21 Hats Podcast Dashboard: Finding Employees Is Harder than Finding Customers
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Nov 28, 2025 Rob Levin, co-founder of Work Better Now and author of The New Talent Playbook, dives into the talent crisis affecting small businesses. He explains that recent layoffs don’t necessarily yield the right hires for smaller firms. Levin highlights the importance of a purposeful company culture and effective employer branding to attract talent. He advocates for paying competitive wages and emphasizes upskilling and internal mobility over mere salary increases. Additionally, he champions remote work, urging a focus on outputs rather than physical presence.
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Big Layoffs Aren't A Hiring Windfall
- Layoffs at big companies don't translate into a flood of hires for small businesses because skill sets and mindsets differ.
- Small businesses need versatile people with an owner's mentality, not bureaucratic experience.
Younger Cohorts Work Differently
- Many younger workers report an intention to do the bare minimum, which shifts expectations and management needs.
- Rob Levin recommends leading and managing younger cohorts differently to bring out their best.
Design Your Company Culture
- Build a culture by design rather than by default to attract and retain talent.
- Culture now matters more than ever and influences recruitment and employee engagement.
