In this episode of Talent Talks, we delve into the significance of trust, cultural fit, and people within a business, featuring insights from Matthew Baxter, co-founder of Stellwagen Ventures and Tokens Commerce. From his experiences at Liverpool Football Club to heading DugOut, Matthew shares lessons on hiring, being hired, networking, and staying true to core values. 

This conversation is packed with valuable strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of sports media, entertainment, and blockchain technology, all while focusing on the importance of treating people right and building trust. Join us for an enlightening discussion on achieving success in business through effective people management.

Timestamps:

00:55 Introduction to Matthew Baxter

02:13 Experiences of Hiring and Being Hired

02:46 Cultural Fit in Business

06:08 The Evolution of the Interview Process

16:45 The Role of Cultural Fit in Mergers and Acquisitions

20:15 Investment Principles and Core Values

25:31 The Power of Networking

27:05 Meet George: The Young Innovator

27:58 The Importance of Diverse Experience

28:56 Navigating a Tough Job Market

30:17 The Power of Preparation

33:10 Networking: The Key to Success

34:30 Respect and Communication in Hiring

48:05 Adapting to Remote Work Culture

50:27 Final Advice for Job Seekers and Employers

John Gates, founder of Recruiting Transformations and Salary Coach, discusses the importance of a high-quality talent acquisition function and its impact on transforming companies. With over 30 years of experience in recruitment, John shares his views on modern recruitment strategies, the challenges posed by AI in the job market, and the significance of networking. 

He also delves into his approach to salary negotiation, emphasising collaboration to maximise offers without the risk of losing them. John outlines how HR functions can increase the quality of hires and provides advice for both job seekers and companies looking to hire the best talent.

Links to John’s brilliant book, Act Your Wage: https://amzn.eu/d/4aJH3HA

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction 

02:32 The Evolution of Recruitment

04:18 Challenges in Modern Recruitment

06:56 The Importance of Talent Acquisition

11:46 Strategies for Effective Hiring

24:06 AI in Recruitment

36:02 Salary Negotiation Insights

46:06 Final Advice and Conclusion

Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of brand marketing and cultural anthropology with Rob Scotland. Rob shares his non-traditional approach to job hunting, emphasising the importance of networking and being proactive rather than just applying blindly. We explore how the pandemic has shifted hiring practices and delve into Rob's innovative strategies in brand communications for global giants like Adidas and Nike. 

Discover valuable tips for job seekers and employers alike in navigating today's challenging job market. Don't miss this masterclass in blending cultural understanding with marketing creativity!

Timestamps:

01:11 Meet Rob Scotland: A Journey in Brand Marketing

02:16 Rob's Career and Hiring Insights

03:22 Challenges in the Current Job Market

04:16 Rob's Controversial Take on Job Applications

06:08 Strategies for Junior Job Seekers

07:39 The Importance of Networking and Being Helpful

13:04 Pandemic's Impact on Talent Management

14:19 Emotional Intelligence in Remote Work

22:59 The Broken Interview Process

31:01 Final Advice for Job Seekers and Employers

32:30 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Join us in an in-depth conversation with Adam Graham, a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the digital and marketing landscape. From founding iTunes Radio to his current role as CEO of JustFix, Adam shares his journey and key insights on entrepreneurship, hiring, and building company culture.

Discover valuable lessons on trusting gut instincts, the importance of team dynamics, and how to thrive in both startup and corporate environments. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of effective leadership and innovation in today's fast-paced startup ecosystem.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:07 Introducing Adam Graham: A Journey of Innovation

02:12 Diving into Hiring Experiences and Lessons

06:40 Navigating Different Work Environments

13:20 The Importance of Attitude Over Skills

17:04 Proactive Hiring and Firing Strategies

20:37 Sales Culture and Its Impact on Business

25:44 Standing Out in the Job Market

30:33 Final Advice for Job Seekers and Employers

33:06 Podcast Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks

Dan’s joined on Talent Talks by industry veteran Ian Priest, who has over 35 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and entrepreneurship.  On the pod Ian shares his extensive wisdom on talent acquisition, business growth, and the evolving landscape of advertising.

From founding VCCP to mentoring startups, Ian discusses the importance of embracing AI, the need for proper onboarding, and maintaining company culture and values as organisations grow. Tune in for a deep dive into how to attract, retain, and motivate talent while balancing creative excellence and commercial success.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Welcoming Ian Priest

02:16 Insights on Talent Acquisition

04:47 The Importance of Research

06:49 Evaluating Candidates

13:38 Maintaining Company Culture

20:56 Living by Principles in Business

21:36 Learning from Ad Agencies

23:06 Embracing Data and Effectiveness

29:41 The Role of AI in Talent Acquisition

37:58 Onboarding and Leadership Advice

40:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dan chats with James Kirkham, serial entrepreneur and current Founder / CEO of Iconic.  We discuss his profound insights on marketing, culture, and innovation, and James shares his extensive experience in hiring, including the importance of showcasing your unique character and side projects to stand out. 

We discuss the need for hunger, curiosity, and adaptability in the workplace and cover the relevance of personal branding, the impact of hybrid work culture, and the evolving role of AI in enhancing professional profiles. This episode is a masterclass in integrating cultural trends with business success and finding the right talent.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Demonstrating Your Skills

00:59 Meet James Kirkham: Marketing, Culture, and Innovation

02:11 James's Hiring Philosophy and Lessons Learned

04:38 The Value of Multifaceted Talent

06:19 Standing Out in a Competitive Job Market

07:42 Hiring for Growth and Potential

17:54 The Role of Curiosity and Work Ethic

19:43 The Impact of Hybrid Work Culture

24:46 Leveraging LinkedIn and AI for Personal Branding

33:45 Final Thoughts and Advice for Job Seekers and Employers

In this episode of Talent Talks, Dan chats to Josh Price, Founder of Goal Assist Limited and CEO of the Year 2023. Josh shares his journey from university to starting a leading financial consultancy for football clubs. The discussion delves into his approach to talent & recruitment, including the importance of scouting, creating comprehensive portfolios, and assessing both skills and character. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:28 Meet Josh Price: Founder of Goal Assist

01:18 Josh's Journey: From University to EFL

02:51 Recruitment Strategies in Sports

04:47 The Importance of Character in Hiring

06:51 Navigating the Job Market

12:50 Skill Stacking and Team Dynamics

26:41 Quick-fire Questions with Josh Price

30:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talent Talks, Dan chats with Zafar Bhunnoo, a well-known figure in the real estate industry and co-founder of Balance Out Living. They discuss Zafar's journey from a physics graduate to a pioneering entrepreneur in the build-to-rent sector. 

The conversation delves into the importance of passion, resilience, and core values in the hiring process, as well as the challenges and benefits of transitioning industries. Zafar also shares his mentorship experiences and the impact of empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:28 Guest Introduction: Zafar Bhunnoo

01:31 Zafar's Early Career and Mentorship

03:55 Values and Hiring Philosophy

07:37 Challenges and Resilience

10:06 Mentorship and Industry Transition

21:28 The Importance of Networking

25:14 Final Thoughts and Rapid-Fire Questions

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Siddesh Iyer, founder and CEO of Sportfin, to discuss effective hiring strategies and the nuances of managing volunteers versus paid employees and the importance of aligning values and personalities in the recruitment process for community sports organisations and startups. 

Key topics include leveraging internships, balancing experience with trust, utilising freelancers, and adopting fractional staff for agility. The discussion also highlights the value of structured training programs, the need for diversity and external expertise within senior management, and the frustrating yet crucial nature of the hiring process. Siddesh also provides insights into the unique challenges in recruiting senior developers and the potential for centralised databases to streamline recruitment efforts.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:27 Meet Siddesh Iyer: Founder and CEO of Sportfin

01:17 Hiring Experiences and Lessons Learned

02:37 Values vs. Personality in Recruitment

04:42 Challenges in Recruitment and Training

06:48 Internships and Placements: Testing the Waters

09:56 Exploring Freelancers and Consultants in Sports

12:02 Building Structured Training Programs

14:46 The Importance of Trust in Senior Hires

15:40 Balancing Network and External Options

16:09 Experience vs. Values in Hiring

17:05 Understanding the Sports Industry Context

19:58 Challenges in Personality and Work Ethic

22:20 Developing Talent Management Processes

25:15 Frustrations in Recruitment

28:19 Best Hire and Desired Changes in Recruitment

30:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Dan Maisey sits down with Mark-Aurele Jules, to explore the transformative impact of AI on recruitment and the increasing importance of cultural fit in modern hiring strategies. 

We discuss the role of transparency in enhancing candidate experience, the value of multicultural experiences, and the need for diversity in both tech and sports industries. 

Mark shares insights from his extensive experience in tech and sports, advocating for a human-centric, transparent, and continuously improving recruitment process that benefits both candidates and employers.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Meet Mark Jules

01:16 The Evolution of Hiring Practices

01:53 AI in Recruitment: Opportunities and Challenges

03:51 Cultural Fit in Hiring

08:20 Mark's Multicultural Advantage

09:31 Diversity in the Sports Industry

12:19 The Importance of Continuous Learning

13:27 Hiring Practices: Good vs. Bad

14:37 Human-Centric Hiring Processes

15:45 Global Recruitment Insights

17:06 Tech Industry Lessons Applied to Sports

19:27 Continuous Improvement in Hiring

21:08 Challenges and Best Practices in Recruitment

22:54 The Value of Transparency in Recruitment

23:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts