by their peers and leaders for going above and beyond while demonstrating the values that define Xclusive Services. Through their commitment to our people, customers, and culture, they have made a meaningful impact and helped move our organization forward.

Congratulations to all of our Q2 Legacy Award nominees! Thank you for leading by example and showing what it means to live the Xclusive legacy every day.

A few months ago we recognized the Reno team for earning A BusinessRate Best of 2025 Award, and we're proud to share that Albuquerque, Indianapolis, and Naples have been recognized with BusinessRate's Best of 2026 Awards.

These awards highlight businesses that consistently earn outstanding customer ratings and reviews within their communities.

To help celebrate these achievements, HR and Marketing are partnering to ensure every award-winning market receives a plaque recognizing their accomplishment. If your office receives an award letter directly, please forward it to Human Resources so we can coordinate plaque ordering and recognition efforts.

Congratulations to all of our award-winning teams for delivering exceptional service and representing Xclusive with excellence!

safety

Safety Success Is Contagious

On June 30th, the teams in Houston at Marriott Marquis and Rice University both reached 90 consecutive days without a lost-time injury! While the milestone itself is exciting, what matters most is the culture behind it.

Safety is built through hundreds of daily decisions, conversations, and actions that protect both ourselves and our teammates. Since joining the program, both teams have demonstrated a consistent commitment to working safely, staying aware, and looking out for one another. The result? Neither property has experienced a lost-time injury since entering the program.

Our external team members at these properties will be participating in the next raffle the first of July where will be giving away $500 in gift cards to recognize their dedication to safe work practices and proving that safety truly pays.

👏 Congratulations to the Marriott Marquis Houston and Rice University teams for this outstanding achievement. Thank you for making safety part of your everyday work and helping raise the bar for the entire organization.

Who’s next to hit 90 days?