Ventellect's Building our world podcast

A classic! This week we sit down with Lutz Hühnken, a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience, to discuss the intricacies of engineering leadership, his personal career journey, and his comprehensive approach to fostering high-performing software engineering teams. From his early fascination with computing to his current role overseeing engineering at a dynamic fintech startup Upvest, Lutz shares invaluable insights into what it takes to build, lead, and evolve cutting-edge engineering organizations in today's fast-paced tech landscape. Key Highlights: Early Beginnings: Lutz recounts his initial foray into the world of technology during the home computer era, marking the start of a lifelong passion for programming and engineering. Career Journey: From software development in the ecommerce boom to pioneering digital transformations and integrating legacy systems, Lutz's career trajectory showcases his adaptability and foresight in navigating the evolving tech industry. Philosophy on High-Performing Teams: Lutz delves into his approach to creating effective software engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of domain understanding, ownership, and decision-making autonomy. He advocates for a performance measure that goes beyond speed to include value delivery and business impact. Hiring and Leadership: Insights into Lutz's hiring philosophy reveal a focus on diversity, potential, and a product mindset among engineers. He stresses the significance of building a culture that values contributions to the team's success over mere cultural fit. Future of Engineering Leadership: Lutz discusses trends in tech leadership, including the shift towards hands-on engineering managers and the strategic role of leadership in fostering autonomy and strategic foresight within teams. Strategic Thinking and Organizational Growth: Highlighting the balance between ambition and practicality, Lutz talks about aiming for significant goals while anticipating future challenges, especially around scalability and regulatory compliance, to ensure smart and organic organizational growth. Platform Engineering and Its Evolution: Addressing the buzz around platform engineering, Lutz views platform teams as crucial enablers that multiply the engineering team's productivity. He counters the notion of platform teams as mere cost centers, highlighting the challenging and attractive aspects of platform engineering. Berlin's Tech Ecosystem: Lutz shares his perspective on Berlin as a vibrant hub for startups, venture capital, and tech innovation in Germany, praising the city's dynamic energy and its appeal to tech professionals worldwide. Future Perspectives and Personal Goals: Looking ahead, Lutz expresses contentment with his current role and enthusiasm for the potential growth and impact of his work. While open to future opportunities, his commitment to contributing to his company's culture and success remains paramount. Closing Thoughts: This episode offers a deep dive into the principles of effective engineering leadership, the challenges and opportunities of building software engineering organizations, and the continuous evolution required to stay at the forefront of technology. Lutz Hühnken's journey and insights provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to lead or be part of innovative engineering teams.

Today we host the great Wojciech Duda, an experienced engineering leader currently with Zalando, to dive deep into what it is like joining a company as a new Engineering Lead with an already existing team. We then get into Wojciech's perspective on hiring practices in tech, where he shares his preference for interactive systems design exercises over traditional take-home coding assignments, emphasizing the comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's technical and collaborative skills. Addressing the evolving hiring landscape, We discuss how the market's emphasis has shifted towards valuing soft skills and a product-oriented mindset among software engineers, reflecting broader industry trends and the post-COVID hiring environment. Wojciech offers his insights into the Berlin tech scene, noting a general wariness among engineers about changing jobs amidst market fluctuations, while also acknowledging the industry's resilience in absorbing talent during layoffs. Concluding the conversation, Wojciech articulates his career aspirations within Solando, aiming to foster operational excellence and drive value creation through effective team leadership and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

Key Highlights: Gianluca's Early Interests and Career Decisions: Discover how Gianluca's passion for people and communication shaped his career, leading him from considering architecture and culinary arts to diving into human resources. Evolution of the HR and Recruiting Field: Gianluca reflects on how the industry has evolved over the years, emphasizing the impact of economic cycles and technological advancements. The Role of Personal Branding: Learn why Gianluca decided to build a personal brand focused on the future of work, embracing innovation, and positioning himself at the forefront of new labor models. Insights on Labor Models and the Gig Economy: Advice on Building a Personal Brand: Navigating LinkedIn and Content Creation: . Impact on Career: Building a Recognizable Personal Brand in Recruitment: The Future of Work and AI Integration: AI in Recruitment: Practical Applications and Market Trends: Consulting Focus Areas: Insights into the Tech Scene in Spain: Growth of Tech in Spain: The Bureaucratic Landscape: Language Barriers and Tech Segments: AI in Recruitment: Predictions for Tech Hiring: **Adapting to Market Realities:

