In episode 25 of Talent Talks, Dan interviews Martin Brown, president and CEO of Steel Sports, about his extensive experience in the youth sports industry. Martin shares insights on hiring practices, leadership, and the importance of culture and values in recruitment. 

We chat about his journey from founding Jersey United to leading Steel Sports, and offers valuable advice on identifying top talent, adapting to different organisational needs, and the significance of treating recruitment with respect and professionalism.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:25 Meet Martin Brown: A Leader in Youth Sports

01:29 Martin's Hiring Experiences and Lessons Learned

03:18 Hiring for Startups vs. Established Organisations

05:26 Identifying and Nurturing Talent

10:54 The Importance of Culture and Values in Hiring

18:38 Ensuring Consistency in Hiring Practices

21:17 Dealing with Hiring Mistakes

27:12 Quick-fire Questions with Martin Brown

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey sits down with Róisín O'Shea, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Epic Global, about her extensive experience in the gaming, e-sports, and sports sectors. 

We explore the significance of building a professional network, the realities of hiring in sports, and the benefits of transparency in salary expectations and job roles. Róisín also shares her personal journey through various roles, emphasising persistence, passion, and the value of taking opportunities, especially for those new to the industry.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:27 Guest Introduction: Róisín O'Shea

01:21 Róisín 's Career Journey and Hiring Insights

03:28 The Importance of Networking

07:05 LinkedIn: A Powerful Tool for Career Growth

12:40 Advice for Junior Hires in Sports

17:27 Transitioning Careers into Sports

21:08 The Importance of Pre-Interview Preparation

21:28 Realistic Salary Expectations in Sports Jobs

21:57 Passion and Sacrifice in the Sports Industry

22:57 Understanding the Ecosystem of Live Sports

24:53 The Impact of Working in Sports on Personal Life

25:58 Diverse Career Opportunities in Sports

28:22 Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Sports

29:59 The Issue with Unpaid Internships

31:13 Transparency in Salary and Job Expectations

33:51 Quick Fire Questions: Recruitment Insights

In this episode of Talent Talks, Dan Maisey speaks with Skip Gilbert, the CEO of U.S. Youth Soccer. Skip shares his vast experience in both profit and non-profit executive management, offering deep insights into strategic hiring, interview processes, and the importance of cultural fit. 

We discuss the role of creativity in making a standout application, the challenges of AI in recruitment, and the need for diversity in thought.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Meet Skip Gilbert: A Strategic Executive

01:36 Skip's Hiring Philosophy

02:31 Navigating Team Dynamics in Hiring

04:00 Cultural Fit and Long-Term Success

08:19 Handling Hiring Mistakes

10:36 Stakeholder Influence in Hiring

12:22 Diversity and Inclusion in Recruitment

20:35 The Role of Technology in Hiring

22:47 Quick Fire Questions

26:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Simon Bytheway, a commercial operator with extensive experience in sports, entertainment, and technology. Simon shares his journey and insights into hiring practices, the importance of team culture over skills, and engaging with candidates meaningfully. 

We discuss challenges in recruitment, the value of persistence, and leveraging personal and professional experiences to stand out. The conversation emphasises the need for diversity of thought and the evolving dynamics in sports recruitment.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Meet Simon Bytheway: A Career in Sports and Entertainment

01:19 Simon's Hiring Philosophy

02:32 The Importance of Culture Over Skill

04:37 Lessons Learned in Recruitment

07:03 Standing Out in the Job Market

11:53 Breaking into the Sports Industry

15:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Sports Recruitment

21:18 The Role of Technology in Recruitment

24:44 Final Thoughts and Best Practices

In episode 21 of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Parul Khosla, an innovative leader in the recruitment industry and co-founder of Arena, an AI-powered recruitment platform. Parul and Dan discuss her journey in sports and entertainment recruitment and the lessons she’s learnt from being part of the industry, including emphasising the importance of strategic networking and the need for transparency and equity in hiring practices. 

Parul shares her insights into what her and her two female co-founders are building with Arena, which aims to transform hiring processes through technology. The conversation provides valuable tips on how candidates can stand out and how recruiters can make the process more equitable and efficient.

Find out more about Arena here: https://www.arenatalent.com/

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Meet Parul Khosla: Revolutionising Recruitment

01:15 Parul's Journey in Sports and Entertainment

01:34 Standing Out in Competitive Industries

04:00 The Importance of Strategic Networking

05:17 Recruitment Insights: What Makes Candidates Stand Out

07:50 The Emotional Side of Hiring

09:40 Challenges and Strategies in Recruitment

13:05 Transitioning Between Industries

26:44 Arena: Transforming Hiring with AI

31:48 Quick-fire Questions with Parul

35:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talent Talks, Dan Maisey speaks with Max Marchione, co-founder of superpower.com and founder of Ultraviolet Ventures. Max shares his philosophies on hiring, focusing on the importance of experience versus potential, strategies for identifying A+ talent, and the significance of a strong, opinionated culture. 

We discuss how a great cultural fit and autonomy empowers employees to reach their potential, and how to maintain that culture as you grow.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Meet Max Marchione: Entrepreneur and Investor

01:20 Max's Hiring Philosophy: Experience vs. Potential

03:47 Inspiring Top Talent: Mission, Team, and Opportunity

06:29 Building and Maintaining Company Culture

14:56 Unlocking Potential: Feedback and Autonomy

20:01 Max's Personal Experiences and Reflections on Culture

24:38 Quick Fire Questions and Conclusion

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Jim Eyre, the Chief Executive of British Equestrian. Jim shares his extensive experience in strategic development and operations management, garnered from his military service as a Lieutenant Colonel to his roles in sports administration. 

The discussion delves into various aspects of recruitment, from leveraging networks and proactive job searching to the significance of organisational culture and values in hiring. Jim also provides valuable advice on building relationships with recruitment agencies and discusses the importance of honesty and transparency in the recruitment process.

*Apologies for the audio quality towards the end, some form of technical issue with Dan's mike!

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:26 Guest Introduction: Jim Eyre

00:39 Jim Eyre's Career Journey

01:54 Military Experience and Transition to Sports

04:15 Building and Utilising Networks

10:53 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring

17:06 Challenges and Strategies in Recruitment

20:07 Quickfire Questions with Jim Eyre

23:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey interviews Steve Martin, a leading figure in sports and entertainment marketing with over 25 years of experience. Steve, the founding partner of MSQ Sport and Entertainment, shares his journey through the industry, offering valuable hiring and job search insights.

The discussion covers the importance of creating a positive candidate experience, the significance of understanding a business's vision, and the evolving dynamics in recruitment. In this you'll gain practical tips on how to stand out in the hiring process and the importance of diversity and collaboration in building a successful team.

In this episode, Ben Wells, CEO of PTI Digital, joins Dan Maisey to share his insights on the importance of clear communication and mutual understanding between candidates and employers. Ben explains why it's crucial to establish early on whether there is a fit for both parties involved to avoid wasting time and raising unnecessary expectations, and we discuss how he has positioned himself within the industry over the last decade and a half, emphasising his preference for organisations with a progressive, long-term outlook over short-termism.

We explore the significance of transparency and clarity in the recruitment process, and Ben addresses some common issues in the job market, including short-termism and the negative impact it can have, especially for candidates at the beginning of their careers. Ben highlights the importance of being open and honest from day one and shares his experiences with unprofessional behaviour from candidates, stressing that such actions can have long-lasting consequences.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:27 Meet Ben Wells: Digital Transformation Leader

01:25 Experiences in Hiring and Being Hired

03:05 The Importance of Fit and Transparency in Recruitment

08:39 Challenges and Strategies in Remote Work

14:32 Leadership in a Virtual Environment

25:02 Final Thoughts and Quick Fire Questions

In this episode of Talent Talks, host Dan Maisey chats with Lou Fargeot, the co-founder and co-CEO of We Are Sweet. The discussion delves into Lou's extensive experience in the digital innovation sector within professional sports, highlighting his journey from an employee to a leader at We Are Sweet. Lou shares invaluable recruitment insights from both an employer’s and an employee’s perspective, emphasising the importance of standing out, the challenges of sifting through low-quality applications, and the need for a culture-first approach in hiring. He also touches upon the modern challenges of the recruitment world, including the inefficiencies of traditional CVs, and the potential of using personalised videos and portfolios to better showcase a candidate's alignment with company values.

We also explore broader themes like the future of employment, the role of AI in recruitment, and the transformative potential of a universal basic income. Lou advocates for a holistic approach to finding the right candidates, emphasising personal character and emotional intelligence over mere technical skills. This engaging conversation provides valuable insights for both employers and job seekers, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in the hiring process.

00:00 Introduction to Talent Talks

00:32 Meet Lou Fargeot: Digital Innovator in Sports

01:42 Lou's Hiring and Being Hired Experiences

02:22 Standing Out in Job Applications

04:49 The Mass Application Dilemma

08:03 Culture Fit vs. Technical Skills

11:08 The Future of CVs and Recruitment

28:00 Quick Fire Questions with Lou

32:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts