#TalentBuzz

#TalentBuzz

By Samuli SalonenBusinessCareers
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#TalentBuzz episodes

  • Employee engagement

    🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

    In this episode, host Samuli Salonen from TalentBee sits down with Johannes Midtbö, founder of Populum, to explore the journey behind building an HR tech company that focuses on continuous employee engagement. Johannes shares the key moments that inspired him to launch Populum and offers insights into the world of HR data, recruitment, and employee retention.


    Episode Highlights:

    • The founding of Populum: How Johannes’ experience at Swedbank and Accenture inspired him to create an HR tech platform focused on continuous employee engagement.
    • Why organizations spend so much on recruitment but often overlook retention: How Populum helps companies avoid this costly mistake.
    • The importance of clarity in organizations: How clear communication reduces stress and boosts engagement, and why it's often the easiest thing to fix.
    • Recruitment lessons: Johannes’ learnings on why seniority matters in sales and how to balance junior and senior talent in different roles.
    • Populum’s acquisition journey: The strategic partnership with Catalyst One, the benefits of transparency during times of change, and how to maintain employee morale through open communication.

      • Join us for a deep dive into how leveraging HR data and creating clarity can transform organizational success, and learn from Johannes' practical tips for scaling a company, retaining talent, and navigating major transitions like acquisitions.

      Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify! 🎧

      26 min
    • Scaling IQM to +300 people in 5 years

      🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

      In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of quantum computing and talent acquisition with Jan Goetz, CEO & Co-Founder of IQM Quantum Computers. Join us as we uncover how IQM is scaling globally while navigating the challenges of building a deep-tech company from scratch.

      Episode Highlights:

      • IQM’s mission to develop quantum computers and why they are crucial for solving complex, real-world problems.
      • The early days of IQM and how Jan and his co-founders built the company from a university research project into a global leader in quantum computing.
      • Assembling the right team for deep-tech innovation: the balance between technical expertise and a commercial mindset.
      • Navigating the challenges of maintaining company culture across global teams and multiple offices.
      • Hiring strategies for rapid growth: How IQM pre-planned their first hires even before securing funding.
      • The unique challenges and opportunities of leading a company through the COVID era and how to keep teams connected and aligned.

        • Join us for an insightful conversation with Jan Goetz, where we explore the intersection of cutting-edge technology, talent acquisition, and global team management at IQM.

        Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

        27 min
      • Culture, Diversity, and Long-Term Relationships

        🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

        In today's episode, we delve into the dynamics of building effective teams and fostering a strong company culture with our special guest, Celine Fosse, CMO and Co-founder of Niimblr. Join us as we explore the key aspects of talent acquisition and leadership in the SaaS industry.

        Episode Highlights:

        • The Journey of Founding Niimblr: Insights into Celine's background and the founding story of Niimblr, a B2B SaaS company.
        • Diverse Co-Founder Dynamics: How diverse perspectives among co-founders can enhance decision-making and company growth.
        • The Importance of Culture Fit: Understanding what culture fit means and how it impacts the hiring process and company success.
        • Hiring for Life, Not Just the Job: The value of nurturing long-term relationships with employees and the benefits it brings.
        • Transparency in Recruitment: The role of transparency in building trust and setting clear expectations with potential hires.
        • Behavior vs. Experience: Why hiring for the right mindset and behavior can be more crucial than focusing solely on experience.

          • Join us for an insightful conversation with Celine as we uncover the secrets to building successful teams, fostering a positive culture, and the importance of long-term professional relationships in the SaaS industry.

          Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

          30 min
        • Building an SDR team for SaaS company

          🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

          In this episode, we dive into the world of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) with our special guest, Jarno Lehikoinen from Heeros. Join us as we explore the journey of building an in-house SDR team, the challenges faced, and the strategies employed to ensure success.

          Episode Highlights:

          • Introduction to Jarno Lehikoinen and Heeros: Learn about Jarno's extensive background in sales and the role of Heeros in providing business-critical financial and payroll software.
          • Transition from External Partners to In-House SDRs: Discover the reasons behind Heeros' decision to bring the SDR function in-house after experiencing declining quality with external partners.
          • Hiring Strategy: Insights into the process of hiring SDRs in pairs, defining the right candidate profile, and navigating the challenges of finding experienced SDRs who are not looking to immediately transition to account executive roles.
          • Effective Recruitment Process: Explore the streamlined recruitment process, the importance of feedback, and how to balance validation and selling the opportunity to candidates.
          • Compensation and Incentive Models: Understand the chosen salary model and the criteria set to ensure the quality of booked meetings.
          • Onboarding and Training: Learn about the practical onboarding process at Heeros, focusing on one product at a time and getting SDRs operational quickly.
          • Early Success Indicators: Review the initial results and effectiveness of the in-house SDR team compared to previous external partners.

            • Join us for an insightful conversation with Jarno Lehikoinen as we uncover the secrets to building a successful SDR function and the impact it can have on a company's growth and efficiency.

            Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧


            24 min
          • Building remote teams - learnings from HotJar & Hostaway

            🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

            In this episode, we delve into the exciting world of remote work and talent acquisition with our special guest, Ken Weary from Hostaway. Join us as we explore the dynamics of building a distributed team, the challenges and benefits of a nomadic lifestyle, and the latest trends in recruitment.

            Episode Highlights:

            • Ken's Journey to Digital Nomadism: From corporate America to traveling the world with his family, learn about Ken's unique path and how it shaped his career.
            • Building a Remote-First Company: Hostaway's approach to maintaining equity, transparency, and effective communication across a globally distributed team.
            • Effective Use of Communication Tools: Practical examples of how Hostaway uses Slack and other tools to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
            • Meeting Management in Remote Teams: Strategies for optimizing meeting schedules to respect different time zones and avoid unnecessary meetings.
            • Trends in Talent Acquisition: Insights into the current job market, employer branding, and the importance of a strong company culture.
            • Compensation Strategies: Navigating the complexities of adjusting salaries based on geographical location and maintaining fairness.
            • Retention in Remote Work: Identifying signs of disengagement and the importance of career development and growth opportunities.

              • Join us for an insightful conversation with Ken Weary as we uncover the secrets to thriving in a remote work environment and attracting top talent in today's competitive market.

              Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

              36 min
            • How do you hire the best sales reps?

              🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

              In this episode, we delve into the nuances of SaaS sales recruitment with our special guest, Sara Archer, VP of Sales at ChartMogul. Join us as we uncover the strategies that have helped ChartMogul build a successful, data-driven sales team.


              Episode Highlights:

              • The balance of speed and strategy in hiring: Insights from Sara’s experience with a 41-day hire cycle.
              • Treating recruitment like a sales process: The importance of continuous candidate engagement and pipeline building.
              • Leveraging both inbound and outbound recruitment methods: How to attract top talent while proactively reaching out to potential candidates.
              • Building a strong employer brand: The role of company and personal branding in drawing top-tier sales professionals.
              • Employee advocacy and transparent communication: Encouraging team participation in branding and maintaining honesty in selling job opportunities.
              • Evaluating candidates effectively: Key indicators such as writing clarity, technical competency, and speed in execution.
              • Post-hire evaluation and early success: Assessing new hires' performance and ensuring they fit well within the team.

                • Join us for an in-depth conversation with Sara, as we explore the intricacies of building a high-performing sales team in the SaaS industry, balancing proactive and reactive recruitment strategies, and fostering a transparent and engaging hiring process.

                Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

                27 min
              • Application Tracking Systems

                🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

                In today's episode, we delve into the transformative world of talent acquisition with our special guest, Erika Ekstam from OneLab. Join us as we explore the essential tools and strategies that are shaping the future of recruitment.

                Episode Highlights:

                • Erika's journey in HR and the mission of OneLab in enhancing employee health and wellbeing.

                • The critical role of ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) in modern recruitment and when to invest in one.

                • Balancing applications and headhunting: How to efficiently manage both aspects using ATS.

                • The impact of AI in recruitment: Enhancing efficiency, reducing bias, and improving candidate experience.

                • Best practices for integrating hiring managers into the ATS process to streamline recruitment.

                • Building talent pipelines and the importance of proactive recruitment strategies.

                • Key metrics to track in ATS: Time to fill, source of candidates, and linking retention to recruitment sources.

                  • Join us for an insightful conversation with Erika, as we uncover actionable tips and forward-thinking approaches to recruitment in the SaaS industry.

                  Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧


                  41 min
                • Global Talent Acquisition

                  🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

                  In this episode, we're joined by Teemu Uotila, the dynamic COO of Quanscient, to delve into the monumental challenge of scaling a tech enterprise globally. We explore the strategic intricacies of building a diverse team culture, the nuances of international growth, and the pioneering intersection of quantum technology and talent acquisition.
                  Episode Highlights:
                  ✅ The Genesis of Quanscient: Teemu shares the foundation story of Quanscient and its ambitious journey from a small team to a global powerhouse.
                  ✅ Crafting a Global Brand Story: Insights into the multi-layered approach to storytelling for employees, customers, and stakeholders, fostering a culture of diversity and innovation.
                  ✅ Strategies for International Talent Acquisition: The challenges and solutions in recruiting a global team, from local representation to evaluating candidates remotely.
                  ✅ Building a Robust Organizational Culture: How Quanscient navigates the complexities of scaling its team while maintaining a cohesive culture and operational integrity.
                  ✅ Navigating Leadership Challenges in a Startup: Teemu discusses the balance between current operational demands and strategic planning for future growth.
                  Join us for an enlightening conversation with Teemu as we dissect the art and science of global talent acquisition, the future of work in tech, and the balance between human intuition and technological innovation in building a global team.
                  Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

                  37 min
                • Servant Leadership in SaaS Companies

                  🎙️ Welcome to #TalentBuzz 🐝

                  We are joined by Johan Odén from Mediaflow Europe AB, as we delve into the transformative approach of servant leadership within the SaaS industry. Uncover the intricate balance of guiding teams towards innovation and growth while fostering an environment of trust, humility, and purpose.

                  Episode Highlights:

                  • Understanding servant leadership: Beyond management, into inspiring and growing with your team.
                  • Remote work and its impact on leadership styles: How Mediaflow's hybrid model is paving the way.
                  • The critical role of building trust and collaboration in remote and diverse teams.
                  • Empowering employees: Why letting people choose their growth paths creates a more vibrant and innovative company culture.
                  • The necessity of leading with humility and listening for the unsaid, to drive forward creativity and ownership.
                  • Service to a higher purpose: How connecting personal values with the company's mission can fuel passion and performance.
                  • Johan shares his personal journey and insights on developing a servant leadership mindset, emphasizing the importance of adding value to employees' lives for overall organizational success.

                    • Join us for an inspiring dialogue with Johan, as we explore the essence of servant leadership and its profound impact on SaaS companies. Discover the actionable steps towards creating a nurturing, empowering, and purpose-driven workplace.

                    Make sure to follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify. 🎧

                    45 min
                  • Growth, Profitability, and Employer Branding at SalesScreen

                    🎙️ Welcome back to #TalentBuzz 🐝, your go-to podcast for insights into the tech industry's talent landscape. In this episode, join your host Samuli Salonen from TalentBee as we dive into the strategies behind scaling a tech company with our distinguished guest, Emilie Sørgård Anderssen, the Vice President of People Operations at SalesScreen.

                    Discover the delicate balance between growth and profitability in the SaaS sector, the art of combining teams for unified success, and the emerging importance of employer branding in attracting top talent. SalesScreen's journey from a bootstrapped startup to a profitable entity offers invaluable lessons on adapting hiring strategies to market demands and the crucial role of employer branding in today's competitive landscape.

                    Episode Highlights:

                    • The evolution from growth at all costs to sustainable profitability: SalesScreen's strategic pivot in response to market changes.

                    • Building cohesive teams: Strategies for cross-functional collaboration and alignment towards common goals.

                    • Employer branding as a cornerstone of modern recruitment: A deep dive into SalesScreen's approach to attracting and retaining top talent.

                    • The role of leadership in decision-making: Balancing departmental needs with the company's overall growth strategy.

                    • Insightful perspectives on future hiring trends and the potential impact of market shifts on recruitment practices.

                      • Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Emilie, as we uncover the pillars of success for tech companies in the current economic climate. Stay tuned for actionable insights and the unveiling of SalesScreen's unique employee value proposition.

                      Follow #TalentBuzz on Spotify to catch every buzz in the world of tech talent. 🎧


                      34 min

                    About #TalentBuzz

                    From the publisher's feed

                    #TalentBuzz is a podcast about how SaaS companies do their Talent Acquisition. Listen to stories from fast-growing SaaS companies like Supermetrics, HubSpot & many more!