EMEA Recruitment Podcast

For this Human Resources-focussed episode of the EMEA Recruitment podcast, we were joined by Keith Bunnell, the Director Global HR Business Partnering at DKSH.

"There's nothing worse than not having feedback; if someone's not been successful, we give them value-added feedback on where their pitfalls were, so you build them up as successful when they go for another role with another company."

Keith spoke to Paul Toms, our Founder, from his home in Thailand. He's hoping that global vaccination programmes will allow him to travel across various countries in Asia to meet with stakeholders over the coming year. Despite the HR challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith also describes the past year as one of the most progressive times for the function.

Working with four businesses under one corporate umbrella was a challenge for Keith before COVID-19, but by placing employees at the forefront of its business, DKSH has ensured that its teams work collaboratively, and that all employees and their families are safe.

Keith and Paul discuss the key factors for successful recruitment and retention, as well as the specific values that help DKSH attract top talent. We also find out Keith's essential steps for an efficient and effective recruitment process; although it all starts with internal efficiency, he explains the importance of ensuring an effective experience from an external standpoint.

Paul asks Keith about his experiences with Business Intelligence (BI) & Data and the challenges it may pose to strategic HR business partners, who must "embrace data" from both commercial and HR perspectives.

Keith reveals the true cost of making the wrong hire, as well as the moment he decided to make the move from Finance to HR. His "glass half-full" approach to life is the reason that he believes he's been able to grasp the opportunities presented to him – the most recent being his move to Asia five years ago.

If you'd like to find a certain part of the episode, please use the timestamps below:

01:06: The positive learnings from the pandemic03:17: Keeping employees at the forefront of your business05:19: The key to hiring and retaining great talent07:11: DKSH's main values09:49: Becoming an employer of choice14:27: Implementing an efficient and effective recruitment process20:42: The data behind HR25:45: The true cost of a wrong hire30:08: The moment Keith realised HR was for him32:05: Making opportunities work for you 35:24: How to reach out to Keith directly

Visit Keith's LinkedIn profile to connect with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithbunnell/

We're honoured to partner with international medical charity Operation Smile on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. We want to raise awareness and funds for the vital work that Operation Smile does to deliver life-changing surgery to children and adults with cleft lip and palate. If you can help in any way, please click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

This episode was hosted by Paul Toms, Founder & Co-Owner of EMEA Recruitment, and Rose Jinks, our Senior Marketing Executive.

To learn more about our specialist recruitment services, please visit our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, his LinkedIn profile can be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

He's also active on Twitter: https://twitter.com/paul_toms

Please send any suggested topics for the EMEA Recruitment podcast to Rose: [email protected]

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #keithbunnell #paultoms #recruitment #thailand #operationsmile #hr #humanresources

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is proud to welcome Rahul Kalia, the Head of Human Resources, Asia Pacific at Bayer Crop Science.

"If you go with this mindset of curiosity, you start enjoying it. I'm not saying you won't have anxious moments; you will have. But you'll enjoy those moments as learning opportunities. You'll fail fast, but you'll learn fast and move on."

Although it has been a disruptive year for most of us, Rahul feels lucky that his home country of Singapore has controlled the COVID-19 pandemic well, and that his family and colleagues are safe. He speaks to Paul Toms, our Founder, about the ways that the crisis has pushed many of us beyond our limits.

After working in Human Resources (HR) for 20 years, Rahul saw that those able to manage ambiguity could strive during the pandemic. The challenging environment also helped HR functions bring new models into practice, such as remote working. Rahul explains how he believes working from home will fundamentally change the culture of corporate organisations.

He also acknowledges how many businesses didn't pay much attention to the mental health and wellbeing of their employees prior to the pandemic, but this will be a key factor in the future of work.

With the retention of great staff becoming more challenging, Paul asked Rahul what changes organisations need to make to adapt to the new normal. Rahul explains the three fundamental factors that are essential when employees are working from home. One of those is trust. We explore how to build trust in the workplace and why your workforce is the only thing you can trust in a business.

