Think Like an Owner Trilogy Search Series Ep.4: Kristen Glenn, Jennie Ellis, and Cyrus Symoom - Ep. 123
The 4th episode in our Trilogy Search Series features Kristen Glenn from Reverb People. Kristen is an HR professional with over 15 years of experience in HR Leadership and Business Partner roles. We also have Cyrus Symoom, the Co-CEO of Clariti Software, Clariti helps governments across North America with permitting and licensing solutions. Finally, we are joined by Jennie Ellis, who is an Operating Executive specializing in Talent Acquisition with Trilogy Search Partners.
This episode is a deep dive into talent acquisition, sourcing, and HR function development. Each of my guests brings a unique perspective with their experiences in fractional HR for small companies, running HR as the owner of an acquired company, and talent acquisition.
The last several years have been challenging for recruiting and retaining great people across all different kinds of companies and search funds. There are special challenges for smaller firms in hybrid arrangements, and each of my guests provides great insight into how companies can find and keep great team members. Enjoy.
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Links:
Topics:
(3:38) - Introductions, backgrounds, and thoughts on the current recruiting market
(8:59) - What are some tactics you’ve seen companies do to adjust downward as the market turns?
(11:30) - Challenges Cyrus faced in building Clariti
(13:43) - What ways have you seen talent compound at Clariti?
(15:41) - Is sourcing talent from companies that are going through periods of change an effective strategy?
(18:00) - How do you determine whether a company has good HR fundamentals in a prospective acquisition?
(23:05) - What was the HR function like at Clariti when it was acquired?
(24:25) - When did you decide to delegate out HR?
(25:28) - How do you coach people on developing their HR function?
(28:38) - How does the HR function look as the company scales?
(30:01) - What does HR at Clariti look like today?
(31:12) - What do fractional HR clients need to do to develop stronger HR functions?
(34:52) - At what stage do companies stop outsourcing HR?
(38:20) - What do some of the best HR functions have in common?
(40:36) - What metrics are most important at Clariti for recruiting and retention?
(41:19) - Can you expand more on the interview process at Clariti?
(43:47) - How do your periodic check-ins with employees differ from the initial interview questions?
(45:32) - How frequent are your retention interviews?
(50:20) - What are some best practices for retention in companies?
(52:40) - Where else can CEOs remind their team that communication should be open and transparent?
(54:11) - Where does Clariti need to improve the most in their HR function over the next 24 months?