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

In today’s episode, Dan talks to Mark Gaitskell, Chief Executive of the Wycombe Wanderers Foundation. Mark shares his extensive experience in sports recruitment and leadership, and we discuss the challenges in hiring top talent across different markets. 

The conversation covers the role of cultural diversity, Mark’s journey from the UK to the UAE and back, and how to overcome barriers in job searches. 

TImestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:32 Guest Introduction: Mark Gaitskell

01:38 Mark's Early Career Challenges

03:34 International Experience in the UAE

06:17 Returning to the UK Job Market

11:31 Insights on Recruitment Practices

17:37 Diversity and Inclusion in Recruitment

22:44 Quick Fire Questions

24:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Josh Lenthall, Chief Executive of Active Oxfordshire. We discuss Josh’s extensive experience in leadership, recruitment, and talent strategy. 

The discussion delves into the evolution of Active Oxfordshire's hiring practices, emphasising a candidate-centred approach, and the importance of diversity in the workplace. Josh provides practical advice on how to make job applications stand out and the significance of values-based hiring. The conversation also touches on the challenges of providing meaningful candidate feedback and the potential role of technology in improving the recruitment process.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Guest Introduction: Josh Lenthall

01:41 Josh's Hiring Philosophy

03:06 Diversity in Recruitment

05:43 Values Over Skills

06:42 Redacted Shortlisting Process

10:27 Feedback and Human Touch

16:36 Advice for Job Seekers

24:48 Quick-fire Questions

26:30 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Dan interviews Gary Laybourne, CEO of Coach Core. Gary shares his extensive experience in youth development through sports and he discusses his innovative approach to hiring. 

Dan and Gary delve into the flaws of traditional recruitment methods, the importance of tailoring the interview process to the role, and the value of focusing on candidates' values and culture fit over rigid qualifications. Gary also highlights the need for organisations to reflect on their hiring practices and adapt to attract diverse talent effectively.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:36 Meet Gary Laybourne: Youth Development Advocate

01:44 Gary's Insights on Recruitment Challenges

04:17 Innovative Hiring Practices at Coach Core

07:11 Balancing Skills and Values in Hiring

14:05 Reflecting on Recruitment Processes

24:01 The Importance of Mentorship in Recruitment

25:41 Challenges with Recruitment Consultants

28:26 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey talks to Don Barrell, CEO of Greenhouse Sports, who shares his unique journey from a distinguished rugby career to impactful roles in sports development and education. 

Don reveals his hiring insights, emphasising the importance of creating a positive candidate experience, the significance of organisational and team values, and the role of diversity and behavioural assessment in recruitment. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:30 Guest Introduction: Don Barrell

01:37 Don's Early Career and First Job Experiences

04:09 Interview Techniques and Making Candidates Comfortable

08:01 Key Elements in Recruitment

10:16 The Importance of Diversity in Hiring

13:32 Balancing Team Dynamics and Individual Fit

17:44 Behavioual vs. Technical Skills in Recruitment

24:07 Quickfire Questions and Conclusion

In this episode of Talent Talks, Dan talks with Jeremy Kent, CEO of Loud House and an expert in sports marketing and commercial consultancy. With over two decades of experience, Jeremy shares his insights into the evolving landscape of sports commercialisation, and reveales his strategies to enhance revenue and ensure returns through behavioural science, marketing, and AI. 

We discuss the importance of valuing team players over individual performers, learning on the job, and the significance of grassroots investment for long-term success. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of sports commercialisation and effective recruitment strategies.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Guest Introduction: Jeremy Kent

01:36 Jeremy's Hiring Experiences

07:18 Values and Team Dynamics

16:14 Challenges in Sports Management

26:16 Quick Fire Questions

27:49 Conclusion and Farewell

In episode 30 of Talent Talks, Dan speaks to Paul Blanchard, an experienced CEO in the sports and leisure industry. We deep dive into Paul’s extensive 35-year career, including topics such as creating an engaging and enjoyable hiring process, achieving team chemistry, and the importance of diversity in recruitment. 

Paul shares his practical insights, highlighting the value of honest feedback and transparent communication. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the nuances of talent acquisition in the sports sector.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:25 Meet Paul Blanchard: A Sports Industry Veteran

01:33 Paul's Hiring and Being Hired Experiences

03:11 Positive Hiring Practices and Strategies

04:42 The Importance of Team Fit and Chemistry

11:09 Ensuring Diversity and Avoiding Groupthink

17:18 Challenges and Negatives in Recruit