Mahe Bayireddi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Phenom People, a global HR technology company with a mission to help 1 billion people find the right job. With over 200 million people using the product in 140 countries, including 50 of the Fortune 500 companies, Mahe is well on his way to achieving his goal of revolutionizing the talent life cycle through technologies, specifically AI. Mahe shares more about his entrepreneurial journey, the inefficiencies he is trying to solve in the global hiring and recruiting market, and how his company is impacting millions of people globally. He also has insights about creating a strong company culture, how to export that culture around the world, and what it takes to be a leader. 

Key Takeaways:

[3:25] Kevin does a speed round with Mahe.

[5:45] Mahe has started other companies in the past. What were some of the big successes and losses in those?

[10:03] Kevin lays out the structure of this podcast.

[11:52] How did Mahe's journey begin?

[14:58] What is the problem that Mahe is solving? Who are the stakeholders in Mahe's business?

[18:24] There are many inefficiencies in the global hiring market that Mahe is trying to reduce with his company.

[24:36] Mahe describes his company as providing "talent experience management". What are some of those attributes they are using to drive those experiences?

[29:24] Kevin and Mahe discuss "customer" acquisition from an eCommerce, sales and marketing perspective vs. a recruiting and HR perspective.

[32:18] How does Phenom work with recruiters and employees?

[38:26] How does Mahe use AI to learn more about candidates beyond just their resumes?

[41:32] Mahe shares more about validated psychometric testing — what does that mean? How widespread is the adoption and what are some of the strengths and pitfalls?

[45:58] What are some elements of Phenom People that certain customers have rejected?

[48:05] What is the culture of Mahe's company?

[55:33] What are the five values at Phenom?

[58:47] Every candidate interviewed has to resonate with the company values to be a good fit. Mahe explains the hiring process at Phenom.

[1:00:42] How does Mahe ensure a positive onboarding process?

[1:05:02] Why has James Harvey Gravell become a part of the company ethos? 

[1:08:05] How has Mahe exported the company culture and ethos abroad?

[1:11:52] Mahe shares more about the company expansions into Europe.

[1:13:47] What is Mahe's leadership style? What are some of his leadership principles?

[1:17:47] How difficult has it been to export the company culture?

[1:19:54] How does Phenom's revenue model work?

[1:21:43] What is retention like at the company?

[1:23:23] Mahe share's more about the different rounds of fundraising he did.

[1:25:40] What are Mahe's feelings towards a potential IPO?

[1:26:36] What are some obstacles Mahe foresees in reaching his goal of serving 1 billion people?

Links:

Mahe Bayireddi

Phenom People

SnipSnap

DreamIt Ventures

Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh

James Harvey Gravell, Ambler Yards

Brad Goldoor, Chief People Officer Phenom People