Looking at whether Business Intelligence (BI) and Data may take the emphasis away from soft skills, Paul and Rahul discuss the responsibility that comes with basing decision-making on the increasing amount of data that organisations have access to.

Despite our ability to use predictive analytics, Rahul insists that the world is full of uncertainty. He believes that working towards improving your tolerance of ambiguity will help you deal with any situation in your life or career. He draws on his own personal experiences and how difficult moments have taught him key life learnings.

To find the part of the episode that most interests you, please use the timestamps below:

02:43: How COVID-19 has moved organisations into a dynamic dimension06:10: How working from home can affect mental health08:11: Why adaptability is as important as agility09:40: The fundamental factors needed to retain key talent13:31: How to build trust between employers and employees19:10: What Rahul has learnt through volunteering23:34: How to create a culture of purpose26:12: How BI & Data will affect decision-making29:20: Using predictive analytics to make organisations more productive34:26: The advice Rahul would give to his younger self36:56: Rahul's key learning in life42:10: How to connect with Rahul

To connect with Rahul, visit his LinkedIn profile here.

We are proud to support a cause close to Paul Toms' heart, Operation Smile, through the EMEA Recruitment podcast. If you're able to donate, please help us change a person's life: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms and Jenny Callum.

You can find out more about us through our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

Or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, click here.

Or Jenny, here.

If there are any topics you're interested in hearing more about through the podcast, please let us know via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #rahulkalia #paultoms #hr #humanresources #singapore #operationsmile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast was delighted to welcome Stuart Howes, the Head of Group Controlling at On AG, for our latest Finance episode.

"A lot of things can be solved if you just talk to each other."

Stuart speaks to Paul Toms, Founder & Co-Owner of EMEA Recruitment, from his home in Switzerland, where he's been connecting more with his family and airing out his collection of trainers since the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world last year.

Stuart found the challenges presented by the pandemic positive in terms of learning to work in a new way. He speaks to Paul about how he's created a common purpose for his teams throughout his career, which he believes makes it easier to rally people together. Being a manager, Stuart is a firm believer that getting into the work yourself and taking things off your team members' plates helps build a feeling of unity.

We find out Stuart's top tip for more junior managers to get buy-in from their teams. He's learned a lot from the "strong group of managers" that he's worked with throughout his career. In fact, Stuart's calm, assured approach is something that he believes all Finance professionals should show to the business when presenting problems. He also believes that we should all be able to laugh at ourselves in the workplace.

For those of you looking to break into or move up in the Finance discipline, Stuart offers some key advice on making yourself stand out on your resume and in interviews.

Looking at the future of Finance, Stuart and Paul discuss the impact of Business Intelligence (BI) and Data on the discipline. Although Stuart is still in the "early stages" of his career, he's already seen significant change and doesn't believe the pace of growth will slow down. We find out how he thinks data will impact different roles across Finance in the years to come.

However, he only believes you should be concerned about the changing industry if you want to see Finance in its traditional sense. He explains why he thinks these professionals are missing opportunities.

Stuart puts a lot of emphasis on teamwork throughout the podcast episode, explaining how building a common purpose can improve efficiency. He uses an example of the Great British Cycling Team's record-breaking performance at the 2012 Olympic Games inspiring him to push people who are specialists in different areas to work together as a team.

These timestamps will help you find the part of the episode that is of most interest to you:

01:02: Taking the positives from a challenging year03:25: Creating a common purpose within a team06:31: How to get buy-in from your team09:00: Stuart's calm and assured approach14:14: How to stand out in the recruitment process18:40: Why Data Scientists may take over Finance roles23:40: The Finance roles of the future25:44: How to make a team more efficient30:03: Stuart's management inspiration34:00: Stuart's proudest achievement38:59: How to reach out to Stuart

If you'd like to start a conversation with Stuart, you can connect with him through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuarthowes/

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is brought to you in partnership with our friends at Operation Smile. Operation Smile's volunteers help to deliver life-changing surgery to children and adults born with cleft lip and palate. We're hoping to raise vital funds and awareness for the work they do through our partnership. To read more about this amazing charity, please click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, our Associate Director.