Delighted to have Alexandra Meyer on the podcast this week who Heads up the Talent function at fast growing Enpal in Berlin. Introduction to High-Growth Companies & First Recruitment Role: Alexandra shares her start in the startup world, emphasizing scaling companies from scratch and her initial role in recruitment that involved significant growth achievements. Early Days in Berlin's Startup Scene & Quality vs. Quantity in Hiring: Reflects on the evolution of Berlin's startup environment and the challenges of balancing high recruitment targets with ensuring quality hires. Data-Driven Recruitment Approach & From Individual Contributor to Talent Leader: Advocates for KPIs and SLAs in recruitment, detailing her journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role and the importance of data in guiding recruitment strategies. Empowering Recruiters with Data Insights & The Importance of Competencies and Resilience: Discusses empowering her team with data insights, highlighting the significance of specific competencies and resilience in recruitment. Adapting to Leadership and Managing Pressure & The Role of Office Collaboration: Shares insights on adapting to leadership, managing pressure within the team, and the value of office collaboration in fostering learning and flexibility in work arrangements.

This week we were joined by Amanda Hippe, the Director of Talent at Rippling and comes with a huge experience in Tech recruiting over the years both in agency and in-house at such companies like Uber during times of hyper growth. We discuss: Falling into Recruitment Navigating Economic Downturns Moving Your Seat: Adapting to Business Needs Transitioning from Agency to In-House Learning from Leadership Mistakes Building Consistency in Recruiting Processes The Power of Data in Talent Acquisition The Critical Role of Deliberate Hiring at Rippling Future Aspirations in the Global Talent Space. Rapid Growth and Strategic Hiring at Uber The Art of Deliberate Hiring Embracing Data-Driven Recruitment Global Ambitions and Continuous Growth If you enjoy it then please share an subscribe!

The great Jessie Lajoie joined me on the podcast this week someone who has now risen to Chief People Officer and done and achieved a lot during her time. We get into: Jessie's Background in Talent Acquisition (TA) and HR Transition from TA to HR/People Operations Evolving Role of HR and TA Over the Years Economic Cycles and Career Trajectory Changes in Tech Hiring and Generational Shifts Jessie's Experience with Different Working Cultures Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion at Doodle Importance of Employer Branding in Attracting Diverse Talent Internal Cultural Adaptation in Multinational Companies Jessie's Experience as a Female in the Corporate World Cultural Differences in Corporate Communication Jessie's Move to Europe and International Experience Tech Hiring and Economic Trends in 2024 Tips for diversity in Tech Hiring Changes in Perception and Treatment of Women in the Corporate Sector Differences in Work Cultures: Canada vs. Europe Impact of Social Media and Tech on Corporate Culture Jessie's Future Ambitions

Anna McDougall has made waves in the tech industry, having entered software engineering following a professional career as an opera singer. As a technical speaker and a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, Anna prides herself in taking technical topics and making them easy to understand for people from all walks of life: be it for her own colleagues; at events and conferences; or for corporate clients. From software engineering and generative AI, to technical careers and DEI, Anna brings high-quality information to life with her quirky style and friendly personality. Her book "You Belong in Tech: How to Go From Zero Programming Experience to Hired" was published in June 2022, and quickly became a #1 Bestselling New Release Career Guide on Amazon. In 2023, she delivered her talk "Finding and Proving Your Value as a Career Changer" for TEDx TU Berlin (YouTube release coming late 2023). To the podcast: Introduction to Anna J McDougall Career Transition to Software Engineering Rapid Career Progression in Tech Natural Affinity with Programming Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in Tech The State of D&I in the Tech Industry Challenges in Hiring and Diversity Initiatives to Improve Diversity Role of Men in Promoting D&I Listening and Addressing Sexism Downplaying Knowledge Based on Gender Creating Space for Women in Meetings Perceptions in Group Dynamics Individual vs. Gender Representation Berlin as a Tech Hub Initiatives to Promote Diversity Role of Men in Diversity Efforts Future Plans and Aspirations

It's here! The first episode of 2024, and what a treat we have. This week, we are joined by Philipp Schilling, a seasoned Engineering Leader with a 20+ year career, who was most notably at the heart of Personio's immense hypergrowth in Engineering. We talk basically about everything, Including: Programming languages. What makes code beautiful. The Dotcom crash. How he progressed to Lead roles. How to build a collaborative Engineering culture. Should Engineering Managers code? Hypergrowth challenges. Hiring Engineers at different growth stages. Traits of the best Software Engineers. The role of AI in Software Engineering. His current role and ambitions for the future. Thank you so much for listening, and if you like it, then please hit that follow button!

