

The Breakthrough Hiring Show: Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Conversations
James Mackey
Welcome to The Breakthrough Hiring Show! We are on a mission to help leaders make hiring a competitive advantage. Join our host, James Mackey, and guests as they discuss various topics, with episodes ranging from high-level thought leadership to the tactical implementation of process and technology. You will learn how to:- Shift your team’s culture to a talent-first organization.- Develop a step-by-step guide to hiring and empowering top talent.- Leverage data, process, and technology to achieve hiring success.Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 9, 2023 • 41min
EP 108: Tech and VC market dynamics. Growth strategies, AI, and the economy.
In this episode, our host James Mackey is joined by Sanket Merchant, Partner at PeakSpan Capital, to delve into the complexities of the current economic environment in the tech industry and its effects on businesses. They examine the supply and demand dynamics within the venture capital ecosystem, as well as the influence of generative AI on both businesses and customers. 0:28 Sanket's background 2:24 Tech industry and VC market overview10:23 Impact of growth and budget constraints18:40 Impact of economic factors on investments22:49 Growth and investment strategies for boards27:06 Generative AI's impact on businesses and customers Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Aug 3, 2023 • 48min
EP 107: Northstar metrics and beyond: Strategies for transformative hiring success.
Join host James Mackey and his guest Doug Landis, Growth Partner at Emergence Capital as they discuss the tech industry’s changing risk tolerance, adaptability, and smart decision-making for leaders. What is the impact of unit economics on bootstrapped organizations? Which compensation strategies can companies use amid high inflation? The answer to these questions and more in this engaging episode, including how you can achieve transformative success with Northstar metrics. 0:42 Doug Landis’s background 2:18 Challenges in hiring and scaling businesses12:34 Challenges for startups and compensation strategy23:22 The importance of a people-first culture36:08 Importance of investors in company positioning41:58 The importance of having a defined process before hiring Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Aug 1, 2023 • 45min
EP 106: Navigating layoffs and post-layoff transformations. Maintaining company culture and encouraging strategic growth.
Join host James Mackey on this episode as he sits down with David Hanrahan, Chief People Officer at Flare. Together, they discuss the difficult challenges executives face when recovering from layoffs and reorganizations in today's market conditions.David shares valuable insights from his experience at Eventbrite, explaining how the company navigated through tough times, handled plummeting morale, and emerged stronger. They also delve into the importance of setting clear goals and aligning operational structures with strategic shifts.Employee attrition after layoffs is another critical topic they explore, shedding light on how to tackle this issue by considering talent management systems and talent reallocation. The conversation also covers the delicate balance between transparency and sharing long-term strategies while managing uncertainty.The episode concludes with a focus on employee engagement and the challenges companies face when transitioning back into growth mode. 0:36 David Hanrahan’s background 3:01 Navigating layoffs and post-layoff transformation10:23 Navigating business objectives and principles21:26 Workforce changes and setting goals27:54 Company communication and navigating uncertainty35:19 Managing growth and culture transitions Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 27, 2023 • 36min
EP 105: Insights on efficiency, robust succession planning, and ROI of a people-first culture.
Prepare for a lively discussion between our host James Mackey and Colleen Ferrell, the Chief People Officer for North America at BCW Global, about the importance of investing in the right systems, harnessing the power of data and analytics, and crafting a robust succession plan. Their conversation takes an intriguing turn as they dive into the world of talent assessment and succession planning. Colleen shares her insights on performance reviews, the nine-box tool, and talent mapping. She gives us a fresh perspective on how to remove bias from the performance review process, fostering a people-first culture.James and Colleen talk about attracting and retaining exceptional people, demonstrating ROI, and budgeting for a people-first culture. Finally, we take a sneak peek at the thrilling partnerships on the horizon with leading companies. All of these and more in this episode that's sure to jumpstart your journey in building and engaging top-notch teams. Don't miss it! 0:31 Colleen Ferrell's background 1:33 High-level thought leadership on best practices for building and engaging great teams13:27 Talent assessment and succession planning25:44 Employee Satisfaction and ROI in HR30:33 Budgeting and proving value to employee Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 25, 2023 • 42min
EP 104: HR Excellence with Laura Giangiuli: Fostering a people-first culture. Diversity and mental health.
Join us in this captivating episode as our host James Mackey and guest Laura Giangiuli, SVP & CHRO at CALIBRE Systems, dive deeper into the intricate world of talent acquisition, HR strategy, and employee well-being. The conversation provides a holistic perspective on the importance of aligning business objectives with human resources and the pivotal role played by leaders in driving organizational success.Discover the key factors that contribute to successful recruitment, including the importance of branding, positioning, and high-level metrics.From talent acquisition to HR, the focus lies on recognizing the value of every individual and understanding that their commitment to the company renews each day. By fostering consistent, fair treatment, providing tailored benefits, and engaging with employees, the organization ensures that each team member actively chooses to return to work daily. They explore how companies can better support their employees' well-being by providing access to mental health first aid and establishing employee resource groups dedicated to mental health support. 0:38 Laura Giangiuli's background 3:15 Transition from HR to all-encompassing talent acquisition 8:41 Optimizing talent acquisition and recruiting17:50 People-first culture and employee engagement26:16 Diversity and mental health strategies39:40 Exciting news and future plans Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 20, 2023 • 48min
EP 103: Evolving hiring practices and retention strategies for a competitive advantage.