More information about our services is available through our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also follow us on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, feel free to visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

We are open to hearing your thoughts on future topics to be featured in the EMEA Recruitment podcast. Please let us know through LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #stuarthowes #paultoms #finance #switzerland #operationsmile

We were delighted to welcome Niels Janssen, the Senior Director Corporate Development, EMEA at Equinix in the Netherlands, to the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

"If you want a promotion, you have to start acting on the level that you want to get to."

It's been a hectic start to the year for many of us, but Niels explains how his family has managed to turn the situation caused by COVID-19 around into something positive. He's grateful for the work-from-home environment that he has, but acknowledges that some employees will be finding remote working more difficult, for many reasons.

Niels speaks to our Founder, Paul Toms, about the highlights of his 23-year career in Finance. He discusses making the move from large companies to the smallest branch of Equinix in the world ten years ago. Heading the Finance team in an "entrepreneurial" organisation was a "really cool" experience for Niels, which also resulted in a very successful office.

Niels' bold approach to his career is something that started 14 years ago when he began working for British Telecom (BT). After just three months in his role as a manager on the FP&A team, the department lead left. He explains why he was the only member of the team to step up to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and say he could take over – and what happened when he did.

Although he tells some great stories, Niels describes the feelings around taking risks in your career and why you always need to be ready to grasp opportunities. In fact, he has some pretty bold advice for anyone looking to progress in the Finance field.

We explore the challenges that Niels has faced in his current role, aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data are taking over parts of the Finance function. He explains the skillsets that he believes Finance leaders of the future will need in order to face the competition from AI and robotics.

For managers struggling to get the most out of their teams while remote working, Niels offers his top tips on staying as close to employees as possible. We also found out who his key mentors have been throughout his career and why he doesn't shy away from letting his colleagues progress beyond his team.

If you'd like to listen to a specific part of this podcast episode, use the timestamps below:

01:13: What Niels is looking forward to after COVID01:49: How Niels has coped with working from home04:35: Niels' career highlight after 23 years in Finance05:58: Taking an opportunity when it's there08:25: Why you should take risks in your career10:30: How to show you're ambitious16:22: The challenges Niels faces in his current role18:43: What is the future of Finance?20:58: How to get close to your team through tech23:14: The mentors in Niels' career27:14: How Niels coaches his team members28:55: How to reach out to Niels

If you have any questions for Niels, you can connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nijanssen/

Thank you to the EMEA Recruitment podcast partner, Operation Smile, for supporting this episode. We're hoping to raise awareness and funds for the vital work that the charity does around the world – find out more here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, our Associate Director, are proud to host the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

You can find out more about our services through our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

Or via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

Please let us know of any topics you'd like covered in future episodes of the EMEA Recruitment podcast via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #nielsjanssen #paultoms #finance #netherlands #operationsmile

We are proud to welcome JB Helip, Global Head – Payment Outsourcing & Governance at eBay, to the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

"In order to grow and develop, you need to make tough decisions and try things that you wouldn't have done otherwise."

JB spoke to Paul Toms, our Founder, from his home in Switzerland, where he's lived for the past ten years. Previously, he lived in and worked in his home country of France, before moving to Canada for seven years. JB discusses the different cultures and ways of working in each country that he's lived in, from the formal, hierarchical culture of France, to the casual, North American style of Canada. He now enjoys the tech environment in Bern, which he describes as "super casual". It's been a pleasant return for JB to a culture that focuses on results.

Despite his background in risk management, leaving France was one of the most important decisions JB's ever made, both personally and professionally. In fact, he explains how he'd negotiated with his boss in Paris to hire him when he came back from Canada after six months, but ended up staying abroad for seven years!

Working at eBay was the first time that JB had exposure to the tech industry. It was a discovery that was quite "unsettling" at first, having previously been involved in more traditional sectors. We explore how high the stakes are in technology, due to the ever-expanding nature of the industry and the emergence of global powers.

Paul uncovers the one piece of advice that JB has taken with him throughout his career – it might not be for everyone, but JB insists that life is too short not to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

In fact, this mindset allowed JB to make one of the toughest decisions in his career and step away from risk management at eBay. It was the support of those around him and the ability to work on business projects that gave JB the opportunity to move into Payments.

We discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging business models have challenged traditional methods of payments, and why this is good for the customer.

JB explains the mindset and attitude that are needed to work within a global, fast-paced environment, such as eBay. He also offers advice for those looking to enter a career in Finance business partnering and the one activity that has proven successful in landing every job he's ever had since working in risk management.

If you'd like to listen to a specific part of the episode, please use the timestamps below:

01:52: Different ways of working across the world05:52: The importance of moving abroad07:59: The most challenging sector to work in10:04: Discovering the world of online marketplaces13:56: The best advice JB has ever received17:42: Stepping out of risk management18:57: Challenges in the Payments discipline22:26: The mindset needed for a career at eBay25:14: Advice for those starting their career29:15: How to network30:43: How to reach out and connect with JB

If you'd like to reach out to JB on LinkedIn, remember to send him a short note and introduction! His profile can be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbhelip/

We'd like to thank Operation Smile for partnering with us on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. We are proud to support the international medical charity in delivering life-changing surgery to children and adults with cleft lip and palate. To find out more, click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, Associate Director.

You can read more about EMEA Recruitment through our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

We are also active on LinkedIn, if you'd like to follow us there: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

To connect with Paul, visit his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny, at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

We are open to hearing your suggestions of topics that you'd like to hear more about on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. Please get in touch via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #jbhelip #paultoms #finance #switzerland #ebay #operationsmile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast was proud to welcome Bee Roseboom-Van Kessel to our latest episode. Bee is the Director, Global Business Finance at Trinseo.

"You can't display any of those other values, like honesty and self-development, if you don't have the courage to start with."

Bee spoke to Paul Toms, Founder of EMEA Recruitment, from her home in Switzerland, where she enjoys the natural beauty of the mountains and lakes – it's a benefit of the current working-from-home situation that much of the world finds itself in.

With Bee's strong background in Finance business partnering, Paul kicked off the episode by asking which values Bee looks for in a trusted partner. She explains why courage is her number one value – as well as the values that are often found alongside a courageous personality. She also believes that the ability to be "goofy" is a trait that all Finance professionals should have!

Bee describes the type of environment that harvests courageous personalities and the approach she takes to helping individuals grow within her teams.

One thing that Paul has noticed amongst previous podcast guests is that successful people often like to give something back – Bee is heavily involved in the mentoring and coaching of Finance talent globally. She points out the one skill that typically sets talent apart and how the younger generation is challenging her to live life differently.

We touched on how the COVID-19 pandemic has jump-started a new way of working that suits the younger generation and could teach executive leaders a thing or two about balance.

With so many people currently searching for roles in business partnering, Paul found out the one skill that Bee believes is essential for working strategically within an organisation.

Business Intelligence (BI) & Data is something that Bee feels will have a huge impact on the strategic side of Finance business partnering and is playing an important role in the way she does her job. However, she does express her concerns about having too much data and what this could mean for Finance professionals.

We ended the episode by finding out what Bee's career highlight has been to date – it was a surprising answer!

Use the timestamps below to listen to the most interesting part of the episode for you:

01:14: Enjoying life in Switzerland03:38: The number one value in a Finance business partner08:02: The environment you need to develop courage11:27: How Bee lifts up her team13:03: What Bee learns from her mentees18:31: How the younger generation has found balance23:01: The skills needed to be a business partner28:52: How BI plays an important role in Finance32:11: Bee's biggest concern when it comes to data35:14: The highlight of Bee's career to date39:19: If Bee was interviewing herself, what would she ask?41:48: How to connect with Bee

If you'd like to connect with Bee, visit her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bregje-roseboom-van-kessel-493414/

Thank you to international medical charity Operation Smile for partnering with us on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. We are proud to raise awareness of the valuable work that they do and ask you to help support this cause in any way you can. To find out more, click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

Our Founder, Paul Toms, and Associate Director, Jenny Callum, host the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

If you'd like to find out more about what we do, visit our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to contact Paul, connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

We'd love to hear of any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes of the EMEA Recruitment podcast. Please let us know via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #beeroseboomvankessel #paultoms #finance #switzerland #operationsmile

In this episode of the EMEA Recruitment podcast, we were joined by Elena Jasvoin, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Management Board Member, at Ringier Axel Springer Media AG in Zurich, Switzerland.

"You need to really, sincerely care about your people and put them into the focus."

Elena spoke to Paul Toms, our Founder, remotely, which was the topic of conversation for the opening part of the episode. Elena explains the flexible working approach that she believes would be most efficient in a post-COVID world. Although she's enjoyed a mixture of office work and working from home, Elena has some valuable advice for managers struggling to support their team members.

If you're somebody who is finding prioritisation in your work day difficult, Elena offers her top tips for managing your diary and staying energised at the same time.

Although the new normal may be causing digital fatigue, Elena and Paul examine the ways in which people can pull themselves out of a slump and reduce stress.

Looking specifically at Finance, Paul asks Elena what she believes the future of the function will look like. Elena is insistent that data has become an inseparable part of Finance and that a digital Finance function is not the future, it's the present. She explains her concerns surrounding Business Intelligence & Data, particularly regarding children and their education.

As a woman working in male-dominated teams, Elena explains to Paul what organisations can do to improve equality in the workplace. She details how she's used her strengths and certain characteristics to stand out in the industry – although she acknowledges how lucky she has been to be surrounded by people for whom diversity is an important issue.

We found out how Elena is continuing her professional and personal development, and why studying with her husband is exactly what she needs right now.

For those of you struggling in the job market at the moment, Elena offers her key pieces of advice on standing out – listen until the end of the episode to note down her tips.

We hope you enjoy this Finance podcast episode. You can use the timestamps below to find the most relevant section of the conversation for you:

01:56: Remote working in a post-COVID world04:28: The benefits of office work vs. WFH06:38: Caring for your team remotely10:50: Elena's formula for prioritising her workload13:22: How you can reduce stress16:40: Using data as efficiently as possible24:17: Privacy and misusing data27:57: How strong women can stand out33:00: Why to ask for what you deserve37:47: Stanford University's LEAD programme43:23: How to stand out in the current market48:15: How to connect with Elena

To contact Elena, feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn or send her an email: [email protected]

We are proud to support Operation Smile, an international medical charity, through the EMEA Recruitment podcast. Please follow the link to find out more about the incredible work they do and to donate, if you can: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, Associate Director.

Visit our website for more information on our services: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

Please feel free to suggest any topics that you'd like us to cover in the EMEA Recruitment podcast via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #elenajasvoin #paultoms #finance #switzerland #operationsmile

We were pleased to welcome Rory Matthews, a CEO and Managing Director across the credit risk management and consumer data sectors, to the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

"I've been in it for over 30 years and I find it as stimulating as when I first started."

After living in Europe for ten years, Rory now resides in Australia, where he's learnt more about the Asian market, but hasn't managed to learn how to surf (although he wouldn't admit this in an Australian pub!).

Rory speaks to our Founder, Paul Toms, about his 30-year career that has spanned multiple countries and continents. After beginning his career as a computer engineer, Rory said he realised quickly that the future wasn't in hardware or software; it was in data. Rory explains how being exposed to using data to identify financial risk has not only captivated and stimulated him, but has offered great career opportunities.

The conversation quickly moved onto legislation and regulation within the use of data. With the market moving so fast, Rory has found the ways to bring legislation, technology, the market and the data itself together to drive meaningful solutions a fascination that has never left him.

We found out just how quickly the landscape is changing and why millennials are driving completely different behaviour when it comes to managing risk. Rory has fantastic insight on exactly why the younger generation is opening up a diversity of products and opportunities to explore different ways of accessing credit and finance.

He speaks specifically about the Asian market, where more than 50% of the population is under the age of 24. These savvy individuals are turning traditional lending on its head, which is affecting how typical data points are predicted.

These increasingly aware consumers are now more involved in the data collection process than ever before. Rory has some top-line advice for organisations that are looking to address this emerging market.

We also discussed the legislation that's having the greatest impact on the lending market, and how credit bureaus and lenders can best react to these changes.

Being closely involved with legislative processes is something that has been central to Rory's career across the world. He explores his involvement in a working group in Brussels, his interest in regulations across the Philippines and even addressing parliament in Malaysia.

For anyone interested in the future opportunities for credit and risk bureaus, be sure to listen until the end of the episode for Rory's vision.

The timestamps below will help you find the part of the episode most interesting to you:

01:15: The fantastic lifestyle in Australia03:19: Why the data industry captivated Rory06:45: What keeps Rory stimulated11:15: How credit bureaus need to change for the future18:52: How millennials in Asia are turning lending on its head24:12: The increasingly aware consumer29:40: How legislation is driving change35:03: The importance of being involved in the legislative process43:25: Involving consumers in the credit process49:32: The future of the credit bureau52:55: How to reach out to Rory directly

If you'd like to contact Rory, visit his LinkedIn profile or, alternatively, email him on: [email protected]

We bring you the EMEA Recruitment podcast in partnership with international medical charity Operation Smile. If you'd like to help us on our mission of raising awareness and funds for the vital work that they do, please click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, Associate Director.

To learn more about our services, please visit our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also follow us on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, visit his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

Please feel free to suggest any topics that you'd like covered in the EMEA Recruitment podcast through LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #rorymatthews #paultoms #finance #australia #operationsmile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast was proud to welcome Afsheen Ismail-Wey, the CEO, HR Advisor and Leadership Coach at The Phoenix Coaching Co.

"I absolutely believe in the potential of the human spirit to expand their skillsets to manage whatever may come their way."

Our Founder, Paul Toms, spoke to Afsheen via Zoom from her home in Switzerland. Afsheen enjoys the view from her bedroom window so much that she's chosen it as her Zoom background for calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before Afsheen became a leadership coach, she worked in the corporate Human Resources arena. After looking after leadership effectiveness in large multi-national businesses, Afsheen decided to assimilate the best of the work she'd done and her passions for what she wanted to do going forward. That's when, five years ago now, she set up as an entrepreneur. Afsheen now works with multi-national organisations to define, design and deliver learning initiatives.

She explains to Paul the most challenging parts of her work and how she helps individuals to overcome personal obstacles. Having been a leader herself, Afsheen understands the experiences and journeys of her clients, as well as the pressures to deliver short-term business results and have a long-term impact. She has methods that she believes strike the right balance.

We also discussed the work and self-reflection needed for a successful corporate career – if this is the route that you've decided to go down, take a listen to Afsheen's advice for businesses.

We found out Afsheen's approach to coaching and the first task that she gives to clients.

Since the start of the pandemic, the International Coach Federation (ICF) - which Afsheen sits on the board of in Switzerland – has launched a healthcare initiative, Healthcare Heroes, to respond to the crisis. Afsheen explains how coaches are supporting frontline workers who've experienced trauma. She uses this example to discuss the science, art and research behind coaching.

We found out Afsheen's top piece of advice in life – although they're "not profound words", they've had a huge impact on her.

Paul finds out whether Afsheen believes we're all born with resilience and the superpower that Afsheen feels she has.

Use the timestamps below to find the part of the episode that you're most interested in:

00:50: Living in Switzerland (and its sunsets)02:29: Afsheen's background in corporate05:48: The hardest part of Afsheen's work08:19: Finding the right balance as a leader10:09: The responsibility of businesses to invest in people14:50: Afsheen's essential task for all new clients17:50: What motivated Afsheen to start coaching21:41: The Healthcare Heroes initiative & the science of coaching23:10: The art of coaching23:50: The research of coaching25:32: The advice that's had a huge impact on Afsheen28:01: Can you learn to be resilient?31:55: Afsheen's superpower34:06: How to reach out to Afsheen

If you would like to learn more about the Healthcare Heroes initiative, visit the website here: https://www.coaches4heroes.com/

You can also contact Afsheen through her website: www.thephoenixcoachingcompany.com

Thank you to our partner, Operation Smile, for working with us on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. We're committed to raising awareness and vital funds for the work that they do in delivering life-changing surgery to children and adults with cleft lip and palate. We'd appreciate any support that you can offer: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, Associate Director.

To find out more about us, visit our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

Alternatively, you can follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

To connect with Paul, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

And Jenny at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

We hope you enjoyed this episode of the EMEA Recruitment podcast. If you have any topics you'd like to suggest, please let us know via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #afsheenismailwey #paultoms #hr #humanresources #switzerland #operationsmile

It was an honour to recently welcome Anastasia Sharonova, the Chief Financial Officer Asia Pacific at Coty, to the EMEA Recruitment podcast.

"I don't think about the failure, I'm envisioning the success."

Anastasia spoke to our Founder, Paul Toms, from her home in Singapore, where she moved to last year. With her 15 years' experience in Finance, Paul wanted to know what keeps her motivated and challenged.

Anastasia is motivated by the challenge itself; of achieving company objectives, transforming the organisation and implementing new ways of working. She faced her greatest challenge when moving to Singapore with a young daughter. Not only was this a challenge on the personal side, but Anastasia had never worked in the Asia Pacific market before – there were different cultures and customers to learn about.

It's her "risky" mindset that enabled Anastasia to make this decision. She knew that she'd succeed, based on the way she approached the challenge.

We also discussed the "magical mindset" that you need to succeed in Finance and whether we're all born with this – Anastasia has a fantastic analogy to her baby daughter learning to walk.

Anastasia also reveals her secrets on how to generate a lot of new ideas for the business and what a typical working day looks like for her. She has some advice on managing different timezones and factoring this into your day.

We explored the impact that Business Intelligence (BI) and Data may have on the Finance function. Anastasia believes that we don't have the luxury of time in today's world, with priorities changing sometimes from day-to-day. However, she isn't worried about jobs in Finance becoming at risk; the nature of the work will simply change, she explains.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis that the world is still faced with, Anastasia has seen many companies and leaders change the way that they work. She offers the most important attribute that she believes great leaders need during this time, as well as discussing who her mentors have been throughout her career in Finance.

If you'd like to find the most interesting part of the episode for you, please use the timestamps below:

01:50: Being motivated by the challenge05:50 Taking the risk to move to Singapore07:20: Anastasia's magical mindset10:40: How to generate fresh ideas for the business15:00: Anastasia's typical working day18:40: Why BI is critical for the Finance function21:40: How the nature of the Finance role is changing22:55: The attributes needed to be a great leader25:35: Anastasia's mentors27:40: How to reach out to Anastasia

If you'd like to reach out to Anastasia, contact her on: [email protected]

Thank you to Operation Smile for partnering with us on the EMEA Recruitment podcast. We're proud to raise awareness and vital funds for the work that Operation Smile does to deliver life-changing surgery to children and adults with cleft lip and palate. If you'd like to find out more, please click here: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/operation-smile

The EMEA Recruitment podcast is hosted by Paul Toms, our Founder, and Jenny Callum, Associate Director.

To find out more about our services, visit our website: https://www.emearecruitment.eu/

You can also follow us on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emea-recruitment-limited/

If you'd like to connect with Paul, visit his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultoms/

Or Jenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycallumemea/

If there are any topics that you'd like us to cover in future episodes of the EMEA Recruitment podcast, then please get in touch via LinkedIn.

#emearecruitment #emearecruitmentpodcast #anastasiasharanova #paultoms #finance #singapore #operationsmile