In this episode, we delve into the journey of Adam Bolton, an experienced and innovative talent acquisition pro. Starting his career in 2005 in the bustling world of agency recruitment, our guest witnessed first-hand the tumultuous ups and downs of the industry, most notably when Lehman Brothers, one of his prime clients, went bankrupt during the 2008 financial crisis. This adversity, however, became a springboard for innovation. Eventually he ventured out on his own, he became one of the early adopters of the RPO model and recognized the power of community building in niche candidate pools. This all led him to Currency Cloud, where he built their Talent Acquisition function from scratch. Tune in to learn about the evolution of recruitment, the potential of community-driven approaches, and insights from a true industry trailblazer.

Alex Ganyukov has recruited at companies all over the world specialsiing in Tech and FinTech. As Tech is becoming more and more international it was really good to hear his thoughts on different Tech Hubs - as well as digging into the Berlin Tech Hub where he heads up TA now at Billie. He has done a lot, risen the ranks, navigated this years shifting market, and recruited some pretty good Tech Talent. And he shares all of this in this week's episode.

Adriana in a short space of time has seen and done a lot when it comes to Talent Acquisition. Having been at the centre of times of hyper scaling, being a lone recruiter and building up her own team. There is ebbs and flows in recruitment and Adriana has seen them all - especially in the ever evolving FinTech space.

Today we speak with Jeff Kennedy, a Direct of Talent Acquisition, and someone who has worked his way up, and been on both sides of the recruiting fence. Waht was great about this chat was we talked about the basics of recruitment that never change. In an era where we can get bogged down in all types of topics, initiatives, and Data - sometimes it is easy to forget the basics and fundamentals of recruitment that have stood the test of time.

In today's episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Italo Vietro, the VP of Engineering at Urban Sports Club. With an extensive career in technology and a passion for fostering a strong engineering culture, Italo has significant insights to share. We discuss his career, the building blocks of an elite engineering culture, and much more. He has worked at many big Tech companies at the time of immense scaling and hyper growth, so has tonnes of insights to share. We discuss His move from Brazil to Berlin. How to move into leadership Set up an Engineering culture for success What makes a great Software Engineer The Tech landscape right now, and predictions for the future. We hope you enjoy. Links mentioned to share in the episode: https://www.ventellect.com/ https://urbansportsclub.com/en/

Katie started out in recruitment in 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis. Facing a challenging start to her career. But little did she know, that experience would prepare her for the unexpected twists and turns of the tech industry. As the Director of Recruiting at GoFundMe and Classy, Katie has navigated through large-scale layoffs and unexpected surges in applications. Her empathetic approach, adaptability, and resilience have proven invaluable in creating a positive candidate experience. We talk about the last couple of years and Tech on the west coast and how her and her team have adapted to the shifting landscape we have seen in recent months. It truly has been a rollercoaster, but Katie shares some great wisdom from mindset to tools she uses to make create a succesful Talent Acquisition function in 2023. Key Takeaway 1: Katie Schumann is a recruitment pro, honing her skills in the fast-paced world of tech. Key Takeaway 2: She is great at finding new ways to recruit talent, even when the economy's up and down. Key Takeaway 3: Katie doesn't just hire, she also implements tools and strategies that gets the most out of the resources. Key Takeaway 4: She's all about diversity and inclusion in recruitment, making sure everybody's got a fair shot. Key Takeaway 5: Katie mixes empathy with accountability in her leadership style, showing how important it is to balance the heart and the head in management.

The first returning guest! Matthias Schmeisser came on back in 2021, and it is fair to say A LOT has happened since then. So, we met in Berlin for Ventellect's first face to face podcast to discuss the last 18 months, the state of tech, the future, and what both internal recruitment teams and external partners should be doing to emerge from this year in the best shape possible. We cover all things Data, strategy, DEI, Branding, and we also get to know Matthias on a more personal level too! We love this one and hope you do too. Links mentioned in the episode: TalentGroup - Candidate Experience Reports: https://www.thetalentboard.org/benchmark-research/cande-research-reports/ Formula CX: https://www.thetalentboard.org/benchmark-research/candidate-experience-resentment-calculator/ Candidate Experience Guru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQGO3DB7g3g&t=5s DEI TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jodi_ann_burey_the_myth_of_bringing_your_full_authentic_self_to_work https://www.ventellect.com/ https://www.emnify.com/

5 key takeaways from this episode. The significance of DEI: Acknowledge the critical role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in recruitment strategies. Embrace innovative practices that foster a diverse and inclusive workforce in both North America and Europe. Revamp Recruitment Tools: Harness innovative tools that help build a strong employer brand. Leverage platforms like Perpetua's Applicant Tracking System (ATS), Lever, and Kart for tech assessments. Soft Skills and Values-based Hiring: Recognize the importance of soft skills and hiring based on shared values, particularly for tech talent acquisition. This focus can significantly improve the quality of your hires. Understand Regional Nuances: Gain insights into the differences in tech recruitment practices between North America and Europe, and adjust your strategies accordingly. Employer Branding: Acknowledge the critical importance of employer branding. This includes not just your company's reputation but also the candidate experience and continuous communication throughout the recruitment process. Emma Surich is a seasoned Talent Acquisition Leader who has recruited across different tech hubs as we tried to squeeze her decades worth of wisdom into our podcast today. Enjoy www.ventellect.com

