powered by people – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, we welcome Richard Freeborn, former VP of Global Talent Acquisition & Global Employee Experience at Adidas. With extensive experience at BNP Paribas, Barclays, and bp, Richard led a team of 250 professionals at Adidas, delivering over 10,000 hires annually.

Joining Richard are Harry Bigwood, CEO and Founder of The Rec Hub, and Rex Rusling, Co-Founder and Director of New Partnerships at The Rec Hub. They will discuss the rapid changes in talent acquisition and the challenges TA professionals face, such as evolving skills needs, Gen Z considerations, and remote work dynamics.

Today, we welcome Patricia Yanez, Talent Acquisition Manager at Voi Technology. Patricia has over 10 years of experience in the recruitment industry, where she’s honed her skills in developing talent strategies. Currently, she’s responsible for crafting Voi’s annual recruitment strategy across Europe.

Patricia joins us alongside CEO and Founder, Harry Bigwood, and Director of Brand Experience at The Rec Hub and Founder of BrandX, Ben Leeson. Together, they’ll delve into the future of hiring, exploring the roles of AI, communication, and the power of data.

Producer Rosie is stepping in front of the camera today as Harry is away.

Coming live from what looks like a pub but is actually a meeting room in GetYourGuides office, Harry and Bill are joined by Steve Collopy talking all things communication and transparency.

Harry shares some insights into what communication is like at the rec hub and questions what good communication look likes?

They discuss the differences in communication in big businesses compared to small businesses. Steve asks "does everyone need to know everything?

The group talks about the differences between Clarity and transparency. The group talk about communicating in the interview process and how candidates are encouraged to ask about "runway"

Harry and Ben sit down to chat about the previous episode of Powered by People with our good friend Maria from Alteos.

In this episode of the Powered by People podcast, Harry, Bill, and Maria Linage Munoz from Alteos discuss the challenges and strategies related to scaling and onboarding in growing organizations. Bill and Maria share their experiences from their respective companies, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning, employee skills profiling, and creating a conducive work environment to foster employee engagement and productivity. The conversation delves into the necessity of aligning hiring decisions with the company's long-term goals, understanding the evolving needs of employees, and embracing an agile mindset to adapt to changing business landscapes.

The group stress the significance of creating a workplace that employees genuinely want to be a part of, highlighting the balance between functional workspaces, quiet areas, and social zones to cater to diverse employee preferences.

They emphasize the importance of thoughtful planning, employee skills profiling, and creating a conducive work environment to foster employee engagement and productivity.

Another day, another after the mic drops episode when Ben says it is his favourite guest!

We’re back in Berlin and today Rex and Harry are joined by “The Queen of Personal Branding” Manjuri Sinha from OLX. Manjuri discusses the importance of personal branding and shares her insights and experiences. She emphasises the significance of authenticity and expertise in building a personal brand. Manjari also talks about the benefits of personal branding, including the impact it can have on others, voicing important topics, and creating engaging conversations within the professional community.

The group also explores how Manjari balances her role as a leader at OLX with her personal branding efforts, highlighting the importance of consistency and strategic planning. She shares her journey from actively pursuing speaking opportunities to being recognised and invited to conferences and events, showcasing the value of visibility and networking in personal branding.

Ben and Harry touch base on the previous episode of powered by people with Dee from Wheely.

In this episode, Harry and Bill are joined by Dee from Wheely and they explore the differences in workplace dynamics between Europe and the US. Dee shares insights into the complexities of layoffs, regulations, and legalities surrounding workforce management on both sides of the Atlantic. From the fluidity of layoffs in the US to the structured processes in Europe, we uncover the challenges faced by companies and employees.

The group discuss the importance of legal representation in navigating these complex waters, shedding light on legal insurance and its role in protecting employees' rights during times of redundancy. The conversation delves into the nuances of flexible work policies, the impact of COVID-19 on working norms, and the role of talent acquisition professionals in shaping the future of work.