Have you ever wondered about the secret sauce that keeps top talent loyal to a company? Join host James Mackey and guest Britt Harris, Head of People at Hasura, as they explore the power of retention strategies and their impact on the success of your organization. In this episode, they go beyond monetary compensation and delve into the intricacies of creating a comprehensive talent package. They share insights on balancing employee experience with adaptability, aligning personal growth paths with job roles, and fostering open conversations about long-term career goals. Find out how understanding an individual's objectives and aligning them with the company's can create a harmonious and effective work environment.Lastly, they dive into how the interview process has evolved and how companies can stay competitive by making effective hiring decisions. 0:30 Britt's Harris background 3:10 Retention and employee engagement strategies 6:31 Compensation and growth in startup culture13:57 Match jobs to personal growth paths24:40 Conversations about long-term career goals31:56 Interview process shift41:06 Insights on effective hiring decisions Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 18, 2023 • 48min
EP 102: How to build profitable businesses at scale. Unit economics. With Sam Jacob's, CEO of Pavilion and WSJ best selling author.
Join us on this captivating episode as our host James Mackey, dive into the world of scaling profitable businesses with Sam Jacobs, the esteemed CEO of Pavilion.They explore the importance of leverage, the role of top performers, and how every team contributes to revenue generation beyond just sales. Gain a deep understanding of product-market fit and unit economics, two critical factors that can make or break a business in today's competitive landscape.Discover the four key variables that drive successful customer acquisition efforts and learn how to adapt and adjust your strategies for optimum results. They also tackle the challenges that come with adjusting strategies, from altering pricing for existing customers to making the hard decision of layoffs, and the power of data-driven decision-making.Sam's book: Kind Folks Finish First 0:34 Sam Jacob's background10:44 Product market fit and unit economics15:37 Adjusting strategy and pricing experiment26:58 Transitioning and analyzing medium size data30:22 Exploring alternative sales strategies35:44 Partnership and remote work Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 13, 2023 • 51min
EP 101: Building an effective startup culture, hiring, and retention strategies. The power of social media for employee engagement.
In this episode, our host James Mackey and his guest Ayelet Shapiro, VP of Human Resources at insoundz, explore the essential elements of building a strong and thriving culture within startups.They highlight the importance of core values, agility, and fast decision-making in the early stages. Discover the traits to look for when hiring, effective talent development strategies, and overcoming challenges in retaining employees.Furthermore, James and Ayelet dive into the power of employee engagement in building a strong employer brand. They discuss leveraging social media platforms and LinkedIn activities to get the team actively involved in promoting the company's culture and reveal an exciting program designed to increase engagement.01:32 Ayelet Shapiro's background 04:20 Building startup culture and effective hiring18:56 Interview strategies and retention techniques25:31 Junior engineer retention and development strategies42:45 Maximizing employee engagement through social media Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 11, 2023 • 47min
EP 100: Shauna Geraghty, SVP & Global Head of People & Talent at Talkdesk. Masterclass: quality of hire, predictive algorithms, the magic number to measure success.
We are thrilled to announce that we are celebrating a monumental milestone: the 100th episode of our podcast! To commemorate this special occasion, we have invited a distinguished guest to join us for this celebratory episode! As the first U.S. employee at Talkdesk, Shauna initially helped scale Talkdesk’s Marketing team, infrastructure, and activities from the ground up. In 2016 she was tapped to build Talkdesk’s Talent Acquisition function and since then has helped to scale Talkdesk to over 1,500 employees in 20 countries globally and to achieve a $10B+ valuation. Shauna shares how her background in Marketing, doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and her Strategic Advisory role with Stanford’s School of Medicine, has influenced her development on People and Talent theory and execution.You don’t want to miss this one. 0:46 Shauna Geraghty's background 7:04 Quality over quantity in hiring 8:27 Optimizing quality of hire13:30 How to coach hiring managers16:59 Ideal candidate profile comparison to ideal customer profile22:45 Predictive validity of the algorithm26:03 Performance measurement and alignment in hiring31:25 Improve hiring and performance reviews33:02 V2M2: vision, value, methods, and metrics39:22 The magic number metric: candidate quality score multiply it by candidate difficulty score Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!

Jul 6, 2023 • 46min
EP 99: How to leverage behavioral assessments for effective hiring. Employee engagement and retention. Early growth-stage focus.
Join host James Mackey and guest Erick Gydesen, COO at GG Homes, as they explore a revolutionary approach to talent acquisition and its impact on hiring success. Discover the power of behavioral assessments and how they achieved an impressive 90% success rate. Gain practical insights into transforming your hiring process and learn about the concept of evergreen mechanics for long-term employee engagement. Uncover a unique program that rewards high-performing team members with discounted home purchases, fostering loyalty and motivation. They explore leadership challenges like decision-making under pressure and the value of a strong referral program. With a focus on culture, James and Erick discuss the perils of a bad hire and how to avoid them.This episode is a must-listen for startup founders, HR executives, and aspiring leaders seeking to build a thriving and efficient team. 0:39 Erick Gydesen's background 2:38 Leveraging behavioral assessments for effective hiring11:58 Designing evergreen mechanics for long-term engagement20:56 Hiring and maintaining company culture challenges31:48 Decision-Making and the blind faith challenge36:45 Referral program building Thank you to our sponsor, SecureVision, for making this show possible! Follow us:https://www.linkedin.com/company/82436841/SecureVision: #1 Rated Embedded Recruitment Firm on G2!https://www.g2.com/products/securevision/reviewsThanks for listening!