Shannon has built up the recruiting function at Descriptive a big name in AI right now. A function that at it's heart is diverse and optimized in nature. With noth much resources and the right mindset you can shape things to give you long running hiring success in the futre. Diversity and Inclusion: Ensure diversity recruiting is an actionable strategy, not just a slogan. Make small improvements in every recruitment step, such as examining job descriptions for biased language, to cultivate a representative and innovative workforce. Candidate Management: Handle candidate expectations professionally. Provide valuable feedback even if they aren't chosen, as it can foster positive relationships for potential future opportunities. Hiring Managers: Train hiring managers to find a balance between task delegation and micromanagement. Recognize the impact of good management on talent acquisition and retention. Interview Skills: Investing time in interview technique training ensures more engaging and fair assessments of talent. Understand the candidate's perspective, and encourage candid discussions about their areas for growth. Hiring Process Optimization: Create a streamlined, transparent recruitment process focusing on diversity, inclusion, and clear communication. Consider incremental improvements and continually refine your approach for long-term success. Shannon's vast experience in tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox informs these insights. Now at Descript, she continues to innovate in tech recruiting and improve hiring processes. www.ventellect.com

Key takeaways: Unleash the power of data-driven methods to elevate your recruitment results and sustain a dedicated workforce. Cultivate an unbiased and welcoming interview process to draw in potential team members from diverse backgrounds. Merge technical acumen with cultural values to ensure the perfect fit for both candidates and organizations. Confront the existing bias towards women and minority groups in the tech landscape, pushing for increased representation. Partner with hiring managers to embrace new approaches and realities in recruitment strategies. Rebecca McPherson, a Senior Recruiter at Runway ML, an innovative generative AI startup. With her solid foundation in mathematics and experience counseling college students, Rebecca has honed her skills in data-driven recruitment. Entering the tech scene in 2019, she quickly made a name for herself as the first recruiter at Runway ML. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.

This episode discusses ways to improve recruitment outcomes through relationship building, inclusive language, data tracking, AI, and attending networking events. Here are the key takeaways: Use inclusive language in job posts to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. Build personal connections with hiring managers to increase trust and collaboration. Track data to improve the quality of interviews and the vetting process. While AI has the potential to revolutionize recruitment, human touch is still essential for connecting with and evaluating job candidates. Attend industry-specific events to network and meet talented individuals from underrepresented demographics. Meet Andre Romine, a talented recruitment professional with a passion for building strong relationships with hiring managers. Andre has a wealth of experience in the industry, having started in the agency world in 2017, where he honed his skills in accounting and finance. He later transitioned to tech recruiting and joined the internal side of things, helping to scale a company from 70 to 180 employees. Andre is a big believer in the power of human connection and has found success in using rapport-building techniques from the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." His friendly, conversational approach makes him an excellent resource for those looking to improve their relationships with hiring managers. Links mentioned: www.ventellect.com https://www.wurl.com/

When Moses Sison unexpectedly landed a job as a junior recruiter, he had no idea that his journey in the tech industry would lead to the discovery of his hidden leadership abilities. From individual contributor to team leader, Moses' story of adaptability and success serves as an inspiring example for those seeking to make their own career transitions. In this episode, you will be able to: Implement inclusive recruitment strategies that foster a diverse and thriving workplace. Master the art of transitioning from an individual contributor to an effective team leader. Adapt your leadership approach to suit various team personalities and work habits. Enhance talent acquisition by promoting empathy and effective communication. Optimize recruitment success through the artful balance of internal and external agency partnerships. My special guest is Moses Sison Moses Sison, a seasoned talent acquisition expert with a diverse background in tech recruiting, joins host Alex Bloisi to discuss navigating career transitions from individual contributor to team leader. Moses began his journey in the wacky world of recruitment in 2005, working with companies like Google and Adobe, where he fine-tuned his skills and gained invaluable experience. Adept at managing high-pressure situations, Moses has navigated the ups and downs of the tech industry, including the market correction of 2008. With a penchant for hiring individuals with a strong work ethic and a keen understanding of the industry's volatility, Moses is well-equipped to share his insights on leadership in the world of tech recruiting. . Links mentioned in this episode: www.ventellect.com www.autonomic.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm